Will Verizon Wireless activate a Nexus 7 (2013) 4G LTE tablet on its network? Has anyone tried to do this, and what were your results?
Some have reported success if they had a previously activated SIM card for a tablet line. New activations are another story. The device itself apparently isn't certified by Verizon Wireless for its network. No one knows when it will be certified.
A Verizon Wireless representative told me that the Company will not activate the Nexus 7. It's also possible that the Nexus 7 simply hasn't been added to her manual yet, since the device is still new.
However, I think it's more likely that Verizon Wireless will stall for as long as it can and ultimately will not activate the Nexus 7,regardless of what the law requires. We've seen that Verizon Wireless will gladly take on the FCC in a protracted legal battle.
How can we find out? Verizon's last statement was Sept.18, saying the certification process started in August and normally takes 4-6 weeks. We need some answers!
What I've read so far confirms what we've all written: Verizon Wireless is dragging its feet...a complaint has been filed with the FCC (possibly several by now)...Verizon Wireless says 'be patient'...a pre-activated SIM card will let the Nexus work on Verizon's network (but then you can't use your phone).
Meanwhile, T Mobile and AT&T are activating the Nexus 7. (T Mobile and Google have a deal where the first month of your data plan are free.)
Personally, I'm not counting on Verizon Wireless. There's no telling when they'll activate the Nexus 7, if ever, and if it goes to court it will take even longer. If Verizon Wireless can fight off the FCC for another 9 or 10 months then the next version of the Nexus will be available, allowing Verizon Wireless to start all over again.
If I decide to stay with Verizon Wireless, I won't buy the 4G LTE version of the Nexus.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2013/09/verizon-wireless-device-certification-statement.html
It should have been certified by now according to this statement from over a month ago. Will someone from Verizon at least give us an update?
I've been waiting patiently for over a month now for Verizon to support this device and am to the point that I'm done waiting on them. T-mobile is now giving ANY lte tablet owner a free 200MB a month whether you are a customer or not. My Nexus 7 came with a Tmobile sim so I'll just use T-mobile and reward them with my business for this device. Yep, it will cost me more then $10 a month but Verizon can go pound sand.
I think Verizon doesn't like the idea that there is no 3G radio in the Nexus 7 (2013). When you get to a crap coverage area, how will you get service if there is nothing to fall back on? This seems like a flood gate of potential complaints to me, especially from those who aren't tech savvy.
NexusMan21 wrote:I think Verizon doesn't like the idea that there is no 3G radio in the Nexus 7 (2013). When you get to a crap coverage area, how will you get service if there is nothing to fall back on? This seems like a flood gate of potential complaints to me, especially from those who aren't tech savvy.
NexusMan21 wrote:
There is presedence for 4G LTE only devices. The 4G LTE router and Home Fusion only connect to the 4G LTE signal. Neither of them fall back to the 3G network. Both are offered and sold by Verizon Wireless. Granted both device are designed for stationary connections and not a mobile/moving one like the Nexus 7 LTE.
Just bought my Nexus 7 (2013) 4G/LTE Wednesday from Bestbuy For $349. Resized my existing tablet LTE SIM, and popped it into Nexus 7.
I pay $30 month for 2GB data plan, no contract.
Good to go
Quad core CPU @1.5GHz
1080p HD screen res (1920x1200)
2GB ram
32GB storage
The nexus 7 LTE is better than any device currently offered by Verizon, and I also have crystal clear phone capability on my Nexus 7. (Google Voice/GrooVe IP app) caller Id, voice mail, local/long distance to US/Canada...for free.
I dunno about T-Mobile/AT&T, but at least with Verizon, I can use the tablet's hotspot, and connect 5 other WiFi devices to my lte for free.
This is especially convienent when we are out and about, and the wife/kids want internet access on their own WiFi devices.
Its worth the hassle to stick with Verizon just for the free hotspot capability (at least for me)
Plus I have data/phone capability on my tablet/nexus 7, so I don't even care if big red drags their heels. I'm good.
