Thread: Can I use a CDMA phone on with any cell company. (ie. a verizon phone on a...

...u.s. cellular plan)? I want to buy a cell phone from ebay for price reasons. I was wondering if I can get any CDMA phone, not specific to U.S. Cellular, and activate it with the company.

Usually no. When the phone is shipped, the ESN (Electronic Serial Number) is put Sprint or Verizon's system. So when the ESN is entered on someone's account when they want to switch phones, it can be activated. If you wanted to use a Verizon Razr on Sprint, you wouldn't be able to because it isn't in their system. You see?