will a switch back by virgin mobile work with cingular?

Crispy1513 · 10-15-2006, 12:21 PM

say i wanted to buy a switch back phone by virgin mobile could i put my sim card from cingular in the switch back and use cingular???

crimsonwhat · 10-15-2006, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crispy1513

say i wanted to buy a switch back phone by virgin mobile could i put my sim card from cingular in the switch back and use cingular???

If Virgin uses the GSM network, uses sim cards and you get the phone unlocked, then you might be able to use it with Cingular.
I'd check with Virgin Mobile and Cingular to make sure you don't end up spending a lot of money on a phone you can't use.

char777 · 10-15-2006, 10:06 PM

Certainly not. Cingular uses a network called GSM (the global system for mobile communications) that uses SIM cards behind the battery that tells the phone what your number is and which signals to pick up. GSM is used by most carriers in the world. The next major system is CDMA, which is used by Verizon, Sprint, and sadly, Virgin Mobile. It is completely different technologically to Cingular's GSM and CDMA phones do not even use SIM cards.

DO NOT BUY THAT PHONE! IT WILL NOT WORK WITH CINGULAR!!!!!!!!!!

crimsonwhat · 10-15-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by char777

Certainly not. Cingular uses a network called GSM (the global system for mobile communications) that uses SIM cards behind the battery that tells the phone what your number is and which signals to pick up. GSM is used by most carriers in the world. The next major system is CDMA, which is used by Verizon, Sprint, and sadly, Virgin Mobile. It is completely different technologically to Cingular's GSM and CDMA phones do not even use SIM cards.

DO NOT BUY THAT PHONE! IT WILL NOT WORK WITH CINGULAR!!!!!!!!!!

Char777 said it better than I could. It's true. I wasn't sure if Virgin used CDMA or GSM...so I couldn't give accurate information. Good call by Char777.

n1ckel5 · 10-16-2006, 08:13 AM

The switchback is a no. Virgin Mobile in the US runs on CDMA networks (Sprint only, I believe).

Now, Virgin Mobile in Europe is GSM. If it's an unlocked Euro Virgin phone, it could work....in theory.

Crispy1513 · 10-16-2006, 10:05 AM

k thanx everyone

char777 · 10-16-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n1ckel5

The switchback is a no. Virgin Mobile in the US runs on CDMA networks (Sprint only, I believe).

Now, Virgin Mobile in Europe is GSM. If it's an unlocked Euro Virgin phone, it could work....in theory.

Verizon and several regional carriers are also CDMA. And the switchback is only sold in CDMA form. Although you are right; a phone from Virgin Mobile in EUROPE would work if unlocked, but in this case, a CDMA only phone on a GSM network is a no-no.

n1ckel5 · 10-18-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by char777

Verizon and several regional carriers are also CDMA. And the switchback is only sold in CDMA form. Although you are right; a phone from Virgin Mobile in EUROPE would work if unlocked, but in this case, a CDMA only phone on a GSM network is a no-no.

I am pretty impressed by your answers lately. You're very informed.

Now regarding Virgin's CDMA coverage....

Unless things have changed since when I was a user, it only works on the Sprint towers. No roaming on other CDMA's. That was one of the major reasons for dumping them. But like I said, it could have changed.

char777 · 10-18-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n1ckel5

I am pretty impressed by your answers lately. You're very informed.

Now regarding Virgin's CDMA coverage....

Unless things have changed since when I was a user, it only works on the Sprint towers. No roaming on other CDMA's. That was one of the major reasons for dumping them. But like I said, it could have changed.

Thank you!

Yeah, Virgin is actually an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) which means that while they're their own company and operate their billing and other things, they run on someone else's network, and that someone is Sprint. They do not have a license to run on Verizon or any other carrier. I forgot what their roaming arrangements are; I think they are a different story.