How can you tell if a cell phone has "cdma" technology? I need phone already have contract. Are tracphones?
I need a cell phone for existing cellcom service. Contracted for another seven months. They tell me I can use cell phone which has 911/Gps and CDMA technology. I was wondering how one can tell if a phone has this? Example, can I buy a tracphone or some other cheap phone without a contract and convert it to my current cell phone provider? Thanks for looking!!!
Public Comments
- CDMA is the type of technology used by Alltel, Verizon etc, but not carriers like T-Mobile or Cingular etc who use the GPS. The CDMA uses tower signals where as GPS uses satellite. By the way I would suggest that you go on your carrier's website and check the various phones they have, also do a search of the various older model phones they have that you can purchase on ebay. Not all CDMA phones work with all carriers, meaning that you at times can't use a Alltel phone for Verizon.
- Unfortunately I am not familiar with Cellcom specifically, but there are some things that may be similar to things I have encountered before. For example Verizon usually would say that they could not convert other company's phones, but sometimes they could if it was the exact same model as a phone that they carried (and same technology of course). They would also say that it was not always reliable. I think that you would be dealing with technicians for something like this, so would also have to make sure that they had the right equipment to hook your phone up to, to change the software. If you find a Cellcom phone that you may be able to use, Cellcom should hopefully be able to tell you if it is E911/GPS capable by the serial number, before you buy it. Maybe see if they can give you a deal on an upgrade? Ask if you have to fulfill your entire contract before getting any kind of discount. Many companies will give you a partial discount if you are mostly finished. (You likely would have to extend your contract.) Some Tracfones use CDMA technology while others use GSM. It should usually say on the back of the box. I would not recommend trying to convert Tracfone specifically because the software in their phones are usually different from others (because of the way their service works). They do not even let other cell phone repair people have access to their software. I doubt it could be converted. Sydney was correct in most things (and had good suggestions) as far as they relate to you: Verizon uses CDMA while Cingular does not. But Cingular's cell phone service uses GSM technology with cell phone towers . Otherwise they would be a satellite phone company. My recommendation would be to try to stick with Cellcom phones. Ask friends if they have upgraded recently, check the Goodwill, Ebay, etc. Just don't put too much into a phone if you are not sure about it's reliability. (By the time you have a new battery and charger, you could be halfway to a new one!) Good luck, and I hope you find a good deal :)
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