Can I keep my old phone?

[Jagick]

Ntelos has decided to abandoned its users here in Eastern Virginia and I am one of those that has been affected. I have grown extremely attached to this old phone of mine that has been with me through good times and bad over about six or seven years. It feels like an extension of myself, all of them memories being associated with this little plastic device.

As juvenile as it may sound I can't stand the thought of chucking it for a new phone. It is a CDMA based Samsung SCH-R580, a "dumb phone" as people seem to call old basic cell phones now. I contacted nTelos and they confirmed that they do not lock their phones so that it may be used on other carriers that use a similar CDMA network, such as Sprint, Alltel, or Verizon. This phone just so happens to operate on the same CDMA 1900Mhz PCS EVDO frequency that Verizon does. Would it be possible for me to use this phone if I have a local authorized retailer flash the phone to the Verizon Carrier? Will Verizon even activate it if I can? I spoke with support on the phone and they said they did offer this phone model at one point in the past.

Any knowledge on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[bizzareone]

Try to enter the device MEID here ---->    Set Your Location

(shop, plans and services, activate an existing device)  to check the compatability of your phone to the VZW network.

[Jagick]

I believe the phone would have to be flashed to the Verizon carrier and assigned a new ESN/MEID wouldn't it?

[Jagick]

The phone is also still currently activated with Ntelos until the end of the next billing cycle as well, so I am uncertain if it can even receive signals from Verizon's network at the moment.

(Wasn't able to edit my last post.)

[bizzareone]

I believe that flashing the device would not help. if it is not a Verizon device, it will not be able to be entered into the system. Verizon (like most of the major providers) gets a block of certian serial numbers from the manufactures, these are entered into their database and if the serial number does not match something that is in the system, your device cannot be used on the Verizon network.

This is the same for AT&T. This is why AT&T and Verizon devices cannot be used on the others system.

[Jagick]

That's odd, I thought Verizon had finally opened up and agreed to take any phone that is technologically compatible with their network? This is the same exact make and model of phone they once offered, just for a different carrier. nTelos, Sprint, Cox Communications, and Verizon all got Generic versions of the US Cellular branded Samsung Profile SCH-r580. All of them completely identical apart from the carrier.

[vzw_customer_support]

We would love to welcome you to Verizon Wireless, Jagick. There is a process to certify applications for CDMA devices before a phone can be allowed to connect to a Verizon Wireless network. You can find out more about Open Development here: https://opennetwork.verizonwireless.com/content/open-development/faq.html

We do offer a wide variety of Verizon Wireless devices as well to provide full support of our network and services as well. Shop at www.vzw.com or call our Sales Professionals at 888-924-7937 to get started.

JenniferH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
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