PhoneTalk

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we give advice on WiFi cell phones and why you can’t necessarily use a cell phone from one carrier with service from another. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

Can AT&T turn a Sprint Palm Centro smartphone into a pre-pay plan? –Vic

Although both AT&T and Sprint offer Palm Centro models they are not the same. The big difference is that the AT&T version works on its GSM networks and the Sprint version works on CDMA networks. Basically, this means that you can’t use the AT&T version with Sprint service or the Sprint version with AT&T service. If you want to use a Palm Centro with AT&T, you’ll need to get a new model.

I'm interested in getting a cell phone with WiFi. My intent is to keep my same service plan which does not currently have the data capability and use the phone's WiFi feature for web surfing and e-mail. Will this work? I'm aware that I will need to be within range of the WiFi hotspot for Internet access. – Steven

You can get a WiFi-enabled cell phone, such as the T-Mobile Dash or the AT&T Tilt, and use it in the way you describe in your question. However, you should be aware that there really aren’t a lot of WiFi-enabled cell phones available from which to choose. Additionally, if you plan on using the WiFi feature in your cell phone to surf the web in a Starbuck’s, for example, you will have to pay a fee to access the service. So while you can do what you want, you should ask yourself which is more cost effective: an unlimited data plan or WiFi access. Only you know where and when you'll be using the WiFi service.

Topics: AT&T Wireless Sprint Cell phone plans Windows Mobile WiFi E-mail T-Mobile Q&A