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New Phone w/ Analog Plan
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| Hi, I have an old plan with Verizon ($10/month). I need to buy a new
phone, mine (an old analog phone) is wearing out. I just was on the
phone with Verizon Customer Service, and he said that my plan is
specifically analog only. He thought if I bought a new phone it would
probably not work, even if I purchase a trimode phone (with analog).
If the phone did happen to work, it would only work on analog. He
suggested a new plan with a new phone. I only use the phone for
emergencies and would like to keep my current plan. Do you have any
suggestions? Does what he is saying seem plausible to you? (BTW, I was
told even if I bought an analog only phone somewhere else, it may not
work with Verizon because it would not be E911 compatible). How would
you suggest buying a new trimode phone and have it work (hopefully,
with digital working as well) while keeping my old plan?
Thanks,
Bug
| |
| kevin weaver 2006-04-18, 5:48 pm |
| A Pre-Pay Phone.
"bug" <bug1193946@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1145388874.620448.123770@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi, I have an old plan with Verizon ($10/month). I need to buy a new
> phone, mine (an old analog phone) is wearing out. I just was on the
> phone with Verizon Customer Service, and he said that my plan is
> specifically analog only. He thought if I bought a new phone it would
> probably not work, even if I purchase a trimode phone (with analog).
> If the phone did happen to work, it would only work on analog. He
> suggested a new plan with a new phone. I only use the phone for
> emergencies and would like to keep my current plan. Do you have any
> suggestions? Does what he is saying seem plausible to you? (BTW, I was
> told even if I bought an analog only phone somewhere else, it may not
> work with Verizon because it would not be E911 compatible). How would
> you suggest buying a new trimode phone and have it work (hopefully,
> with digital working as well) while keeping my old plan?
> Thanks,
> Bug
>
| |
| Quick 2006-04-18, 11:48 pm |
| bug wrote:
> Hi, I have an old plan with Verizon ($10/month). I need
> to buy a new phone, mine (an old analog phone) is wearing
> out. I just was on the phone with Verizon Customer
> Service, and he said that my plan is specifically analog
> only. He thought if I bought a new phone it would
> probably not work, even if I purchase a trimode phone
> (with analog). If the phone did happen to work, it would
> only work on analog. He suggested a new plan with a new
> phone. I only use the phone for emergencies and would
> like to keep my current plan. Do you have any
> suggestions? Does what he is saying seem plausible to
> you? (BTW, I was told even if I bought an analog only
> phone somewhere else, it may not work with Verizon
> because it would not be E911 compatible). How would you
> suggest buying a new trimode phone and have it work
> (hopefully, with digital working as well) while keeping
> my old plan?
I don't see any reason why a current tri-mode phone
would not work on your plan. Current means it meets
the E911 criteria. Analog means it will work on your
analog only plan. Most (every?) trimode phone has
an option to lock it in analog mode. I think the downside
would be battery usage. The newer tri-mode phones
are built on the assumption that analog is the exception
and they go for smaller/thinner/lighter lower capacity
batteries.
-Quick
| |
|
| "kevin weaver" < kevinweaver1@charter
.net> wrote in
news:cpb1g.37$2J1.18@fe06.lga:
> A Pre-Pay Phone.
>
> "bug" <bug1193946@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:1145388874.620448.123770@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
Yep.A "pre-pay" was made for your situation.And not necessarily one with
Verizon as they charge a buck a day.Get a Tracphone or the like.
If you feel you really want to keep the same deal you have,though I
can't imagine why with analog only, then I don't know what to advise
besides having a look at their web site at the different plans & phones
that are available.It's all there in detail.
--
| |
|
| "Quick" <quick7135-news@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in news:0zc1g.69810
$Jd.4072@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net:
> bug wrote:
>
> I don't see any reason why a current tri-mode phone
> would not work on your plan. Current means it meets
> the E911 criteria. Analog means it will work on your
> analog only plan. Most (every?) trimode phone has
> an option to lock it in analog mode. I think the downside
> would be battery usage. The newer tri-mode phones
> are built on the assumption that analog is the exception
> and they go for smaller/thinner/lighter lower capacity
> batteries.