It is apparent that Verizon does not want our business. I am switching my contract on my Galaxy Nexus expires on 12/15/2013 after 13 years with Verizon. Enough is enough.
I want a PURE Android experience and Verizon will not allow that. Apple has their 'experience' unhindered.
Unfortunately, I must switch to an inferior network, but I must choose freedom which requires a sacrifice.
Goodbye Verizon.
Yeah.
I got the pure android experience (its called GED, aka Google experience device). I don't buy any device from Verizon/or samsung. Got my moto Xoom LTE from bestbuy, and got my Nexus 7 LTE from bestbuy.
Verizon network works awesome on my Nexus 7.
All you gotta do is activate an old lte device, and switch the Sim (I had to resize mine), or go on eBay buy a cheap/used lte tab, get it on a share plan, OR a prepay/month to month plan, and switch the Sim. Problem solved.
I did not realize that the Nexus 7 does not have a 3G radio. I'm not blaming Google for this - they need to keep their eye on the price - but it means that there's no fallback if I'm out of the 4G area.
Perhaps I'm better off with the WiFi-only version of the N7 and use the mobile hotspot on my VZW phone if I need data outside the 4G area. Opinions?
CellDaddy wrote:I did not realize that the Nexus 7 does not have a 3G radio. I'm not blaming Google for this - they need to keep their eye on the price - but it means that there's no fallback if I'm out of the 4G area.Perhaps I'm better off with the WiFi-only version of the N7 and use the mobile hotspot on my VZW phone if I need data outside the 4G area. Opinions?
CellDaddy wrote:
I currently use a tablet through my phone's mobile hotspot. Works great!
Does anyone know if the Sim card from an iPad3 will work in the Nexus 7? I've been trying to find out if I can use this SIM or if it uses a different size SIM.
The LTE version I bought is $120 more than the WiFi only version of the Nexus 7. I bought it to work on Verizon's network, as they indicated it would be ready soon in the statement mentioned previously. I am happy to know it is possible to sneak onto the network via hacks, but I'd like to abide by all the rules, as I expect Verizon to do. At the very least, we deserve an update to their last statement on the matter, which indicated they would be ready by now.
How is using a mobile hotspot you pay for not abiding by the rules?
I have been using my Verizon hotspot device SIM card in my Nexus 7 2013 LTE since the Nexus 7 2013 LTE first became available with no issues thus far. I did have to increase my data plan from 4 to 6 GB after the first 3 weeks but this was to be expected as I am definitely consuming more data with the use of my new tablet. Prior to purchasing the 2013 LTE I had already owned 2 iPad (1st Gen) with AT&T 3G/CDMA (slow as molasses in an arctic winter), a Verizon hotspots device, a Verizon Home Phone Connect, a Verizon network extender and a Verizon HTC DNA.
For me, "activating" the tablet was as easy as obtaining a hotspot 4G LTE WIFI device from Verizon for $0 one time device cost and inserting the SIM card into my new Nexus 7 2013 LTE.
For full disclosure, the downside is that the hotspot has its own 2 year term (contract), the reoccurring monthly cost is $20 for the hotspot's SIM instead of the standard $10 per month for a tablet and there is no Verizon equipment protection (insurance) available for my Nexus 7 2013 LTE unlike the rest of the Verizon network devices that I own.
Any update on this? Also, a question, what version of the LTE device should I purchase for use on Verizon -- assuming it will be approved for use. I don't see a "Verizon Wireless" version per se on Google Play. They offer (along with WiFi only):
- LTE (GSM networks)
- LTE with AT&T
- LTE with T-Mobile
Thanks.
don13 wrote:Any update on this? Also, a question, what version of the LTE device should I purchase for use on Verizon -- assuming it will be approved for use. I don't see a "Verizon Wireless" version per se on Google Play. They offer (along with WiFi only): - LTE (GSM networks) - LTE with AT&T - LTE with T-MobileThanks.
don13 wrote:
I would suggest the GSM networks version. The other two would likely come with a SIM card from one of those carriers.
