Pre-Paid Cell Phones

Z71 · September 17, 2002

Has anyone researched this out? I want a cell phone in the truck for emergency use but I don't want to keep buying minutes to keep it active. It seems you can buy minutes but they expire in 30 to 60 days (depending on who services the phone).

Does anyone know of a phone that has no time limit? Maybe a outgoing phone only? Is there such a thing?

Bah, may just have to get a CB.

rrsob · September 17, 2002

I checked into these about 6 months ago. I think even though you have to buy a card every 30 days some let you bank the time you don't use. If you are willing to spend the upfront cash, you can buy a one year card (300 min. about $100. I believe) and you're good for a whole year. Thats the way I was gonna go. I hope this helped some.

Also check into a friends old phone. I've heard that if you want to use it for "real" emergencies you can use an old phone because 911 calls are free. Although I've never tried this. A friend of mine kept his old phone in his glove box after he upgraded. ???

MarkD · September 17, 2002

That is a law in SC. I think it is a federal law. All cell phones have to be programed to be able to call 911 whether they have service or not.

My question is this...Can they nail you with arears charges if you do use it for 911???

gmcjoe · September 17, 2002

Here in Mi, any mobile phone without a service contract will till call 911 and nobody else. buy one on ebay for $10 and keep it in your truck

Torque Junkie · September 17, 2002

I sell cell phones for a living

Any phone, programmed or not, will make a call to 911 as long as it has a signal. In fact, Verizon takes old phones and donates them to battered women's shelters around the country for that very reason.

Now for pre-payed phones, both of the two carriers (Verizon and a local company) I sell have them, but both have the money expire after 60 days. You buy airtime in a minimum of $30 increments, which, if you don't use the phone at all works out to a minimum of $15/month.

Look around at some local stores. Each company has different features and plans. Check them out.

-Mike