How can I activate a old Verizon cell phone, to add it on, to start a family plan?

[Jenn-Jenn]

I am a current Verizon (NYSE: VZ) customer, and want to add another line on. I have a 2 yr old Samsung phone (by Verizon) and want to activate the line and start a family plan under Verizon, instead of my current individual plan.

[Gaby A]

To add it on and switch to a family share plan, call VZW and ask a rep to check and see if your phone is E911 compliant. You can find the esn on the base of the phone, under where the battery goes, by the bar codes. Its usually listed as esn dec, esn hex of esn/meid. If they determine the phone is compliant, I recommend you find out when your cycle ends. IF you add a line in the middle of a cycle, your bill can be outrageous because the minutes are also prorated ...

Say you are on a 39.99 plan with 450 minutes and you only have it for 2 weeks when you make the change. You will see a cr of about $20, but you will only have 225 minutes. If you have already used more than that, you will be billed .45 for each min over 225.

Same thing will happen w/ your family share plan. Pretending you go w/ 700 min for $69.99 - you will be charged 34.50 for the partial month and you will only have 350 minutes to share for the remaining 2 weeks of the cycle, plus you will also be billed for the next full month in advance.

Add a feature such as a text package, vcast, mobile web or any other option? there will also be a partial/full month for each.

So, its better if you do it on the first day of your cycle to avoid partial minutes/partial billing. Hope this helps ....

[enchanted]

Call or visit Verizon (NYSE: VZ) directly; this can't be done online. They will be happy to change your plan and will let you know if the phone can be used (they may need to reprogram it).

[Tina G]

Go to a Verizon (NYSE: VZ) store near you. To look it up go to

http://www.anywho.com

You wont be able to activate an old phone on the internet or over the phone.

Radio Shack MIGHT be able to do it.

[jackbutler5555]

Some time back I asked a similar question and was told the Verizon (NYSE: VZ) store will do it for nothing. I don't know if that's still true.

[CMass Stan]

The only stumbling block I can see with the phone, since it's a 2-yr old phone, is whether it is E911 capable. If it is, VZW will activate it. If it isn't E911 capable, they'll tell you they won't because of FCC mandate.

E911 capability allows the cell phone company and local safety to track down your location via your phone much more easily than they could at least 10 yrs ago.

[Michael M]

call customer service. they will ask the ESN number near the battery. Then they will assign you a new number. Activate the phone over the air. Then you can begin to make calls It will cost about $9.99 a month and whatever the proration of a month's bill is some max is $20.00 Very easy process.