What does this mean? (Contract language for a pre-paid phone).

[LAS14]

Hubby and I use the same cell phone. We're rarely away from each other, especially when one is not at home with the land line. But I thought I'd get a really cheap pre-paid phone for those rare times when we're away from home but doing different thins. I found a flip phone on Amazon for $29. $20/month voice and data. Below is language describing the phone. I don't understand a word of it. Can someone help?

tia
las

Note: This phone is carrier locked; Customers must have had their locked device activated on TracFone service for no fewer than 12 months, redeemed air time cards in no fewer than 12 months, and not have had their telephone number recycled or ported

[Phoenix61]

1. Sounds like it's a replacement phone for

someone who’s been a tracfone user for at
least 12 months.

[DonaldsRump]

2. I think it means you're getting a "subsidized" phone

You are only paying $29 for the phone, but to get the phone for that price, you have to use Tracfone for 12 months and not bring (or "port" ) a phone number from another carrier.

In other words, to get a $29 phone, you have to pay $240 for the voice and data over 1 year.

[LAS14]

4. Thanks! nt

[BBG]

3. Subsidized price break on phone

And so it is locked to a single carrier to prevent being used on another wireless company service. If there were no contracted, locked obligation to Tracfone the phone could go somewhere else to obtain service.

[LAS14]

5. Thanks! nt