Can I just switch my SIM card from a Cingular phone to a Verizon phone?

Question

I don't like Verizon phones that much, but I was just wondering if I could use one with Cingular...

I currently own a Motorola SLVR and my service provider is Cingular. If someone wanted to sell me their phone, such as an LG enV, Chocolate, or VX8600; can use it with Cingular and put my SIM card in it.

I'm guessing I'd have to unlock it (I don't that much about switching phones and stuff) and send it somewhere to be able to use my SIM card in it, but will I be able to use all of the features?

Of course the Camera and stuff are gonna work, but will the menus and stuff stay the same (I hate the menus on Verizon phones, they're ugly as hell)? Would any features like Bluetooth not work?

Oh and BTW, what is VCast Music exactly? Is it just a music player or do you buy music with it or what?

Oh and how much would it cost to send it in to be unlocked? And is it safe? I wouldn't want them scratching it or anything...

So it'd be really cool if you guys could help me at all

Answer 1

I recently switched providers myself. You cannot take a SIM card from one provider and put it in another providers phone. But what you can do is make sure that all of your important information is on the SIM card. Then when you switch providers, take the SIM card out of the phone and they should have a SIM card reader at the store. They can put the SIM card in the reader and have the information then transferred on to one of their SIM cards. I know this to be true because I just had to have it done.

Answer 2

Verizon Wireless' network is CDMA. Cingular/AT&T uses GSM. Phones are not compatible w/ each other. User account info resides in the CDMA network, not in the phone like for GSM, which is what the SIM is for.

Moving your SIM from one phone to another only carries your user info, like your account ID, phone book, and text messages. Look and feel type stuff is part of the phone, so you'd have to learn a new menu structure if you change phone makes.

As for VZW's ugly phone menu, unless you or someone you know is a skilled hacker, you're stuck w/ it. Bluetooth is restricted to using accessories. Swapping files is disabled, for security reasons they say. Some say that VZW's ugly menu is actually better since you don't have to learn a completely new user interface when you change phones. Which young people seem to have all the time in the world to learn anyway...

Answer 3

No you cannot. the Verizon network is similar to the Sprint network they use the CDMA format as opposed to Cingular's GSM i do not know the phones specifics but i have never seen a CDMA phone that took a sim card period. however if someone had an alltell or cellone phone you can switch them after unlocking. i currently use a cingular branded phone with Cell One as my provider. its the network

Answer 4

VERIZON DOES NOT USE SIM CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT SPACE IS JUST FOR EXTERNAL MEMORY FOR MUSIC.PIX,VIDEOS. Verizon encodes your phone from their end. To stop u from just swapping phones and sim cards.

Answer 5

well you do have to unlock it and it will be safe, and v cast music is for vcast phones