1. #1
    hossman
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    I have never owned a cell phone. I am really looking for advice on some things. I only want one for emergency calls, not to chit chat. I have heard about Tracfone and am interested in getting one. I definitely want a prepaid plan and that particular one interests me. Someone will have to explain CDMA and GSM to me also. I really do not have the vocabulary. Please help me,thank you.


    See More: and I really mean NEWBIE...




  2. #2
    Brad729
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    Re: and I really mean NEWBIE...

    Welcome tot he site, I'm sure you'll find all your answers here! I am going to direct you to try our site's Search feature, as you will be able to find a lot more than I could begin to explain just by browsing a few keywords.

    Hope this helps! Let me know via Private Message if you still have any trouble.



  3. #3
    oscar10181988
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    Re: and I really mean NEWBIE...

    Yay! Welcome!



  4. #4
    roberts1953
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    Re: and I really mean NEWBIE...

    Quote Originally Posted by hossman
    I have never owned a cell phone. I am really looking for advice on some things. I only want one for emergency calls, not to chit chat. I have heard about Tracfone and am interested in getting one. I definitely want a prepaid plan and that particular one interests me. Someone will have to explain CDMA and GSM to me also. I really do not have the vocabulary. Please help me,thank you.
    The short version is that there are 2 types of technologies that you will look for in an emergency phone in the US. GSM is used by tmobile, cingular, and others. CDMA is used by Verizon, Sprint, and others. But for prepaid emergency plans those are the major players.

    Of these 4 companies the only one that offers a worthwhile prepaid plan is tmobile. $100 gets 1000 min for a year. But there coverage isn't very extensive out of cities and major higheways. You can check on there website to see if there prepaid coverage works for you.

    There are also companies called MVNOs that resell the 4 major carriers networks.
    Tracfone is one such company. They will run off either Cingular/Tmobile (GSM) or Verizon (CDMA). But it is spendy. The 1 year card costs $100 and only get you 350 minutes. Phones are only $20 though. You can also get free minutes but that relies on annoying referrals.

    Another MVNO is PagePlus. http://pagepluscellular.com/
    Their rates are $.10-.14/min and all cards last 120 days. They run off verizons native coverage. Anything outside of that is roaming at $.99/min. They have a $.50/mo fee. This costs as little as $30/year.

    Another option is Speak Out Wireless from 7-11 convenience stores. http://www.7-eleven.com/products/doc...ochure_eng.pdf
    Rates are $.20/min and all cards last 1 year. They run off Cingular's native coverage. They say they roam at $.39/min. They have a monthly fee of $1.25. They cost as little as $30/year.

    These are my favotite options for casual or emergency use cells. You are on the right track. For this type of usage there is no reason to sign up for a contract.
    Last edited by roberts1953; 04-12-2006 at 11:37 PM.



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