Verizon iPhone 5 Confirmed to Be Unlocked on GSM 3G Networks

[icyfire]

Originally Posted by jav6454

Now the question is, which signal takes dominance? The Verizon CDMA signal or the AT&T GSM signal when a Verizon activated (and in service) iPhone 5 is fed an AT&T nano-SIM.

Or does the iPhone let you select which carrier? I hunk this last statement is mostly true.

The SIM card always takes preference over the native CDMA signal (that's how the 4s was set up). So if you stick in an ATT Sim, it will take preference. In fact, with the iPhone 5 I think you need a SIM card even to use it on CDMA because of LTE (all Verizon LTE phones require a SIM card)

[name99]

Originally Posted by rjohnstone

There are no hardware differences.
The phones all use the same Qualcomm chip.
It's programming in the base band radio that determine what frequencies are enabled.

These statements are ignorant.
Yes the phones all have the same Qualcomm chip. But each feature on the chip is enabled by Qualcomm firmware, and if you don't pay for a feature, you don't get it. If Apple did not pay Qualcomm for CDMA on the ATT model, it's not going to be there, regardless of what the hardware can do.

[MacTK]

Originally Posted by KPOM

Yes, that's the case. However, a lot of European LTE networks will operate on 800MHz and 2600MHz bands that are not supported by the Verizon or AT&T iPhone 5. For instance, in the UK, only EE's network will be supported, not Vodafone or o2 when they get their LTE networks up and running.

Thanks for the clarification. Band 7 and 8 are the important onces if they were included in the Iphone 5 way more people would be benefit from the phone and the LTE Networks.
But at least that means that you can buy a Verizon Iphone and can bring it over to Europe and you have HSPA+ and LTE in two countries.

[dave006]

Originally Posted by macUser2007

Nope, you have to buy the AT&T model in order to use the iPhone 5 on T-Mobile's LTE network.

It's beyond me why anyone goes with Verizon or AT&T. Both offer the same service as T-Mobile or Virgin, at almost double the price.

But hey, you get a subsidized phone....

Did you even read the first post?

The Verizon iPhone 5 purchased from Apple retail and sold as a "Device Only" purchase is working on AT&T and T-Mobile. You just don't get LTE on AT&T or anything above 2G in most T-Mobile areas until the refarming is complete.

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/09/21/...m-3g-networks/
http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/21/33...5-gsm-unlocked

Dave

[ghostface147]

Originally Posted by KPOM

Are other Verizon LTE phones unlocked? Does AT&T have any of this spectrum, or does this same limitation apply to AT&T's bands?

No, this only applies to Verizon. As for other LTE phones, I would assume so......but I am not sure.

[iMrNiceGuy0023]

TMobile as well??

CDMA iPhones if someone lost it, I guess Apple rather have it still in use by the GSM finder, but banned on the CDMA network instead of it being just a music device

[Frasern1]

This is awesome! I hope they don't "fix" this with a software update.

[dinopdx]

Will the Cricket iPhone 5 be unlocked as well? If so, you can get one for only $499 next week, and cancel the prepaid plan without penalty.

[jessica.]

Originally Posted by GorgonPhone

nooo if it cant get 4G or do simultaneous voice and data what is the point?

The Nexus has been able to do voice and data simultaneously since last year on VZW.

[avanpelt]

Originally Posted by KPOM

Are other Verizon LTE phones unlocked?

A Verizon "global roaming" specialist told me this morning that all of their LTE handsets and tablets (including the third-gen iPad) are sold unlocked. Not sure if that's true, but that's what she said.

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Originally Posted by Frasern1

This is awesome! I hope they don't "fix" this with a software update.

Agreed. I can't imagine it would go anywhere because I think this would be a pretty big draw for the Verizon iPhone 5. I'm thrilled with my decision to get the Verizon model over the other carriers.

[rjohnstone]

Originally Posted by jimsowden

THis isn't a very detailed explanation. Can you be specific?

Sure... it's software.
The phones are all capable of working on the same networks and frequencies.
Enabling all of those features all at once would be a severe power drain, so Apple programmed the chips to only use protocols and frequencies based on what carrier was getting the phone and what region of the world it was expected to be used in.
In short... they're all identical inside, it's the based band programming that is different.

Originally Posted by name99

These statements are ignorant.
Yes the phones all have the same Qualcomm chip. But each feature on the chip is enabled by Qualcomm firmware, and if you don't pay for a feature, you don't get it. If Apple did not pay Qualcomm for CDMA on the ATT model, it's not going to be there, regardless of what the hardware can do.

Nothing "ignorant" about it and if you want to throw insults, at least understand what the real facts are first.
Qualcomm doesn't program the chip, Apple does.

[Rot'nApple]

With the cat out of the bag, is this something that can be changed ie. Verizon requesting Apple to lock Verizon to Verizon?

With all the hoopla, can Verizon come in and ruin the party by being a jerk?

And would Straight Talk have nano sim card (doesn'T ST use ATT) that one can use instead of a cut down att sim attached via tape and shoved in with a paper clip?

