I've been reading up on the open access provisions in regards to the C-Block of 700 mhz LTE spectrum. There is a very specific line saying that a licensee(Verizon) cannot configure devices to be locked against use on another network. This means that Verizon would be violating Federal law if the iPhone 5's sim slot is even partially locked. Unlike on the iPhone 4S - these regulations mean that Verizon must even allow an AT&T sim card to be used in any Verizon iPhone 5.
The relevant law is found here in the Code of Federal Regulations
Title 47 - Telecommunication. CHAPTER I - FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED). SUBCHAPTER B - COMMON CARRIER SERVICES. PART 27 - MISCELLANEOUS WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES. Subpart B - Applications and Licenses. § 27.16Network access requirements for Block C in the 746-757 and 776-787 MHz bands.
Take a look at this : (e) Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee's standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers' networks.
Verizon already sells a phone that has both LTE and GSM capabilities, the Motorola LTE RAZR. According to this article, it's locked from accepting other domestic carriers' SIM cards.
I suppose you can file a complaint with the FCC, but I'll bet there's some loophole Verizon managed to weasel their way through.
I was wondering about a loophole or something, but this seems incredibly specific and I don't understand how they could evade it. Verizon might have already changed their policies after they just paid $1.25 million to the FCC for blocking tethering apps in the Android market. I do fully intend to file a complaint and I hope many other people do as well if the iPhone 5 from VZW has any sim lock on it at all.
Contacted Verizon about this. The phone will be unlocked after 90 days of service or when a contract is up witch ever comes first. The account must be in good standing order at the time.
Also learned through the tech that the Verizon iPhone 5 does not have the ability to do voice\data at the same time on LTE. The other devices they have has two radios and this does work on those devices but not the iPhone 5 =(
That has consistently been the policy for Verizon in terms of global ready devices. However with the iPhone and as gotanmp3 said, Android devices, US GSM carriers have been locked in previous instances. According to the FCC - they are completely prohibited on configuring any sort of a lock. To comply with this regulation the phone cannot be locked at all against any network. So as soon as I get my iPhone 5 from VZW, I should be able to pop in an AT&T sim and pickup signal. I wouldn't be too upset about having the iPhone do its normal activation check the first time another carrier's sim is inserted, so long as it's automatic and I don't have to call Verizon or anything. To be entirely honest, I would be fine with calling and asking so long as it's a complete unlock, not just International Unlock.
I believe that they are referring to other LTE networks because Verizon is not required to sell a telephone with GSM/UMTS capabilities.
Would they even be able to unlock only the LTE accessibility and not unlock the GSM/UMTS side? If if they carrier unlock it, it is unlocked for both?
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Since Verizon does not use GSM/UMTS in the United States, Band II and Band V were not tested by the Federal Communications Commission for GSM/UMTS use on the Verizon iPhone.
Apparently, they already had to pay a fine to the FCC for blocking tethering apps. I doubt Verizon will make good on unlocking the iPhone 5 for domestic carriers, unless they're forced to.
The LTE is probably already unlocked. That is a meaningless gesture because the Verizon model iPhone does not have the LTE bands used by AT&T.
Since Verizon does not use GSM/UMTS in the United States, Band II and Band V were not tested by the Federal Communications Commission for GSM/UMTS use on the Verizon iPhone.
Actually, yes they were. Model A1429 has GSM/UMTS(WCDMA) authorisation from the FCC.
Since A1429 is the same hardware both GSM activation and CDMA activation - the CDMA configured A1429 is fully authorised to operate GSM/UMTS in the United States.
FCC Equipment Authorisation link. (pardon the lack of http header - can't post links yet)
bit.ly/NB8NEB
Would they even be able to unlock only the LTE accessibility and not unlock the GSM/UMTS side? If if they carrier unlock it, it is unlocked for both?
First of all - the unlocking requirement specifies any licensee of that block of wireless spectrum - which Verizon is. It does not say for LTE networks, but that the device cannot be configured to prevent use on any other carrier's network. My other post with the FCC Equipment authorisation demonstrates that without question the A1429 iPhone is capable of the correct frequencies and air interfaces. It stands to reason that Verizon should have to unlock it domestically too, but who knows at this point.
