Can You Buy a SIM Card for an Existing Cell Phone?

Subscriber identity module (SIM) cards are the key to linking your cell phone with a cellular network. They’re tiny chips inserted into cell phones to connect them with the carrier network and a specific user account (phone number). Most of the time, if you purchase a new phone, you can transfer the SIM card from your old phone into the new one and keep your phone number.

While SIM cards are a great way to transfer data from old phones to new ones, is it possible to buy a new SIM card for an existing cell phone? It depends on the type of phone.

GSM vs. CDMA Phones

There are two types of technology that are used by most modern cell phones: Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Whichever technology your existing phone uses will determine whether it can swap SIM cards or not.

GSM Phones

GSM phones are the most common around the world. They rely on SIM cards to link the device to the cellular network and the user’s account.

If your existing phone uses GSM technology, there’s a good chance you can purchase a new SIM card for it. You just need to make sure it’s “unlocked” first. Some carriers include software that links the SIM card to the phone’s serial number. If the two don’t match, the phone won’t work. When you unlock a phone, it removes that link and lets you use different SIM cards.

CDMA Phones

These phones don’t use SIM cards at all. Instead, they’re linked to the carrier network and user account with built-in software that can’t be altered. In other words, they’re locked and can’t change carriers.

If you own a CDMA phone, you can’t purchase a new SIM card. The only way to change carriers is to get the device authenticated directly by the service provider.

How to Know Which Type of Phone You Have

Take the SIM card out of a friend’s phone and put it in yours. If your phone doesn’t have a SIM slot, you have a CDMA device and can’t purchase a new card. If it does have a slot, swap the SIMs and call your friend’s phone number. If your phone rings (with their SIM card), you have an unlocked GSM device and can purchase a new SIM card. If your phone doesn’t ring, your phone needs to be unlocked before purchasing a new card.

Send a Mobile Recharge to Any Phone from eTopUpOnline

Whether your device is CDMA or GSM, you can purchase an international mobile recharge online from the best online mobile recharge website: eTopUpOnline. Before sending a mobile recharge, make sure you choose the right carrier for the device. For example, a Digicel recharge only works on Digicel-enabled devices, and a Natcom top up online only works for Natcom-enabled devices. If you want to swap carriers, make sure your phone is unlocked and uses GSM tech, then purchase a new SIM card from the carrier of your choice.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.etopuponline.com/blog/can-you-buy-a-sim-card-for-an-existing-cell-phone

Immigrant Concerns on the Financial and Mental Stress During COVID-19

Nobody has seen anything like COVID-19 before. Sure, there have been economic downturns and unemployment but never on a global scale like this. While the outbreak has certainly been hard on everyone, it’s had an especially large impact on the immigrant community.

As if being far away from loved ones wasn’t hard enough, the global pandemic has created even more stress—both financial and mental—for families scattered around the world.

Unemployment and Lack of Access to Healthcare

At the height of the pandemic, almost 50 million people were unemployed in the U.S. alone. Without jobs, money is tight. Many families aren’t sure what they’re going to do for their next meal.

As if financial burdens weren’t stressful enough, we’re also fighting a contagious epidemic. Any trip outside your house is a risk. Even if you get sick or hurt, a trip to the hospital could mean infection.

Without work, access to medicine, or social engagements, stress is at an all-time high for many families around the world, especially immigrants. During these tough times, it’s important to stay connected and get the help you need, even if it’s a simple phone call to a relative.

Stay Connected – We’re All in This Together

We’re all in this together, and talking through problems with loved ones can alleviate some of the mental stress associated with COVID-19. Sometimes, just hearing a friendly voice is enough to help.

Of course, being connected is more than just a social need. With social distancing regulations, it’s hard to go anywhere for help. Being able to communicate remotely with doctors and healthcare professionals can provide some much-needed peace of mind and help you stay physically healthy as well!

Help Family Abroad with a Mobile Top Up

Staying connected is easier said than done for many people around the world. Phone bills are expensive, and with unemployment still high, finances are tight for everyone.

If you have family abroad struggling to make their phone payments, you can purchase an international mobile recharge online and send it to over 120 countries around the world. They’ll have instant access to the minutes or data you send them, so they can stay in touch with friends, family, and medical professionals to help them through these tough times.

Everyone is struggling; that’s why eTopUpOnline gives you the ability to choose how much or how little you spend. You can choose the number of minutes or data to send, so you’ll never spend more than you what you can afford, without monthly contracts. You can even send a Digicel recharge or a Natcom top up online so your family abroad can have access to the best carriers wherever they live.

