Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
Spring currently charges me $47.50 for 1,300 minutes, though I don't
exceed 1,000 in any one month. I would like a larger screen than that
provided by the Palm Treo (Palm OS), but Sprint advises that to get the
Pre would require an entirely new plan that is much more costly.
I travel 2-3 times a year, rarely if ever go online with the phone, and
send/receive only a very few text messages or emails.
One thing: my phone *must* include an ebook reader, and I *must* be able
to convert text files to something compatible.
As you talk a lot at 1000 min/month, probably the best plan for you
would be the 1200 minutes plus 1200 message (sms or mms, even with
pictures) for $29.95!
You get 50MB/month of data for no extra charge for emails and very light
browsing.
Pageplus' $39.95 plan is UNLIMITED TALK and UNLIMITED TEXTING, but not
pictures, only texting and only 20MB/mo data.
Your usage looks like it would cost you $29.95/mo.....is that better?...
(c;]
Verizon would be more than happy to charge you 3 to 5 times MORE than
Pageplus ON THE SAME VERIZON NATIONWIDE SYSTEM PAGEPLUS USES, for a
similar plan. Just unlimited TALK ONLY on Verizon is only $129.95!
If you really want to cut costs....while cutting your long-winded usage
too....You can get a Pageplus prepaid plan with ROLLOVER minutes on
Verizon for about 5.3c/minute by following the tricks on:
I'm currently automatically buying a $10/83min card every 4 months to
keep my account running so I don't lose any minutes, plus buying an
$80/1400 minute card for $72 from the discounter mentioned on the
webpage as needed....which may come to only once or twice a year. If
you buy something every 4 months, YOUR MINUTES DON'T EXPIRE! For us
lighter users, it's a helluva deal to get Verizon coverages so cheap!
Oh, by the way because you're probably used to addon fee ripoffs at
postpaid sellphone companies, those bogus dollars that just appear.
$29.95 is IT! Pageplus has NO FUNNY BUSINESS. NO CONTRACT, NO CREDIT
CHECKS, NO FREE PHONE EVERY 2 YEARS, NO SECRETLY EXTENDING YOUR CONTRACT
WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION, NO CHANGING YOUR SERVICE JUST OUT OF THE
BLUE....NONE OF THAT! Customer service is very nice and very
helpful....and real AMERICANS who speak ENGLISH as their native
language!
You need ANY CDMA phone, even the old ones with AMPS on them, which
extends your roaming possibilities in the American West where many
systems are STILL AMPS ONLY. Alltel, Verizon, unlocked Sprint as long
as it has 850 Mhz trimode triband CDMA capabilities. I've put 3 teens
on Pageplus using 99 cent phones from thriftshops people have discarded!
If they lose their phones or zap them (or flush them, been there done
that, got the t-shirt)...we just trip back to the thrift shop for more.
I'm using my old Alltel Moto ROKR Z6m, without the Verizon hobbling
thank you, on Pageplus. You buy your $10 initial account, turn on the
phone on its current system and simply press #22273 SEND to start the
automatic, over-the-air, system programming. Takes 3 minutes on the old
Alltel system, here. so easy a child can program it. Signup only needs
its ESN which is under the battery on the label. If you use a credit
card, you can be online in 5 minutes. Otherwise you must have a Pageplus
prepaid card PIN to activate the phone online.
Verizon itself? No thanks! Too slippery, too much money!
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
Ignorant.not.stupid wrote:
> Spring currently charges me $47.50 for 1,300 minutes, though I don't
> exceed 1,000 in any one month. I would like a larger screen than that
> provided by the Palm Treo (Palm OS), but Sprint advises that to get the
> Pre would require an entirely new plan that is much more costly.
>
> I travel 2-3 times a year, rarely if ever go online with the phone, and
> send/receive only a very few text messages or emails.
>
> One thing: my phone *must* include an ebook reader, and I *must* be able
> to convert text files to something compatible.
>
> What can I do at Verizon?
>
I have yet to see a cell phone with a display larger than 2-1/4"
diagonal! That is about the best you can do and still make a "pocket
size" phone. I don't imagine that it would make a satisfactory book reader.
Now go to Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Cingular, Sprint, and any other
carriers you can find. Ask what phones they have available that will
meet your requirements.
