Do most major wireless carriers (ie: Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile) allow you to buy a cell phone (such as from eBay), and use it with their service? Or will they only allow you to use phones sold to you by them (with their name on it)?
2006-09-16 18:36:12 · 5 answers · asked by anonymous 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cell Phones & Plans
T-Mobile and Cingular both have GSM network, so you could use on either. But you wouldn't be able to use these on Verizon because they have CDMA network.
They make the majority of their money selling the service not the phone. So as long as it works on their network they shouldn't have an issue with it.
2006-09-16 19:02:13 · answer #1 · answered by Kainoa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can buy a phone from ebay or any one and use it provided the phone is clear of ownership . This means that if the owner completed payment of this phone and owed nothing on this phone. The phone also must be of the same frquency used by the carrier of choice.
2006-09-16 18:54:57 · answer #2 · answered by bkmbong 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on if the phone is "compatible" with their service, in other words, they want you to get the phone from their company, more profit for them and so forth. I would ask before I spent money on a phone and then had to turn around and buy their phone. Be careful, and good luck.
2006-09-16 18:47:14 · answer #3 · answered by tonyak1971 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just money. The phones cost about $5. They don't really matter. The calling plans are what make the companies money.
2006-09-16 18:44:26 · answer #4 · answered by Mazz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as the phone is unlocked, they would never know. It makes no difference to them at all, as long as you pay your monthly fee
2006-09-16 18:45:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