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

Friday September 21, 2012 12:42 pm PDT by Eric Slivka

iDownloadBlog has confirmed that the Verizon iPhone 5 being sold on contract does arrive unlocked for use on GSM networks, allowing users with a nano-SIM or a trimmed micro-SIM from a GSM carrier such as AT&T to use the device on their networks.

I can confirm that the Verizon iPhone 5 is indeed GSM unlocked. Even though I bought an iPhone 5 from Verizon under contract, I was able to cut down my AT&T Micro SIM, and use it in my Verizon iPhone 5 to pick up an AT&T signal. By doing so, I was able to hop onto AT&T’s HPSA+ network, or “4G” as they so ridiculously name it.

As the report notes, users attempting to use a Verizon iPhone 5 on AT&T in the United States will not have access to AT&T's LTE network, due to hardware differences that leave the Verizon iPhone 5 (which is essentially a single CDMA/GSM world-mode phone for 3G purposes) incompatible with LTE frequency bands 4 and 17 used by AT&T and Canadian carriers.

For other international GSM carriers, Verizon iPhone 5 owners should simply be able to obtain a nano-SIM card from the international carrier and use it in their phone.

Top Rated Comments

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jessica.

9 months ago

Correct me if I am wrong but this is awesome!

Rating: 17 Positives

Mad Mac Maniac

9 months ago

Finally!! Verizon users can talk and surf at the same time!! :p

Rating: 11 Positives

WatchTheThrone

9 months ago

That's the way it should have always been!! You're still under contract anyway which means you'll still have to pay your monthly bill even if you wanna use any other sim.

Rating: 11 Positives

iParis

9 months ago

Soooo that's including T-Mobile? I'm sure this will help with resell value!

Rating: 8 Positives

realeric

9 months ago

Screw AT&T....... :cool:

Rating: 5 Positives

gotluck

9 months ago

this is surprising. it would be simply insane if it had the appropriate bands for att lte and remained unlocked - too good to be true!

regardless, this is still good! especially for the secondary / prepaid market - more compatible phones for straight talk and the like..

Rating: 3 Positives

herocero

9 months ago

that would have been useful information to have before i pre-ordered. bummer.

Rating: 3 Positives

ace198

9 months ago

I used my Mom's upgrade who is on another account. I was under the impression I could just bring the phone to the Verizon store and activate it on my account. She was up for renewal and I wasn't so I used her upgrade and paid for the phone. When I brought it to the store they said I'm not up for renewal so I won't be able to use the phone on my account.

Is there a way I can get the phone on my account? I'm going to give her my 4S and I've already signed her up for a data plan on her account.

Any ideas? Can I cut down the SIM card from my 4S and stick it in the Iphone 5 and have it be on my account?

Call Verizon on the phone and they'll help you. Just make sure to activate the iPhone 5 on her account first. After that, you should be good to go on your account.

Yes, you can cut down the SIM but I wouldn't recommend that. Verizon should give a nano SIM for free.

Rating: 3 Positives

theBB

9 months ago

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.... :rolleyes:

I was thinking about switching to Virgin until I learnt that it does not let you use its phones outside the US. Not only does it not offer its own international data or voice plan, but it also does not let its phones be used with a local SIM cards.

Rating: 3 Positives

Aero Leviathan

9 months ago

I don't see how this is a surprise to anyone. The FCC mandated no locked phones when Verizon purchased C block spectrum.

More info/discussion on this: http://www.howardforum.com/showthread.php/1777112-Verizon-iPhone-5-s-must-be-unlocked!-FCC

Rating: 3 Positives

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