Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Can I switch SIM cards to get a Lockline replacement?

Apr 19, 2005 2:07PM PDT

Ok ok I won't cheat the system but at least let me understand how it works. We have two Motorola v60i's from Cingular both around 2 years old or so, one has LockLine the other doesn't. Unfortunatley the other one is 'malfunctioning' let's say for the sake of simplicity (battery has been replaced several times but never lasts on standby more than a day and yes it's been conditioned... display has no backlight anymore and sometimes pressing certain buttons will show up as other buttons like if I press '3' a '9' will show up and I don't know the button for '3').

Since the phones are almost identical, can I just switch the SIM cards and have LockLine replace the broken phone? It's a complicated story as to why one phone has the insurance and one doesn't.

Thanks.

Don't worry I won't try to mess with the system I just want to know how it works and how to avoid situations like this in the future. We are buying a new phone no matter what so a replacement does no good at this point.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
No
Apr 19, 2005 8:50PM PDT

Remember that the V60I is a TDMA phone and no SIM card. When you replace the phone, the ESN (unique in each phone) is updated in the billing system. If you were using a GSM handset, you could merely swap the SIM. TDMA phones are different. If you file an insurance claim, you will receive a replacement GSM model (probably the V180 or V220).

- Collapse -
ok maybe I'm an idiot then
Apr 20, 2005 12:30PM PDT

This phone is supposed to be the international one? I mean I've taken it to Europe and it worked. Also, when I take out the battery there is a card in there that I can remove or whatever. Maybe I have a different type of v60 sorry (my very first v60 might have been called 'i' I don't know what this one is then).

- Collapse -
v60i
Apr 20, 2005 7:08AM PDT

No, you cannot switch the sim on this particular phone because it does not come equip with a sim card. The v60i runs off the old CDMA/TDMA technology and a sim is referenced with the GSM system which will allow you to roam internationally where the CDMA/TDMA will not.

Good Luck

- Collapse -
Re
Apr 21, 2005 12:54AM PDT

If it is a GSM model phone instead of Lockline referencing the ESN it references the IMEI. This is an internal number in the phone that to my knowledge cnat be changed, and if it could would probably be an FCC violation.

What you can do is add locklline to the other phone. For the insurance to activate it must be able to make one outgoing call to register, I am not sure if there is a period of time you also have to wait, but that would be the easiest solution if you can make a call out.

The other solution would be to contact the company and see if you are out of contract, they may set you up with a new phone, for the same price as the deductable would be.