Hey there don13,I'm always excited to hear about the next latest and greatest device that is being released. I don't have any information on the Nexus 7, but you can always visit http://bit.ly/n5snpq for updates.NicholasB_VZWFollow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
Thank you for this waste of air. "I don't have an answer to your question, but I have answers to questions you didn't ask." How helpful of you Nicholas, and what a great contribution to supporting your loyal Verizon customers.
Here's a clue... The people on this thread are loyal Verizon customers who have purchased a compatible device from another source to which they are loyal. AT&T and T-Mobile are OK with this. Verizon is not.
Now we learn that Verizon will not support the (Google) Nexus 5 phone, which offers its users the the latest unfiltered Android experience they want. Verizon doesn't want us to have it. Verizon has only two things other than inertia that are keeping me as a customer... the best LTE network and a good data plan. But the network is becoming less and less an issue as other carriers build theirs out, and soon the data plan competition will catch up. When that happens, (or sooner, if my frustration continues to build) I will be gone. I am the customer, and Verizon doesn't want to give me what I want and what other carriers will give me. I hate you, Verizon, for the contempt that you display toward me and the disregard for the favor of my business. As soon as it is practical for me, I will leave and tell you to stick it.
Waste of air? Perhaps that person didn't know the official links for updates. In reality the Nexus 7 and Nexus 5 are rather similar when it comes to Verizon. The Nexus 7 LTE version doesn't have 3G to fall back on when you get into a non-LTE area. The Nexus 5 doesn't support band 13 LTE, which is what Verizon's network runs on (you wouldn't have LTE if you were running the phone on the network).
You can argue band 4 all you want, but that is just starting to get built out by Verizon. As it stands right now, neither one would provide a decent experience for majority of their customers. Verizon was estimated to have 116 million subscribers as reported by Strategy Analytics (Q4 2012).
I don't have a hotspot, and I have been running verizon LTE Sim on my nexus 7 since I got it.
All you have to do is move a Sim from one lte device to another. I talked to Verizon corp store, nothing else needs to be done. Simply get another Sim for the other device, and reactivate it with the new Sim.
I did it with my Xoom, and got another Sim for the Xoom for month 2 month data. (No contract on either the Xoom or nexus 7) $30/month for 2GB
Activating the nexus 7 is not difficult
Another option is to get a broken/cheapo Verizon lte tablet off eBay, activate it prepay (no contract, no overages, no activation fee) data plan, move the Sim (even if it takes a regular Sim/mini its easy to resize it to micro (I did it with my Xoom), you can also get nano adapters to micro.
Prepay data plans for tablets....
$20 for 1GB, $30 for 2GB, $50 for 50GB, $80 for 10GB
And if you want phone capability (crystal clear) $5 for GrooVe IP, and text/SMS Google Voice (free) apps from play store. No tweaking of groove IP app. Works perfect on default config
Now you have a nexus 7 lte phone/tab
Ps- if you go the nexus 7 phone route, recommend a BT headset (I use the Moto H730).
Update
Nexus 7 activation/verizon certification process is suspended
Process for lte network certification on Verizon network will start all over once the tablet gets the kitkat 4.4 update scheduled to roll out in the next few weeks.
After that, the process on Verizon's end could take months.
You can either wait, or as suggested, and as I have done, activate a Sim on another device and move that Sim to the nexus 7
For more info see :http://androidandme.com/2013/11/news/verizon-wont-start-certifying-nexus-7-lte-until-after-kitkat-ota/
I just spoke with "Troy" from Verizon's Advanced Tech Support while trying to activate my Nexus 7 LTE on their network. Troys responses are summarized below:
At this point I would recommend that everyone read this article : http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/213070/ and then follow suit and file FCC complaints that Verizon is violating both the FCC neutrality rules as well as violating the conditions of it's 2008 acquisition of "C" block spectrum for LTE.
I encourage you to file FCC complaints here : http://www.fcc.gov/complaints until Verizon makes the right decision and chooses to play fairly and according to FCC guidelines and stipulations of the C block spectrum acquisition and neutrality rules.
