when you switch cell phone service providers, can you keep your old cell phone?

People aren't reading the question right. The FCC had mandated carrying your PHONE NUMBER OVER! There is no mandate for actual phones. Most companies will not let you use a phone from your previous provider.

It is impossible for to switch over from cingular to verizon or vice versa. Verizon uses non sim chip technology while cingular does.

I work for RadioShack, where I have sold hundreds of Cingualr and Verizon phones.

The number portability rule was put into effect, but the circuitry inside the phone can't be "ported". There are certain phones made specifically for certain providers and while you can keep your number you usually must buy a phone from the new provider as their network of calling systems is different from your old one. You might be able to have your phone reworked simiarly like a pager could be back in the day (when they were more popular than a cell phone), but I'm not certain how much it would cost you. Good luck.

You bought the phone, so you get to keep it, though you will need to get the phone unlocked from Cingulair, but since Verizon does not use SIM card technology, it may not work.

tell verizon you want to keep your old number, most cell phone companies have contracts with each other to share numbers. They should probably let you do it. Yo'ull have to go into the store

u can keep ur old phone, but cannot use it on verizon's network

YES. Number "portability" has been ordered by the FCC.

yes

yes

yes...but beware u might have a cancellation fee....i did lol