What to do with the old phone

Surprise! On a de-activated phone:

* Supposedly, 911 always works ( for emergency calls), by a 1997 FCC rule.

* 611 connects to the original provider's customer service.

* anything else connects to a company called the "American Roaming Network" that uses an automated operator to make a special credit-card or collect calls for roughly $3 +$2/minute. They also sell pre-paid outbound-only service at lower rates, good for 1 year.

This is good for anyone who needs a phone "just for emergencies".

http://www.vsbinternational.com/retail_buy.php

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/38324-38-what-america-roaming-network