I hope someone can help. I want to leave nextel and move to cingular or t-mobile w/o a contract. can I just swap SIM cards? are all SIM cards created equal? Or do I need a new SIM from the new provider? thanks.
The sim cards are specific to the provider. On top of that, GSM carriers and Nextel use different network technologies so no nextel equipment will work on a GSM network. -Jay
Thanks Jay. That's what I was thinking. And as I read more here I fear I may be entering a fuzzy and frustrating world to get what I want.
It is sometimes hard to get what you want. I'm in that dilemma right now. I want to upgrade to a 3G Motorola phone, but the only ones right now are european models that don't have the US 850 band. -Jay
I can't find a post by you there. Here is the thread that I'm talking about it in. http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/motorola/54001-i-cant-believe-im-actually-considering.html -Jay EDIT: oops. I see it came up now. -Jay
Just for academic curiosity, a Nextel SIM would work in a GSM phone if the GSM carriers had roaming agreements with the Nextel network MCC-MNC 316-010. A Nextel SIM will function in a GSM phone and you can read and edit the phone book. It just cannot register on the network. Likewise, a GSM carriers SIM will work in a Nextel phone, assuming it is unlocked, but it will not be able to register on Nextel's network.
Unfortunately, nextel doesn't operate on a GSM network, and GSM carriers don't operate iDen networks, so the handset won't see the appropriate network. Effectively, a Nextel SIM in a GSM handset will force the GSM handset to look for Nextel on a GSM network, and it won't find it. You won't roam either because Nextel doesn't have roaming agreements with GSM carriers because they use different network technologies. All you **might** be able to do is transfer the contacts from the SIM to the GSM handset. -Jay
**might** is the operative word here. I just tried to switch my wifes i550 sim to my i90c and the phone works as hers but the phone book was not read by the i90c. i'm starting to get the feeling all of the network-harware-firmware stars must align to get that perfect setup. And before someone chimes in and says that 'perfect' is different for everyone, my definition of perfect is that I can get what I want where I want it. 'blah blah blah' I really don't understand why the lack of interchangeability in the basic phone setups. ab
Been awhile since I dealt with Nextel but the reason the SIMMs are incompatable from one phone to another is Nextel changed the type of simm they use in the newer phones. Meaning the old SIMMS will not work in a newer model phone, and the newer SIMMS will not work in an older model phone. Had the same problem when I upgraded from the I90 to the I860. The phone would work, but could not read my contact info from the older SIMM. If there is an authorized nextel repair center where you live bring the phones and SIMM cards into them. They have software and the ability to copy from one SIMM to another. There might be charge for doing it, but thats what I did, and I not only got my contacts back on the I860 but even ringtones, wallpapers, java apps and games. I got lucky when I had them do mine, they actually needed an older SIMM card for another customer's phone so once they moved my stuff I gave them the old SIMM and they did not charge me for the transfer. Curious why you would switch from the I550 to the I90C. Let me guess, if I remember my nextel phones, the I550 has no external display so you cannot see who is calling until you open the flip?
