Yet another cell phone question

[gretch]

Can someone tell me what a SIM card is? Last year I rented a cell from Discount Cell which was great. But after reading some posts it seems like some people buy SIM cards and only pay for the minutes and not the phone??? From my understanding, I would bring an old phone that I no longer use and that is not currently activated by Verizon or whatever and then in Aruba they would insert the SIM card and it’s instantly activated? I’m probably so far off…any help much appreciated!

[Shnyda]

Originally Posted by gretch

Can someone tell me what a SIM card is? Last year I rented a cell from Discount Cell which was great. But after reading some posts it seems like some people buy SIM cards and only pay for the minutes and not the phone??? From my understanding, I would bring an old phone that I no longer use and that is not currently activated by Verizon or whatever and then in Aruba they would insert the SIM card and it’s instantly activated? I’m probably so far off…any help much appreciated!

A SIM "Subscriber Identity Module" card is a tiny device which is placed into an UNLOCKED GSM cell phone. Once this device is placed into the cell phone - you are now using whatever network the SIM card belongs to.

For example - in Aruba, I bring down an old unlocked Motorola Razr and purchase a SIM card at the airport for $20USD. I then have an Aruban phone number for the time I am down there. I can add minutes to that SIM card if I need. Typically - the SIM card expires after 3 months of non-usage. I would have to purchase a new card and number after that.

The Key to using a SIM card is the phone must be UNLOCKED and GSM. Sprint and T-Mobile phones from the US are GSM but not always unlocked. You can usually get unlock codes from manufacturers or websites.

Verizon phones are typically CDMA phones and do not accept SIM cards, except for the Blackberry World Edition and I think one other VZW phone. You can usually pick up an unlocked GSM phone on ebay for under $50. If you plan on multiple trips to Aruba it may be worth the investment - if not - stick to renting a phone.

Hope that helps!

[gretch]

Shynda, thank you for helping me!! I have a Verizon phone, LG Voyager. Let’s say I can’t unlock it and need to buy a cheap $50 phone on ebay. Do I have to activate that phone here in the US with a provider like Verizon or is that what the SIM card does in Aruba? I go every year so it’s worth figuring out.

On the flip side, say I CAN unlock my LG phone and I get a SIM card in Aruba. Would I be using my same cell number or get a new Aruban number? And if that is the case, that would mean my Verizon account would not be charged for the phone calls made?

Sorry for all of these questions but I really do appreciate your help!!

[Shnyda]

You would definitely NOT want to activate the phone from ebay. The SIM card is all you need. The SIM card contains your Aruban phone number and the Minutes and sometimes your contacts. The SIM is kind of like the brain of the phone. So if you bought a SIM and your phone broke - you could just pop out the SIM put it in a new phone - and your # would automatically move, along with minutes and contacts. The only activation a GSM phone needs is an active SIM being slipped into the slot.

VZW LG Voager to my knowledge is a CDMA phone and is not GSM compatible.

If you don't plan on using your phone too much - I am pretty sure CDMA Verizon phones work in Aruba via roaming - although it is at a very high $$$.

I do a bunch of traveling for pleasure and work - so phone questions I can usually help with.

[Sgroi135]

Originally Posted by gretch

Shynda, thank you for helping me!! I have a Verizon phone, LG Voyager. Let’s say I can’t unlock it and need to buy a cheap $50 phone on ebay. Do I have to activate that phone here in the US with a provider like Verizon or is that what the SIM card does in Aruba? I go every year so it’s worth figuring out.

On the flip side, say I CAN unlock my LG phone and I get a SIM card in Aruba. Would I be using my same cell number or get a new Aruban number? And if that is the case, that would mean my Verizon account would not be charged for the phone calls made?

Sorry for all of these questions but I really do appreciate your help!!

Most Verizon Phones DO NOT use SIM cards.....

I have Sprint and they do not use either. Unless you have a BB WORLD PHONE, they will take sims but they must be unlocked.

If you really want the phone there, you will need a phone that is unlocked and can take a SIM, that is the thing that alot of people dont understand.

[Shnyda]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MOTOROLA-V3-...3%3A1|294%3A50

Here is a link to a cheap phone that will work - you can get an even older model for cheaper.

[Shnyda]

Originally Posted by Sgroi135

Most Verizon Phones DO NOT use SIM cards.....

I have Sprint and they do not use either. Unless you have a BB WORLD PHONE, they will take sims but they must be unlocked.

If you really want the phone there, you will need a phone that is unlocked and can take a SIM, that is the thing that alot of people dont understand.

Yeah - we Americans don't deal with SIM cards like the rest of the world does so most of us don't know.

I don't know about the Sprint BB World - but I have used a brand new loaner Verizon BB World and it came unlocked.

[gretch]

Now I get it!!! this is fantastic info!!!! I think I will check out that link and get cell specifically to take to Aruba. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me, thank you very much! Everyone on this board is so helpful!!

[gretch]

I found a phone that takes sim cards...Motorola Nextel. Can someone tell me how to tell if it is "unlocked?"

[dogwriter]

Originally Posted by gretch

I found a phone that takes sim cards...Motorola Nextel. Can someone tell me how to tell if it is "unlocked?"

Borrow an AT&T sim card and put it in your phone. That will tell you. However, it also needs to be a Quad band phone that has the correct frequencies.
Walt