Here are the 950 / 950 XL Networks

jeffer23
Enthusiast - Level 3

Will any of these work on Verizon?  I am not an expert on the different options.

GSM network: 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz

GSM max data speed DL: EGPRS 296.0kbps

GSM max data speed UL: EGPRS 236.8kbps

WCDMA network: Band 1 (2100MHz), Band 2 (1900MHz), Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz), Band 5 (850MHz), Band 8 (900MHz)

WCDMA max data speed DL: 42.2Mbps (Cat 24)

WCDMA max data speed UL: 5.76Mbps (Cat 6)

LTE FDD network: Band 1 (2100MHz), Band 17 (700MHz), Band 2 (1900MHz), Band 20 (800MHz), Band 3 (1800MHz), Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz), Band 5 (850MHz), Band 7 (2600MHz), Band 8 (900MHz), Band 28 (700MHz), Band 12 (700MHz)

TD-LTE network: Band 38 (2570-2620MHz), Band 40 (2300-2400MHz), Band 41 partially (2555-2575 MHz)

LTE max data speed DL: 300 Mbps (Cat 6)

LTE max data speed UL: 50 Mbps (Cat 6)

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32 Replies
Snn5
Legend

From what you write above, no.  Verizon is CDMA, not GSM (T-Mobile/AT&T) or WCDMA (Sprint.)

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jeffer23
Enthusiast - Level 3

Ok.  Thanks for that information.  I knew GSM wouldn't work, but wasn't sure about the other options.

jeffer23
Enthusiast - Level 3

I noticed that the Microsoft Store currently only has the 950 XL offered as an Unlocked phone.  Maybe they have updated the store yet, but it could be that the 950 will be locked with one or more carriers??????

The specification I originally posted is from the 950 XL specification page on Microsoft's site.

jnetSYNATK
Enthusiast - Level 2

Hmm.... I am pretty sure Verizon is moving away from CDMA and going for balls to the wall LTE (VoLTE). LTE is not just for Data but VoIP as well. This makes the new XL phones work with Verizon since Verizon is going to be allowing unlocked phones. Verizon uses FDD-LTE right now for data and voice as well as using the other protocol CDMA. LTE phones like the new windows 950 and 950XL 'should' work when they are released.

Snn5
Legend

However, Verizon is not LTE 100% yet, so I wouldn't count on this phone for all my calls despite Advanced Calling for a few years.

Blakenson
Enthusiast - Level 1

Reviewed this information with a friend who works in the Cell Tower business for multiple carriers. The WCDMA and LTE bands offered on the 950 and 950XL will operate on the Verizon network, but it all depends on Verizon getting over their Windows Phone-phobia. If they will train their employees to sell phones, and not be Android/iPhone pushers these devices could be successful.

Snn5
Legend

While a portion might work, the phones are not 100% compatible with Verizon, leading to a loss of service.

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Tidbits
Legend

No they will not work. It doesn't support the correct bands or the correct technology.

Tidbits
Legend

WCDMA is NOT EVDO. There are completely different.

47seijar
Specialist - Level 2

Verizon doesn't have a "Windows phobia." It's all about the numbers. WP has such a small market share that it's hard to get a cdma version of a WP device without making a large commitment to buy X number of devices. It's just not worth it. If Microsoft was serious about mobile they would offer a cdma version without a commitment from Verizon. Why doesn't Microsoft do this? They're bigger than Verizon. And a cdma version could be picked up by Sprint too. They don't because the numbers don't support it. GSM is the world standard so AT&T and T-Mobile can get the same phone that's used by the European carriers. Microsoft should just step up and make a version of the Lumia 950 that covers ALL frequencies, like Apple does with the iPhone. Then everybody could carry it. Step up, Microsoft!

And for those folks that were lambasting Verizon about SansungPay, be careful what you wish for. http://flip.it/Q3qP9

Snn5
Legend

47seijar wrote:

And for those folks that were lambasting Verizon about SansungPay, be careful what you wish for. http://flip.it/Q3qP9

Outstanding!!!!

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SickFreak
Specialist - Level 1

47seijar wrote:

Verizon doesn't have a "Windows phobia." It's all about the numbers. WP has such a small market share that it's hard to get a cdma version of a WP device without making a large commitment to buy X number of devices. It's just not worth it. If Microsoft was serious about mobile they would offer a cdma version without a commitment from Verizon. Why doesn't Microsoft do this? They're bigger than Verizon. And a cdma version could be picked up by Sprint too. They don't because the numbers don't support it. GSM is the world standard so AT&T and T-Mobile can get the same phone that's used by the European carriers. Microsoft should just step up and make a version of the Lumia 950 that covers ALL frequencies, like Apple does with the iPhone. Then everybody could carry it. Step up, Microsoft!