Be prepared for disappointment! Or, I may be wrong and you can have a
good laugh at my expense!
Software to convert text files to "E-books", may exist but I've never
heard of it. The fact that I've never looked may have something to do
with that or maybe not.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
Richard B. Gilbert wrote:
> I have yet to see a cell phone with a display larger than 2-1/4"
> diagonal!
iPhone, Pre, and some of the LGs and Samsungs have 3", 3.2", or even
3.5" diagonal screens. I have an eyesight problem and must use
large/bold type on any ebook reader, so a large screen makes it more
palatable.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
Larry wrote:
> "Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in news:hbdku1$lp0$1
> @news.eternal-september.org:
>
>> What can I do at Verizon?
>>
>
> http://www.pagepluscellular.com/
This makes a LOT of sense! Now, lets see if I can get through this
without screwing it up. Bur first I need to identify large-screen phones
with ebook readers. Apparently I can use any unlocked Verizon-compatible
- right?
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
Ignorant.not.stupid wrote:
> Larry wrote:
>> "Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in news:hbdku1$lp0$1
>> @news.eternal-september.org:
>>
>>> What can I do at Verizon?
>>>
>>
>> http://www.pagepluscellular.com/
>
> This makes a LOT of sense! Now, lets see if I can get through this
> without screwing it up. Bur first I need to identify large-screen phones
> with ebook readers. Apparently I can use any unlocked Verizon-compatible
> - right?
>
> Thank you.
Verizon Wireless uses CDMA phones which do not usually use SIMs so the
locked/unlocked question is probably moot!
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
At 17 Oct 2009 17:49:12 -0700 Ignorant.not.stupid wrote:
> Larry wrote:
> > "Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in news:hbdku1$lp0$1
> > @news.eternal-september.org:
> >
> >> What can I do at Verizon?
> >>
> >
> > http://www.pagepluscellular.com/
>
> This makes a LOT of sense! Now, lets see if I can get through this
> without screwing it up. Bur first I need to identify large-screen phones
> with ebook readers. Apparently I can use any unlocked Verizon-compatible
-
> right?
Yes. Depending on your tolerance for cost, look at any of the relatively
recent Windows Phones- the Samsung i760, Verizon XV-6700, 6800 or 6900 have
2.8" screens, and can run the Windows Mobile version of Mobipocket, so you
can stick with reader software that's already working for you.
Some of the just-released Verizon Windows smartphones, like the TouchPro 2
or Omnia II, have larger screens, but they might be hard to obtain without
signing up for Verizon service and a pricey contract- the second-hand
market won't have much access to them yet. (You could buy one under
contract, cancel, keep the phone and pay the penalties, of course.)
If you really want to go cheap, the venerable circa-2004 Samsung i730 has
the same 2.8" screen as last year's smartphones. It's thick as a brick and
twice as heavy but can be had on eBay for less than $50. I have one on
PagePlus right now as a rural backup for my contract T-Mo smartphone.
And to answer your other post, yes you can port your current Sprint number
to PagePlus.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
"Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in news:hbdom9$fbl$2@news.eternal-
september.org:
> Apparently I can use any unlocked Verizon-compatible
> - right?
>
Apparently yes. They say in the West where there are still AMPS systems on
the air, an old CDMA/AMPS phone is even better because it works in non-
digital areas, if you live out there.
Be careful of the PCS phones like Sprint to make sure they have 850 Mhz
coverage or they won't work on Verizon.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
"Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in news:hbdorb$fbl$3@news.eternal-
september.org:
> Can I port my old number to this PagePlus service?
>
If your old number is currently active, FCC requires them to port it to
Pageplus under Federal Law. If the number has expired, or you gave it up,
they don't have to do it....but you could ask PP to try.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
Larry wrote:
> "Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in news:hbdom9$fbl$2@news.eternal-
> september.org:
>
>> Apparently I can use any unlocked Verizon-compatible
>> - right?
>>
>
> Apparently yes. They say in the West where there are still AMPS systems on
> the air, an old CDMA/AMPS phone is even better because it works in non-
> digital areas, if you live out there.
>
> Be careful of the PCS phones like Sprint to make sure they have 850 Mhz
> coverage or they won't work on Verizon.
