Verizon iPhone 4S and TRU Sim Cards

[gek]

I have a Verizon account (CDMA) in Texas with iPhone 4S. I am traveling to the UK for several months. I purchased a micro-sim card from Truphone (TRU) and then activated it. Over a week ago I requested Verizon for a sim unlock which has been confirmed. I inserted the Tru sim but cannot connect to any GSM network--still shows Verizon. I was informed I should get a roaming AT&T signal.

My goal is just to make sure the sim card and Verizon unlock work before I get to UK. I do not need to use the TRU service at this time. Is this a bad sim card or is it impossible to get a GSM signal on a Verizon iPhone while in the US? Both Verizon and Truphone techs give conflicting advice on different occasions and nothing definitive-both pointing fingers. Technically this should work, right? So many factors involved it seems a very big risk to leave this to chance in UK and to spend time troubleshooting when I have to hit the floor running when arriving.

Any help would be greatly appreciated--Thanks Gek

[Airb330]

I have a Verizon account (CDMA) in Texas with iPhone 4S. I am traveling to the UK for several months. I purchased a micro-sim card from Truphone (TRU) and then activated it. Over a week ago I requested Verizon for a sim unlock which has been confirmed. I inserted the Tru sim but cannot connect to any GSM network--still shows Verizon. I was informed I should get a roaming AT&T signal.

My goal is just to make sure the sim card and Verizon unlock work before I get to UK. I do not need to use the TRU service at this time. Is this a bad sim card or is it impossible to get a GSM signal on a Verizon iPhone while in the US? Both Verizon and Truphone techs give conflicting advice on different occasions and nothing definitive-both pointing fingers. Technically this should work, right? So many factors involved it seems a very big risk to leave this to chance in UK and to spend time troubleshooting when I have to hit the floor running when arriving.

Any help would be greatly appreciated--Thanks Gek

It could very well be that the Verizon iphone overrules the SIM since it is in the USA. I really wish I knew. I've used Tru before, not very successfully...so I guess I'd be wary of the sim service too. Their website is very shady regarding pricing for the plans like Elite 1000, etc.

I use Telna Mobile and have been very happy with them. It's like 18 cents a minute in the UK, which isn't bad, but I guess wouldn't be too cheap if you are there for a few months. It might be a good backup to the tru sim though? I'd say just get a prepaid Orange sim while you are there, but I also like to have a USA number so it is easy for friends and family to contact me. Telna's CS is top rate as well.

Have fun!

[BuffaloTF]

I have a Verizon account (CDMA) in Texas with iPhone 4S. I am traveling to the UK for several months. I purchased a micro-sim card from Truphone (TRU) and then activated it. Over a week ago I requested Verizon for a sim unlock which has been confirmed. I inserted the Tru sim but cannot connect to any GSM network--still shows Verizon. I was informed I should get a roaming AT&T signal.

My goal is just to make sure the sim card and Verizon unlock work before I get to UK. I do not need to use the TRU service at this time. Is this a bad sim card or is it impossible to get a GSM signal on a Verizon iPhone while in the US? Both Verizon and Truphone techs give conflicting advice on different occasions and nothing definitive-both pointing fingers. Technically this should work, right? So many factors involved it seems a very big risk to leave this to chance in UK and to spend time troubleshooting when I have to hit the floor running when arriving.

Any help would be greatly appreciated--Thanks Gek

I'm unfamiliar with the VZW iPhone... but is there a choice in your settings to turn CDMA off, be it a network select mode, or perhaps even in APN settings?

[veriztd]

I am certain that the Verizon phone will not connect to any GSM network domestically no matter which SIM is inserted without hacking the iPhone.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using HowardForums

[campyguy]

One of my employees did exactly what you're aiming to, however, she had to wait until she was in the UK to "activate" the Tru SIM - but she has a US-based number. What you're dealing with depends on whether you were given a UK number or a US number. If you've a UK number and the SIM slot has been unlocked you'd be able to "roam" in the US, but if you've a US number VZW will block use of the SIM slot as VZW blocks use of the SIM slot in the US in firmware (which is what they've always done AFAIK on their world devices). There was one other "trick" for us - she was bringing her laptop anyway - once she landed in the UK and collected herself in Gatwick, she connected her 4S to her PC and iTunes, then waited for a few minutes and the Tru MicroSIM was "activated" in just a few minutes. BTW, I'd recommend talking to the VZW Int'l CS reps - they're not perfect, but most of the time they can be very helpful, IMO more so for this than normal 611 reps.

[Droiiiiiiiiid]

Im assuming it is because the iPhone will not connect to any GSM carriers in the US.

But a good way to tell if its phone or SIM card is to insert the SIM in another unlocked GSM phone.

