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Question about using phones on US Cellular's network

FrodoB

Jul 19, 2004, 4:00 PM
I just lost my Nokia 3585i phone (or it was stolen off my belt; either way, I don't have it anymore), which I got from USCC last July. I would just like to replace it with something roughly the same (possibly the 3586i) until my contract is up next July and I can get a decent deal on a better phone.

My question is this: Do I need to buy a US Cellular-configured phone to accomplish this? I don't want to do anything particularly unscrupulous, but I don't really have the money for a tricked-out phone right now, and most of the 3585i and 3586i's that are on E-bay are going high for US Cellular and low for lots of other networks. Is there any legal way to get one of the cheaper phones (which are identical, except for network) and have it wo...
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waywith

Jul 19, 2004, 5:05 PM
I am afraid you are out of luck. US Cellular does not allow ANY phones to be used on its network unless they were originally sold by US Cellular.

So, if you can find a used Nokia 3585i or 3586i that is branded with US Cellular, you can take it to them and they can substitute it for the stolen phone.

By the way, US Cellular is currently not selling ANY Nokia phones (except for prepaid service). Rumor is they will have the 6585 later in the summer, but it's not confirmed.

I also have the 3585i - great phone. Best RF of any phone USCC has sold for CDMA, IMHO.
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FrodoB

Jul 19, 2004, 5:20 PM
Thanks for the info. I am probably going to go with one of the Nokias (if for no other reason than that we can restore a contact list from my wife's 3585i using a DKU-5 cable), at least until USCC makes their pitch to me in 2005 when the contract is up. ;)
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weatherduck

Jul 20, 2004, 3:56 PM
waywith your comment about USC not selling ANY Nokia phones anymore is entirely incorrect, our local USC store has been selling the 3586i for months and I was just in there over the weekend and they are still selling it.
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waywith

Jul 20, 2004, 4:39 PM
Weatherduck,

I was advised by Sales Reps in our local NH corporate stores that the 3586i is now ONLY sold with prepaid plans. As of 5/31/04 it was no longer sold with ANY postpaid plans, reason being it is not compatible with Easyedge and USCC wants to push Easyedge.

This was confirmed by USCC CSRs on HowardForums. For the time being there are no Nokias available with postpaid plans.

So, I stand by my statements.

-way
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weatherduck

Jul 20, 2004, 5:13 PM
Agree with the pushing easy edge statement totaly but seriously if I have to go in to the dam store and take a picture of the display showing the nokia phone I'll do it. Maybe they just don't sell them in the Northeast market and they still do sell them here in the midwest, I had the nokia phone for almost a year that is still for sale so I would think I know what a nokia phone is.
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justpeachy

Jul 26, 2004, 2:34 PM
well I'm in Wisconsin and we can only sell it wtih TalkTracker. No postpaid plans whatsoever
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cockerduchess

Jul 20, 2004, 9:06 PM
if you are still looking for a us cellular phone email me i may be able to help you i just disconnected from us cellular! ****erduchess@yahoo.com
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danthecellman

Jul 21, 2004, 2:42 PM
weatherduck I work for the company and yes the 3586i is still being sold but only for our TalkTracker pre-paid services. I just checked our online reference internal website to confirm this. Now some of the stores might still be selling them to clear inventory but as far as any new inventory they are going to be sold as TalkTracker only. Hope this clears up the confusion.
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weatherduck

Jul 21, 2004, 10:03 PM
thanx, I just don't like being told it's not being sold anywhere when I know for a fact it is.
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waywith

Jul 22, 2004, 6:49 AM
Weatherduck,

Didn't mean to challenge you, I was just relating what I was told by USCC employees here in New England. Based on Danthecellman's comments, it looks like we were both right. Nokias no longer officially "available" for postpaid, but there still may be some in investory in some stores.
Around here the Nokias sold very well, so they have none available for postpaid accounts.

-way
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tequilasundae

Aug 15, 2004, 12:59 PM
we now have the 6585 nokia w fm radio and Easy edge...tiny little bugger though..
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mikemedic

Jul 19, 2004, 9:07 PM
I believe the phone had to be CDMA which is the frequency US cell works on. Talk to them, they will tell you to buy a former us cell version phone. Just because it's the same model number doesn't mean it will work. Companies also put "lock" or service codes only they can get into to reprogram. They told me verizon phones would work since verizon is cdma. I would suggest calling one of the us cell stores in your area, they sell those phones people bring back before the 15 day trail is up and they cant sell them as new phones. This way you wouldn't get hosed buying a phone on ebay that may not work
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