@sneakypete --
Do you still have the phone, if not the account any longer?
Although I have a cell phone, I'm not really much of a cell phone user. Mine is always turned off, and used only for 2-factor verification text messages now and then, and on trips for emergencies.
I found what might be the cheapest cell phone subscription in the country (well, unless you get an obamaphone for free):
pagepluscellular.com
I pay $10 each 4 months.
For that, I get about an hour's worth of connection time (might be more, I've never bothered to check).
There are other plans as well -- I wanted the cheapest, most basic service.
So my cell phone service costs me $30 per year.
Insofar as coverage areas go:
Page Plus works on the Verizon system, so... anywhere a Verizon phone works, Page Plus works as well.
I have an LG flip phone that's good for "4g". I liked my old 3g Samsung phone better, but 3g is getting phased out.
If you still have your own phone, you can buy their SIM card (I think that's what it's called), and replace the one that's in the phone now.
Then call and get set up the first time.
Or, get another phone on your own, or get one from their web page.
I renew every 4 months online. Easy enough.
I've been using PP for around 15 years now, maybe longer.
Works good enough for me.