From what I read, this is not unusual. I just went and had a new sim installed (and I might add after over 6 years with Verizon the most horrible customer service I ever received in one of your stores- I won't go back to that one.) And now about 2 weeks later, same thing and my phone is useless. I travel a lot in my job, me having a working phone is necessary. I can't upgrade out of it for another month without paying and do NOT see why I should keep dealing with an obvious defect.
I'm at the end of my rope after 2 years of dealing with this headache of a phone though.