Yes, as KC said, "customer provided equipment" CPE, can be activated, and it
is even encouraged.  If someone does an upgrade from old technology, we are
"trained" to ask if they have someone who might benefit from that *"old
tri-mode phone", and we can activate them right now.  I just can't sell em.

*I do not believe they will allow you to easily activate a phone that is
analog only, but I haven't tried lately.  But if an existing customer's
phone "breaks", and they need to use back up phone, even if analog only, VZW
CS will allow a customer to do it, noting that their coverage may be greatly
reduced, and it is temporary till the phone gets
repaired/replaced/exchanged, etc.  An agent would have to provide written
documentation to VZW that this was CPE if they tried to do this at POS:
"point of sale"

So, to the original question: Wrong.  YES,  a customer can activate a "new"
plan with their older non-GPS CDMA tri-mode Nokias.  It is called activating
Customer Provided Equipment, and you will be asked to sign a piece of paper
certifying that it is a phone you provided to the carrier.

Editorial: Oddly enough, not being able to sell used non-gps equipment is
often cited as an FCC requirement.  So, we asked the FCC (in writing) about
used equipment and was told this (in writing): The FCC does not regulate the
sale of used equipment.

The dr.