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

47seijar
Specialist - Level 2
‎06-26-2014 01:09 PM

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.

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duane534
Enthusiast - Level 2
‎07-20-2014 07:59 PM

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

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DickLewis
Contributor - Level 3
‎07-21-2014 08:26 AM

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.

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ummie4
Enthusiast - Level 3
‎08-12-2014 01:17 PM

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

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StreetDocRN
Champion - Level 1
In response to ummie4
‎08-12-2014 01:30 PM

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

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ummie4
Enthusiast - Level 3
In response to StreetDocRN
‎08-12-2014 01:35 PM

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

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47seijar
Specialist - Level 2
In response to ummie4
‎08-12-2014 02:31 PM

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 NetworkGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G NetworkHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G NetworkLTE

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.

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DickLewis
Contributor - Level 3
In response to 47seijar
‎08-13-2014 05:14 AM

Verizon is 4G LTE, if I am not mistaken, CDMA doesn't need to be listed.

Same as before, I feel confident to Verizon will carry the BB Passport.

All we need is a little patience.

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rcschnoor
Legend
In response to DickLewis
‎08-13-2014 05:34 AM

CDMA does need to be listed if you want to make phone calls. Verizon only uses GSM for its data. It currently uses CDMA for calling. Verizon does not use 4G LTE for its calling, only data.

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ummie4
Enthusiast - Level 3
In response to rcschnoor
‎08-13-2014 06:13 AM

Could the Verizon model not have passed through the FCC yet?

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47seijar
Specialist - Level 2
In response to ummie4
‎08-13-2014 01:54 PM

I'm hoping it's a case of the CDMA version simply not passing through the FCC yet, or even more simply it was just not listed on GSMarena yet. Maybe AT&T will get a 3-month or 6-month exclusive. What surprised me about the lack of CDMA frequencies is that I expect the Passport to be a "world phone" designed for business travelers. And BlackBerry could save a ton of money putting out one version for everybody instead of separate versions for individual carriers. That's what scares me about Verizon not getting the Passport. It makes so much sense for BlackBerry to make that one version, and yet the one listed omits CDMA. Very uneasy feeling...

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ummie4
Enthusiast - Level 3
In response to 47seijar
‎08-14-2014 06:04 AM

LillyFoxblog claims Verizon canceled it's variant of the passport quite some time ago. In about a month when BlackBerry official announces the phone and carrier support with timeline and Verizon is not listed I will be saying goodbye to VZW. After 10+ years with them I really don't want to but this phone is that attractive to me that I am willing to do so.

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47seijar
Specialist - Level 2
In response to ummie4
‎08-14-2014 08:37 AM

I hear ya. I've had all four tier one carriers over the last decade and in my little neck of the woods Verizon's network has no equal. AT&T is decent, but data speeds take a huge hit most days. T-Mobile was always the most friendly network, had the best customer service, great pricing, but a terrible network. And Sprint.... well.... they're just Sprint. Sprint doesn't suck -- they aspire to suck one day. Right now they're way below simply "sucking." Suck would be a big step up for them. Tons of potential, good pricing, but ultimately a terrible network. The Passport won't be enough to make me jump ship from Big Red, but it's very disappointing news.

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BCalhoon
Newbie
In response to 47seijar
‎09-22-2014 04:10 PM

I was told weeks before they did that Verizon would not carry the I-Phone by a store rep.

Like others here I am not interested in anything other than a Blackberry.  I will go where they are sold.

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wcsh
Newbie
In response to StreetDocRN
‎10-09-2014 12:21 AM

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.

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syrallas
Newbie
In response to wcsh
‎12-01-2014 05:30 PM

*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?

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rcschnoor
Legend
In response to ummie4
‎08-12-2014 01:34 PM

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?

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47seijar
Specialist - Level 2
‎08-14-2014 01:16 PM

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.

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grog90210
Newbie
‎08-14-2014 05:06 PM

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.

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ummie4
Enthusiast - Level 3
In response to grog90210
‎08-15-2014 06:55 AM

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.

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tikibar1
Community Leader
Community Leader
In response to ummie4
‎08-15-2014 07:16 AM

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.  Smiley Sad

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