[gtboys34]

im about to bid on a phone from ebay that does not include a sim card. Im planning on activating a pay as you go plan with cingular so is it really necessary to have and what is anyways?

[geRV]

The sims basically your phone number and network, no sim = no worky.

[Sniper101]

Originally Posted by geRV

The sims basically your phone number and network, no sim = no worky.

almost, it allows you to transfer your phone info from one phone to the next. phones without the card have built in memory to store everything, others have mini SD cards...like the razor. so no its not necessary

[Miscguy]

No, it is nessisary you tool. Gerv is correct in his evaluation of the sim card.

The sim card CAN store data on it, such as sniper suggested, but that is not its primary fuction.

And yes, my Razr has a SIM card. Its the same card ive had in 3 phones now.

Also dont buy a phone off e-bay. Alot of times providers have "registered" phones. Meaning they only work with that providers sim cards. "Unregistered" phones can be used with any sim card.

[Doctor Duffy]

I've got the cheapest fucking cellphone ever, and my coverage is from TRacFone rofl. But I only make about a call a day.

[Short Hand]

Virgin Mobile. Cheap as fuck.

[jujumantb]

I have cingular, cheap as hell through my dad's work, but it has a TERRIBLE network... especially here in madison.

[Jonsey_]

some phones dont even come with sim cards tho so it is not necessary i know here in the wonderful world of canadia bell provider phones dont come with sim cards so not all need sims, and make sure wen buying off ebay it says in the description the provider u plan on signing up for such as verizon and verizon because u usally cant transfer over.

[Madmartagen]

GSM phones have SIM cards, CDMA devices do not. If you have a cell phone from ebay, chances are it is not unlocked and thus, you will only be able to use it with the service provider (ex cingular, tmobile) that it was designated for. Verizon is not GSM, so chances are the phone is for ATT, Cingular or TMobile. You can get the phone unlocked from a store or finding out online, but before you buy it on ebay, check around at your local vendors to see if you can get a new model for cheap by signing up.

Also, if it has a SIM card then it is absolutely needs to have one to work. SIM cards are what identify your phone number and the plans that you have on your account. If you have a phone w/o a SIM, you will not be able to place any call over a network and you will not be able to receive any type of signal from any network. They run about $30 from vendors and are included if you buy a contract.

[gtboys34]

yeah mad, thats the service i want, cingular. so its cool if it doesn't come with one?

edit: 30 bucks?? ffs! i lost my phone twice in the last yr and it didnt come back the last. Damn it, this sux

[Arch]

i'm durkn ion the internet'

[Madmartagen]

Originally Posted by gtboys34

yeah mad, thats the service i want, cingular. so its cool if it doesn't come with one?

edit: 30 bucks?? ffs! i lost my phone twice in the last yr and it didnt come back the last. Damn it, this sux

you will have to have a SIM to use the phone period, the other thing you had to worry about was the service provider that was assigned to the phone (i am assuming that it is not unlocked). If you go to Cingular, they will set you up with a SIM card and phone plan and you will be on your way. Since you have a phone already, you dont have to sign a contract, but they will prolly try to charge your for the SIM. if you go to a store, you can prolly haggle a free SIM out of it if you add a high minute plan.

The phone wont work w/o a SIM because it stores your phone number, account and billing info.

[gtboys34]

k, thanks man

[Mr.Buttocks]

geRV detonates bombs using his Nokia.