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Cell Phone Dilemma

timothy2180

Jul 17, 2011, 3:40 PM
Hey, first post here. Be nice 🙂

So, my Motorola Droid is somewhat broken to the point that I do not want to use it anymore, and I really do not want to spend the mandatory $30 a month for the data plan with that phone. Also, I don't want to spend $100-800 on a new phone from Verizon.

I am very much naive about the unlocked phone market, but I found some online. If I buy a used unlocked phone, will I be able to use it on Verizon? Does it matter if it is GSM, CDMA dual-band? Anything? Should I be able to use nearly any phone? Also, which cell phone technology would be compatible with most/all providers? I think I remember CDMA being Verizon exclusive? Maybe that is wrong.

Also, I am currently on a contract. I have it suspended right...
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Jellz

Jul 17, 2011, 5:52 PM
I don't work with Verizon, so for the rest of it I'm not sure, but you'll need a CDMA phone that works in 850 and 1900 bands. GSM won't work with Verizon, that's AT&T and T-Mobile technology. Sprint also uses CDMA, as well as most other regional carriers (MetroPCS, Cricket, BoostMobile, etc.).
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timothy2180

Jul 17, 2011, 6:06 PM
Okay, thanks for the reply.

I know now that it must be CDMA.

Anyone here ever tried using an unlocked phone through Verizon?
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vzwinagent

Jul 17, 2011, 6:41 PM
It must be a Verizon phone pretty much. CDMA doesn't get unlocked like GSM does. They don't work the same in that way. Verizon generally won't allow any phones on their network that aren't Verizon phones unless they've already gone through testing and been approved for the network, so just stick to a Verizon phone or 99% chance it won't work.

Going to a basic phone with no data is no issue at all. You can change to a device you've purchased elsewhere as long as it's a Verizon phone at any time and if it's not a smartphone you don't have to have a data plan. Just remember Verizon's unlimited data just went away though. If you go to a basic phone you'll never get your unlimited data back in the future.

And there is no perk for not ...
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timothy2180

Jul 17, 2011, 7:32 PM
Thanks much for your reply. You smoothed everything out for me. I know how to buy now.

Thank you!
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Azeron

Jul 17, 2011, 7:53 PM
It doesn't matter that Sprint uses CDMA. Verizon will not activate an ESN which is not loaded in its switch. It's a Verizon phone or nothing. That's the beauty of CDMA.
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timothy2180

Jul 17, 2011, 8:37 PM
I have additional questions now, after looking for a used verizon phone.

1. If I buy a Blackberry, is data mandatory?

2. If I want my device to sync with email, is it pointless to try to avoid a data plan?

I don't want or need web browsing on my phone, but email and banking would be very useful. Am I required to have a data plan, if I want these features?

Also, I have to say I posted on this site because it just came up when I googled "phone forums" but I've started looking up phones, and there are extremely useful reviews here. The community is super helpful too. Some guy trolled this thread too, and the post got deleted very fast. So, I just had to see this is an awesome site.

Thanks again!
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Azeron

Jul 18, 2011, 6:27 AM
1. Data is mandatory on all smartphones manufactured for Verizon since November 2008 I believe and prior to that All Verizon Blackberries required data plans.

2. Your device will NOT sync with email WITHOUT a data plan unless it is a device which does not require a data plan. The last such devices will be a Palm Centro or HTC XV-6800 or any non-Blackberry devices launched before Verizon began mandating that all smartphones have an actual data plan rather than the Pay Per Use option which they previously offered. If you were to activate such a device as those listed above then the Pay Per Use plan is $0.015 per kb. It was a horrible plan which customers always abused and then feigned ignorance causing Verizon to credit usage charges al...
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timothy2180

Jul 18, 2011, 3:49 PM
thanks for your help! This decision is clear for me now.
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Azeron

Jul 23, 2011, 9:35 PM
I never insulted the original poster though I am most certainly on a mission to get myself banned.
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Azeron

Jul 18, 2011, 5:24 AM
...instead of the "new every two" perk?"

Yes. You can tell them and they will do nothing. Wireless carriers are not in the business of saving you money. I worked for Verizon Wireless for seven years and nothing about the company ever suggested that they are in the business of doing anything but making a profit.

To Rich Brome and anyone else on Phone Scoop: Please delete all my comments and also ban me from this site. There was noting wrong with my original response to this users post unless one is Verizon Wireless. I ridicule them at every opportunity of course, but I also defend their right to make money. It is fun for me when I can do both at the same time as I took the opportunity to with this users post. Yes, I posted a B...
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PartlyCloudy

Jul 18, 2011, 7:56 AM
Wow dude, you get one post deleted and now you want to take your ball and go home?

Lighten up man...
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Cellenator

Jul 19, 2011, 7:25 PM
Azeron said:
and I would like you to remove me from your community. .



First thing your ever said that I can agree with!
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CellStudent

Jul 18, 2011, 10:20 PM
There is no such thing as an "unlocked" phone on the Verizon network.

All phones on Verizon's billing system have to be Verizon branded or Verizon authorized. You cannot activate an "unlocked" CDMA phone from Sprint, Cricket or Taiwan on your VZW account.

If you're looking on eBay, you MUST buy a handset with Verizon branding on it, not some no-name device.

VZW keeps track of all the serial numbers on all authorized handsets. If you have an unauthorized (even though it is technologically compatible) they will not permit you to activate it, so don't try.
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timothy2180

Jul 19, 2011, 10:33 PM
Alright, I bought a VW branded RAZR for around $70. Thanks for the advice.
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