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Verizon iPhone 4S - International Roaming Issue
Hello,
Was wondering if anyone has the same issue.
I am currently in Ukraine with my new iPhone 4S - global roaming for voice and data turned on. I could not seem to get data access, only calls and texts, so called Verizon Global Services. Apparently, there is a known issue in countries that have CDMA networks in additional to their more popular / updated GSM networks, where the phone will refuse to roam to GSM and stick to CDMA. In such a case, it is impossible to get data.
So basically, I have a fancy smartphone that can only make calls and texts. Nothing seems to show on the internet about this, was wondering if anyone else has encountered it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dtsm
Does using wifi provide a temporary work-around?
Yes, it does, but pretty annoying to have a brand new smartphone with paid international service that cannot utilize it.
Completely unacceptable programming error in my opinion. Especially considering there was a lot of discussion about CDMA roaming leading up to its release and shortly thereafter.
Ukraine does not have CDMA2000 1X data roaming and possible EVDO rA, that is available in Canada, Mexico, Carribean/Bermuda and parts of East Asia/Middle East (Israel and 2 others).
Unfortunately the 4S locks onto CDMA2000 if it finds a signal there (there is CDMA2000 1X roaming in Ukraine) but unfortunately VZW doesn't have access to the data services.
What you can do manually is to remove the SIM card (should be CDMA roaming only in Ukraine, the only place in Europe using CDMA800 band) and re-insert it to force it to roam onto GSM.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willzzz88
Ukraine does not have CDMA2000 1X data roaming and possible EVDO rA, that is available in Canada, Mexico, Carribean/Bermuda and parts of East Asia/Middle East (Israel and 2 others).
Unfortunately the 4S locks onto CDMA2000 if it finds a signal there (there is CDMA2000 1X roaming in Ukraine) but unfortunately VZW doesn't have access to the data services.
What you can do manually is to remove the SIM card (should be CDMA roaming only in Ukraine, the only place in Europe using CDMA800 band) and re-insert it to force it to roam onto GSM.
Unfortunately I left Ukraine last night so did not get to try this. Hopefully it will work for others.
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Has anyone else dealt with this problem? I don't understand how this is not a bigger issue.
I'm in India now and my phone is almost always "Roaming" on CDMA instead of on GSM networks. It means my data is slow, if available at all, and basically means my world phone is not fully functional - despite massive charges.
Any experiences / solutions? Would be much appreciated.
I'm in India now and my phone is almost always "Roaming" on CDMA instead of on GSM networks. It means my data is slow, if available at all, and basically means my world phone is not fully functional - despite massive charges.
If you:
1. purchase and use prepaid local sim card
2. turn off roaming
3. turn off cellular data
4. use wifi only for data
Does the above resolve your problem? I was in Taiwan, HK, Singapore, KL, Jakarta, Bangkok in Dec/Jan and never had a problem using GSM networks?
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Posts: 2,588
Quote:
Originally Posted by dtsm
If you:
1. purchase and use prepaid local sim card
2. turn off roaming
3. turn off cellular data
4. use wifi only for data
Does the above resolve your problem? I was in Taiwan, HK, Singapore, KL, Jakarta, Bangkok in Dec/Jan and never had a problem using GSM networks?
Appreciate the suggestions but they don't really work for me because then I will not really be able to use the phone as planned. Option 1 requires me to lose my phone number. Options 2 and 3 mean I can't use the thing at all. Option 4 means I need to be at a hotspot to access data, which is very frustrating.
I just don't get how no one else is escalating this as a major issue. I've done a ton of searching on the web and have found barely anything on this matter and certainly no solution.
Appreciate the suggestions but they don't really work for me because then I will not really be able to use the phone as planned. Option 1 requires me to lose my phone number. Options 2 and 3 mean I can't use the thing at all. Option 4 means I need to be at a hotspot to access data, which is very frustrating.
Option 1 - you can always call forward from your Vz number to skype number to local number. I did that for 5 wks in multiple countries and it was pretty seamless.
Option 2 & 3 - you should be able to purchase data plan with local prepaid sim AND not incur massive charges.
FWIW, I can't imagine you continuing to roam/surf on CDMA or GSM home number; your bill upon return stateside is going to be sticker shock!
Option 1 - you can always call forward from your Vz number to skype number to local number. I did that for 5 wks in multiple countries and it was pretty seamless.
Option 2 & 3 - you should be able to purchase data plan with local prepaid sim AND not incur massive charges.
FWIW, I can't imagine you continuing to roam/surf on CDMA or GSM home number; your bill upon return stateside is going to be sticker shock!
I think he's saying that, even with an unlocked iPhone and a local SIM, the phone insists on CDMA roaming instead of using the SIM, and there's no way to change it.
There is clearly a problem with this setup. It is interesting that you cannot activate a factory unlocked iPhone on Verizon. We can propose work arounds, but it is very easy for the person to say that they spent a fortune on an iPhone world phone and it isn't fair that they do anything else. I understand their point, but I'm not sure what the answer is. Perhaps now that the iPhone is jailbroken, someone can come up with a utility to shut off the CDMA module. Apple certainly would never approve such an App for the App store.
My understanding was that Reliance was not supporting EVDO in India so I am not sure that the speed should be that bad. Are you sure that you are getting access to Reliance's 3g network. If you are only getting access to their old 1RXTT network, then you may have roaming issues which Verizon can sort out.
Another work around is a portable MiFi style unit with a local SIM card in it. You can suck the data from it and still get your phone functions from Reliance. I know that this is more money, but these devices are $150 or so for an unlocked unit and you will pay for it in the reduced data charges on this trip alone.
Apple clearly blew it, but international roaming is never perfect. Everyone should always have their phone unlocked and have some sort of a backup SIM just in case.
