I don't know much about cell phones because I haven't cared that much (yet) but I've learned I can save $20 a month on mine and my wifes bill for better service (minutes/text) if we go through a sub seller.

So I'm looking at page plus who is on Verizons network.

I have a sammy sch-r500 that they say they can use on their network if it can be unlocked. This was originally an Alltel phone, now Verizon since they bought them out.

Google searching isn't exactly revealing much because this phone isn't so popular. As far as I can tell, this phone doesn't have any sort of a sim card, so what is to unlock?

2/24/2010 5:39:14 PM

is this a real post, chance?

2/24/2010 6:06:08 PM

Yes, a cell phone has always been a basic device I use to call people so I don't know dick about them.

I have no idea if my phone is locked to a specific network or what I have to do to "unlock" it. It doesn't have a sim card. So as best I can tell from what I've pieced together googling and my intuition, all I have to do is enter the system menus to move it to a a different provider entering the settings in that they'll give me when I sign up for their service.

2/24/2010 7:05:34 PM

I am an authorized PagePlus dealer near State's campus in the Avent Ferry Shopping Center, and there is no unlock necessary to bring an Alltel or Verizon phone to PagePlus. As long as the phone is not frozen in either of their systems as being lost, stolen, or attached to an account owing money, they can be used. We have had a ton of success with PagePlus because it of course has the nationwide coverage of Verizon, but with no contracts. Let me know if you have any specific questions about their service.

2/24/2010 9:51:10 PM

I guess the only thing I am wondering, can all of this setup be done over the phone or will I somehow have to see a human for it?

2/24/2010 10:25:06 PM

You could "try" to get ahold of someone at (800) 550-2436 and maybe talk them into at least adding your phone's ESN/MEID number to the system and programming it using *22890 from the phone, but as far as I know, right now you can only get the $39.95 cards that give you the unlimited talking and texting from an authorized dealer. Be prepared for at least a half-hour hold time though on the phone. Even as a dealer I have to do that just to talk to someone. If you don't have a lot of issues where you need to talk to customer service reps on the phone, its a really great service. Had I carried their service at my store during the summer when I re-upped my contract with Verizon, I wouldn't have done so and would have gone with PagePlus.

[Edited on February 24, 2010 at 11:45 PM. Reason : .]

2/24/2010 11:43:59 PM

Your phone will work for talk/text without any extra unlocking, Alltel phones do not have a subsidy lock on them. If you want the mobile web to work you might have to do some extra steps.

See the page plus forum on howardforums.com

2/25/2010 10:54:32 AM

We've only the data on a few of the Alltel and Verizon phones not work immediately after programming, but those issues were resolved once we updated the WAP settings on the phones as most of them retained their Verizon setting for some reason.

2/25/2010 3:14:27 PM