>
> -Quick
>
>
>
This guy has an analog only plan right?I mean he's not saying digital's
not available at all & all he can use is analog is he?
Because I mentioned Tracphone & whatnot but they are all digital.I did
not consider digital may not be available.
--
| |
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| Hi, I do have a second home where all that is available is analog. That
is why I haven't really considered Tracfone. Thanks for the
suggestions, though.
| |
|
| Would there be away to unlock the phone, for digital use in the future?
Thank you for the information.
| |
| Quick 2006-04-18, 11:48 pm |
| bug wrote:
> Would there be away to unlock the phone, for digital use
> in the future? Thank you for the information.
The phone wouldn't be "locked". *you* would go to a
user menu on the phone to select analog operation
only. It may be the case that the user accessible
menu only has an option like "Use Analog for the
next call" after which it would switch back to tri-mode
operation. In that case there probably would still be
a programing menu option to force analog only all
the time. Something to check before you buy.
I'm unclear what would happen with a tri-mode
phone in normal operation mode. I suspect it
would be a billing problem. The phone is going
to want a PRL. The PRL is going to prefer digital
first. Since you only have one ESN you *will* be
registered with the network and I suspect they
might not differentiate when it comes to making a
call. It would be afterwards when they have to
figure out how to bill the call. I would try calling
data services. Not because it has anything to do
with data but you can get access to those guys
and they generally seem to be not only technically
savvy but also very knowledgeable about how
things work with the billing system and how you
get charged.
-Quick
| |
| Quick 2006-04-18, 11:48 pm |
| Quick wrote:
> bug wrote:
>
> The phone wouldn't be "locked". *you* would go to a
> user menu on the phone to select analog operation
> only. It may be the case that the user accessible
> menu only has an option like "Use Analog for the
> next call" after which it would switch back to tri-mode
> operation. In that case there probably would still be
> a programing menu option to force analog only all
> the time. Something to check before you buy.
>
> I'm unclear what would happen with a tri-mode
> phone in normal operation mode. I suspect it
> would be a billing problem. The phone is going
> to want a PRL. The PRL is going to prefer digital
> first. Since you only have one ESN you *will* be
> registered with the network and I suspect they
> might not differentiate when it comes to making a
> call. It would be afterwards when they have to
> figure out how to bill the call. I would try calling
> data services. Not because it has anything to do
> with data but you can get access to those guys
> and they generally seem to be not only technically
> savvy but also very knowledgeable about how
> things work with the billing system and how you
> get charged.
You know... things would work just fine if they have
a PRL for the analog only plan. I would think they
would.
With the current AC2 PRL, for example, I would guess
they may have excluded available analog signals where
they have good digital coverage (although I can't imagine
why they would do that). So even if you forced analog
mode on the phone it may not pick an available analog
signal. With an analog only PRL all the digital signals
could be excluded.
One thing to keep in mind. Once you deactivate your
current phone (maybe to try out a new one) you will not
be able to reactivate it because it is not e911 compliant.
At the very least it will be a struggle. Be very careful to
get some commitments up front (in writing?) if you are
going to do this may want to switch back to your existing
phone.
-Quick
| |
| Jeremy 2006-04-18, 11:48 pm |
| > bug wrote:[color=darkred
]
IF the plan was ANALOG ONLY, that suggests that it was set up for something
like a bag phone, or those old Motorola flip phones.
That gear is readily available on eBay.
But Verizon may be unwilling to activate any of it. For one thing, the
analog stuff required on-site programming, and where would one find a
cellular dealer that still had the proper equipment?
And those analog phones were subject to cloning, and the existing phones may
be grandfathered, but it is doubtful that any carrier would allow any new
equipment to be activated, unless it had authentication. As I recall, that
came at the tail end of analog--just before digital handsets were
introduced.
| |
| Quick 2006-04-18, 11:48 pm |
| Jeremy wrote:
>
> IF the plan was ANALOG ONLY, that suggests that it was
> set up for something like a bag phone, or those old
> Motorola flip phones.
