| Purchasing a refurbished cell phone is a great way | | | | their customer support line. |
| to avoid the need to sign a one or two year | | | | The decision to purchase either a refurbished |
| contract with a mobile phone carrier. If you | | | | CDMA or GSM cell phone is entirely up to you and |
| approach the carrier for a new plan, but already | | | | your preferences. You can base your decision |
| have your own device, you can bypass the | | | | either on the fact that you already have an |
| contract and just go straight to activating your | | | | existing line with one of the carriers, or based |
| own used cell phone on their network. | | | | your decision upon the features and various plans |
| Before purchasing your used cell phone you should | | | | available to you by the carriers. |
| consider the different types of technologies | | | | In terms of service there is really no easy way |
| available and understand which is used by your | | | | to discern between CDMA and GSM; both offer |
| preferred mobile provider. | | | | similar levels of service, call quality, and data |
| CDMA technology (code division multiple access) | | | | transfer speeds. Network coverage is another |
| has been the dominating technology for mobile | | | | thing that you need to consider before selecting a |
| networks for many years in North America and | | | | network; if you roam out of your "home" |
| the majority of Asia. GSM technology (global | | | | network fairly frequently then you should be sure |
| system for mobile communications) is used by an | | | | that your selected network offers coverage in |
| estimated 85% of the global market; making it | | | | the areas that you will be roaming to. This holds |
| the obvious preferred choice for mobile makers | | | | true for both domestic and international roaming |
| when releasing a new handset. | | | | coverage; be sure to ask your selected provider |
| If you purchase an unlocked used GSM cell phone | | | | what types of coverage and plans they offer for |
| it is a very simple process to add it to your | | | | roaming. |
| current mobile provider's network; you simply | | | | Another item to consider when deciding between |
| need to place the SIM card that you are given | | | | selecting a used cell phone on a CDMA or a GSM |
| into your cell phone. The phone is then | | | | network is if all of the features the used phone |
| automatically able to connect to the mobile | | | | offers will be able to activated on the network |
| network belonging to that SIM card. | | | | you are researching. Some mobile providers |
| Adding a used CDMA cell phone purchased from a | | | | charge extra for certain features or simply don't |
| source other than your mobile carrier can be a | | | | offer them. |
| little more complicated; you will need to either | | | | What ever your choice is, remember to purchase |
| make a visit to one of their retail stores or call | | | | your used cell phone from a reputable seller. |