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Galaxy S3 doesn't work in Mexico?

I dumped Sprint and switched to Verizon a couple months ago when I found out the VZN Galaxy S3 was going to be a "global" phone. I travel a lot to Mexico and Asia.

I have the latest firmware, 4.1.2. So I was about to go to Mexico and I went to a Verizon store and was told sorry, your phone can't be used internationally until you have been a customer for 6 months and then we will unlock it. And also, it will only work on CDMA networks, not GSM.

Then the next day I called Verizon customer support to ask again, and this time I was told that if I have the latest firmware then yes, the phone is already unlocked to global use and yes, it will work on GSM networks if I put a local SIM card in it. The exact opposite answers.

I went to Mexico last week, bought a Mexico SIM card (IUSACell provider, GSM 850/1900), put the SIM card in, turn the phone on, and it didn't work. Could not find or connect to any network. I sent about a half an hour going through the network settings but nothing worked.

Is there a Verizon employee on this forum that can can tell me: Is my phone unlocked for global use and does it work on GSM networks?

Here are the specs for the VZN Galaxy S3 that I found on the Verizon web site:

Network: LTE, CDMA/PCS/1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz)

Apparently it doesn't work on GSM networks because it's not in the specification?

Comments

GLW163

Mexico is a coverage area for Verizons CMDA network. You need to put your Verizon SIM card back in. Call Verizon from a land line and have them enable the International Calling feature on your phone.

lkz8776

Yes I know I can roam internationally in Mexico but why would I want to do that and pay outrageously high roaming charges when I can put in a Mex SIM card and pay extremely low rates for calling AND data.

unknown

Verizon's network doesn't use GSM so there wouldn't be a GSM radio in a Verizon branded phone. Thus a GSM SIM card isn't going to work.

lkz8776

Ok I found the full specs for the Galaxy S3 phone. It claims to be a global phone with quad-band GSM radio.

Go here and click on "Specs":

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5918

Network

LTE, CDMA/PCS/1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz)
Global: GPRS/EDGE/GSM (850/900/1800/1900); HSPA/UMTS (2100)

However I took it to Mexico and put a local SIM card in it and it didn't work. Can a Verizon employee tell me, is my phone locked so I can't use it overseas yet??

yoursave12

get telcel chip and set your phone to global network for some reason iusacell does not work your phone dont need any unlocking or code dont believe verizon

lkz8776

You were right, I bought a Mexico Telcel SIM chip and it works perfectly. I even have data working too. For some reason the IUSACell SIM does not work but why???

demmo86rt

Could be an incompatible frequency.

lkz8776

From what I read online, IUSACell uses GSM 850 / 1900 MHz frequencies which should be compatible with my phone.

yoursave12

even if iusacell uses the same freq they still are cdma company thats why your s3 doesn't work trust me i sell lots of US phones in mexico and iusacell always gives me trouble they take different activation process none of my s3 clients have any issues with there phones on telcel but all the ones on iusacell end up going to telcel

yoursave12

and as of last year there is a new rule for cellphone companies here in usa they have to sell all of their 4g cellphones unlocked because 4g phones are capable of running cdma and gsm chips so dont trust them when they tell you that they can unlocked because is already unlocked from factory

luii

Hi, excuse me I am able to buy an s3 for verizon, and I want to use it in Mexico with telcel, but I have a question When you used telcel's network in Mexico you get 3G or 4G speed in DATA? I mean that's why I am worried I am not sure if verizon's s3 are GSM 3G and 4G DATA capable in Telcel's network, Could you please help me? Thanks a lot!!!!

shadokastur

Also, you don't have to be a customer for 6 months to get International access. You do, however, have to get your credit approved to have the features put on the line. Next time you call in have the rep look in his resources on how to do this. They have to get you to another department that can authorize this transaction but it CAN be done.

casperaz

I am in Mexico right now! I put a Telcel Chip in my Galaxy S3! And it asked me to go to GLobal MOde! So I did! And it works! Just that! It says its in Roamin? With the Big R on top!!! Does this happen? How did your work? I confused! Hope to here from you IKZ8776!!

lkz8776

If you have the latest firmware (4.1.2) it should work fine and not be in Roaming mode. You shouldn't see the "R". I used to use Telcel but now I use Movistar in Mexico. Both work in the Galaxy S3 (But IUSACell does not work). And yes you should be in Global Mode.

Odogxb

I understand this thread is a few months old but sometimes you need to add the APN setting for the network you are using in Mexico. Below is a How to I wrote up on making your smartphone work in Mexico, the service provider in Mexico will not help you with the APN setting but it is easy to do. This message is also for those who will be interested for future travel to Mexico or abroad. https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1055001

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