Is Verizon iPhone 5 unlocked for GSM in US?

[acousticbiker]

I'm selling a Verizon iPhone 5 had from launch until recent upgrade to iPhone 6. This is my understanding of its current status:

- Can be used by someone else on Verizon
- Can be used on GSM networks internationally (although LTE may not work, depending on frequency)

What I'm unclear on is whether it can be used on GSM networks in US (i.e., AT&T or T-Mobile). Do I need to ask Verizon to 'unlock' it for this purpose or is it automatically unlocked for domestic GSM given that I had it for 2 years?

 

[0007776]

Due to a deal with the FCC to get LTE spectrum it has been unlocked since the day you bought it. It can be used on other US GSM networks although I believe it will be limited to 3G as the LTE bands for AT&T and T-Mobile are not there.

 

[acousticbiker]

Due to a deal with the FCC to get LTE spectrum it has been unlocked since the day you bought it. It can be used on other US GSM networks although I believe it will be limited to 3G as the LTE bands for AT&T and T-Mobile are not there.

Thanks - I understood this to be the case for GSM use internationally but not for other US carriers. Since I've heard conflicting info, can anyone confirm based on direct experience?

 

[Jtludwig]

Thanks - I understood this to be the case for GSM use internationally but not for other US carriers. Since I've heard conflicting info, can anyone confirm based on direct experience?

Yes. This has been asked a thousand times.

 

[0007776]

Thanks - I understood this to be the case for GSM use internationally but not for other US carriers. Since I've heard conflicting info, can anyone confirm based on direct experience?

What you were hearing about it only being internationally unlocked was true for the 4S, that one you could request an international unlock but it wouldn't work on US networks. Since the 5 though it has been fully unlocked so I'm guessing that is the source of your confusion.

 

[acousticbiker]

Thanks for the help, everyone. Can anyone confirm for sure whether LTE works on AT&T, T-Mobile or any international GSM carriers? And does non-LTE '4G' work on AT&T?

 

[ag29]

Thanks for the help, everyone. Can anyone confirm for sure whether LTE works on AT&T, T-Mobile or any international GSM carriers? And does non-LTE '4G' work on AT&T?

I can confirm for sure T-mobile and AT&T LTE will not work on the Verizon Iphone 5. Other than LTE, everything else works perfectly.

 

[nateo200]

I can confirm for sure T-mobile and AT&T LTE will not work on the Verizon Iphone 5. Other than LTE, everything else works perfectly.

Actually it depends on the area...AT&T has areas with LTE on 1900MHz and even 850MHz, both bands the VZW iPhone 5 supports....so depending on where you live you might get lucky...but yeah in general its not compatible with the most popular bands. 5s and 6 are a different story though.