People ask us all the time about activating old phones on Verizon.  It’s a relatively simple process, really, but there are a few things you should know before making any purchases or switches.  We will explain what constitutes and “old” phone, what to look out for, and how to get the device active.

Your phone is on its last leg, but that’s okay because your upgrade eligibility date is today.  You know because you just checked last month.  You go down to the store to pick up that new phone you’ve had your eye on, but when you get there something has changed.  The store rep advises you that you’re not eligible for another two months.

“There must be some mistake, I just checked last month and I’m eligible as of today.”

What happened?

As a look back at the history of advertising will show, it is possible to create a consumer demand for a product that doesn’t exist yet.  In a way this is the state of the marketing of 4G technology.  There is a bombardment of ads proclaiming that carrier X can offer you the best of the “next generation” of mobile technology.

These ads play to a very specific information age consumer insecurity:  technology becomes obsolete quickly.  If you don’t adapt to the rapidly changing technology you too will be left in the dust.

The power of these ad campaigns and general lack of consumer understanding is evident in calls I receive from users of basic phones with no internet at all worried about not having the next generation of mobile technology.

Does the current state of 4G deliver on the marketing promise?  What is a 4G network capable of?  Are current networks even 4G at all?

Put on your high boots and join PhoneCan as we attempt to wade through the murky waters of marketing and confusing terminology to define just what is– the current state of 4G.

On many occasions, we’ve been witness to confusion concerning the type of technology used by Verizon Wireless - some of which is also used by Sprint, MetroPCS, and regional wireless service providers.  Of this site’s internal visitor statistics, we often see people searching for information about the wireless technology being used by Verizon.  The information is actually rather simple, but the common consumer is probably confused by terms such as “1X” and “EVDO.”

Follow us after the break to better understand the technology that Verizon (and others) use, and what some of the technical jargon really means.

As bizarre as it may seem that a big company would be giving you something for nothing; letters like these go out semi-regularly.  I frequently see customer questions about these letters in forums.  The first thing people want to know is: what’s the catch?

If you’ve received one of these letters or are just curious as to what these campaigns are all about read on to find out more.

If you own an unlocked GSM phone it can generally be used on any GSM carrier. If you have an unlocked “world phone” and travel out of country you can use a prepaid SIM and avoid costly roaming fees. You may also be able to use your existing phone when switching carriers; this could save you money and possibly even help you avoid entering into a contract.

Using your phone on a different provider isn’t quite as easy as throwing another carrier’s SIM into your phone. While GSM technology is standardized- the bands that cell phone carriers own licenses to are not. Also if your phone is branded with the name of a service provider it is most likely “subsidy locked” to that carrier. So if you’re up for the challenge, read on to learn how to find out what bands your phone supports and how to get your device unlocked whether your carrier is ready to provide you with the code or not.

SIM cards are an important component in GSM cellular systems.  Knowing what a SIM card is and what it can do isn’t something that’s only of interest to engineers, there are many practical features built into SIM technology that are easy to use and can save you money and frustration.

With all the features in the world, you know the last thing your wireless carrier would want you to know is that you can be calling or texting anywhere in the world…for free?!  That’s right, don’t adjust your monitor, I didn’t spell that wrong, F-R-E-E! Don’t believe me? Good, cause there is always a catch. But I am half right.

One of the most common questions I’ve received concerns batteries and maintaining them.  People always want to know how to make their battery get through the day, how to help their battery live longer over time, and what to do to avoid a memory effect.  We’re here to help explain what to do, what not to worry about, and how forming a few good habits will go a long way.