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

141852 Verizon logo 300iDownloadBlog 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.

Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

GoCubsGo Avatar
167 months ago
Correct me if I am wrong but this is awesome!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad Mac Maniac Avatar
167 months ago
Finally!! Verizon users can talk and surf at the same time!! :p
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WatchTheThrone Avatar
167 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.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iParis Avatar
167 months ago
Soooo that's including T-Mobile? I'm sure this will help with resell value!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
realeric Avatar
167 months ago
Screw AT&T....... :cool:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vEvo Avatar
167 months ago
This is not a glitch or a result of Verizon "Being Nice" The reason it is unlocked is due to an FCC Mandate.

When Verizon licensed the rights to the 700C Block of LTE spectrum, they agreed to a very specific set of rules. One of these would be that they "Cannot configure devices to be locked against use on another network" This means that Verizon would be violating Federal law if the iPhone 5's sim slot is even partially locked.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)