Verizon Cell Phone help

[NeonMoon]

Neon, is the Tracfone a CDMA or GSA unit? Tracfone uses the big carriers network. If you stick with a Tracfone CDMA unit you should be able to use it in IN and Miss on Verizon's network since they are mainly CDMA.

That's a question I can't answer ('cause I don't have a clue), how could I find-out?

[NeonMoon]

Well, I just searched, and according to what I came-up with, it's GSM, one reasons being there's a SIM Card under the battery, but another being the phone is an LG420G, and Google replies say it's GSM.

I had a phone to start with that didn't fold/flip-closed, and replaced it with this one. I haven't liked this one near as well, doesn't have near the battery life as my 1st (not that it has anything to do with my issues).

Would it state on a new phone (if I were simply to replace this one and stick with TracPhone) which type it was?

Thanks for the help!

ETA: Reading this: Which Tracfones are CDMA? | eHow.com

Says:

Warning

• New CDMA Tracfone devices are not sold in areas that have GSM service. If your location has GSM service, you will need to purchase a CDMA Tracfone when you are in an area without GSM service. Another option is to purchase the phone at the Tracfone Web site. When asked to enter your ZIP code before you begin the search for phones, insert the ZIP code of a location without GSM service. If you enter your own ZIP code, the phones offered will not include any CDMA Tracfone devices.
  
  

I'd like to keep my same number (central IN area code) for calls to be local for family, but from what I'm gathering if I'd find a place down here to buy one which was CDMA, that would be doable. Now I just need to figure-out how/where to buy one.

Thanks again, that gives me a starting point.

[Don G]

Here's the link to the article jimp mentioned:

A smartphone bill under $50? Red Tape readers reveal their cell secrets - Red Tape

Just read it, and I think I'll stick to just wanting a "phone". That said, I still want to get it through Verizon, as I've had the best luck with them, and talking to many locals, it's generally what they have too.

I'll just leave my internet connection alone, no complaints on it, and in 3 years have only been unable to connect once.

Thanks Brian, keep those dollars coming in. You are supporting my pension fund.

[NeonMoon]

Thanks Brian, keep those dollars coming in. You are supporting my pension fund.

Always willing to help the old fellers out Don Seriously, they have the best coverage, no doubt about it, if you benefit from it, all the better

I just emailed TracPhone to see what they suggest the best solution would be. This tech stuff makes my head hurt

[jimp]

[Cane Pole]

I got senior plan from Verizon. 250 min fer 29.95 plus govt fair share. Plain phone that takes pictures. Samsung. I help DonG out.

[NeonMoon]

By age I don't qualify as a Senior CP, now if they went by condition, I'm there

Got a reply from TracFone (didn't realize I'd been spelling it wrong), and they told me to go to the local stores phone shopping to buy a CDMA phone. This was after an attempt to call me, regarding my complaint of lack of signal.....duh. I'm sure they realize that in areas covered by GSM signal (AT&T), stores don't carry the CDMA (Verizon) phones. I found this odd, since they (TracFone) sells phones from their site, but never offered to sell me one. I'd read to skirt their selective sales, you have to select (place in basket/shopping cart) by using the zip code of an area which doesn't have GSM service (which I have a zip in Arizona), and it asks for a zip from the get-go (I looked). Seems kinda silly to me just in order for them to keep customers from getting reception for the sake of profits. I know "if ya' ain't happy, go elsewhere". Shot myself in the foot more than once, so not in a rush to make that move (just yet).

I found a phone (CDMA, the LG235C) for $30 including 2-day Shipping (Amazon). I guess once I get back to Sardis the 1st of next week, I'll order it and can switch everything over on the internet (can't wait to see how that goes). If that doesn't resolve my situation, I'm not sure what I'll do. Even if I went and bought a 2nd pre-pay locally (just leaving my current phone as-is) just to use for the remainder of my time in MS, I don't see how that would make any difference, as it would operate the same (GSM) as my current phone, just with a local number. Unless there's something I'm missing?

I'll post after getting the replacement phone next week to say if it made a difference or not, may help someone in a similar situation.

[backtocrappie]

I'm not sure what you're driving at except maybe price. If you want a basic phone dirt cheap, sometimes referred to as "disposable phones" Walmart has prepaid Samsung starting at $9.95 online.

["G"]

Gotta tell ya Neon....Does not matter what phone ya got or what company your service is through......getting a signal at Sardis is tough with any of them. At our Fall camp this year....one minute we had phone service....the next minute we didn't....same with internet on the phone. Sometimes you could move just five feet and get a signal. We had a lot of different phones out there....and thats just how it was.

[Rip a Lip]

ATT must have added a tower since camp. I now get 4g service all the time at the campground.