Does Verizon use GSM at all?

[rudeguy]

I've heard a couple people recommend Verizon for overseas travel. I know that some countries use CDMA but most are GSM. That would mean that a Verizon CDMA phone wouldn't work...do they have some kind of a GSM backup or what?

 

[bucwylde23]

I've heard a couple people recommend Verizon for overseas travel. I know that some countries use CDMA but most are GSM. That would mean that a Verizon CDMA phone wouldn't work...do they have some kind of a GSM backup or what?

The Tour 9630 is a World Phone and has a SIM card installed for overseas travel, and the previous BB8830 was as well.

 

[Demo24]

From what I know Verizon uses GSM in other countries. Although the name of the provider might be different.

 

[secretanchitman]

yep, as bucwylde23 said, the tour and a few other "world phone" blackberries use sim cards. they can be unlocked as well either through verizon or ebay, by giving them the imei.

 

[rudeguy]

thanks! I was confuzzled. I know that ATT always brags about being a world phone and most of what I know about overseas cell companies comes from what I learned while working for them.

 

[SunnyD]

VZW is owned by Vodafone, is it not?

 

[Atty]

VZW is owned by Vodafone, is it not?

I believe they are two separate companies but were in talks for a merger, I doubt Vodafone owns Verizon.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

thanks! I was confuzzled. I know that ATT always brags about being a world phone and most of what I know about overseas cell companies comes from what I learned while working for them.

Well AT&T uses GSM. Many phones sold in the US are really crippled in bands so for most intents and purposes they can only function in the US. Now some phones are quad band GSM + tri band UMTS/HSPA which allows you to go overseas and use it easily. Most of the rest of the world uses GSM also, although sometimes different frequencies from the US. So yes, since AT&T phones can accept SIM cards, they can then accept most other international SIM cards (provided its an unlocked phone). I don't think they brag so much that they are world-phones given that you gotta unlock and crap, but theoretically it's possible simply because the phones are SIM capable just like international phones.

Verizon itself is not a GSM service. Although they do have phones that are GSM capable. Reason being that a CDMA device would be completely useless once you get out of the US. So as a result they throw in GSM support so you *CAN* use it in Europe or Asia because even if you're just roaming and still using your VZW number, you need GSM capabilities to pick up a foreign signal to roam first

 

[destrekor]

I believe they are two separate companies but were in talks for a merger, I doubt Vodafone owns Verizon.

Verizon Wireless is an equal partnership between Vodofone and Verizon (nee Bell Atlantic).

hmm. I thought it was equal, but wiki shows 55/45 (Verizon/Vodofone).
Also that's where the name Verizon came from - happened after that partnership.
When the Bell Atlantic - GTE merger finally wrapped up, they changed their whole name to Verizon Communications. This all happened in the same year, oddly enough, though deals had been started separately a few years prior.

 

[rudeguy]

Verizon Wireless is an equal partnership between Vodofone and Verizon (nee Bell Atlantic).

hmm. I thought it was equal, but wiki shows 55/45 (Verizon/Vodofone).
Also that's where the name Verizon came from - happened after that partnership.
When the Bell Atlantic - GTE merger finally wrapped up, they changed their whole name to Verizon Communications. This all happened in the same year, oddly enough, though deals had been started separately a few years prior.

Verizon also bought out Airtouch paging. Who else remembers that??

 

[jersiq]

Verizon also bought out Airtouch paging. Who else remembers that??

I remember working on Airtouch paging sites. Compared to cell sites, they were shitholes. Freaking creature infested, run down shacks on top of hills.

Primeco was another player in the merge also.

 

[notposting]

Yeah you need a VZW worldphone, and if you want your number you need to get the SIM from them. I have a Moto Z6c and it's world-capable. Not quad-band so I couldn't use T-Mo or AT&T here.

Or you can get your phone unlocked and pop in a pre-paid SIM overseas, but then it's a different number anyway. And I think a lot of the BB's are also quad-band world phones.