Phone 3 months old, after 9/1, not able to roam in Canada

I got my Samsung Galaxy prime in the middle of May. I was just informed by letter recently that I will not be to use my phone for roaming in Canada. I have the Canadian roaming plan. I am pretty upset. I am being forced to get a world device now. Are you going to give me a new phone at a discount? I refuse to full price because this is not my choice. Please explain. Thanks.

Accepted answers

Momma23dogs

Check with Verizon . I think this phone has GSM bands for Canada.

BElow is info on the change. Doesn't seem Verizon had much choice....

Although CDMA coverage is available in many areas in Canada and Mexico, Verizon's partner carriers in those countries are turning down their networks as early as this year. For best performance and coverage, we recommend a 4G World device.

4G World devices will automatically select GSM while in Canada and Mexico.
For 3G World devices, you may need to manually select GSM through the settings on your device.
Non World (CDMA only) devices may have more limited coverage and slower data speeds.

All comments

Momma23dogs

Check with Verizon . I think this phone has GSM bands for Canada.

BElow is info on the change. Doesn't seem Verizon had much choice....

4G World devices will automatically select GSM while in Canada and Mexico.
For 3G World devices, you may need to manually select GSM through the settings on your device.
Non World (CDMA only) devices may have more limited coverage and slower data speeds.

Ayti

Why is the selection of dumb phones so poor for World Devices? There are 5 but really 2, an LG and 4 versions of the Kyocera VX. I don't want a phone with a data plan that I take outside the US.

Momma23dogs

You are not limited to shopping Verizon's website.

But, yes the selection is limited because the rest of the world uses GSM technology, but Verizon is a CDMA network. Since the majority of customers are choosing smartphones, that is what is being manufactured and available for sale.

IF it matters, you can turn mobile data off on your line while traveling out of the US. (with a phone call or online)

Ayti

Verizon sells sim cards?

Weth

Verizon cannot be responsible for the actions that a different country decided, ie Canada. The Galaxy prime will not work on GSM networks.

Ayti

It wasn't Canada it was Verizon's Canadian partners like Telus or Rogers that decided supporting CDMA made no financial sense. Only

1 country uses CDMA and that is the US. I expect Verizon will switch to GSM in the coming years.

Weth

Verizon won't switch to traditional GSM and go with HSPA and such, it will just start selling LTE only phones and have voice be carried on VoLTE. there is choice, choice in carrier, choice to get a world phone, just not the choice you want.

The Canadian companies are completely independent of Verizon. The CDMA shutdown has been a known factor for over 3 years, it is not a surprise.

Dreamstreamr

Not entirely known, this CDMA service turndown in Canada. Every year we visit Vancouver since 2007, everything okay. Last four years fine with our iPhone 4S. Last week into Ontario and BANG, No Service. This despite we responded to Verizons invitation last month to change plans to add Canada and Mex service no added charge.

Verizon knows better than we what devices we have and devices' capability. would it not seem they should mention, "Your plan is noy suited to your phone?" Not until we skype them from Ottawa and then they say our Verizon phone is no good anywhere in Canada, must be 4G or Global.

Ive since been searching for background and stated requirements. Somewhere on Verizon's website that we can read?