I used to have a Nokia that allowed me to choose my service provider manually rather than automatically. This allowed me to choose AT&T cell towers exclusively when I was in TJ so my phone wouldn't automatically switch to Mexican service providers. This way I could make calls to the states without being charged international rates. My Motorola Razor apparently doesn't have this feature. Are there any phones that still do have this ability?

Your Motorola Razr can do that no problem. Go to Settings>Network>Network Setup>Type and select Manual and then you should be able to choose manually. The terminology may very depending on the firmware in your Razr but the setting should definitely be in there.

When I get to the network setup my choices are:

Automatic
850/900
900/1800
It doesn't give me the choice of "manual"

Under Network Setup there should be three additional sub categories. Band: (which contains the options you mention) Type: (which contains the Automatic or Manual choices) and Speed: (which contains the options Slow, Medium, Fast and Continuous.)

If those settings do not exist on your phone it is possible they are locked out in the firmware or different firmware may just have different menu organization. The hardware can certainly handle it. It's not that difficult to reflash the firmware in a RAZR to unbranded generic Motorola firmware with all the available options but how to do that is a little beyond the scope of this forum.

I would be willing to pay anyone who was able to restore the firmware for me. Or if anyone might know of a site that would give me step by step instructions.

With the caveat that if you screw up or miss some important detail you can permanently destroy you phone... there is a pretty good guide about re-flashing Razrs here.
http://www.planetmotox.net/motox101/howto_flash_flex.htm

I believe the R374_G_0E.42.10R firmware has all of the options, found here...
http://www.planetmotox.net/monster_packs.php

If you aren't sure about doing it yourself, I imagine allot of the Vietnamese cell phone shops in San Diego could handle reflashing a Razr for $20 or so. Just make sure they guarantee they will get that feature turned on. If you grab one of those free local Vietnamese newspapers at an Asian market in San Diego there is usually about 20 ads for cell phone shops.


Or you could jus buy a new AT&T Go phone. The Samsung here is easily unlocked and has manual network selection for $30 http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=Samsung+A437+-+Slate+(Refurb)+-+GoPhone%C2%AE+(Pay+As+You+Go)&q_sku=sku1140001

Ok. I was able to buy an unlocked razor using one of the links above for $127. It has the full network menu, and all I had to do was insert the sim card from my old razor(actually I went to the ATT store and they did it for me, but at least I know how now).I can now choose my network manually again. Thanks for the help.