Can a get cell service if i have a bill in collections with another provider?

Basically my first cell phone service was voicestream(way back when, from 6 yrs ago now), my contracted turned out to be not what the retailer said it was and i got a huge bill and refused to pay it. ever sice then when i go to get a new cell service they say i have to pay a down payment b/c i owe tmobile/voicestream.