>
> That gear is readily available on eBay.
>
> But Verizon may be unwilling to activate any of it. For
> one thing, the analog stuff required on-site programming,
> and where would one find a cellular dealer that still had
> the proper equipment?
They won't activate it because it's not e911 compliant.
> And those analog phones were subject to cloning, and the
> existing phones may be grandfathered, but it is doubtful
> that any carrier would allow any new equipment to be
> activated, unless it had authentication. As I recall,
> that came at the tail end of analog--just before digital
> handsets were introduced.
non-issue any more since they won't activate them
because of the e911 mandate.
-Quick
| |
| agentHibby 2006-04-18, 11:48 pm |
|
Jeremy Wrote:
>
> IF the plan was ANALOG ONLY, that suggests that it was set up for
> something
> like a bag phone, or those old Motorola flip phones.
>
> That gear is readily available on eBay.
>
> But Verizon may be unwilling to activate any of it. For one thing,
> the
> analog stuff required on-site programming, and where would one find a
> cellular dealer that still had the proper equipment?
>
> And those analog phones were subject to cloning, and the existing
> phones may
> be grandfathered, but it is doubtful that any carrier would allow any
> new
> equipment to be activated, unless it had authentication. As I recall,
> that
> came at the tail end of analog--just before digital handsets were
> introduced.Verizon will not let you change phones on predecessor plans. You can't
get a new analog only phone because they are not E911 compatible. You
will have to go prepay or upgrade to a new plan if you decide to change
your phone. Those are your options if you stay with VZW.
--
agentHibby
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cell Phone Forums: http://cellphoneforums.net
View this thread: http://cellphoneforums.net/t215634.html
| |
|
| Quick, Thanks for pointing out some things I hadn't thought about.
Since my old analog phone seems to work in the areas I need it, would
that mean that the trimode phone in analog mode would probably work in
the same areas? Or would a new, different PRL mean I might have no
signal? Thank you for mentioning about reactivating my old phone. I had
not even considered that they might not reactivate if things didn't
work out.
| |
|
| Jeremy, The plan was set up for an old analog phone, but Verizon said
that if I now bought an analog phone on ebay that the phone would be
old and not be E911 compliant so they couldn't activate it.
| |
|
| On Tue, 18 Apr 2006 12:34:34 -0700, bug wrote:
> Hi, I have an old plan with Verizon ($10/month). I need to buy a new
> phone, mine (an old analog phone) is wearing out. I just was on the phone
> with Verizon Customer Service, and he said that my plan is specifically
> analog only. He thought if I bought a new phone it would probably not
> work, even if I purchase a trimode phone (with analog). If the phone did
> happen to work, it would only work on analog. He suggested a new plan with
> a new phone. I only use the phone for emergencies and would like to keep
> my current plan. Do you have any suggestions? Does what he is saying seem
> plausible to you? (BTW, I was told even if I bought an analog only phone
> somewhere else, it may not work with Verizon because it would not be E911
> compatible). How would you suggest buying a new trimode phone and have it
> work (hopefully, with digital working as well) while keeping my old plan?
> Thanks,
> Bug
Or, put a want ad out ,,, looking for analog Verizon phone,,, There are
alot out there, that still work, that people can't use anymore. Which
makes the real CHEAP. Heck I even have a couple Qual Coms 2035's laying
around.
| |
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| bug wrote:
> Quick, Thanks for pointing out some things I hadn't
> thought about. Since my old analog phone seems to work in
> the areas I need it, would that mean that the trimode
> phone in analog mode would probably work in the same
> areas? Or would a new, different PRL mean I might have no
> signal?
Thats what I'm wondering about. If your old analog phone
works there then there is an analog provider there (not
necessarily VZW). I'm not sure how the old analog plans
accounted for roaming or not. Lets assume it's VZW analog.
The question is how the trimode phones work in analog only
mode. If set to analog only would it ignore a PRL that excludes
the analog signal? Does the PRL exclude the analog signal?
I would doubt that. I believe Bill Radio? posts PRLs on his
website? mountainwireless.com?
