| Most consumers upgrade their cell phone every | | | | your old phone and place it in the back of the |
| 1.5 years, on average. The desire to have the | | | | new phone. Turn the phone on, and you're all set. |
| newest and best model of cell phone on the | | | | If you have problems removing the SIM card or |
| market is largely responsible for the turnover, as | | | | installing the new one, check online - there are |
| well as lost and broken phones. The benefit is that | | | | several articles and videos for specific phone |
| many people return perfectly good phones when | | | | models. Alternatively, you can check with your |
| they upgrade, meaning that people shopping in the | | | | service provider or third party vendor that you |
| used cell phone market can find great deals on | | | | bought the phone from. |
| phones that are newer models. Since the | | | | If you have purchased your used cell phone from |
| technology for phones doesn't change very often, | | | | another source, and it is not locked to another |
| if you find a great deal, you can bet that the | | | | wireless provider, activating your phone is as |
| phone will last you for many years. | | | | simple as removing the SIM card from your |
| However, before buying a used cell phone, you | | | | former phone and placing it in your newly |
| have to make sure that you're shopping for a | | | | purchased phone. If you do not yet have a SIM |
| phone that is compatible with your current | | | | card for your phone you'll need to either visit a |
| network. There are two different "types" of | | | | mobile provider's store or call them and request a |
| technology being used on the North American | | | | new SIM card. |
| networks - GSM and CDMA. | | | | CDMA network phones are identified by the |
| Phones that are on GSM networks have a small | | | | phone's ESN number. This is a unique number that |
| removable card, known as a SIM card, inside. | | | | is associated with your phone in your provider's |
| Phones that are on CDMA networks do not have | | | | database. The number is usually found on the |
| SIM cards. A GSM phone cannot be used on a | | | | phone under the battery. Simply get the ESN |
| CDMA network, just as a CDMA phone cannot be | | | | number for your old phone and your new phone |
| used on a GSM network. | | | | and call your wireless provider. After supplying |
| Generally, the best deals on used cell phones are | | | | them the proper information, you will be good to |
| found through third party vendors, so be sure | | | | go and your new phone will be activated within |
| that you check to make sure the phone you are | | | | minutes. |
| purchasing will work on your network. | | | | Activating a used phone is much easier than it |
| Once you've purchase a used phone for your | | | | used to be. Following these simple steps should be |
| network, activating it is a breeze. Here's how: | | | | all the information you need to be happily using |
| Phones on a GSM Network are very, very simple | | | | your new phone in no time. |
| to activate. Simply remove the SIM card from | | | | |