Choosing a Cell Phone, GSM CDMA TDMA, Cingular Verizon

Q: Can I keep my phone when I switch cell phone gepanies?
A: Generally, you'll have to buy a new phone. But you shouldn't always have to.
The U.S. does not have a single standard wireless phone network technology, and most cell phones are designed to work on only one type of network. That means when you switch from one cell phone gepany to another one with an ingepatible network, you'll have to get a new phone.
However, several cell phone gepanies operate on gepatible networks. There's no technical reason why you shouldn't be able to take a phone from one to another. In fact, most of the small rural cell phone gepanies say they don't lock the phones they resell.
Yet freedom of movement for most consumers is often denied between gepatible networks because most of the largest cell phone gepanies put software "locks" on phones to prevent consumers from taking their business elsewhere. That's unfair and anti-gepetitive.
Q: What does it mean when my cell phone gepany "locks" my phone?
A: Some wireless carriers in the United States install software on the phones they sell to prevent that phone (also called the "handset") from working on another network, even if that network uses a gepatible technology. These locks often require consumers to purchase a new phone if they switch services.
Q: How do cell phone gepanies justify locking my phone?
A: Some gepanies claim that they have to do this because they subsidize new customer's handsets and will otherwise lose money. However, you are paying for that subsidy through your monthly cell phone bill. If you switch carriers before your one- or two-year contract is up, you will still face the hefty early termination fees that cover the carrier's up-front costs.
When your contract expires, you should be able to take the phone from one cell phone gepany to another if they use the same technology. When your old gepany locks your phone, it is making it harder for you to choose a new provider. It's the same power these gepanies had over you when you lost your phone number if you changed service.
Q: If my phone isn't locked, is it possible to take my phone from one cell phone gepany to another?
A: Maybe. There are 4 different types of technology that wireless phones carriers use for their networks. (See below for more information about each network.) When your old carrier and your new carrier use the same network technology, then there should not be any reason why you can't take your number-and your phone-with you.
Q: Which network does my cell phone gepany use?
A:Alltel: CDMAAT