Cell unlocking and sim cards (Cingular, T-Mobile, update, emergency)

[CajunWon]

Here's a simple question -I'm new at this.

I have a Cingular LG 2000 with wall charger and manual. Thinking about using it as a T-Mobile Prepaid phone, to be used rarely. Is this a GSM 2G phone?

Signup for an account at T-Mobile, buy a T-Mobile sim card for ~$7.
When card arrives, insert in phone sim slot. It should say 'restricted' something.
Go to EBay and buy an unlock code for ~$10
Buy a T-Mobile $10 Prepaid Minutes. If I never use the phone I'll need to buy this same $10 Prepaid within 90 days, or I lose my assigned number.

So in the first 90 days, I've spent a total of ~$27 + tax for an emergency phone.

Next: once the phone is unlocked, then I can buy a sim card from any carrier, take my T-Mobile sim and use it in any phone or even borrow one from another active phone? These sim cards are interchangeable?

Does this sound right? Am I missing something?

[CajunWon]

update: Apparently this sub forum not flowing with information on this topic.

Have received the Unlock code ($3.88)
T-Mobile sim w/activation & 10 minutes on order ($6.99)
Once assembled, I'll have a new emergency phone for <$11 and good for 90 days.


HTH others.

[SaladoSam]

Try Howard Forums. Topics on phones and providers. They won't give out codes but you can connect dots. Someone will have answers for you.

[Snafu]

Once you unlock the handset itself, you should be able to put any SIM you want in it. I did my research and bought my phone over the internet, just to avoid the whole "lock" fiasco...

From that point I went with a T-Mobile pre-paid account, but my minutes are good for 1 year (they used to be 60 or 90 days). You might want to doublecheck and see if it's something like for the first year they are only good for x-months... but then they are valid longer... I don't use the phone much at all Stateside, but $10 per year lets me keep the number (I travel a lot, so I just buy a prepaid SIM whereever I am and avoid the whole roaming charge when I'm not in the States.) I then just pop the T-Mobile SIM back in once I get home...

[CajunWon]

update: I canceled the T-Mobile order, went with O2 Wireless. Prepaid SIM $4.99 included $7 in prepaid use. Cost $1/day only on days phone is used. Text/SMS free/unlimited $0.14/minute calls during weekday -nights weekends free/unlimited. Minimum $10/90 days