If I purchase a GSM unlocked BlackBerry, would I need to do anything besides pay the $35 activation fee to get it on the Verizon network?

[UncleQuilly]

I bought a Z30 last month with a 2 year plan from Verizon. I promptly dropped it face down and broke the screen. I went back to the Verizon Wireless store to purchase a new phone full price. The Verizon website lists a full price Z30 at $499, however I was told at the store that it would cost me $650! I had them order the phone, but asked if I could buy a phone directly from BlackBerry instead. They said I could, and I would just have to pay a $35 activation fee. I look on the BlackBerry website and white Z30s are on sale for $399! So is it just as simple as purchasing the $399 Z30 and paying the $35 activation fee and I'm back in business, or are there other charges and complications with doing it this way?

[rcschnoor · Accepted solution]

Just make sure it is a BB for Verizon. Verizon is a CDMA provider, not GSM. If you get a GSM phone, you will not be able to use it on Verizon.

[UncleQuilly]

Understood. Here are the full network band specs for the phone:

• Quad band LTE 3, 7, 20, 8 (1800/2600/900/800 MHz)
• Quad band HPSA/UMTS 1, 2, 5/6, 8 (800/850/900/1900/2100 MHz)
• Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)

I don't see CDMA listed there anywhere. Does that mean this phone will not work on Verizon's network?

[UncleQuilly]

Well, this video pretty much answered my question.... Oh well....

[rcschnoor]

Correct.

The specs from the Verizon website for the Z30 are as follows.

Network

• Networks: Digital (Band 13, LTE (700 MHz), Dual Band CDMA (850/1900 MHz)
• Networks: Global: Quad Band HSPA/UMTS (850/900/1900/2100 MHz) Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)

Verizon(and Sprint) uses CDMA for voice, while other providers use GSM for voice.

Currently, Verizon only uses GSM for their LTE data, however at some point in the future that should change.

[47seijar]

Remember: Verizon will NOT activate a device they did not sell themselves. If it wasn't originally purchased from Verizon then it's no good.

[SydneyK]

This is not true. You can activate a Verizon device you bought elsewhere, as long as it has a clean electronic serial number.

And to the original poster, you do not have to pay a $35 activation fee if you already have a Verizon account (unless you're adding a new line). It's free to switch devices.

[47seijar]

You can activate a VERIZON device (any Verizon device), of course. But you can NEVER activate a Sprint device or any other carrier's device on Verizon's network.