They don't make it so effiicient, so the only way would be to sign up for service and then cancel 30 days later. Even with the ETF that mathematically works out to be less expensive than the full-on unlocked GSM version by about $70.
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Understanding the iPhone 5C/5S All-In-One AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon Model
- Thread starter Satnam1989
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They don't make it so effiicient, so the only way would be to sign up for service and then cancel 30 days later. Even with the ETF that mathematically works out to be less expensive than the full-on unlocked GSM version by about $70.
Please note. With exception of Apple iPhone 5 Verizon and now Verizon iPhone 5C and 5S.
Verizon makes it a pain in the butt to truly use their other "unlocked LTE" smartphones. Just ask the Verizon HTC 8X owners who wanted to use it on other networks and even internationally. Verizon made it impossible to use data on the 8X that supposedly was "unlocked". Sure u can use the gsm portion for voice. But the 8X was locked down when it came to APN access.
Even Android phones with "unlocked" verizon devices. You will need to root it to gain APN access.
So thank god for Apple for not allowing Verizon to make life miserable for "unlocked" devices. Verizon has different ideas of unlocked. Apple doesn't let Verizon mess with their LTE iPhones.
Verizon makes it a pain in the butt to truly use their other "unlocked LTE" smartphones. Just ask the Verizon HTC 8X owners who wanted to use it on other networks and even internationally. Verizon made it impossible to use data on the 8X that supposedly was "unlocked". Sure u can use the gsm portion for voice. But the 8X was locked down when it came to APN access.
Even Android phones with "unlocked" verizon devices. You will need to root it to gain APN access.
So thank god for Apple for not allowing Verizon to make life miserable for "unlocked" devices. Verizon has different ideas of unlocked. Apple doesn't let Verizon mess with their LTE iPhones.
That isnt the iPhone's limitation...Its AT&T and Verizon's....from what I know they don't have the DC-HSPA+ = Dual-Channel HSPA+ network which supports 42Mbps theoretical speeds. They only have HSPA+21Mbps
Only other network I know that has DC-HSPA+ is Telus in Canada
I'm pretty sure it was also an iPhone limitation. Google "iPhone 5 21 mbps HSPA" and see what pops up.
Still confused
I've really appreciated the info in this threat and the detail posted by the OP, BUT .... I have ATT unlimited data. If I get an ATT phone, I keep the data etc. I don't believe (but you can correct me) that I could buy the Verizon phone and establish a contract with ATT from the start. Maybe the issue is moot with me as I don't see buying a full-priced unlocked phone when I can get an ATT subsidized phone with unlimited data. However, I would like to understand better if this thread only applies if you're buying an unlocked phone, or establishing a contract with Verizon. If I understand the thread, purchasing a Verizon phone even under contract WOULD allow me to purchase an ATT sim card in order to access the ATT LTE bands (and pay something for accessing ATT's data, voice etc.) However, if I was in a location that didn't have LTE, I'd default back to Verizon speeds, and not ATT HSPA+. Do I have the facts right?
Normally I can follow these threads, but this one has confused me.
I've really appreciated the info in this threat and the detail posted by the OP, BUT .... I have ATT unlimited data. If I get an ATT phone, I keep the data etc. I don't believe (but you can correct me) that I could buy the Verizon phone and establish a contract with ATT from the start. Maybe the issue is moot with me as I don't see buying a full-priced unlocked phone when I can get an ATT subsidized phone with unlimited data. However, I would like to understand better if this thread only applies if you're buying an unlocked phone, or establishing a contract with Verizon. If I understand the thread, purchasing a Verizon phone even under contract WOULD allow me to purchase an ATT sim card in order to access the ATT LTE bands (and pay something for accessing ATT's data, voice etc.) However, if I was in a location that didn't have LTE, I'd default back to Verizon speeds, and not ATT HSPA+. Do I have the facts right?
Normally I can follow these threads, but this one has confused me.
I've done by best to address every question possible but you seem to have gotten one that is a bit odd lol so here's the break down of it:
basically you cannot have the iPhone run on Verizon and have a AT&T SIM inside it and expect it to connect AT&T when Verizon not available or vice versa...its just not going to work automatically/simultaneously...1) you will be required to manually switch off CDMA and 2) You will have to swap SIM cards every time because Verizon LTE requires the SIM to be inside the iPhone....on the second thought do you really want to be paying two bills to two carriers?
additionally you wont be able to go buy a CDMA Enabled iPhone 5S on "a contract" and be paying AT&T the subsidy...it just wont happen because they wont subsidize the phone (talking about the particular/specific unit...not that they don't carry the iPhone) for you that AT&T itself didn't sell.