>Thank you for mentioning about reactivating my
> old phone. I had not even considered that they might not
> reactivate if things didn't work out.
I believe that to be the case. You need to get in contact
with someone inside VZW who really knows about all
of this. Someone has to. In order to maintain the old
analog only plans. It's probaly a very few. Again, I would
try starting in the data support. Call *611 and ask them
to transfer you to the data support guys. At the same time
you migh want to email VZW offices with the 4 or 5
most significant question.
-quick
| |
| Janet Wilder 2006-04-19, 5:48 pm |
| Quick wrote:
> bug wrote:
>
>
>
> The phone wouldn't be "locked". *you* would go to a
> user menu on the phone to select analog operation
> only. It may be the case that the user accessible
> menu only has an option like "Use Analog for the
> next call" after which it would switch back to tri-mode
> operation. In that case there probably would still be
> a programing menu option to force analog only all
> the time. Something to check before you buy.
>
> I'm unclear what would happen with a tri-mode
> phone in normal operation mode. I suspect it
> would be a billing problem. The phone is going
> to want a PRL. The PRL is going to prefer digital
> first. Since you only have one ESN you *will* be
> registered with the network and I suspect they
> might not differentiate when it comes to making a
> call. It would be afterwards when they have to
> figure out how to bill the call. I would try calling
> data services. Not because it has anything to do
> with data but you can get access to those guys
> and they generally seem to be not only technically
> savvy but also very knowledgeable about how
> things work with the billing system and how you
> get charged.
>
> -Quick
>
>
Having had tri-mode phones since 2000, the PRLs for the phones will
permit the use of analog. When I had the old National SingleRate plan
and the digital signal was very weak, I could switch the phone to alanog
where it would be a stronger signal (sometimes 0 bands on digital to
full bands on AMPS) It was possible to do so for each outgoing call. The
oldest phone, circa 2000 did lock on analog, the 2002 phone did not.
tri-mode I have now will not lock on analog, either. I can force it for
a call, but it won't stay there, preferring analog. That might be the
newer phones or the PRLs.
In any event, if the tower with the AMPS is part of your service plan,
like one owned by VZW,you won't get billed extra for it.
--
-----------
Janet Wilder
The Road Princess
http://janetwilder.blogspot.com
| |
| JoshIII 2006-04-20, 5:48 pm |
| "bug" <bug1193946@aol.com> wrote in message
> Jeremy, The plan was set up for an old analog phone, but Verizon said
> that if I now bought an analog phone on ebay that the phone would be
> old and not be E911 compliant so they couldn't activate it.
>
JoshIII writes:
My Dad just upgraded his old analog bag phone last week to a LG 4650.
He was called into a Verizon headquarters store at least two years ago to
upgrade his *account* from an analog to a digital account. Verizon kept
Dad's monthly payments the same at $23/month (including fees and tax).
When Dad went to the authorized Verizon dealer to upgrade his bag phone
last week, the salesman first said his monthly payments will be $39.95.
The salesman then corrected himself, saying the account was already a
digital account. Therefore, he would be able to keep the same
monthly payments at $23/month.
I would suggest you call the Verizon headquarters store or visit, and
ask what it would cost to upgrade your analog account to a
digital account keeping the same equipment.
If Verizon can do that, and keep the monthly payments the same,
then you can just upgrade your phone in a couple weeks, since your
account will be a digital account by then.
Ask Verizon why they didn't upgrade your analog *account* a
couple years ago like they did my Dad? My Dad got a letter
from Verizon at that time asking him to come in and update his
account. They should have sent you the same letter.
Hope this helps!
JoshIII, 20APR06, <josh3i at hotmail . com>
Get an email referral from another TracFone user before
you activate, and you will both receive 100 free minutes!
http://members.tripod.com/pasofinosc
| |
| Larry 2006-04-20, 11:48 pm |
| "JoshIII" < josh3iREMOVE@hotmail
.com> wrote in news:44479a5d$0$1108
6
$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net:
> My Dad just upgraded his old analog bag phone last week to a LG 4650.
>
If Dad lives in the country, my condolences on his NO SIGNAL condition....
