Per yats:
> I had purchased an unlocked GSM phone
>elsewhere and was able to keep my existing $29/mo plan and didn't have to
>pay the "normal" $18 rip-off fee.

Heck, I've had people *give* me old phones (thanks again John...).

A significant plus of GSM over TDMA is portability/fungibility: your SIM card is
what identifies you. It can be put in any phone that supports your carrier's
band and it will work.

I find Nokia phones the most straightforward to unlock. I also like the idea
that their power supplies seem tb all the same and there is a high degree if
battery interchangeability among their candy bar phones.
--
PeteCresswell