I wouldn't call it "phobia" as much as "hatred."  If VZW was phone agnostic and was only interested in selling service, they wouldn't go out of their way to talk people out of Windows devices - especially in favor of Androids.  I've personally seen it many times in many VZW stores all around the USA as I take friends and family (and even some customers) into the stores to help them decide which device is best for them.  Often I've even been told by VZW reps that there is no such thing as Windows based phones.  And sadly, many people have shared the same experiences on this and other forums.

I think that if VZW treated Microsoft equally (no better, no worse) and let the devices speak for themselves, then Windows based device usage would be a lot higher.  In a way, it reminds me of how NBC treated the original Star Trek... they didn't like it so they tried to kill it and when the fans got it renewed for the 3rd season, NBC moved the show to a time slot where the demographic was busy and didn't watch it...  and the rest is history.  Of course, VZW doesn't own Windows and the Lumia devices are no Star Trek, but the numbers would be much better if VZW didn't actually dissuade customers from buying the devices.

SWaldry
Enthusiast - Level 1

I think there is one other reason why Microsoft and Verizon can't get together on the new Lumias:  Verizon has a horrible record of testing and pushing Windows Phone updates, so users are left with older versions.  Just see how Verizon treated its exclusive Lumia Icon.  Microsoft wants to bypass cellular companies to push updates directly, like Apple does.  Since Apple has such a large market share, they can dictate to Verizon on this point.  Microsoft can't even though Microsoft itself is huge.  I'm waiting for Samsung to also tell the cellular companies they will also bypass the incredibly slow upgrade process.  Maybe at that point users of all operating systems will be able to get operating system upgrades in a timely manner.

For my HTC Win Phone I chose the Windows Developer route to upgrade my phone since Verizon was taking forever.  I had no problems and ran for months on Win Phone 8.1, with frequent updates, before Verizon finally got around to releasing it.

Verizon continues on CDMA and won't move to the newer generation GSM options since it would rather use its resources to build out its 4G network.  I get that.  Coupled with the fact Verizon doesn't want to allow Microsoft to push updates directly to its phones, this means no Lumia 950 on Verizon.  This means I'm moving to AT&T with an unlocked Lumia 950.

Tidbits
Legend

Apple DOES NOT bypass carrier testing. Carriers are enrolled into ADC and must use it as per agreement. If they want to do testing. It's actually better and faster to get approval this way.

Geebox
Contributor - Level 3

Latest news Verizon gets blamed.

http://m.windowscentral.com/verizon-reportedly-blocking-new-microsoft-lumia-950

This is actually what my tech friend said at Verizon, basically the reality is; regardless of block C regulations, if Verizon does not have the MEID (means they don’t support the phone, his words) in their system,  it is not going to work right. Even getting it activated with a current SIM. He said his opinion based on what he has seen and heard in his own store VZW and Microsoft have issues.

snozberry
Enthusiast - Level 2

I would be leaving Verizon if they do not carry this phone. I heard from Microsoft that the phone's OS Windows 10 is carrier independent, so they should. It would be a exec decision to block this phone, which would be a mistake.

Tidbits
Legend

It wouldn't be. It's a Microsoft decision to make it work on Verizon. Seeing they didn't put the support in there by looking at the specs says MS didn't do that so it wouldn't work.

Tidbits
Legend

Band 12 and Band 17 isn't the 700 that Verizon purchased. They purchased band 13.

jeffer23
Enthusiast - Level 3

I noticed on wiki that Verizon also has 1700/2100 MHz AWS Band 4 and 1900 MHz PCS Band 2 which are on that list.  Are these limited bands (only voice, only data, or limited in geography coverage)?  Pardon my ignorance of networks since I have very little knowledge on it.

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1700/2100 MHz AWS Band Number 4

Branded as "XLTE",[40] Additional band for increased bandwidth.

1900 MHz PCS Band Number 2

Being deployed,[41] Additional band for increased bandwidth. Deployed in many markets

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Tidbits
Legend

Band 4 will not make the phone work on Verizon even if it is supported. It will require band 13(block C rules protection).

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