>
>
Right - thanks. Well, I have a Treo 755p (Sprint) and wonder if it can
be made compatible with PagePlus. Even more important, I would like to
learn the compatibility rules - what works, what doesn't, and why.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
"Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in
news:hbg22k$r8i$1@news.eternal-september.org:
> Larry wrote:
>> "Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in
>> news:hbdom9$fbl$2@news.eternal- september.org:
>>
>>> Apparently I can use any unlocked Verizon-compatible
>>> - right?
>>>
>>
>> Apparently yes. They say in the West where there are still AMPS
>> systems on the air, an old CDMA/AMPS phone is even better because it
>> works in non- digital areas, if you live out there.
>>
>> Be careful of the PCS phones like Sprint to make sure they have 850
>> Mhz coverage or they won't work on Verizon.
>>
>>
>
>
> Right - thanks. Well, I have a Treo 755p (Sprint) and wonder if it can
> be made compatible with PagePlus. Even more important, I would like to
> learn the compatibility rules - what works, what doesn't, and why.
>
> Iggy
>
The Sprints that were bought on a contract at deep discounts, as I
understand it, are locked to Sprint by default. If the contract is
over, you can get a Sprint store to unlock the phone so you can move it
to other services. The Treo, I'm sure, covers 850 Mhz as they have
Verizon versions, that were all hobbled up of course. Should work fine
if it's not locked to Sprint, still.
As to the "rules", I'm not sure there were any real rules. These slimy
characters used to tell the customers wanting to churn to other carriers
so many lies to try to discourage them from leaving, I think they made
up "rules" as they went along. Remember it was not long ago you had to
buy a phone from the carrier who refused to put your phone on his
system, telling you some BS about it was illegal? Then, the
beancounters decided it was OK as you found someone else who would.
The only compatibility PP wants that I can find is a phone that's:
A - Compatible with CDMA because that's what Verizon uses.
B - can be programmed over the air onto the Verizon PRL if you dial #
22273 [SEND].
My MotoROKR Z6m with Alltel firmware was a no brainer to put on
service....It just did it. The Alltel logos and Celltop spammer are
still all there. The PRL changed to 51618 and I can find little data on
that PRL. I wanted to check that PRL against what Verizon was using at
the moment, but asking at THREE mall Verizon dealers only showed the
ignorance of the staff manning the booths and stores at our local mall!
One guy knew what the PRL was and what it was used for, out of 8 people!
But, unfortunately, he could not find the screen that told us what the
PRL number was on several new Verizon phones on his desk....including
his new PRE!
I guess they're not as curious about PRL and what the data allows as
most of the former PRL exposing websites are either no longer kept up or
are simply gone!
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
Ignorant.not.stupid wrote:
> Spring currently charges me $47.50 for 1,300 minutes, though I don't
> exceed 1,000 in any one month. I would like a larger screen than that
> provided by the Palm Treo (Palm OS), but Sprint advises that to get the
> Pre would require an entirely new plan that is much more costly.
>
> I travel 2-3 times a year, rarely if ever go online with the phone, and
> send/receive only a very few text messages or emails.
>
> One thing: my phone *must* include an ebook reader, and I *must* be able
> to convert text files to something compatible.
>
> What can I do at Verizon?
>
> Thanks!
You might look at a Samsung SPH-I700 on PagePlus's 1200 minute/1200
message/50MB data plan. You can get this service for a net cost of
$24.60 a month which is about half what you're paying now. There are
lots of SPH-I700 phones available at a good price. It's Windows Mobile
so there must be an e-book reader.
First get whatever phone you buy working on PagePlus, then do a number
port, then drop your Sprint service.
Of course if you want to pay full price there are Verizon smart phones
you can buy and put onto PagePlus. Verizon itself won't work for you
because they won't activate a large screen smart phone on a plan without
an expensive data option, which you don't need.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
"Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in message
news:hbg22k$r8i$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> Well, I have a Treo 755p (Sprint) and wonder if it can be made compatible
> with PagePlus. Even more important, I would like to learn the
> compatibility rules - what works, what doesn't, and why.
I'm far from an expert, but from I understand from reading various forums,
trying to get most Sprint handsets to work on PagePlus is more trouble than
it's worth.