Finally, If you have a Verizon iP5 and put in an att sim and was on their network does that data time come off your Verizon contract or ATT who you have no deal with?
/
/
/

[chatin]

Wish I could trust Verizon on iPhone 5. After the opt-in scandal and other Verizon overcharges, not to mention data / voice tradeoff, AT&T is the way to go for iPhone 5 in my area.

[shanmugam]

http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17)

CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)

GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)

there are three variety -

A1429 for Sprint, Verizon
A1428 for ATT

A1429 for Japan and AsiaPac

add to the chaos China and India are in different bands ...

wait till another three or four years then we will World-Mode LTE iPhone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks

[KPOM]

Originally Posted by avanpelt

A Verizon "global roaming" specialist told me this morning that all of their LTE handsets and tablets (including the third-gen iPad) are sold unlocked. Not sure if that's true, but that's what she said.

That would be consistent with the explanation I've seen elsewhere that Verizon is required to sell the phones unlocked as a stipulation of its license with the FCC for LTE Band C.

[icemantx]

Am I missing something or don't you still need a Verizon calling plan to use the Verizon iPhone? What would be the benefit of putting in an AT&T SIM on a Verizon phone? Wouldn't I have to have two plans which would mean double the cost of my phone to have a plan with both AT&T and Verizon?

Not sure I get why this is so killer if you are still on a contract with Verizon for 2 years regardless of being locked or not.

[dukebound85]

Originally Posted by icemantx

Am I missing something or don't you still need a Verizon calling plan to use the Verizon iPhone? What would be the benefit of putting in an AT&T SIM on a Verizon phone? Wouldn't I have to have two plans which would mean double the cost of my phone to have a plan with both AT&T and Verizon?

Not sure I get why this is so killer if you are still on a contract with Verizon for 2 years regardless of being locked or not.

can buy the ihone on no contract and then use a sim card

[iozker]

If you bought the GSM version of the iPhone 5, and you paid retail price, the phone is FACTORY UNLOCKED, I can confirm this, I'm on AT&T and my contract ends in June 2013, I preordered a 32gb iPhone 5 and asked if I could use it with other carries around the WOLRD, I even asked if it can work on tmobile, I spoke with 4 apple reps and 1 supervisor, I will take pictures and video as proof.

[icemantx]

Originally Posted by dukebound85

can buy the iphone on no contract and then use a sim card

So pay full price for VZ iPhone and it is unlocked?

[shrtmkr]

I wonder if it is the same case on sprint as they are basically the same model.

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Originally Posted by shanmugam

http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17)

CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)

GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)

there are three variety -

A1429 for Sprint, Verizon
A1428 for ATT

A1429 for Japan and AsiaPac

add to the chaos China and India are in different bands ...

wait till another three or four years then we will World-Mode LTE iPhone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks

There are two models. A1428, A1429

The ones that are being sold in Europe has also CDMA band but turned off by default.

[DylPickle85]

Just got off the phone with the Verizon rep while awaiting mine in the mail today.

She confirmed that the Verizon iPhone 5 comes GSM Unlocked out of the box! That makes it a plug n play GSM World Phone for nano SIM cards. The video looks a bit sketch, will wait for a proper tutorial or cutting template to do it the right way and try out for myself :-D

[manu chao]

Originally Posted by name99

This is an iPhone 5 discussion. Do T-Mobile offer iPhone 5 (yet --- they may well by next year)? Do Virgin? If not your, then snark is pretty damn stupid, isn't it?

This is like responding to a discussion about US phone plans by telling us that we should all switch to some South Korean carrier.

Why would a carrier have to officially sell a phone for a phone to be perfectly usable on its network? Maybe with CDMA but not with GSM, you buy your phone from whoever you want and use it on whoever carrier you want, provided it is not SIM-locked.

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by shrtmkr

There are two models. A1428, A1429

The ones that are being sold in Europe has also CDMA band but turned off by default.

Gotcha, Thanks!

[bahamutzero]

Do you have to activate VZW iPhone5 on their network first, in order to use it with other GSM networks, or it can be activated or bypassed via GSM?

I'm asking this because I live in Europe (and I'm using GSM) and have relatives in USA who use VZW. Do they have to activate it on VZW before sending the phone to me?

[manu chao]

Originally Posted by icyfire

The SIM card always takes preference over the native CDMA signal (that's how the 4s was set up). So if you stick in an ATT Sim, it will take preference. In fact, with the iPhone 5 I think you need a SIM card even to use it on CDMA because of LTE (all Verizon LTE phones require a SIM card)

In addition, every GSM-capable phone I have owned or borrowed to play with has a menu where you can select the carrier. On the iPhone it is under Settings -> Carrier, the default is Automatic but you can switch it to manual and then a list of all networks the phone currently sees becomes available and you can choose one. In the early days of international roaming, there sometimes were different rates with different carriers and smart people checked first which carrier in their target country had the cheapest roaming fees and then selected it manually.

It also still happens that if you are close to a border, the signal from a foreign carrier can be much stronger than that of your home country. Being able to manually select your home carrier can prevent expensive roaming surprises.