I wouldn't take Troy's word as set in stone. There is no consistency when you ask Verizon Tech Support a question, you'll often get several different answers. I'd just hold tight until another official statement is released.
And in the meantime, getting the SIM card activated by using another tablet (a store demo model works) at a corporate store works as a useful workaround.
So, if I buy the 32G Nexus 7 (unlocked GSM) and resize and move the SIM from my already activated Xoom should I be good to go?
Yes if it's already activated. However the problem should be fixed already. The fix is supposed to have happened with the KitKat update.
two questions...
I am asking the second question since my preference would be to go to VZW and have them swap my Xoom SIM for a microSIM so that I don't have to resize.
I picked up a Verizon Ellipsis 7 on Black Friday for free w/2-year contract (plus $26 for tax). Took out the micro-SIM, put it in my Nexus 7 just received from Google. It immediately started working on the Verizon 4G LTE network with no problems. Now I have a spare legacy wi-fi-only tablet to give to the kids to play with, which only cost me $26.
In comparing the tablets, I must say the Nexus 7 just blows away the Ellipsis. Nexus screen is much clearer and performance far superior. I received KitKat 4.4 for the Nexus 7 and it's working great so far.
I can't imagine why Verizon doesn't want Nexus 7 on their network for other than that they have a surplus of Ellipsis tablets that they are trying to dump on their customers. Maybe when all those tablets are gone will they start allowing Nexus 7 on their network.
It has nothing to do with Verizon not wanting it on their network. Google messed up the code and 4.4 update should have fixed the code to activate the Sim cards.
This is absolutely ridiculous (Verizon, that is).
I went to the corporate store down the street to have a SIM activated for my Nexus 7.
The CSR, we'll say, "Joe", helped me activate the SIM. I told him right up front that it's an unlocked LTE-only device, and that the IMEI wouldn't be in Verizon's system, and that he'd have to use the IMEI of a demo unit to activate the SIM, which I could then put into my tablet.
He had no problem doing this. I walked out of the store with an activated SIM in my Nexus 7, working well on the $30/2GB plan.
"Joe" told me I should have no issues setting up the OLAM stuff (My Verizon), and that I'd be able to view usage, pay, etc.
Anyhow, whenever I tried setting it up, it threw a generic error. Called into customer service, they couldn't help.
Anyhow, I went back to the corporate store today, put my SIM in the demo unit, and set up the online account access. I was able to view my usage, and see billing options. Once that was complete, I put my SIM back in my Nexus 7, and went home.
Once home, I went to log back in on my conputer, to check out options for adding additional data, plans, etc.
I'm met with an error, once again.
What on earth does the IMEI of the device I'm using have to do with the ability for me to view current usage, or pay for services? This is incredibly frustrating, and inexplicably confusing as to why the IMEI not being in Verizon's system would have absolutely anything to do with being able to log in.
I'd like to see some resolution, or at least a work around to be able to view my usage or pay for services.
Actually it does. I showed up at my verizon store, and they couldn't activate a new SIM card in the device because their backend systems wouldn't accept the device serial number.
I did confirm that my SIM card from my phone works in the Nexus 7 (running 4.4.2 now). So it can work.
It's just that Verizon won't allow it...
Expect 6-8 months (if not longer) easy before you can activate new service. Once kitkat released, Verizon started the entire certification process all over again for the nexus 7 2013.
If you have an already activated LTE SIM you are fine.
You purchase the 4G/LTE version of Nexus 7 (2013)
Then you insert your active micro sim/or resize your existing mini Sim to micro Sim size (that's what I did)/or obtain a free micro Sim from Verizon that is pre activated and then insert it
Done.
You now have Verizon LTE on your 4G/LTE 2013 Nexus 7 device
On a further note.…
For those unaware the Nexus 7 2013 can also read/write to USB thumb drives (no rooting required), via a $4 app called Nexus Media Importer on Play store.
You will of course need a micro USB to female USB adapter. These can be obtained pretty much anywhere, and run about $3 (got mine at micro center)