Now should you buy the Verizon iPhone 5S at full price, you are more than welcome to pop in your AT&T SIM and get full 4G + LTE access - as the iPhone supports it...at this point the only reason you would want to do this is if you were to consider moving or using Verizon in the future, or someone you will be/would be passing your iPhone over to, were to use it on Verizon....
In simple form, if you are on AT&T and never plan to use Verizon, then do what you would normally do...get the iPhone from AT&T on contract and enjoy life (don't even think about that CDMA mode you would/could/will be missing out lol) Like you, I think this thread is more helpful for those that are buying the iPhone 5C/5S @ full price and would like to have options when it comes to carriers as well as give the potential future buyer of the used unit the option of using it on a carrier of their choice rather than being Limited to AT&T and T-Mobile only
That's just not true AT ALL. In fact I'm typing this message on a Verizon iPhone 5 with a TMobile SIM card in it, running on TMobile's HSPA network.
The Verizon iPhone 5, 5c and 5s are unlocked.
The OP did a great job.
Ok so question for the OP,
I am on AT&T currently, with unlimited data. I'm 1 year into a two year contract, I'm buying full retail so I don't have to sign i new contract. And i always re-sell my iphone every year to upgrade, So your saying best option is to buy verizon phone. And I don't need to buy unlocked correct? Because all verizon phones are already unlocked? And from what I read it will work on AT&T and also support my AT&T LTE in the USA, also is it sure to let me use simultaneous voice and data? Last thing... If this is all true my plan would be sign up for new service with verizon through apples website at 3am est on Friday, buy a subsidized 5s 64gig for 399 and cancel my contract as soon as I get the phone and pay the etf.
Please let me know if this is all correct and the best course of action in your opinion
Thanks !!!
I am on AT&T currently, with unlimited data. I'm 1 year into a two year contract, I'm buying full retail so I don't have to sign i new contract. And i always re-sell my iphone every year to upgrade, So your saying best option is to buy verizon phone. And I don't need to buy unlocked correct? Because all verizon phones are already unlocked? And from what I read it will work on AT&T and also support my AT&T LTE in the USA, also is it sure to let me use simultaneous voice and data? Last thing... If this is all true my plan would be sign up for new service with verizon through apples website at 3am est on Friday, buy a subsidized 5s 64gig for 399 and cancel my contract as soon as I get the phone and pay the etf.
Please let me know if this is all correct and the best course of action in your opinion
Thanks !!!
That will work, try to see if u can buy it at full price from places like bestbuy or verizon store it self or radioshack etc.
Yes it will allow you simultaneous voice + Data, thats a limitation of the network (as to how it handles voice + data), and not the iPhone (yes some say iPhone can do it on verizon if it had a additional antenna but if Verizon supported VoLTE then the limitation wouldn't exist on the iPhone's end).
There are probably a dozen AT&T MVNO: Net10, StraightTalk (yes AT&T sims are back), Simple Mobile, Airvoice Wireless, and many more to name a few.
I switched to Net10 and never looked back.
Is the 5s being sold without the SIM card inside, or is there separate packinging for each network's model?
So even if you subsidized an iPhone 5s from verizon on day 1, cancelled service on day 2, you could go right over to AT&T on day 3?
Strange concept. Just not used to that sort of openness. Always assumed you needed to at least ask the carrier for an unlock if you bought the subsidized version.
Wait, what?
I thought PagePlus says "no iPhones" and will deactivate your iPhone / cancel your service if they sweep their network and find it.
So even if you subsidized an iPhone 5s from verizon on day 1, cancelled service on day 2, you could go right over to AT&T on day 3?
Strange concept. Just not used to that sort of openness. Always assumed you needed to at least ask the carrier for an unlock if you bought the subsidized version.
Wait, what?
I thought PagePlus says "no iPhones" and will deactivate your iPhone / cancel your service if they sweep their network and find it.
1) No Verizon smartphones are Factory unlocked, and even those who unlock smartphones via 3rd party...I've never in my life heard of anyone call the carrier and ask for permission.........Yes you can buy subsidized, cancel and go over to AT&T on day 3 if u like, or all in one day...however will Verizon charge you for 1-2months of service for the heck of it? I don't know, some people claim they have had to pay 1 month, while others said they had no issues. So its something you can test out...
2) It was an example of a CDMA network...you cannot flash to sprint 100%, however you can flash to other CDMA networks....will they ban u if they find out....well thats in their guidelines...however things like such have never stopped people from trying and doing........once upon a time AT&T didn't allow smartphones on GoPhone.....but we all had iPhones on it anyway.......I have no idea if u can flash to pageplus or not, maybe I should have used boostmobile or cricket as a better example but Cricket is being bought out my AT&T pretty soon so I'm sure I would have heard about that one pretty soon.
