Does Verizon Have International Cell Phones?
Verizon Wireless offers a number of options for people who travel internationally. Verizon's native network uses technologies and frequencies that are unique to North America, which means that most Verizon cell phones will not work outside of North America. Verizon offers several solutions for international travelers.
Network Access Frequency Overview
Verizon uses digital wireless access frequencies only used in North America and part of South America. The frequencies are 850 Mhz and 1900 Mhz. Most countries in the rest of the world use the 900 Mhz and 1800 Mhz bands. To access networks outside of these areas a phone must have a radio capable of accessing frequency bands. Some Verizon phones offer international bands.
Phone Provisioning Overview
There are two types of cell phones. Code division multiple access (CDMA) is unique to North America and requires a cell phone that is tied to one particular network. CDMA phones require that the phone be provisioned with subscriber information by a technician working for the cellular network and thus are hard-wired into a particular proprietary network. GSM (global system for mobile communication) phones place provisioning information on a removable card called a subscriber identity module (SIM) card. Unlocked GSM phones use information on the SIM card for network access and can, thus, be used on any GSM network. Because Verizon uses CDMA technology, its phones do not support SIM cards for foreign networks. However, some Verizon phones offer dual functionality. They work on CDMA networks in the United States and have a slot for a SIM card for people traveling abroad.
Verizon International Phone History
Because Verizon is a CDMA carrier, hybrid international phones are a recent addition to Verizon's product line. Before the introduction of these phones, it was not possible to use Verizon phones outside of the United States. By adding tri- and quad-band radios to access different frequencies, Verizon phones became able to connect to other networks. In adding SIM-card functionality, some Verizon phones also gained the ability to connect to non-Verizon networks directly when traveling abroad. But due to technical limitations, some international destinations still do not support Verizon hybrid phones.
International Phone Rental
Verizon first began offering international cell phones through a rental service. These phones are, in fact, GSM phones that operate using foreign networks and have their own unique telephone numbers. To receive calls to your U.S. number, it must be forwarded to the international phone. Phone rentals are a good option for people who don't travel much and only occasionally need international cellular service.
International Phone Purchase
Verizon recently began offering phones that both support U.S. CDMA standards and international quad-band GSM standards. For people who travel frequently, these phones allow a customer to remain a Verizon customer while having their phone usable worldwide. Some of these phones have a built-in SIM card that prevents their use as phones native to a foreign network. However, some have a separate SIM card slot that can allow the phone to simultaneously operate on two networks.
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