How to Send a Text Message to an MTN Cell Phone

1. Click on your cell phone's text messaging composer, which is usually called something like 'Messages.'
2. Type your message using your cell phone's keypad.
3. Click 'Send,' and then you will have the option to either type in the number of your recipient's MTN cell phone, or to select it from your contacts list. Click 'Send' after designating the number to which you want to send your text message.

How to Unlock a Boost Phone for Free

Unlockitfree
1. Find your cell phone IMEI number. This number will be requested at the free unlock software website. Press '*#06#' on the phone keyboard and press 'Enter.' Write down the IMEI number that displays.
2. Navigate to the Unlockitfree website (see Resources). Enter the model number of the phone when asked and click 'Find.'
3. Input your IMEI number, model number and country of origin when prompted. Select Boost as the cell phone provider and click 'Generate.'
4. A list of possible unlocking codes will appear. Type in one of the unlock codes given to you. Press 'Enter' and restart the phone to see if it's unlocked. Try another code if necessary.
Trycktill
5. Navigate to Trycktill if your phone is an LG, AEG, Maxon, Nokia, Panasonic, Siemens or Vitel. Click on the British flag icon to change the language to English. Type in your phone make and model number in the drop-down menu.
6. Enter your EMEI number. Fill out the rest of the requested information and agree to the terms and conditions. Click 'Generate Code' and wait for the results page with possible codes. Follow the specific instructions for your phone make.
7. Restart the phone and see if it's unlocked.
Nokia-Free
8. Obtain your EMEI number.
9. Download the Nokia Free software to your computer (see Resources).
10. Open the downloaded program. Enter the EMEI number, the phone make and model, country of origin and list Boost as the cellular service provider.
11. Click 'Calculate' and wait for an unlock code to appear with on-screen instructions.

How to Send an SMS With Rogers

Sending Text to Other Wireless Companies
1. Select 'Message' from device menu.
2. Select 'Text'.
3. Select 'Write' or 'New' from text message menu. Compose desired message up to 160 characters.
4. Press 'Send'.
5. Enter the recipient's ten digit mobile number.
6. Press 'OK' to send.
Sending International Text
7. Select 'Message' from device menu.
8. Select 'Text'.
9. Select 'Write' or 'New' from text message menu. Compose desired message up to 160 characters.
10. Press 'Send'.
11. Enter '011' the country code and ten digit mobile number of the intended recipient.
12. Press 'OK' to send.
Sending SMS through Rogers Website
13. Log in to your Rogers mobile account.
14. Enter the wireless number of the intended recipient.
15. Press 'Send'. The website calculates the characters for you and sends the message to the recipient at no charge to you.

Are There Any Free Cell Phone Services for Senior Citizens on Social Security?

Lifeline Program
The government's Lifeline program provides discounts on your monthly telephone charges even if your primary phone is a cell phone. Link-Up, another federal assistance program, provides a subsidy that helps with the cost of setting up telephone service, including activation fees for a cell phone. Lifeline estimates it saves consumers at least $10 per month on telephone service while Link-Up pays as much as $30 toward start-up fees. Link-Up's service also loans consumers up to $200 for setup fees. The loan is interest free and must be repaid within in one year.
Free Cell Phone Plans
As an extension of the Lifeline program, SafeLink Wireless offers a 250-minute per month plan at no cost for certain low-income Americans, which can include senior citizens on Social Security. Although requirements to access the program vary from state to state, those who participate in public assistance programs generally qualify for the free cell phone. If you do not participate in any such program and your household income meets plan qualifications, you may still receive the free cell phone and its associated service.
Low-Cost Plans
If you do not qualify for free cell phone service with SafeLink Wireless, prepaid plans offer a variety of low-cost options, many designed with senior citizens in mind. Plans range from a $2 per day plan, which charges you only on the days you use your phone, to several nationwide offerings that allow unlimited phone usage for as little as $50 per month. Some of the unlimited plans include text messaging and web access in the monthly service price.
Considerations
SafeLink Wireless' free service is available in 34 states plus the District of Columbia as of the date of publication. SafeLink Wireless can advise you if your state participates in the program. When considering cell phone service, you should know if the carrier you choose provides coverage in your area. Most cell phone companies provide coverage maps on websites whereby you enter your zip code and the map verifies corresponding coverage.

How to Get Free Internet on Your Prepaid T

1. Travel to a free hotspot location in your area. Libraries are typically the best type of free hotspot available given that they are open to all and there is no expectation to spend money while utilizing their free Internet. Other businesses that you may already frequent (such as Starbucks, McDonalds, Borders Books, etc.) sometimes offer this service as well, though it comes with the expectation that you will make a purchase.
2. Turn on the Wi-Fi radio on your T-Mobile prepaid BlackBerry. This is done by pressing the 'Menu' key from the home screen and then selecting 'Manage Connections.' Click 'Wi-Fi' and select 'On.' You are now ready to scan for and connect to a network. Note that steps may vary from model to model, so consult your user manual for additional steps.
3. Set up your Wi-Fi connection. From the home screen, press the 'Menu' button and select 'Set Up Wi-Fi.' From the list of options that appears, choose 'Scan for networks.' After a few moments, the name of the network will appear (such as 'McDonald's Wi-Fi'). Click the network and select 'Connect.' A message will appear confirming your connection.
4. Browse the web. From the home screen, press 'Menu' and then click 'Browser.' You will now be able to surf the internet for free, though you will first see a screen prompting you to accept the hotspot's terms and conditions before the page you requested appears.

How to Send Free SMS to All Networks

1. Download and install an 'IM Client.' These programs are used to send text-based messages to computer users but can also be used to send messages to cell phones as well. Examples of this type of program include AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger (see References). These programs are free.
2. Open the IM Client you've just installed.
3. Select 'New Message' from the 'File' menu.
4. Type the telephone number, proceeded by a '+1' (without quotes), into the 'Sender' box. This will tell the program that the message you are about to type is going to a telephone number as opposed to a computer screen name.
5. Type your text message into the 'Message' box.
6. Hit the 'Enter' key on your computer's keyboard. This will send the message to the telephone number you've specified. You will be able to send this message free, but normal SMS text message rates will still apply on their end. If the recipient chooses to respond, their message will be displayed in this same window. You can then disregard or respond to it as you see fit.

How to Spot Free Vacation Scams

1. Find out who is giving the gift and keep your wits about you. A true free gift comes to you in the mail because you won a contest or sweepstakes. Upon notification in the mail, if you find you must call to claim your vacation, it's a scam.
2. Listen to the representative who calls you. He will most likely be talking fast so that you cannot get in a word of your own.
3. Ask what, if any, charges will apply. If the representative says you do have to pay the taxes that amount to 'X' dollars, it's a scam. Unfortunately, any free trip that includes charges is most likely a scam, and this is particularly true if there are high-pressure tactics used to get you to claim the gift.
4. Avoid giving out your credit card number to hold the vacation for you. This should be a tip-off that they only want your money.
5. Suspect they are lying. Pay attention as the representative gets in deeper in the text. It may seem like he is angry or making up some of the information. He probably is. This may be where you can catch him lying.
6. Find out if there are any requirements to the free vacation. If you have to sit through a long explanation of timeshares, it may not be worth it to you.
7. Make sure you know quickly what your free trip is and what you must do to claim it. If you have not found this out within 10 minutes, you won't like the answer.