That block of the 700 MHz range is assigned to Verizon for LTE use. Why is that hard to understand? Neither Sprint, T-Mobile nor AT&T use that block. The Federal Communications Commission is not mandating a universal phone. The regulation does not apply to CDMA, GSM, iDEN or UMTS.
The various iPhone models were submitted to the FCC by Apple and not by the carriers. A foreign carrier would be using UMTS Bands II and V to roam on United States carriers so the uplink frequencies were tested. This has nothing to do with how Verizon would use the telephone in the United States. Verizon would be using its LTE allocations along with CDMA bands.
That block of the 700 MHz range is assigned to Verizon for LTE use. Why is that hard to understand? Neither Sprint, T-Mobile nor AT&T use that block. The Federal Communications Commission is not mandating a universal phone. The regulation does not apply to CDMA, GSM, iDEN or UMTS.
The various iPhone models were submitted to the FCC by Apple and not by the carriers. A foreign carrier would be using UMTS Bands II and V to roam on United States carriers so the uplink frequencies were tested. This has nothing to do with how Verizon would use the telephone in the United States. Verizon would be using its LTE allocations along with CDMA bands.
You are confused. However, you are correct in saying that the FCC does not mandate a universal phone, it is proven that Verizon does provide the device with GSM/UMTS capabilities. The regulation, and I quote yet again : No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee's standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers' networks.
Take a good look at (b), it says No licensee may... configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers' networks.
So you are correct in saying they are not obligated to include universal features, but where you are wrong is that since these features already exist and confirmed to function in the phone, Verizon Wireless cannot configure the phone to prohibit use on other provider's networks(AT&T or T-Mobile). It mentions nowhere in that section or elsewhere that the regulations only apply to the 700c block spectrum. It is a condition of Verizon's license to use that spectrum that obliges them to comply. There is no exception saying that the locking prohibition applies only to LTE. It applies in full to any technology compatible. Verizon does not currently lock the CDMA portion of their phones, and on their website it says "If you wish to use a CDMA device on another network, the unlock programming code is defaulted to 000000 or 123456." They are very specifically prohibited from locking devices as a condition of being licensed to operate on that particular block of spectrum. It does not only come into force when a device is using that spectrum.
Verizon only allows GSM/UMTS on foreign carriers. That is how Apple designed the telephone. It would benefit the carriers if you brought your own telephone. They would not have to recover the subsidy and still charge you the same prices for service.
Verizon even blocks ts own prepaid telephone from usage on a postpaid account. That has nothing to do with Verizon acquiring the complete 750 Mhz (Band XIII).
Verizon only allows GSM/UMTS on foreign carriers. That is how Apple designed the telephone. It would benefit the carriers if you brought your own telephone. They would not have to recover the subsidy and still charge you the same prices for service.
For a 700c capable device sold by VZW, it is illegal if VZW puts a SIM lock on the device. Not saying they will or won't still do it. Or try to say it is a 'Apple' shipped limitation. We will know shortly when the first VZW iPhone 5's start arriving and someone tries to put an ATT SIM in. Then the lawsuit can start if it is locked. Fact is the VZW iPhone 5 will have GSM1900+850 and should accept an ATT SIM... I agree with Mikey, though I do think that the regs only apply to devices the are both a) sold by the licensee and b) contain the 700c band.
Verizon even blocks ts own prepaid telephone from usage on a postpaid account. That has nothing to do with Verizon acquiring the complete 750 Mhz (Band XIII).
Verizon chooses not to activate the ESN of a prepaid device on a post paid account. Just like they choose not to activate Sprint CDMA devices. These aren't 700c devices and all the auth is done via CDMA2000 ESN (like the iPhone 4S), so they have you by the balls. With the iPhone 5 even the CDMA side authenticates using the SIM via the CSIM app. You can move that SIM into any other device that has the right air technologies and bands and it will work. This is the way the iPad 3 works for those not familiar with CSIM auth.
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Originally Posted by efparri
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