Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Using Droid Bionic with Verizon Wireless Prepaid Plan

by Jan 1, 2014 10:26AM PST

I am looking to move to Verizon's prepaid plan and can only afford a used phone. Best one I found was the Droid Bionic which can be upgraded at least to Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 or maybe 4.1 Jelly Bean. My questions are: 1)Since Verizon is a CDMA not GSM carrier I shouldn't need a SIM right? I had read some post about LTE needing one. 2) Does anyone know of any better phone with street price no more than $75? Have found one at that price and can't afford any more. Open to any suggestions.

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
Why are you asking about GSM?
by Jan 5, 2014 9:27AM PST

Since the Droid Bionic is a Verizon issued handset, you are good to go. As long as their prepaid network supports LTE, you will also be able to enjoy the faster data speeds this device is capable of.

- Collapse -
Answer
Droid Bionic on VZW Prepaid
by Mar 28, 2014 3:49AM PDT

I bought a Droid Bionic new in box from amazon, can't activate it on VZW prepaid, their prepaid service doesn't support LTE. Without a SIM card the device is essentially useless as you can't access the home screen. I tried to activate it on NET10 by purchasing an activation kit from Walmart, couldn't activate it as a CDMA device nor with the AT&T SIM card (I can't get T-Mobile in my area but I assume the result would be the same). You should be able to get a VZW sim card from a VZW store but that won't help you activate it either. Anyways the AT&T while not a recognized sim card did allow me access to the home screen and functionality as a wi-fi only device. Purchased a Incredible 2 new in box from Amazon as well (it is to old to push OTA updates so I am stuck with the software it shipped with unless I root and run a mod), it is a global device and comes with a VZM sim card but I haven't tried to put that in the Bionic b/c I read on another forum that swapping VZW sims can render them useless as they're not traditional GSM sim cards. Anyways long story short if you're planning on purchasing an older phone for use on VZW prepaid I'd try buying a recently deactivated device from a friend as it will give you the ability to attempt to register the device (you can register for VZW's prepaid service w/o buying a device from them or paying any money up front if you're planning on bringing your own device.

- Collapse -
So it sounds like my prior post...
by Pepe7 Mar 28, 2014 4:16AM PDT

...ignored the fact that, like w/ Sprint, certain devices/MVNOs may require a UICC (=SIM) card to register on the LTE data network. Others may not let you on the LTE network at all. Good catch on your part anyway.

Back to Phones forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info