[Q] Verizon 4G Sim in 3G GSM device - General Questions and Answers

From what I've read, you can pop a Verizon 4G sim into pretty much any unlocked LTE capable device and have it work.
Now I'm guessing this is going to be a no, but...
I got an Airtel 3G Data card (specifically the Huawei E1731) when I went to India and unlocked it, if I remember correctly it kept swapping from CDMA and GSM signals. Now if I pop the Nano SIM I got with my iPhone 5 into this data card, (I'll try to make my self a Nano SIM to SIM adapter) is there any chance of it working?
I've also heard if things like the 4G sim being deactivated when you swap to a 3G device. But wouldn't putting it in a 3G device be the same as using the iPhone 5 with LTE turned off?
And is there any chance of Verizon messing with my data plan if I put the sim in the data card and start using it with my laptop?
I just saw a a video of someone putting a nano sim in an iPhone 4s and it working so I think this should at least work on the data card, still worried about the Verizon side of this.
Also I just remembered something about different frequencies, would the fact that the data card is from India affect my ability to use it?

Actually, I'm pretty sure Verizon SIM cards are only for their devices. I don't think they work otherwise
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium

gagdude said:
Actually, I'm pretty sure Verizon SIM cards are only for their devices. I don't think they work otherwise
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
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I've read from a few different reliable sources, don't have any links on hand. But its the phone that is locked to a carrier, not the sim that is locked to the phone, so as long as the device is unlocked and has the required hardware, it should work with that sim.
In verizons case, at the very least the LTE should work with an LTE device, I'm not sure about voice, 3G, and 2G.

In that case you wouldn't get 3G on other phones, since the SIM cards Verizon has are for 4G LTE only, their 3G networks are CDMA and thus built into the phone.
LTE is a GSM technology which is the only reason they use SIM cards at all
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium

gagdude said:
In that case you wouldn't get 3G on other phones, since the SIM cards Verizon has are for 4G LTE only, their 3G networks are CDMA and thus built into the phone.
LTE is a GSM technology which is the only reason they use SIM cards at all
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
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That is what I was thinking, but the data card seems to have both CDMA and GSM bands and when I pop out the LTE sim from my phone I lose all signal not just LTE.
Now what I'm thinking is that, since the SIM holds all the Account info, etc, not just 4G related things, that if I pop it into the 3G data card, (I've seen Iphone 5 SIM be put into a 4s and work) that it should work. That is if the Data card is compatible, which I'm not 100% sure on.

The SIM in a GSM phone holds all the account information. The SIM in a CDMA phone is for data only - the phone will work for voice/text without it. The SIMs are different software/wise.

Rukbat said:
...The SIM in a CDMA phone is for data only - the phone will work for voice/text without it....
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That's what I initially thought but, If that's true than why is my iPhone 5 not able to use Data, voice, or text without the SIM inserted?
I'm not to worried about it not working, the thing I'm concerned about is verizon messing up my plans if I try using the sim in a data card.

Related

[Q] Universal Service???

