cmd612's Posts

@vzw_customer_support wrote: CMD12, the last thing we would ever wish is to lose you as a part of the family. Please know that Verizon Wireless does not create the phones, we provide the service to the phones. . . . LorenB_VZW Of course. And, as has been discussed at length in this thread, it might be a great option for some customers if, given the absence of QWERTY basic phones in the market, Verizon would consider giving their customers the option of using a smartphone for talk and text only - without a data plan.

@boringusername wrote: @cmd612 wrote: @vzw_customer_support wrote: . . Towards the end of this year (2019), we will be retiring our CDMA network. This means that the basic phone that you currently have will still be able to be used on our network without any issues. . . . AliciaD_VZW   My CDMA flip phone WILL still be usable after 2019, even after the network is "retired?" No of course not. if the network is retired how do you expect it to work? I do not expect it to.  That's why I questioned the statement from a Verizon rep saying that it would work.  If you read my entire post, including the quoted statement from Verizon, maybe you'll understand a little better. 

@vzw_customer_support wrote: Once the CDMA network is retired you will not be able to continue using your CDMA device. Thanks, Anthony.  That's what I've thought for a while, which is why I was confused when a Verizon rep said the exact opposite (2 posts up from yours).  As far as an upgrade, well, that's why I jumped into this discussion.  A basic phone with a QWERTY keyboard would be an upgrade (assuming great call quality, durability, and battery life, all of which my current phone has).  I don't consider any of the currently available basic phones an "upgrade" - at least until my faithful CDMA device stops working.   Then I'll have to see what's available, either from Verizon or elsewhere.

@vzw_customer_support wrote: . . Towards the end of this year (2019), we will be retiring our CDMA network. This means that the basic phone that you currently have will still be able to be used on our network without any issues. . . . AliciaD_VZW   My CDMA flip phone WILL still be usable after 2019, even after the network is "retired?"

@hearmenow123 wrote: . . . Here's my understanding of the situation. 1. Back in the day, Verizon would _only_ allow "white listed" phones on its network. That means that each and every model of phone needs to be approved by them. Anything else, even if it is technically compatible, will not work if not specifically approved. 2. When smart phones started coming along, Verizon would label its white listed phones as "smart phones" and activating any device (model) that has been earmarked as such would trigger the requirement for a data plan in order to complete activation 3. When Verizon bought some of the spectrum that was freed up from the analog TV shutdown, one of the FCC stipulations was that the spectrum would not be "locked" to proprietary technology or devices. 4. The new spectrum was only used for 4G LTE , so the 2G/3G spectrum remains locked to proprietary devices. The early 4G LTE devices actually had a 3G data fallback and used 2G for voice. 5. The "new" phones (made in the last 4 years orso) have a technology called VoLTE or Voice over LTE (which Verizon calls HD voice) . Phones with this technology can operate on 4G LTE only.  6. When you activate a Verizon branded "smart" phone , it still triggers a data plan requirement. However if you bring in a "4G LTE-only BYOD device" that is NOT marketed by Verizon (under the FCC stipulations as per #3) , then it does NOT trigger a data plan requirement 7. The new flip phones Verizon is selling today actually also run Android, but it's a very limited version that does not have the app store etc. You *can* get a data plan with them and play youtube videos, use wifi hotspot, etc, but you can also use them without a data plan just like a "real" Android phone. So this highlights the kind of arbitrary-ness about the data plan requirement.    Now, Verizon sells Blackberry devices , so you'd have to come up with a Blackberry device that's VoLTE-only , Verizon compatible, but not sold from Verizon. Not sure if that exists. Thank you very much for the detailed response!  I didn't realize Verizon still sold Blackberry devices.  I'm not seeing any in the Verizon store?  I was told the Blackberry Key2 LE was "whitelisted," but based on what you've said, since it's not VoLTE-only, I guess I canNOT use that without a data plan. I guess I'll keep using my 10-year-old Samsung flip phone as long as the network will support it. . . . Then - back to smoke signals?  🙂

. . . I spoke to Verizon customer service. They told me that only phones that *Verizon* has labeled as smart phones will trigger the requirement to add a data plan. So if you bring in a phone that's not in their system it will not trigger the data plan requirement. Even if it's an Android phone.  . . .     So i could buy something like, say, a Blackberry that's Verizon-compatible and use it without a data plan as a basic phone?  That might give me what I want.  Thanks very much for that info.

@boringusername wrote: @Burech wrote: @vzw_customer_support wrote: hearmenow123, keeping you connected with a device of your choice is important. We are here to assist with these concerns. Insurance, as shown on the following web page verizonwirelesscom/support/equipment-protection-faqs/, is a good idea to have on a phone. This service provides screen repair and device replacements when needed. Smartphones require data plans. Here is a web page verizonwirelesscom/plans/ with our current plans and pricing to help with the concerns on price. Here is a web page verizonwirelesscom/basic-phones/ with the available basic phones. Is there anything else that we can help with? DavidC_VZW Thanks for listening to us, but the main concern isn’t resolved with the links you provided that’s “physical qwerty keyboard” “basic” phone, and also the problem with google’s tracking and unimportant notification’s e.t.c. We ask you please listen to us. thanks Verizon doesn't make phones. What are they supposed to listen to? Basic phones thensleves are  not a large percentage of sales for phone makers. They also aren't a big money maker. Even smartphones havent had a slider in years. If someone did make such a phone I gaurantee you'll be paying $350-$400 for it. Are you willing to do that? You're going to have to accept you're choices Umm. . . YES. Or even more. The basic problem seems to me to be that most new tech is designed and marketed by young people who have forgotten that a lot of us old curmudgeons have money to spend . . . if only the products we wanted were being made.