Can I activate an old cell phone to work with current phone

Like lots of us, I take advantage of VZ's New Every Two plan that gives me a
new phone, or some $$ towards a new phone, every two years with a renewal.
So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I don't think
these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do can't be done.

I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account, along
with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my wife and
keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we couldn't
call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm tired of
throwing away half my minutes every month.

Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
removable sim cards.

Thanks.

At 26 Jul 2007 22:37:08 +0000 mdb wrote:

> So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I don't
> think these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do
> can't be done.

They're not, but you couldn't do what you want to with GSM either! ;-)

> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account,
> along with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to
> my wife and keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes.

No, you can't. No US provider currently allows two phones to share a
number.

You could, however, get a "family plan", which would have two phones,
with two numbers, sharing a "pool" of minutes for one monthly fee.

> I know we couldn't
> call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm tired of
> throwing away half my minutes every month.


They get a cheaper plan, or switch to prepaid. PagePlus activates old
Verizon handsets and sells airtime for less than 15-cents/minute.

> Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
> removable sim cards.


No, it can't be done. Even if they had SIMs, you couldn't have both
phones working at the same time- you'd move the one active SIM back and
forth between the phones. That wouldn't be any different than just
loaning your wife your working phone when she needed it.

--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures or double
as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for all the bells and whistles,
but I could communicate better with ACTUAL bells and whistles."
-Bill Maher 9/25/2003

On Jul 26, 5:37 pm, "mdb" <milo_dh...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Like lots of us, I take advantage of VZ's New Every Two plan that gives me a
> new phone, or some $$ towards a new phone, every two years with a renewal.
> So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I don't think
> these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do can't be done.
>
> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account, along
> with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my wife and
> keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we couldn't
> call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm tired of
> throwing away half my minutes every month.
>
> Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
> removable sim cards.
>
> Thanks.

You can probably pay $10.00 more a month for a different number for
the old phone and share your 500 minutes.

I think he'd have to upgrade to a 700 minute family share plan.



"JNB" <John.Bodart@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1185490838.911010.113590@l70g2000hse.googlegr oups.com...
> On Jul 26, 5:37 pm, "mdb" <milo_dh...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Like lots of us, I take advantage of VZ's New Every Two plan that gives
>> me a
>> new phone, or some $$ towards a new phone, every two years with a
>> renewal.
>> So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I don't
>> think
>> these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do can't be done.
>>
>> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
>> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account,
>> along
>> with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my wife
>> and
>> keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we couldn't
>> call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm tired of
>> throwing away half my minutes every month.
>>
>> Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
>> removable sim cards.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> You can probably pay $10.00 more a month for a different number for
> the old phone and share your 500 minutes.
>

If the old cellphone does not have GPS, you may be out-of-luck.

Hell, ordering a second plan or upgrading to a family plan includes free
phone options anyway. (2 year commitment though)


"mdb" <milo_dhuey@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsm9qi.4254$9A6.3956@trnddc01...
> Like lots of us, I take advantage of VZ's New Every Two plan that gives me
> a new phone, or some $$ towards a new phone, every two years with a
> renewal. So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I
> don't think these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do
> can't be done.
>
> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account,
> along with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my
> wife and keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we
> couldn't call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm
> tired of throwing away half my minutes every month.
>
> Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
> removable sim cards.
>
> Thanks.
>

"mdb" <milo_dhuey@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsm9qi.4254$9A6.3956@trnddc01...

> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account,
> along with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my
> wife and keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we
> couldn't call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm
> tired of throwing away half my minutes every month.

Why must you have separate cell phones with the same number? Doesn't
mommy trust you?

On 7/28/2007 9:37 PM LHA exclaimed:
> "mdb" <milo_dhuey@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> newsm9qi.4254$9A6.3956@trnddc01...
>
>
>> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
>> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account,
>> along with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my
>> wife and keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we
>> couldn't call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm
>> tired of throwing away half my minutes every month.
>>
>
> Why must you have separate cell phones with the same number? Doesn't
> mommy trust you?
>
>
>
>
>
T-Moble periodically accepts old phones for recycling (either for parts
or to refurbish and give to students in emerging countries.) If your
provider doesn't have the same, drop the old phones off at a T-Mobile
store. There's usually a bin for them located at the store entrance.
It won't matter that they are not GSM phones. They still can be re-used
after refurbishing.

As for you and your wife, get a family plan and share your minutes.
Of course if you switch to Cingular = AT&T your minutes get rolled over
at the end of the month. Then you can get a family plan with rollover.

--
________
To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951

mdb,

It's a common worry that we are not using the minutes we are paying for. In
your case, you might just consider that you are among the people who pay a
little more per minute than others who make more calls. There are other
alternatives, but each one involves it's own set of hassles.

You could pay MORE to add a second phone, but that's not what you're looking
for. The easiest alternative is to ask Verizon for a cheaper plan. I'm
guessing you're paying $40 a month. There is currently a $35 plan which has
fewer options, and in some markets, and only available for some customers, a
$29.99 plan which probably has fewer minutes than you need, maybe 100.
Verizon has been known to knock off a few bucks each month just to get you
to add another 2 year contract...and that does not affect your 'new every
2'. Call and ask.

Depending on the model of v60, you probably cannot activate it on any
carrier. The v60s and v60p are the exceptions, but I bet you have a v60c or
v60i which can no longer be used in the US. 2 phones cannot legally have
the same number.

If you want a very cheap 2nd phone, the best options are all prepaid and can
be had for less than $10/mo.


