I know Verizon hasn't fully implemented the "any device, any software" plan yet, however, due to a recent experience, I really must wonder if Verizon is actually going backwards. I had an Alltel V9m that I used for months and it activated without a hitch. My friend got a brand new Alltel V9m that would not activate at all and Verizon's highest techs called Motorola to verify it was a V9m, which Motorola did. Yet here is the response Verizon gave him:
"Unfortunately we cannot activate your phone. Motorola confirmed it is a V9m, however they noted it as an Alltel phone which we absolutely will not allow onto our network." We then explained that it was the same identical phone and the tech stated "If it doesn't say Verizon on it, we will not let it on the network" and I then asked why I was able to use my Alltel V9m for so long and he stated it was probably a fluke, and that he recommends that my friend buy a new phone from Verizon.
I really feel as if Verizon is throwing around idle concepts of an open network to get the press off of their backs. Verizon needs to be taken to court on this issue as it's anti-competitive and most of all it contradicts everything that spokespeople have been saying for months. A Verizon spokesperson publicly stated that Verizon will allow any approved device onto it's network, including phones branded by another carrier, such as a Sprint RAZR. Either I just got some really lazy rep, or Verizon has no intention of honoring their plans for an open network.
I DO NOT expect Verizon to offer any support for a non-VZW phone, but allowing a compatible CDMA device onto the network is not asking anything much of them.
A phone is only fun when you can modify it anyway you please.
I am glad they don't allow non-VZW equipment and I hope they never do.
Because when the non-VZW equipment doesn't work, the hobbyists will be calling Care and going to the store, and clogging up the system because they don't know the WAP settings or whatever. It's a nice idea, but when it doesn't work, they will come out of the woodwork expecting support
Well, the year isn't over, and that was basically the timeframe for the promise they made (not to mention that delays to these kind of things can always come up, although hopefully they'd be made public in some way, if they do in fact legitimately come up).
I was wondering how Verizon will go about giving tech support to non Verizon phones or when you call up they just say there isn't tech support for non Verizon phones.
Originally Posted by SCTelephoneMan
I am glad they don't allow non-VZW equipment and I hope they never do.
Because when the non-VZW equipment doesn't work, the hobbyists will be calling Care and going to the store, and clogging up the system because they don't know the WAP settings or whatever. It's a nice idea, but when it doesn't work, they will come out of the woodwork expecting support
As I said, I don't expect Verizon to SUPPORT the phone (ie, troubleshooting it, software updates, warranty coverage, etc...). What I'd like to see is them allow alternate CDMA phones to be activated and have a disclaimer at the time stating something like:
"You have chosen to activate a phone that is not carried through Verizon. While voice and text may work, there is no guarantee that enhanced features will work. We will not be able to offer technical support for this handset, so all questions/concerns must be directed to the manufacturer."
As I said, I don't expect Verizon to SUPPORT the phone (ie, troubleshooting it, software updates, warranty coverage, etc...). What I'd like to see is them allow alternate CDMA phones to be activated and have a disclaimer at the time stating something like:
"You have chosen to activate a phone that is not carried through Verizon. While voice and text may work, there is no guarantee that enhanced features will work. We will not be able to offer technical support for this handset, so all questions/concerns must be directed to the manufacturer."
Wouldn't that be a fair way to do it?
Absolutely, that would be fair--but it would never work.
People are stupid. They don't read contracts before signing, and even when they do understand and agree to the terms, they complain instead of taking responsibility.
How many times a week do we get a "I want an iPhone, how do I get out of my contract without paying the ETF?" threads? It's gonna be the same deal, "Well you're my phone service provider, so you better fix my phone or give me a new one."
I had an Alltel V9m that I used for months and it activated without a hitch. My friend got a brand new Alltel V9m that would not activate at all ...
Your Alltel V9m probably had an ESN that was in the same range of valid ESN's that MOT used with VZW's V9m. Your friend's Alltel V9m probably came from a new batch, a production run made just for Alltel, and therefore had an ESN not within VZW's ESN range.
Tell your friend to sit tight. If VZW does buy Alltel, your friend's V9m will become a VZW V9m.
... and the tech stated "If it doesn't say Verizon on it, we will not let it on the network" and ...
The tech is definitely not being fully truthful here.
I have a SE T607, a phone that says "Verizon" on it, and yes, supports E911, GIN, etc. However, VZW refuses to activate it. My guess is that mostly because there were so very few of them, it has fallen off their lists. But that does not change the fact that it says "Verizon" on it.
I even offered to fax to the VZW tech, a few select pages out of the T607's manual to support what I was saying. He flatly refused. Which tells me a lot about VZW, because here is VZW clearly wanting to bury its head in the sand and not wanting to simply clarify a situation.
It's not finalized yet. Same deal as last year with RCC when they announced. They said they're planning to buy them, but the deal hadn't closed. I think the target is later this year for Alltel.
As I said, I don't expect Verizon to SUPPORT the phone (ie, troubleshooting it, software updates, warranty coverage, etc...). What I'd like to see is them allow alternate CDMA phones to be activated and have a disclaimer at the time stating something like:
"You have chosen to activate a phone that is not carried through Verizon. While voice and text may work, there is no guarantee that enhanced features will work. We will not be able to offer technical support for this handset, so all questions/concerns must be directed to the manufacturer."
Wouldn't that be a fair way to do it?
Yes, but again... They haven't officially "opened" their network yet.
Absolutely, that would be fair--but it would never work.
People are stupid. They don't read contracts before signing, and even when they do understand and agree to the terms, they complain instead of taking responsibility.
Agreed! The store I work at (open 1 day a week, the rest is restocking), I've had people buy some old PC for literally $5 or $10 *with the understanding that it's as-is*, then want to bring it back the next week, *and* make a fuss about it when we say "No.". To them, as-is means "I get a good deal if it's working, but try to return it if it's not". Usually this hardware even works fine, they just try to wipe Ubuntu on it in favor of Windows then can't find drivers. Not my problem .
In some cases, even "You know this is $5 because it doesn't work right? *IT DOESN'T WORK*. This is for parts. Right?" "Right." (next week) "This doesn't work and I want to return it." " No "
Anyway, I hope VZW *does* implement the "any device" stuff, but it's going to probably be like a flip-switch. I expect the techs will follow current policy of "don't activate any non-VZW stuff" until they get some new policy, then they will activate other phones after this.
I spoke with another rep today who stated that Verizon is in the process of integrating other CDMA carriers that they've recently acquired, and that are indeed adding ESN's and MEID's into the database on a case by case database. My guess is that just as with all other promos offered, it's up to the tech as to whether he or she will add the ESN/MEID into the system. It offers some hope, but I really wish they'd just adopt a uniform policy.
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Originally Posted by SCTelephoneMan
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