Originally Posted by
ajGoes
For future reference, I'd appreciate a link to the Verizon rule if you have it. I'm not doubting the information; I'd just like to see its origin.
The spectrum auction was in 2008. Here is an article when it was first noticed Verizon was offering unlocked iPhones in 2012 when the spectrum was deployed. Verizon also has to provide LTE is rural America which provides for LTE roaming but not 3G roaming by MVNO's who use Verizon as the carrier. Verizon non LTE phones are sold carrier locked. Their website has the requirements to unlock the phones.
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/09/24...s-regulations/
The main reason for the unlocked SIM card slot appears to be FCC network access requirements for Block C, the 700 MHz spectrum that Verizon uses for its LTE network. According to the FCC's CFR Title 47 Part 27.16 paragraph (e):
(e) Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee's standards pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers' networks.