Bill Radio
Click for Wireless Reviews at:
http://www.mountainwireless.com



"mdb" <milo_dhuey@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsm9qi.4254$9A6.3956@trnddc01...
> Like lots of us, I take advantage of VZ's New Every Two plan that gives me
> a new phone, or some $$ towards a new phone, every two years with a
> renewal. So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I
> don't think these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do
> can't be done.
>
> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account,
> along with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my
> wife and keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we
> couldn't call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm
> tired of throwing away half my minutes every month.
>
> Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
> removable sim cards.
>
> Thanks.
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Jul 26, 6:37 pm, "mdb" <milo_dh...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Like lots of us, I take advantage of VZ's New Every Two plan that gives me a
> new phone, or some $$ towards a new phone, every two years with a renewal.
> So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I don't think
> these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do can't be done.
>
> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account, along
> with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my wife and
> keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we couldn't
> call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm tired of
> throwing away half my minutes every month.
>
> Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
> removable sim cards.
>
> Thanks.

Your best bet would be to activate your spare phone on Page Plus for
$6 at www.uglyeric.com

You will get 100 free minutes and a new phone number, you can buy
minutes for less than 6¢ each when you run out. with no contract and
no daily fees, and since the minutes last for 4 months, with a $10
card you can have service for $2.50 per month, if you dont use many
minutes.

On Jul 31, 12:54 pm, "Bill Radio"
<Wirel...@MountainWirelessNOSPAN.com> wrote:
> mdb,
>
> It's a common worry that we are not using the minutes we are paying for. In
> your case, you might just consider that you are among the people who pay a
> little more per minute than others who make more calls. There are other
> alternatives, but each one involves it's own set of hassles.
>
> You could pay MORE to add a second phone, but that's not what you're looking
> for. The easiest alternative is to ask Verizon for a cheaper plan. I'm
> guessing you're paying $40 a month. There is currently a $35 plan which has
> fewer options, and in some markets, and only available for some customers, a
> $29.99 plan which probably has fewer minutes than you need, maybe 100.
> Verizon has been known to knock off a few bucks each month just to get you
> to add another 2 year contract...and that does not affect your 'new every
> 2'. Call and ask.
>
> Depending on the model of v60, you probably cannot activate it on any
> carrier. The v60s and v60p are the exceptions, but I bet you have a v60c or
> v60i which can no longer be used in the US. 2 phones cannot legally have
> the same number.
>
> If you want a very cheap 2nd phone, the best options are all prepaid and can
> be had for less than $10/mo.
>
> Bill Radio
> Click for Wireless Reviews at:http://www.mountainwireless.com
>
> "mdb" <milo_dh...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> newsm9qi.4254$9A6.3956@trnddc01...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Like lots of us, I take advantage of VZ's New Every Two plan that gives me
> > a new phone, or some $$ towards a new phone, every two years with a
> > renewal. So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I
> > don't think these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do
> > can't be done.
>
> > I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
> > activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account,
> > along with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my
> > wife and keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we
> > couldn't call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm
> > tired of throwing away half my minutes every month.
>
> > Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
> > removable sim cards.
>
> > Thanks.
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account fromhttp://www.teranews.com- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

>
> Depending on the model of v60, you probably cannot activate it on any
> carrier. The v60s and v60p are the exceptions, but I bet you have a v60c or
> v60i which can no longer be used in the US. 2 phones cannot legally have
> the same number.
>

Hmm...could you expand on why certain v60 phones can't be used any
longer?

I have a v60i phone that has been sitting in a drawer for awhile.

Thanks

TMT

On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:42:38 -0700, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

> Hmm...could you expand on why certain v60 phones can't be used any
> longer?
>
> I have a v60i phone that has been sitting in a drawer for awhile.
>
> Thanks
>
> TMT

Verizon will only activate phones that are GPS capable. Most older phones
are not.

Bill Radio wrote:
> mdb,
>
> It's a common worry that we are not using the minutes we are paying for. In
> your case, you might just consider that you are among the people who pay a
> little more per minute than others who make more calls. There are other
> alternatives, but each one involves it's own set of hassles.
>
> You could pay MORE to add a second phone, but that's not what you're looking
> for. The easiest alternative is to ask Verizon for a cheaper plan. I'm
> guessing you're paying $40 a month. There is currently a $35 plan which has
> fewer options, and in some markets, and only available for some customers, a
> $29.99 plan which probably has fewer minutes than you need, maybe 100.
> Verizon has been known to knock off a few bucks each month just to get you
> to add another 2 year contract...and that does not affect your 'new every
> 2'. Call and ask.
>
> Depending on the model of v60, you probably cannot activate it on any
> carrier. The v60s and v60p are the exceptions, but I bet you have a v60c or
> v60i which can no longer be used in the US. 2 phones cannot legally have
> the same number.
>
> If you want a very cheap 2nd phone, the best options are all prepaid and can
> be had for less than $10/mo.

He could use the old phone with PagePlus which doesn't require E-911.

mdb wrote:

> Like lots of us, I take advantage of VZ's New Every Two plan that gives me a
> new phone, or some $$ towards a new phone, every two years with a renewal.
> So I've got a couple older, perfectly functional cell phones. I don't think
> these are GSM phones and that may be why what I want to do can't be done.
>
> I typically use much less than 1/2 of my monthly minutes. I'd like to
> activate my old phone, a Motorola V60, to work on my current account, along
> with my current phone, an LG VX8300. I'd then give one phone to my wife and
> keep the other for myself. We'd share the 500 minutes. I know we couldn't
> call each other since we'd have the same phone number. But I'm tired of
> throwing away half my minutes every month.
>
> Does anyone know if this can be done? I don't think the phones have
> removable sim cards.
>

About 10 years ago, I asked this same question.

The answer was, one phone could respond to two numbers, but two phones
could not use the same number.

Probably still the same.

Charles