Verizon -- How $$ to bring your own phone?

[Ranger111]

During the hustle of Christmas, our son lost his IPhone 5S.

A friend had an old AT&T IPhone 5 and gave it to him for free. We are working on unlocking that.

Once that is done, does anyone know what the procedure is -- and cost -- to get that phone to work on his already established Verizon account (it is a no-contract Edge account, which all the family is part of).

Now, I have already called Verizon, got cut-off twice. Got one rep and she put me on hold forever and then lost me. And, I may be wrong but the final rep, though he gave answers, seriously did not seem to know what he was talking about.

So, do we have to get a Verizon SIM card? Where do we do that and who puts it in the phone.

And, then what? We just call Verizon and tell them the IMEI of the phone and that is it? Is there any other fee.

I also tried the Verizon Web site, and though I am pretty good at finding information, there seemed to be no clear answers. At least that I found.

Anyone?

 

[MommyinHonduras]

Verizon does not use sim cards, only GSM networks At&t and T Mobile do.

 

[havaneselover]

Verizon does not use sim cards, only GSM networks At&t and T Mobile do.

I do not believe this is true anymore. My employers use Verizon wireless and several times I've switched SIM cards on their iPhones.

I know you can take a Verizon iPhone to at&t. Not sure you can do the reverse.

ETA: Read FAQ 6. I don't believe what you want to do is possible.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/iphone-faqs/

Could you trade in the 5? I assume you're stuck with Verizon and are on a family plan. I have an AT&T Iphone on Straight Talk and for $37/ month it's a steal and service is great.

 

[zoemurr]

First, the original owner has to call AT&T and have it unlocked, (sounds like you have that covered) or it can't ever be used on another service. After it is, it can be used on any GSM service. (If he isn't a heavy user then Tracfone is crazy cheap for BYOP and can use a GSM phone.) I agree with the PP.. Verizon can be used on AT&T (those phones are universal) but I'm pretty sure AT&T phones can't be used on VZ or Sprint.

 

[havaneselover]

First, the original owner has to call AT&T and have it unlocked, or it can't ever be used on another service. After it is, it can be used on any GSM service. (If he isn't a heavy user then Tracfone is crazy cheap for BYOP and can use a GSM phone.) I agree with the PP.. Verizon can be used on AT&T (those phones are universal) but I'm pretty sure AT&T phones can't be used on VZ or Sprint.

AT&T doesn't need to be unlocked for Straight Talk (5 gb/month). Not sure about tracfone which owns ST. But the op is on a family plan so it may not be cheaper.

Also I don't think the original owner has to request the unlock. There's a link and it's a very simple process (although it may get denied).

 

[zoemurr]

AT&T doesn't need to be unlocked for Straight Talk (5 gb/month). Not sure about tracfone which owns ST. But the op is on a family plan so it may not be cheaper.

I know.. but for a light user it is $50 for 4gigs, which can last DH and I months, so it is cheaper (for us) than ST. It does need to be unlocked for TF. Just thought it might be an option until they get a phone that will work on VZ.

 

[Dashzap]

There are five different models of iphone 5. Which model number is it?

They all use a nano-SIM.

This page will help you understand what you have http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/iphone/iphone-faq/differences-between-iphone-5-models.html