New MVNO That Uses Cingular's GSM Network

Thanks for the link and information Dan.

I think this might actually be a good deal imo.

I will have to look into it, so then I can try out GSM in my area and this summer on vacation.

Now, all I have to do is buy a unlocked GSM phone (if I can use a unlocked GSM phone on their network).

 

You should be able to just pop the SIM into the unlocked phone. Make sure it's 850/1900 capable though.

 

Well I think I am going to bite the bullet and buy a unlocked Motorola V600 from Costco.

It is a pretty good deal since it is a quad-band phone (850/1900 and 900/1800 Mhz phone).

 

How much is it? Well, I guess if you're gonna do that, your parents could get a local SIM if they do go to Europe this summer.

 

Net10 is Tracfone's "GoPhone"-like deal. The SIM is locked to the phone. You can't use that SIM in another phone. Airtime is managed on the phone.

 

The phone is $249 plus s&h.

So that is not a bad deal considering that it is brand new and that it is a quad-band phone that is unlocked.

 

Are you absolutely positive dmarkson?

If that is the case, then back to the drawing board.

 

Tracfone manages all airtime on the handset itself. Therefore they could not allow you to put the SIM in another phone or you would have unlimited use!

 

This new service looks pretty good... but the phone selection isn't that good. Hopefully it will improve.

 

Any news if AT&T Wireless will be going with Sprint's or Cingular's network??

 

That stinks.

Their phone selection isn't the greatest.

So I guess I can't get a unlocked Motorola V600 and use it with their service.

Oh well.

Thanks anyway.

 

Gamer, have you looked into the 7-11 prepaid? I *think* you can use the sim in other phones. I would seriously consider the v551 at 209 at moto.com over a v600. Newer phone.

 

Yes, you can use the 7-11 SpeakOut SIM in other phones. However, you can't buy just the SIM, you must buy a phone too (unless you can find just the SIM on e-Bay).

SpeakOut just announced (see their latest brochure at 7-11.com) they will start charging a 99c/month fee, and that you must use the phone at least every 120 days. It has not started yet, for me anyways.

 

I thought about that.

I really just wanted to try out Cingular's network.

I think I will either just buy the phone from Net10 or maybe try out Cingular's service on their prepaid plans.

But then again, Cingular KIC doesn't include roaming on their plans like Tracfone and Net10 does. Hmm......

Thanks for the recommendation Airb.

Would the V551 be unlocked? If not, then if my parents go to Europe, then they couldn't take that phone with them unless it is unlocked.

 

Here is a question:

Can I buy a unlocked quad-band phone and buy a Cingular KIC sim and not the phone?

Would they let me do that?

Thanks in advance for anyone's help.

 

Well, sounds good if you have that kind of change to play around with I used to have so many Tri-Band phones but all gave them away to friends/family in Germany

 

If Cingular sells KIC SIMs only, without a phone, then you could, of course, plug the SIM into any unlocked GSM phone.

 

Well I have some money saved up from my aunts over the years....so that is why I might get the phone. Plus I am glad that I have a savings account....unlike some of my friends that don't have one and spend all of their money.

 

Well someone over on Hofo said that they bought a KIC sim card from a Cingular store for $24.99 and they put it into their phone and it worked.

 

I also know someone in Massachusetts who told me they put a KIC SIM into an unlocked phone and it worked. But I agree that you shouldn't get the V600 and that you should get the v551 instead.

 

Cool, will have to consider it when I come back to the US next time.

 

I just bought a Nokia 2600 GSM 850/1900 Mhz at K-Mart.

I get a full signal next to my window in my house, and 4-5 bars out of 7 in the middle of my house.

I haven't had a chance to test out the GSM signal around town yet, since I just got it activated 10 minutes ago.

I will give a review of it within the following week when I have had a chance to fully test it out.

 

So...are you on a Cingular orange or blue tower with this phone?

 

Actually I don't really know.

The phone either displays Tracfone or Roaming (which is included in the minutes).

I will have to post some questions over on Hofo after I do a search to see what carrier Tracfone prefers.

According to prepaidgsm.net, Tracfone uses roaming on Cingular's network, plus national roaming.

 

Hmmmm.....Tracfone uses Cingular towers......Gamer, didn't you try Cingular before recently and have receptions problems?

 

The last time we tried Cingular was when they were still TDMA. That was from 2002-2004.

 

Gamer, where did you post about this on HoFo?

 

ShoresGuy, I posted this in the Prepaid Discussion forum:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=614110

 

Ok, read it , thanks.