Help Using unactivated VZ S6 in Ireland with Vodafone IE SIM

[Aaron Matthews]

Hi,

I'll be buying an unactivated VZ S6 (without a plan) from BestBuy and taking it straight home with me to Ireland for a few months; I will not be activating it on the VZ network at all.

1) Will I be able to use an Irish Vodafone IE SIM in the phone straight out of the box -- do I need to activate it over VZ first?

2) Will I be able to receive at least 3G?

Any info appreciated.

 

[mikedt]

I think you've got to get it unlocked and released by Verizon, otherwise it just won't accept a SIM that isn't Verizon's. Sure we've had posts along these lines before.

You can check network compatibility for 3G etc. with willmyphonework.net.

An expat colleague of mine is using a Verizon HTC One on China Unicom, but I believe she fulfilled her Verizon contract or paid the ETF, before coming to China with it.

 

[kate]

Welcome to the site!

Verizon phones are required to be GSM SIM unlocked. If Vodafone IE is GSM it should work, if they are CDMA it will be locked to Verizon and wont work without being unlocked.

 

[Aaron Matthews]

I think you've got to get it unlocked and released by Verizon, otherwise it just won't accept a SIM that isn't Verizon's. Sure we've had posts along these lines before.

You can check network compatibility for 3G etc. with willmyphonework.net.

An expat colleague of mine is using a Verizon HTC One on China Unicom, but I believe she fulfilled her Verizon contract or paid the ETF, before coming to China with it.

Thanks for the reply. I have read from numerous different sources that Verizon phones are factory unlocked. Additionally, the S6 does have GSM capabilities - which every Irish network is based upon. Now, I have heard of SIMs being rejected due to contracts not being paid off completely. However, the device I'm buying is not attached to any plan or contract at all - that is to say I am buying the phone full retail price. Cheers for the info.

 

[Aaron Matthews]

Welcome to the site!

Verizon phones are required to be GSM SIM unlocked. If Vodafone IE is GSM it should work, if they are CDMA it will be locked to Verizon and wont work without being unlocked.

Thanks Kate, yes, Vodafone IE is GSM. Thanks