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Will Verizon carry the BlackBerry Passport in stores and have demo units?

I'm really itching to fondle a BlackBerry Passport when they come out. I've been away from BlackBerry for a couple years now but they're never far from my heart. The Passport has a quirky design, very radical departure for BlackBerry, and I'd love to see one live and in person. Unfortunately Verizon doesn't seem interested in keeping inventory of BlackBerry devices anymore. I was disappointed that I couldn't demo a Z30 in stores so I ended up simply passing on it. Got an iPhone 5s instead.

Comments

duane534

Realistically, the Z10 is a good representation of BlackBerry 10. I'm excited for the Passport, too.

DickLewis

No guarantee, but I would be hard pressed to not believe that Verizon will carry the Passport.

We will see come September or October, available isn't that far away.

ummie4

BUMP this is the most important thread in the BlackBerry forums. Can someone say if Verizon is testing the Passport?

StreetDocRN

No, Verizon is not. BlackBerry is testing the devices.

rcschnoor

ummie4 wrote:

this is the most important thread in the BlackBerry forums

It may just be me, but it would seem threads in the BB forums about devices actually on the Verizon network are more important than threads about a device which MIGHT be on the network at some point in the future. You know, people with ACTUAL problems instead of people simply hoping Verizon will carry a device?

ummie4

Thanks for the reply. Will Verizon eventually be getting it though?

47seijar

I just came from my local Verizon store. Although folks badmouth store reps and warn you to never trust them for information on upcoming phones, I went ahead and asked the question: "Will Verizon carry the Passport?"

I was crushed when he said that Verizon has no plans to carry the Passport at all. Sadly, this confirms what I feared when I looked at GSMarena for details on the Passport. While this could be incomplete info, I didn't like the fact that no CDMA bands were listed.

2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network	LTE

Either source (GSMarena or store reps) could be discounted as misinformed or just plain wrong. But the more sources that say "no Passport for Verizon," the more worried I get.

47seijar

Adding insult to injury, a buddy of mine just sent me a link to a video glimpse of the Passport from CarPhone Warehouse in the U.K. The video is on N4BB. I'm getting sick to my stomach thinking Verizon won't carry it.

grog90210

I have to believe that Verizon will absolutely carry the Passport. Blackberry remains the most popular platform for government and enterprise users - period. And Verizon can't risk their dominant position by alienating those huge market segments.

ummie4

Do Verizon Mods every join in the discussion on here and answer questions? I read something about NDAs expiring on the 12th of September, maybe they are bitting their tongue until then.

tikibar1

ummie4 wrote:

Quoted post: Do Verizon Mods every join in the discussion on here and answer questions? I read something about NDAs expiring on the 12th of September, maybe they are bitting their tongue until then.

This is primarily a customer-to-customer forum. VzW reps do sometimes respond to posts, but a response isn't guaranteed. And the reps only respond to threads marked as questions ... and this one wasn't.

Edited to note that the quote should have appeared in the box, and it didn't. :smileysad:

halfnibble

The first cellphone I ever bought was on Verizon.

My family has been on Verizon for as long as I can remember. And I have been very pleased with the service.

However, if Verizon does not release the BlackBerry Passport, then I am switching carriers for the first time ever. On launch day. And that will include all the lines in my family plan. I'm saving up now for the early termination fees.

B33

Thanks Tikibar1 for posting what you did, Have a Great Weekend.

>> Off-topic comments removed by Verizon Moderator <<

DickLewis

Patience. I expect to see the Passport and the Classic (nee Q20).

Both will be very good sellers. Just a thought.

sourz

I am a mobile novice, but through some research and deduction, it seems like Verizon will carry the passport.

the FCC filing for passport does not list CDMA, but lists LTE band 4, and 13. (4 verizon uses, and 13 it has been rapidly building up for the past 2 years).

according to fcc

FCC ID L6ARGY180LW Mobile phone with GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/1900, WCDMA/HSPA FDD 2, 4, 5, LTE Bands 2, 4, 5, 13, 17, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth, NFC, FM Radio and GPS. BlackBerry Limited (ID Label/Location Info)

last week (aug 26th) Verizon announced that in the "coming weeks" it plans to roll out VoLTE which would ditch CDMA to carry HD quality voice on the LTE 13 (700 Mgz) band.

Verizon?s VoLTE rollout will kill off CDMA ? and allow unlocked LTE phones, too | ExtremeTech

Verizon Communications Inc. Finally Launches a High-Voltage VoLTE Service (VZ)

I can only assume that this means that they plan to introduce VoLTE along with the Passport, which is also launching in the "coming weeks".

Again, im not sure on this. Just my speculation. if true, great news. theoretically it means if a phone has LTE 13 band on it, we will be able to use it on verizon regardless of CDMA present on it or not. i say theoretically as i dont know what restrictions they might put on it at VoLTE launch.

hope this gives assurance to verizon users like me, Or i might be completely Wrong.. lol

ummie4

A phone released next month would still need the CDMA band. LTE coverage is not expansive enough to only rely on it to make phone calls. My phone switches to 3G and 1X sometimes. I heard something like 2016 for verizon phones to be released without CDMA bands.