Sprint changes the default programming codes which prevents OTA (over the
air) programming by other carriers, which also prevents you from programming
them manually via the phone's menus. There are various programs floating
around that allows you to connect some phones to your PC and read these
codes. Verizon and Alltel handsets just work without those hassles. You
might do some Googling, and check out the Palm Treo and Sprint forums at www.howardforums.com to see if anyone can walk you through programming that
particular Treo for use on Verizon/Page Plus.
As to the "rules", Page Plus' are simple enough: any "compatible" phone. As
long as you can make it work, they'll generally let you use it. According
to my PagePlus dealer handbook, the manual programming sequence for a Treo
is (phone_number)#*#000000(send). If that tales you to a programming menu,
that phone will probably work fine. (It's safe to try it- if you get into a
programming menu, just turn the phone off and back on so you don't change
anything.) If it doesn't work, it means Sprint changed the "000000" to a
different number to block such access.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
Todd Allcock wrote:
>
> "Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in message
> news:hbg22k$r8i$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>> Well, I have a Treo 755p (Sprint) and wonder if it can be made
>> compatible with PagePlus. Even more important, I would like to learn
>> the compatibility rules - what works, what doesn't, and why.
>
> I'm far from an expert, but from I understand from reading various
> forums, trying to get most Sprint handsets to work on PagePlus is more
> trouble than it's worth.
>
> Sprint changes the default programming codes which prevents OTA (over
> the air) programming by other carriers, which also prevents you from
> programming them manually via the phone's menus. There are various
> programs floating around that allows you to connect some phones to your
> PC and read these codes. Verizon and Alltel handsets just work without
> those hassles. You might do some Googling, and check out the Palm Treo
> and Sprint forums at www.howardforums.com to see if anyone can walk you
> through programming that particular Treo for use on Verizon/Page Plus.
>
> As to the "rules", Page Plus' are simple enough: any "compatible"
> phone. As long as you can make it work, they'll generally let you use
> it. According to my PagePlus dealer handbook, the manual programming
> sequence for a Treo is (phone_number)#*#000000(send). If that tales you
> to a programming menu, that phone will probably work fine. (It's safe
> to try it- if you get into a programming menu, just turn the phone off
> and back on so you don't change anything.) If it doesn't work, it means
> Sprint changed the "000000" to a different number to block such access.
>
>
>
All useful, thanks. Unfortunately, dialing that sequence produces a
"Number you have dialed is incorrect" - so I guess it's time for a new
phone, and one of the WM Samsungs should work.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
In article <Xns9CA8B07C64A67noonehomecom@74.209.131.13>, noone@home.com
says...
>
> "Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in news:hbdom9$fbl$2@news.eternal-
> september.org:
>
> > Apparently I can use any unlocked Verizon-compatible
> > - right?
> >
>
> Apparently yes. They say in the West where there are still AMPS systems on
> the air, an old CDMA/AMPS phone is even better because it works in non-
> digital areas, if you live out there.
>
> Be careful of the PCS phones like Sprint to make sure they have 850 Mhz
> coverage or they won't work on Verizon.
A Sprint dual-band phone will work if and only if you can get Sprint to
unlock it.
Re: Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever)
In article <Xns9CA8B0ED12DA0noonehomecom@74.209.131.13>, noone@home.com
says...
>
> "Ignorant.not.stupid" <none@no.no> wrote in news:hbdorb$fbl$3@news.eternal-
> september.org:
>
> > Can I port my old number to this PagePlus service?
> >
>
> If your old number is currently active, FCC requires them to port it to
> Pageplus under Federal Law. If the number has expired, or you gave it up,
> they don't have to do it....but you could ask PP to try.
I think that might be a waste of time if you don't still have the
number. The billing info in PagePlus's system must match the billing
info in the system you're porting from. Actually, that's true no matter
which two carriers are involved.
If you want to port your Sprint phone number to PagePlus, KEEP YOUR
SPRINT ACCOUNT OPEN. I can't emphasize this enough. If you don't keep
the Sprint account open, the port will fail because the number you're
trying to port no longer belongs to you.
Need to replace Sprint (Treo) with Verizon (whatever) 
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