An online mobile recharge from eTopUpOnline is an easy and affordable way to help those in need.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.etopuponline.com/blog/immigrant-concerns-on-the-financial-and-mental-stress-during-covid-19

Is Your Child Going to Study Abroad? Avoid the Hefty International Phone Bills

Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity for your child to see the world and learn about new cultures. It can also be expensive. Between travel expenses, boarding, food, and tuition, the costs can add up, so why purchase a costly international calling plan when you don’t have to? Skip the monthly plan and pay as you go with an Online prepaid mobile recharge.

Choose Your Budget, Pay As You Need

An international phone plan from a major carrier can cost upwards of $100 a month and typically requires a contract. You’ll be locked into those payments, even if your child doesn’t use the data or minutes.

With eTopUpOnline, you can choose what you want to pay, so you’ll never go over budget. Every time you send a mobile recharge, you can select the package you wish to purchase, including the amount of data and minutes as well as the price. Each recharge is a one-time purchase, so you’ll never be forced into a monthly contract. Plus, with eTopUpOnline’s rewards program, you’ll have the chance to earn free minutes every time you purchase a recharge.

Mobile top-ups from eTopUpOnline are sent instantly, so your child can begin using the minutes or data as soon as the payment goes through, day or night.

Send Top Ups to Multiple Countries

Some international phone plans don’t work in multiple countries. If your child is traveling to various places, you might need to purchase different plans to stay in touch. Not with eTopUpOnline.

eTopUpOnline offers an international mobile recharge online that works with a massive network of carriers in over 100 countries. With each top up, you can choose the country and carrier that works best where your child is. If your child is traveling to multiple countries, send a recharge when entering a new country, and he or she will be connected immediately.

Same Great Coverage

Having a phone while traveling abroad isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. A phone can help keep your child safe as they navigate new countries. You’ll be able to stay in touch, and your child will be able to call for help if necessary.

eTopUpOnline works with more than 220 major cellular carriers worldwide, so you can be sure your child will have the coverage they need to stay safe, wherever they go.

eTopUp Online: An Affordable, Flexible Alternative to International Phone Plans

Your child is going to explore a whole new world and it's a time for enormous excitement as well as worry. You can take comfort in the fact that you can still stay connected without having to break the bank. Mobile recharges from eTopUpOnline can help you avoid the monthly contracts and termination fees associated with standard international plans. Find the best deals for prepaid phone credit and keep your child safe without breaking the bank with eTopUpOnline.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.etopuponline.com/blog/is-your-child-going-to-study-abroad-avoid-the-hefty-international-phone-bills

Sending Phone Credit Has Never Been Easier!

It can be difficult to stay in touch with friends and family around the world. International calling plans are expensive, and not all carriers work in every country. But with eTopUp Online, you can send phone credit to almost anyone worldwide. Recharging data or minutes for your prepaid phones has never been easier. Here's how it works.

1. Select a Country

Whether you’re visiting eTopUpOnline.com in your web browser or with the Android or iOS mobile app, the first step to sending phone credit is to select a country. If you want to top up mobile minutes for Jamaica, simply select it from the drop down menu. eTopUp’s international mobile recharge online works in more than 100 countries around the world, so no matter where your friends and family live, you can stay connected by recharging their phones.

2. Enter Phone Number

Next, enter the number of the phone you want to recharge. If you’d like, you can even send top ups to more than one phone number. It's important to put in the right number. After sending data or minutes, there's no way to get them back, even if it’s a wrong number.

After you’ve entered the correct phone number, you’ll be able to choose the carrier. eTopUp Online has partnerships with more than 220 carriers worldwide. Different carriers offer different packages. For instance, a Digicel international top up can provide coverage throughout the Caribbean and most of Central America. Some offer only minutes, while others could include data plans as well. Choose the one with the best coverage and package that’s right for you.

3. Choose a Top Up Amount

Monthly international plans and contracts can get expensive and don’t always work with your budget. If you don’t have the money to pay the bill that month, you’re in trouble. Not with eTopUp Online! You can choose how much you want to spend, so you’ll never go over your budget.

Depending on the carrier , you'll have a choice of several mobile packages. Each one offers different options and pricing. Simply pick the one that best fits your budget. There are never any contracts, termination fees, or obligations, so only pay for what you need when you need it.

4. Complete Your Payment

The final step of the process is to complete the payment. eTopUp Online accepts all major credit cards and PayPal to make payments easy. All international exchange rates are automatically calculated during checkout.

Once the payment has been processed, the receiver can start using the minutes or data immediately.

Staying Connected is Simple with an eTopUp Online Mobile Recharge

You can send phone credit to friends and family around the world without any long-term contracts, monthly bills, or hidden fees in four easy steps. Choose a country, enter the phone number, select a top up amount, and complete your payment. The entire process takes only a few minutes and, since you can choose the amount you want to spend, you never have to worry about going over budget.

Purchasing an eTopUp online prepaid mobile recharge makes it easy to stay connected with your loved ones, no matter where they live.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.etopuponline.com/blog/sending-phone-credit-has-never-been-easier