For reasons too boring to explain, I’m changing cell phone companies. Of course that means I have to use a completely different phone and a completely different phone number. Stupid law.
Anyway, I have about 150 phone numbers programmed into this cell phone, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a utility that will download them into a new phone, or a text file, or anything? Any suggestions you may have that means I won’t have to transcribe them manually would be welcome.
This is entirely dependant on the phone you have and its capabilities.
Some phones have infrared tranmitters/receivers (my old one did) that could ‘beam’ info to another device with an infrared receiver.
Some phones have cradles you can buy that will allow you to hook the thing up tp your PC and move data back and forth.
Some phones have none of these features.
I got a new phone and had to manually move the data. Sucks but that’s the breaks sometimes.
If it doesn’t have an IR port and it’s a Nokia phone, the software you are after is called ‘Data Suite’ - it’s not free though and it would only be of use if your new phone is a Nokia model supported by the package.
In the UK, some of the high street phone shops offer phonebook transfer free as part of an upgrade, or offer it as a stand-alone service for a small charge.
My phone can copy its #s to its GSM chip. I suppose it might be possible to put the new chip from the new phone into the old phone, and copy the numbers into the new chip.
Not only do you have to buy Data Suite, you also have to buy the cable adn the whole thing is pretty confusing and cryptic. I do not think it is worth it for a one time thing although maybe he could find someone who would do it for him.
OK, thanks guys. My current phone is a Nokia 8260 - I don’t yet know what the new phone will be.
I do possess a somewhat technical background, so I could probably figure out Data Suite. However, I like the sound of “free phonebook transfer” better - if I’m switching services, maybe I can make them do it for me. 
If the new phone has internal memory, you may be able to insert your existing (old)SIM and import the numbers, then take it out and put the new SIM back in.
The 8260 has a built in infrared port that will allow you to transfer your numbers to another IR ready phone, IR enabled notebook or Palm Pilot. Read your manual for additional details.