So this may be a dumb question, but I can't help but to wonder. Is there a way to use different carrier's networks? I know each operate on their own frequencies or ranges, but it seems with all the things you can do with this phone it could be possible. I think it would be amazing if I could use T-Mobile's or Verizon's 4g network, or just switch carriers whenever one had better service/reception. Is there an app for this maybe? Would it require installation of different modems every time you switch networks? Would you have to modify sim card somehow? Is there any kind of information I can read on this somewhere? Any info is appreciated.
You can only connect to the carriers network for whom you have a sim card for.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I know that. I'm wondering if there is a way around that. Verizon doesn't have sim cards right? At least not removable like ATT. Maybe it's just a matter of programming/software on your simcard. I'm just wondering if doing this would be possible. I know how the game goes now, just wondering what stops us from doing this? Aside from the morality issues of stealing.
4got2g0 said:
I know that. I'm wondering if there is a way around that. Verizon doesn't have sim cards right? At least not removable like ATT. Maybe it's just a matter of programming/software on your simcard. I'm just wondering if doing this would be possible. I know how the game goes now, just wondering what stops us from doing this? Aside from the morality issues of stealing.
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Verizon gives u a SIM card if u say u are traveling abroad, and want to use their service abroad.
AT&T and T-Mobile along with some others are aa GSM style of network. Verizon, sprint and others.are based on a CDMA network. They are completely different. The only it could be possible if is all the companies 4G networks were the same, such as LTE. Which is extremely doubtful that it will work that way seeing that Sprint is already going Wimax and T-Mobile HSPA+
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
diablo009 said:
Verizon gives u a SIM card if u say u are traveling abroad, and want to use their service abroad.
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Didn't know that. I guess I could pay $80 a month to each company. I'm wondering if it's possible to not do that and still get it using only one sim card.
Yes their is. If you have AT&T you can add T-Mobile's APNs along with any other carrier that is GSM that supports your frequency. However, if you switch to that other carriers APN you will be bill astronomical roaming charges.
bptba93 said:
AT&T and T-Mobile along with some others are aa GSM style of network. Verizon, sprint and others.are based on a CDMA network. They are completely different. The only it could be possible if is all the companies 4G networks were the same, such as LTE. Which is extremely doubtful that it will work that way seeing that Sprint is already going Wimax and T-Mobile HSPA+
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AT&T is switching to UMTS for their 3G. Same 850 and 1900 bands though. And will be upgrading to LTS for 4g sometime in the near future. I actually install the UMTS cabinets, 850&1900 radios, and coax at towers around here. So there's no possible way to take whatever it is on a sim card that works for a CDMA network and throw it on an AT&T simcard somehow(maybe like a stored contact) and use that programming selectively?
nbs11 said:
Yes their is. If you have AT&T you can add T-Mobile's APNs along with any other carrier that is GSM that supports your frequency. However, if you switch to that other carriers APN you will be bill astronomical roaming charges.
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Oh so it is possible, but it's considered roaming? I guess that makes sense. Pretty much what roaming is, using something outside of your carrier.
4got2g0 said:
Oh so it is possible, but it's considered roaming? I guess that makes sense. Pretty much what roaming is, using something outside of your carrier.
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The sim card ties a phone to a carrier. There is no software to bypass this. Some phones support 2 sims via 2 slots. As for vzw, there sim is a vodaphone sim and only works in other countries as there is no vodaphone service in the us.
If you want multiple gsm carriers you need multiple sims. EU has a hundred different sim cards to support all the carriers.
Sent from my MB520 using XDA App
alphadog00 said:
The sim card ties a phone to a carrier. There is no software to bypass this. Some phones support 2 sims via 2 slots. As for vzw, there sim is a vodaphone sim and only works in other countries as there is no vodaphone service in the us.
If you want multiple gsm carriers you need multiple sims. EU has a hundred different sim cards to support all the carriers.
Sent from my MB520 using XDA App
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I have personally use T-Mobile with an AT&T sim card but the bill is not pretty.

Running Verizon 4g phones without SIM?

If I lost my 4g SIM card, could I still operate my 4g phone with voice/3g with a SIM?
Lets say I swap the ESN on my phone line from a 3g phone, to a 4g phone, but I don't have the SIM for the 4g phone. What can and can't I do with the new 4g phone?
squarepush3r said:
If I lost my 4g SIM card, could I still operate my 4g phone with voice/3g with a SIM?
Lets say I swap the ESN on my phone line from a 3g phone, to a 4g phone, but I don't have the SIM for the 4g phone. What can and can't I do with the new 4g phone?
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Nothing. You need the 4G sim.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
tjohnsonjr said:
Nothing. You need the 4G sim.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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If this is correct, then the SIM card is not just a 4g card, its a complete lock-down/control mechanism by Verizon.
So, then my next question is, why do they limit this to 4g phones? Why not all phones? Since the purpose isn't solely 4g security.
If I put my Verizon 4g card into a different Verizon 4g phone, does that automatically activate it on my account (similar function to ATT/TMobile SIM card), so what I'm saying is, there is not specific phone linked to your account, instead its a SIM card linked to your account. So, say I switched SIM's with Droid Razer with my girlfriends Thunderbolt, does it automatically switch activations/phone number/etc ?
I am pretty sure it works without the 4G sim. Because people used to take the 4G sim out to save battery I thought in the tbolt before it could be turned off via software.
ok, I think this answers a lot of my questions. Apparently, it is like a GSM sim
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1122218
Swapping SIM's will change your activation automatically.

