OK, I'm the first to admit that I understand very little when it comes to phones and how they are tied to carriers. So here is my question(s).

I have a Verizon branded Motorola Droid Bionic phone. I've completed the two years on the contract, and may get a new phone in the near future. The woman has asked if she can have it when I get a new phone. So can she use this phone with another carrier by switching out the SIM card, or can this phone only be used with a Verizon account?

If the answer is yes, she can use it with another carrier, and since the OS and some of the installed software is Verizon specific, how will that effect the phone's functionality? Will she need to download a new carrier specific OS, and if yes, how will that possibly impact the function(s) of the phone?

Any and all help is appreciated!