Also, I understand that the (CDMA) Verizon iPhone 4s can be unlocked by the 
carrier (after 60 days of service) to work overseas. This is according to a 
colleague who claims to do this. He is able to use his 4s on both CDMA and GSM 
networks for data and voice (not at the same time) by inserting a prepaid SIM 
card from the country he's in. Apparently, this unlocking does not allow for 
use of other US networks (no Verizon iPhone on AT&T).

It is my understanding (perhaps erroneously) that the iPhone 5 should work in a 
similar manner. Now I will use it primarily for data while overseas, but if I 
can use it for voice over GSM networks, then all the better. 

From a wired article: 
<http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/09/iphone5-lte-model/>

"The CDMA phone, however, is more of a global device. It supports the same 
three LTE bands as the non-U.S. GSM phone, as well as the two main bands used 
by U.S. carriers Verizon and Sprint. Another benefit to the CDMA phone is that 
it supports GSM/EDGE radio frequencies, while the GSM phones do not support 
CDMA frequencies. Unfortunately, that GSM support is limited to international 
use for stateside customers. What is oddly missing from all three phones is LTE 
support for a large portion of Western Europe, which uses LTE Band 7."

The specifications for the three iPhone 5 models show that the Verizon/Sprint 
model support more networks/frequencies:

GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE 
(850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17)
CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); 
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 
MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)
GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE 
(850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)

As a side note, I ordered two iPhone 5s yesterday morning around 1:50am Central 
Time from the Verizon website without the problems apparently faced by some who 
used Apple.com or AT&T's website. I went for the Verizon site instead of Apple 
because as far as I could tell beforehand, Verizon would let me add two phones 
to my cart at one time and checkout rather than having to do them separately. I 
was given a delivery date of 9/21.

Rick





On Sep 14, 2012, at 11:20 AM, Jonathan Fletcher <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi, Rick,
> 
> While it's absolutely true that Verizon has more 4G LTE coverage in the US, 
> I'm not sure why you think a Verizon CDMA phone would give you better 
> coverage overseas. The fact is that GSM is way more popular around the world 
> than CDMA, and Verizon CDMA is not easily used on another country's CDMA. I 
> understand LTE (which is data and NOT voice) is not a universal solution 
> either. So, check carefully with VZ before you jump ship. 
> 
> It may be cheaper and more useful, no matter which way you go, to just buy a 
> local "burner" phone when you arrive in any particular country. Set your 
> iPhone on airplane mode and then turn the wifi back on. You will still be 
> able to use its data applications while you use your local phone for actual 
> calls.
> 
> Just my $.02.
> 
> j.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Sep 14, 2012, at 12:00 PM, Rick Burnett <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
>> The wife and I are going to be upgrading to the iPhone 5 tomorrow, but we 
>> are also going to be switching from AT&T to Verizon for a variety of reasons:
>> 
>> - We moved recently, and AT&T doesn't offer LTE where we are now, while VZ 
>> does.
>> - AT&T coverage isn't all that great in our new city
>> - It'll actually be cheaper to pay AT&Ts early termination fee and get new 
>> phones from Verizon than upgrade on AT&T
>> - Our monthly bill will be cheaper thanks to the larger employer discount I 
>> get with VZ
>> - I travel overseas enough that the appeal of the CDMA iPhone 5 working on 
>> more LTE bands gives it an edge over the AT&T GSM model
>> 
>> I have one question though, as I haven't preordered an iPhone before.
>> I plan on hopping online tomorrow morning when order open, but I don't know 
>> if it would be better to order through Apple.com orVerizonwireless.com. Is 
>> there a difference? Is one better than the other for some reason?
>> Would I be able to port my AT&T number if I use the Apple website?
> 
> 
> --
> Jonathan Fletcher
> FileMaker 9/10/11/12 Certified Developer
> 
> Fletcher Data Consulting
> [email protected]
> http://www.fletcherdata.com
> 502-509-7137
> 
> Personal Blog o'Stuff: http://jfletch.posterous.com
> 
> Kentuckiana's FileMaker Developers Group
> Next meeting: Tuesday, September 25th, 12:00 pm to 3:30-ish
> Blog: http://www.kyfmp.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> MacGroup mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://www.math.louisville.edu/mailman/listinfo/macgroup
> 

_______________________________________________
MacGroup mailing list
[email protected]
http://www.math.louisville.edu/mailman/listinfo/macgroup

Reply via email to