Shouldn't all cell phones work with all cell phone service providers?

Answer by duce
In theory yes, but the cell phone providers have contracts with the phone makers to sell their specific models, that’s why they are restricted

Answer by dsgrieve
No, not really. Between providers, all things are not the same. There are issues of frequency bands, GSM vs CDMA, and whether or not a provider as qualified a handset for their network. But all things life the same, then yes. In fact, your phone does work with more than one provider – its called roaming.

Know better? Place your own answer in the comments!

Two cellphone towers in Lansing’s (MI) southwest side


Image by Wes Thorp
The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the need advancing technology in its neigh

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120-foot cell tower in the southwest side locality of Averill Woods.

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120-foot cell tower in the southwest side locality of Averill Woods.

As T-Mobile sues the

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120-foot cell tower in the southwest side locality of Averill Woods.

As T-Mobile sues the

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120-foot cell tower in the southwest side locality of Averill Woods.

As T-Mobile sues the

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120-foot cell tower in the southwest side locality of Averill Woods.

As T-Mobile sues the

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120-foot cell tower in the southwest side locality of Averill Woods.

As T-Mobile sues the

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120-foot cell tower in the southwest side locality of Averill Woods.

As T-Mobile sues Lansing in U.S. Constituency Court in Grand Rapids to

The city of Lansing (MI) is working hard to balance the needs of advancing technology in its neighborhoods with the need to preserve their residential character.

Cell service provider T-Mobile kicked up this discussion by asking for a special use permit to build a 120-foot cell tower in the southwest side locality of Averill Woods.

As T-Mobile sues Lansing in U.S. Constituency Court in Grand Rapids to build the cell tower, neighbors next to the tower are helping to develop an ordinance to make the two sets of needs compatible.

i want to switch from cingular to verizon, but i want to keep my ancient phone. can i do that? ((i’m asking on here because i haven’t been able to talk to somebody really working for cingular or verizon))

Answer by GoBobbyRocks!
yes

Answer by BBQGuide
YES. Number “portability” has been ordered by the FCC.

Answer by lovefinallyfoundme
The number portability rule was place into effect, but the circuitry inside the phone can’t be “ported”. There are certain phones made particularly for certain providers and while you can keep your number you usually must buy a phone from the new provider as their network of calling systems is different from your ancient one. You might be able to have your phone reworked simiarly like a pager may maybe be back in the day (when they were more well loved than a cell phone), but I’m not certain how much it would cost you. Excellent luck.

Answer by kidd
yes

Answer by id_dreams
You bought the phone, so you get to keep it, though you will need to get the phone unlocked from Cingulair, but since Verizon does not use SIM card technology, it may not work.

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Measure will cut state aid to cities
The North Platte Telegraph Nebraska lawmakers voted in Lincoln on Wednesday to go forward with a measure eliminating state aid to cities, counties and natural resource districts.
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Avoid cell phone ringtone scams by only buying ringtones from reputable cell phone service providers and reading the terms and situation of unknown Web sites. Avoid having to pay a month subscription fee for cell phone ringtones with advice from themanager of a cell phone store in this free record on cell phones. Expert: Geordie Andulakis Bio: Geordie Andurlakis is the store administrator at an AT&T Spring cell phone store. Filmmaker: Clay Roberts