47seijar

I just has another conversation with the reps in my local Verizon store. They confirmed Verizon will not carry the Passport IN STORES. But they were sure Verizon would sell it. Originally, when they told me Verizon would not carry the Passport I interpreted it as they would not be selling it. Turns out they just won't have them on display. That is unfortunate, but it squares with their current policy where they don't have BlackBerrys in stock or on display. But you can still order them through Verizon and pick them up at the store. So I guess I'll just have to go to my local AT&T store to see one in person, then order it through Verizon. Better than nothing!

ummie4

Chen just announced in an interview that the off contract price of the passport will be $599 in the USA. More importantly he said that some places will have the Passport available immediately following Wednesday's announcement, with most places having it 1 to 2 weeks later. Hope Verizon is included in these "most places"

pkcable1

I have a Canadian friend (he works for one of their carriers) and he has recently seen a Verizon branded Passport. It certainly is/was being tested. This is NOT to say Verizon will definitely have it, but the signs are there. Most likely as is the current trend with BBs it will have little to no in store presence with the possible exception of a few flagship stores. (New York City's Manhattan Flagship for example) You will order it at the web site, or in stores via drop shipping. IF they decide to carry it after testing.

DickLewis

Thanks PK. Store in little old Big Flats, NY outside of Elmira is now the largest VZW store in upstate NY.

I was told they will not stock nor display the Passport. No display of any kind currently. Sucks.

DickLewis

Great live webcast for Passport launch. VZW doesn't have them listed yet.

Hopefully very soon.

HoosierPop

Word on the street is that AT&T will be the sole provider of the Passport.

ummie4

Sad day for us. No one's fault except for Verizon's. I wasn't expecting to see it on shelves but they could have easily offer via online order. Just called today to see what the cancellation fees are for both my lines. They have until the day AT&T starts selling it to make some kind of announcement about support for it other wise I'm gone.

47seijar

Sole provider for how long? Certainly they won't have a "forever" exclusive. Ignoring Verizon would be stupid of BlackBerry and I doubt AT&T could make it worth BlackBerry's while to cut everyone else in the U.S. out of the market.

47seijar

I still expect to see a Verizon Passport. If it follows the same pattern as the Z30 then we should see it in mid to late November. The Z30 launched globally and then came to Verizon about 1 1/2 months later.

ummie4

I would be ok with waiting. But I'm not going to be waiting for possibly nothing. I need some kind of announcement for eventual support.

wcsh

Actually if anyone is Testing its Verizon, BlackBerry isn't allowed to have Unreleased software on US networks (hence why you see leaks LOL). From the information I have is that its all done Internally at Verizon. Unfortunately that is all the information I have on that.

syrallas

*Bump*

So it looks bleak but I bumped this to see if anyone "in-the-know" has any current input. Been w/ VW since they bought out Frontier Cellular in the 90s, no smart phone yet cause I like physical keyboards. BB passport seems like a good product, w/ good reviews; won't VW consider it?

nicholasbranson

Blackberry's own website states that they're going exclusively with at&t for this device.

How to Buy BlackBerry Passport Today | Inside BlackBerry

DickLewis

That's been the word since Passport was released. Bit of a problem when ATT has an exclusive, yet still are not selling it. A better question is how long is the exclusive for? Obviously VZW can not get the Passport right away, but if the exclusive is short term, we have an outside chance of seeing a CDMA version for us.

Time will tell.

syrallas

Thanks, guys, for the updated information.

I just committed the (non-) mortal sin of thread hopping. https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/836954?start=10&tstart=0

Would love it if any Verizon wireless employee might let its customers know whether or not either the exclusive deal of ATT/Blackberry has a time limit of which Verizon wireless is aware or, in the alternative, whether Verizon wireless knows of an upcoming smart phone offered by Blackberry that Verizon wireless will be offering its customers.

unknown

Contact Information - US

Here is a real thought. Why not call and ask Blackberry?

Use the link above.

Why would Verizon care how long an exclusive agreement with AT&T will last, nor why would they care?

Good Luck

nicholasbranson

An exclusivity agreement kind of loses its pizzazz if you tell when the exclusivity ends. Takes away the exclusivity.

DickLewis

You may have a point, but ATT isn't selling the Passport after weeks of having an exclusive.

The real point is BlackBerry mucked up big time by going exclusive to any carrier, much less one of the worst.

We need to stay focused on the fact that we are real BlackBerry users and enjoy our phones.

Debbie Downers that don't even have a BlackBerry should leave us alone and stay out of BB forums.

Just my 5¢ worth.

unknown

He doesn't have a blackberry either.

And I have previously told you that anyone can comment. On an OPEN forum.

DickLewis

Either I didn't make myself clear or you misread my previous post. I realize anyone can post in any forum, that was not my point. Just feel that this forum would best be served by BlackBerry customers.

All done, already reported some posts. Not likely to do a bit of good though.

I am so out of here. This thread has no meaning to me any more.

Linlithgow

Recently went to my Verizon store and they have NO Blackberrys on display, and I was told they will not carry the Passport. I also was told a lot of mobile carriers use BBs in house because they are so secure. (Amusing).

I am SO tired of constantly being pushed to buy an insipid iPhone, (sometimes by Verizon folks who tease me about my Q10). They say that BBs are returned often but I think that has something to do with how poorly Verizon folks have always represented BB. When I bought my Q10 I knew a bit about it, the reps didn't seem super comfortable with it, weren't familiar with what the different swipes did, and there was a definite anti-BB bias, so I can only assume that they also steer people away from BBs. It's a shame, because BlackBerry - from the security, to the standard HDMI port, to the battery life - is just lightyears ahead of the iPhone.

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