Tell him to keep the bagphone in the trunk in case he needs 911 when the
toyphone is tits up.
| |
| JoshIII 2006-04-20, 11:48 pm |
| "Larry" <noone@home.com> wrote in message
> "JoshIII" < josh3iREMOVE@hotmail
.com> wrote in >
>
> If Dad lives in the country, my condolences on his NO SIGNAL condition....
>
> Tell him to keep the bagphone in the trunk in case he needs 911 when the
> toyphone is tits up.
>
JoshIII writes:
That old bag phone started getting buggy, and especially on out of town
trips.
Plus, I'm convinced the analog network ain't what it use to be. On the west
side of
Columbia, SC on I-26, for example, the phone stopped working on 2 out
of 3 trips thru Columbia. Coincidence? Doubt it.
You can't get new parts for the darn thing, and it needed a new coiled cable
to
the handset. Its like trying to make a car run on less than 8-cyl or
beating a dead
horse...you get the idea.
I miss being able to turn on the IC-R7100, and tuning in analog cell
conversations
as much as any ham! :) ...but other than that, I don't miss the demise of
the analog
cellphone.
In fact, I never owned an analog only cellphone. They were too
complicated to use (with roaming charges, and PINs required
when roaming, etc., etc)..
For years, you'd leave your local calling area, and no one could
find you anymore.
How fast we forget "the good old days" of early analog.
JoshIII
upstate south carolina
| |
|
| "JoshIII" < josh3iREMOVE@hotmail
.com> wrote in
news:44483970$0$1628
1$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net:
> Plus, I'm convinced the analog network ain't what it use to be. On
> the west side of
> Columbia, SC on I-26, for example, the phone stopped working on 2 out
> of 3 trips thru Columbia. Coincidence? Doubt it.
Hmm...bagphone antenna or external on the car? That's usually the
problem, mostly bad cables after all these years.
Much as they'd like to, VZW or Alltel (the other carrier in Columbia, I'm
in Charleston) cannot turn off any analog cells just because they want
to. FCC still has a little to say about it.
Is his input signal bars about where they were before? Call 611 from the
bagphone and report the AMPS coverage has an outage.
Also, what's the bagphone's bandswitching set to? Someone said VZW and
Alltel swapped because VZW was on A-Band in Charleston and the coast and
B-Band up in Cola to Greenville in the old days. They may have switched
systems so they could all stay on one band throughout the whole state.
Alltel does a switch just a mile on the Charleston side of I-95
interchange when I go up I-26 to my other home in Orangeburg, but I can't
see on the toyphone which band it's using any more. Set the bagphone for
STD A/B (or whatever STD setting it is, not HOME or A only or B only).
Then, when one of 'em is tits up in service, it just roams to the other,
whether the company likes it or not (a real AMPS advantage for the
customer). As it's not on a plan any more, it makes no difference who
handles the 911 call, VZW or Alltel.
>
> You can't get new parts for the darn thing, and it needed a new coiled
> cable to
> the handset. Its like trying to make a car run on less than 8-cyl
> or beating a dead
> horse...you get the idea.
>
>
I can't afford to fix AMPS phones, now. They only cost $1 in nice,
working condition, in any thrift shop in Columbia. I like the Motorola
TX200 phones with the cigarette lighter power cord and no battery for
emergency service. That way you never have to worry about dead cellphone
batteries in the emergency phones. Some rant that it won't work if the
car battery is dead. That's simply not true. A "dead" car battery
unloaded for 5 minutes by simply shutting off all the lights, including
the interior lights in the car, will easily run the bagphone at 3W output
unless the battery exploded or was destroyed in the crash. If that's a
concern, you should have one of those portable power supplies to plug the
cig lighter plug into from WalMart that also has the emergency light
built into it. The bagphone will run for days from one of those and they
can be recharged by simply plugging them into the cig lighter, pre-crash
of course.
For the handset cable, try:
http://www.concentric.net/~Campagna/moto400bag.html
They've been selling refurb'd bagphones for many years. Rural people
still buy real cellphones that work from people like these.
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