[gek]

One of my employees did exactly what you're aiming to, however, she had to wait until she was in the UK to "activate" the Tru SIM - but she has a US-based number. What you're dealing with depends on whether you were given a UK number or a US number. If you've a UK number and the SIM slot has been unlocked you'd be able to "roam" in the US, but if you've a US number VZW will block use of the SIM slot as VZW blocks use of the SIM slot in the US in firmware (which is what they've always done AFAIK on their world devices). There was one other "trick" for us - she was bringing her laptop anyway - once she landed in the UK and collected herself in Gatwick, she connected her 4S to her PC and iTunes, then waited for a few minutes and the Tru MicroSIM was "activated" in just a few minutes. BTW, I'd recommend talking to the VZW Int'l CS reps - they're not perfect, but most of the time they can be very helpful, IMO more so for this than normal 611 reps.

Hi Campguy,

Thanks for your help and reply. I have both a US number which I believe is the default and a UK number assignment as an add-on per month. However that number does not go into affect until I leave because it cost more. Perhaps I should request that to be activated to test your theory? Despite this, should I not at least get a GSM roaming signal if the card reader in the phone does not except it? This seems it should be a feature of any phone just like when you stick a device into a computer it tells you something. That would eliminate the card reader in the phone as a suspect. I did talk to Tru and they said "no problem it will work when you get there" but that seems to leave a lot to chance and would mean troubleshooting at Heathrow if I cannot get it to work or, is in fact, a bad sim, which is always possible.

What I cannot figure out is that there are others that have been able to do this on Verizon iPhone 4S but not with Tru sims and one article written by a Zdnet blogger named Matthew Miller, mobile expert, even reports he did it using his favorite foreign sim, Tru in Seattle using a US number. Just puzzled more than anything and willing to take my chances reluctantly. Just doesn't seem logical I do not get a response of some kind from the phone when a different sim is in the tray. Thanks again, most helpful reply.

[campyguy]

Hi Campguy,

Thanks for your help and reply. I have both a US number which I believe is the default and a UK number assignment as an add-on per month. However that number does not go into affect until I leave because it cost more. Perhaps I should request that to be activated to test your theory? Despite this, should I not at least get a GSM roaming signal if the card reader in the phone does not except it? This seems it should be a feature of any phone just like when you stick a device into a computer it tells you something. That would eliminate the card reader in the phone as a suspect. I did talk to Tru and they said "no problem it will work when you get there" but that seems to leave a lot to chance and would mean troubleshooting at Heathrow if I cannot get it to work or, is in fact, a bad sim, which is always possible.

What I cannot figure out is that there are others that have been able to do this on Verizon iPhone 4S but not with Tru sims and one article written by a Zdnet blogger named Matthew Miller, mobile expert, even reports he did it using his favorite foreign sim, Tru in Seattle using a US number. Just puzzled more than anything and willing to take my chances reluctantly. Just doesn't seem logical I do not get a response of some kind from the phone when a different sim is in the tray. Thanks again, most helpful reply.

Hey, just a few things, first, do make absolutely sure of one step that Mr. Miller calls out - and if you didn't do it stop reading this and do it now - the call to VZW should include you telling them that you do not want the VZW global option that uses their own SIM with roaming agreements, and I've found they'll happily sign you up for that if you don't ask (check My Verizon and look before you make that call to VZW CS).

If they have signed you up for their global option, be careful with what you say next to them - AFAIK they'll unlock that SIM slot only once each 10 months, so make sure they don't re-lock the SIM slot! Then kindly ask that you just want the SIM slot unlocked.

Now, my bad, I hadn't noted that you hadn't activated the Tru SIM yet. You bought a Tru product partly for the piece of mind, and I get that. We've used them before so we know that they work, and we have found that they have automatically activate when the device is turned on in an area (overseas) where there's wifi - like in the airport or at the hotel. So, yes, for your piece of mind yes you should consider activating the SIM before you leave (look in the upper right corner of the Tru SIM web site for the "activate SIM" link), but one tip first to consider - turn off cellular data on your iPhone first, you'll want to use your data allocation overseas, not in your house or office! We're all "virgins" our first time, I understand your trepidation there.

So, if VZW has unlocked your SIM slot (and you've followed their instructions and accepted the terms) and your SIM is activated - give it maybe 20 or so minutes after each activation, you should be good to go. Have fun, and a safe trip!

[Mr.Cell]

With my sprint unlocked 4s when i insert my Mexico sim in the US and activates and roam in either tmobile or at&t.

[veriztd]

With my sprint unlocked 4s when i insert my Mexico sim in the US and activates and roam in either tmobile or at&t.

And you are roaming in the US in that example with an international carrier. Not the same thing.

My point earlier is that you cannot directly use At&t or T-mobile with a Verizon or Sprint unlocked iPhone. The phone cannot be activated on either network without rooting/hacking.