Sprint vs Verizon sim card

How come Sprint doesn't use a sim for their LTE? Is the sim even necessary or is to bring global usage to the Verizon version?
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The SIM card is used for 4g. 3g and voice is over the cdma radio. And sprints does have a SIM if I'm not mistaken it's internal tho and cannot be accessed.
The biggest problem with the "non-removeable" sim setup that Sprint uses is you can't just pop it out & stick it in another phone.
I do this all the time with my VZ sim card.
billard412 said:
The SIM card is used for 4g. 3g and voice is over the cdma radio. And sprints does have a SIM if I'm not mistaken it's internal tho and cannot be accessed.
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thats for sprint? it looks like verizon its all handled through the sim for both lte and 3g.... right?
As far as I know its just the lte that needs the SIM. Now of course the phones are made to not function w/o them but I'm pretty sure it's only the 4g that actually relies on it

[Q] Am I screwed without a sim card?

I just bought a Verizon GS3 on craigslist, but it didn't come with a sim card and in my ignorance I didn't know it needed one. I don't have a verizon account and I want to use this phone on pageplus. So is a sim card necessary, or can I get a sim card somewhere without having a verizon account?
It's an LTE sim card. Not a true sim card. It's still a CDMA phone.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
dmginc said:
It's an LTE sim card. Not a true sim card. It's still a CDMA phone.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
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Sorry for my ignorance, but I have no idea what this means. Can I use this phone without a sim card in it on pageplus?
joelshort said:
Sorry for my ignorance, but I have no idea what this means. Can I use this phone without a sim card in it on pageplus?
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I'm not sure if pageplus uses sim card or CDMA phones. For example, at&t is all GSM (sim card), their phones won't work on Verizon (CDMA) and vice versa.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Pageplus is CDMA, it uses Verizon's network. Without a sim card in the phone it doesn't seem to be able to find a network...but what do I know
dmginc said:
I'm not sure if pageplus uses sim card or CDMA phones. For example, at&t is all GSM (sim card), their phones won't work on Verizon (CDMA) and vice versa.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
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You can have this phone on gsm. If you put a normal sim into the lte sim slot you can use other networks. The downside is you will not get 4g or in some cases you wont even get 3g.
ThePagel said:
You can have this phone on gsm. If you put a normal sim into the lte sim slot you can use other networks. The downside is you will not get 4g or in some cases you wont even get 3g.
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So you can 'technically' have it on gsm.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Using cricket sim on device?

I have a straight talk S3 (Verizon based) and a cricket sim card. How do I make the cricket sim work in the phone?
XxInSaNeClOwNxX said:
I have a straight talk S3 (Verizon based) and a cricket sim card. How do I make the cricket sim work in the phone?
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You need a CDMA SIM from any CDMA carrier and it will work as soon as you put it in, then you set your APNs to Tracfone APNs.
If your Cricket SIM is a GSM SIM then it won't work, it MUST be a CDMA SIM.
Verizon CDMA LTE SIMs are only $3-5 on eBay. I'm sure you can afford the price and the wait while it is mailed to you.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
I used a friend's Verizon Galaxy SIII at one point... kind of... it took a while to detect the network each time the phone started up and it was only EDGE/2G
So, it works for phone calls and very slow data... might be okay if you're usually on wifi, but it's really better to just have a phone that is compatible with Cricket's HSPA+ 3G and 4G LTE network(s).
vdoug said:
I used a friend's Verizon Galaxy SIII at one point... kind of... it took a while to detect the network each time the phone started up and it was only EDGE/2G
So, it works for phone calls and very slow data... might be okay if you're usually on wifi, but it's really better to just have a phone that is compatible with Cricket's HSPA+ 3G and 4G LTE network(s).
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They are asking about the SIM because they have a straight talk s3 and that device has to use Verizon S3 ROMs and that makes the Straight Talk S3 require a SIM to have working mobile data, it won't work without the SIM. They weren't asking if they can use a Straight Talk S3 on Cricket network.
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