# Finally unshackled from a contract: Can I use my Cell Phone in a Pre-Paid plan now? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-unshackled-from-a-contract-can-i-use-my-cell-phone-in-a-pre-paid-plan-now/460685 "2008-08-20T16:44:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-unshackled-from-a-contract-can-i-use-my-cell-phone-in-a-pre-paid-plan-now/460685/1 "2008-08-20T16:44:49Z")
I am finally unshackled from a 2 year contract with T-Mobile. I did not have the best experience with them, they were constantly dropping my calls and no service at my home… So I have this phone I really like, and I am looking at pre-paid phone plans. So far it looks like Tracfone and Virgin Mobile are the best. However, I have read some places that they can use your existing phone. Is this true? If so which companies can I use the prepaid option with this phone…I don’t want to use T-mobile again…no way. If I can’t use this phone…which prepaid plan is the easiest? It looks like Tracfone and Virgin Mobile offer similar things, I wonder which is the easiest to use? Basically, I use the phone infrequently…but I do text relatives across the country quite a bit. Any Ideas? ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-unshackled-from-a-contract-can-i-use-my-cell-phone-in-a-pre-paid-plan-now/460685/2 "2008-08-20T18:48:37Z")
Your T-Mobile phone is probably GSM with a SIM card. The only GSM networks in the US are T-Mobile and AT&T, who might have better coverage in your area. First, you need to obtain an “unlock code” from T-Mobile for your phone.