prepaid wireless service

TracFone Wireless or TracFone is a wireless provider that provides prepaid wireless service. The service allows a customer to buy airtime units to use on the cell phone at various prices. The company is a subsidiary of Latin American wireless provider América Móvil. It is formerly known as Topp Telecom. The company also operates Net10 Wireless. Coverage, pricing, quality of service and phones available.

TracFone offers new and refurbished cell phones by Nokia and Motorola pursuant to a licensing agreement. TracFone sells digital cell phone models, although analog phones were available at one time. Depending on the customer region, TracFone service works in either a GSM, TDMA, or CDMA network. TracFone does not build its own wireless network but "resells" wireless service from more than 30 providers, as a mobile virtual network operator. In the United States, TracFone operates on the Cingular, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon networks, among others

TracFone requires the customer to "activate" a cell phone prior to use. A catalog of prepaid phone cards, discount calling cards and prepaid wireless cards. Activation consists of purchasing units of available airtime. The customer redeems units by entering a validation code directly into the cell phone. A single unit roughly equates to one minute of telephone airtime. Text messages cost. 3 units to send and free to receive (on GSM phones), and. Prepaid wireless recharge service. 5 units (on TDMA and CDMA phones) to send or receive them.