If I'm not mistaken, your phone has to be activated in the store (Apple) on launch day (even if you're paying full price for a model). I think they do this in order to minimize scalping. I bought my iPhone 5 at full price, but they made me go through the activation process with my carrier in the store. So I'm not sure you could pay full price for a Verizon model and just walk out the door without activating it.
If you don't want to activate it in store just tell them it's a gift for your wife or something.
Looking at a recent situation going on the with nexus 7 LTE, I believe the GSM model that's on T-Mobile and AT&T/ Unlocked GSM model could technically run on Verizon 's LTE network only , since the band included. On the Nexus 7 LTE, it includes Verizon's LTE band, but Verizon refuses to activate it, since it not officially certified. But you could put in a already active Verizon sim and access LTE, with no option to fall back on 3G since the CDMA radio isn't included. So I'm thinking on the US GSM models, you could use just Verizon LTE for data only, voice/text is out of the window, due to the CDMA radio being disabled.
Ya, but why would you want to do that? not being able to make calls..... while paying for a plan that includes calling and texting....very very few people use such setup where they rely solely on data to get calling, texting and all things done....might as well just get a iPad as its a better option....
I know lots of people are on the $30 T-Mobile 5GB plan but the thing is...it includes 100minutes, it includes texting and the best part of it all....should you need to/wish to...you can use those minutes...
I know, I personally don't need to that. I'm just stating the possibility of doing such a thing.
Outside carriers?
This is interesting. Thanks for the thread OP! Now that I think I have a better understanding because of this thread, I have an iPhone 5 thru Verizon and will buy iPhone 5s full price from Verizon and then I will cancel my Verizon, pay the ETF, sell my iPhone 5 and hope to recoup some of the money I paid at full price for iPhone 5s.
My question now is which one of the 'outside' carriers here in U.S. offer Unlimited Data and for how much? What else should I look for in an 'outside' carriers? Will I be able to keep my current Verizon number when I switch to an 'outside' carrier? I've always been with major carriers so I apologize for the noob questions. Please advise. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
This is interesting. Thanks for the thread OP! Now that I think I have a better understanding because of this thread, I have an iPhone 5 thru Verizon and will buy iPhone 5s full price from Verizon and then I will cancel my Verizon, pay the ETF, sell my iPhone 5 and hope to recoup some of the money I paid at full price for iPhone 5s.
My question now is which one of the 'outside' carriers here in U.S. offer Unlimited Data and for how much? What else should I look for in an 'outside' carriers? Will I be able to keep my current Verizon number when I switch to an 'outside' carrier? I've always been with major carriers so I apologize for the noob questions. Please advise. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
It depends on your needs, Straight talk says Unlimited - however no outside MVNO carrier is going to give you true unlimited data to be honest, so that aside you have to measure your data usages - I on average use 1-1.5GB data, so 2GB has been great for me because I rely on WiFi for roughly 40% of the time and I also avoid videos over cellular as they take big bites out of the monthly data usage.
I use my 4G/LTE for:
- Email (ton of emails in and out via multiple accounts)
- Browsing
- Google Maps (I would say 30-80 miles weekly worth of google mapping)
- Streaming Pandora and TuneInRadio
- small app updates
- sending pictures via Whatsapp, IMessage (I send ton of messages among my contacts every month lol...) but my data usage remain under control as I watch it on the my iPhone under "Usage" weekly.
If you feel you need more data, you have options still but will cost you:
4G + LTE with Unlimited Talk + Text + MMS
AIO Wireless = $70/7GB (Capped LTE Speeds)
AT&T GoPhone = $60/2GB + $10/GB = $70/3GB (Includes international texting and uncapped LTE speeds) [Note: If GoPhone plan refills purchased via Callingmart, you can get $70 worth for about $63 every month -- just watch out for their 10% off coupon and you can enjoy 3GB Full Speed Data]
If you can manage between 2-3GB:
Straight Talk #1 choice $45 plan
I've used Straight talk and AT&T GoPhone for the past few years one at a time and have never had any issues (unlike some people who abuse the "Unlimited" data and get their accounts banned) and the lesson here would be, everything should be taken with a grain of salt because the reality is if Postpaid can't get you true unlimited data without throttling your speeds...the odds of Prepaid are far lower and all you have to do is be conservative rather than being careless/reckless and like many of us, you can too save ton of money on your monthly cellphone bill.
Note: You may not get Hotspot feature until/unless you jailbreak, thats the only downside of the prepaid, although some carriers you are able o flick the switch on your iPhone, while others it says "Must call AT&T to enable the hotspot feature"
AIO is directly owned by AT&T rather than another company, I would say the service will be reliable and quiet efficient for most users who don't care about LTE being capped at 8Mbps