Is Verizon CDMA or GSM in 2022? A Guide for Verizon Customers
Are you a Verizon Wireless customer wondering if your phone uses CDMA or GSM technology? Maybe you‘re considering switching to Verizon and want to know if your current phone will be compatible. Or perhaps you‘ve heard that Verizon is shutting down its older CDMA networks and are concerned if your device will be affected.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Verizon‘s network technology. We‘ll explain the differences between CDMA and GSM, discuss Verizon‘s past and present use of these technologies, and most importantly, tell you what you need to know as a Verizon customer. Let‘s get started!
Understanding CDMA vs GSM
First, a quick primer on CDMA and GSM. These are the two main radio systems that have powered 2G and 3G cellular networks worldwide:
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CDMA stands for "Code Division Multiple Access." It was developed by Qualcomm and has been used by Verizon, Sprint, and some overseas carriers.
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GSM stands for "Global System for Mobile communication." It was developed in Europe and has been the technology of choice for AT&T, T-Mobile, and most international carriers.
The key thing to know is that CDMA and GSM are incompatible with each other. If you had a phone that only supported GSM, it would not work on a CDMA carrier like Verizon, and vice versa. This is why historically you couldn‘t take your Verizon phone over to AT&T or T-Mobile, even if it was unlocked.
However, this CDMA vs GSM distinction only applies to older 2G and 3G networks. Newer 4G LTE and 5G networks from all the major carriers use the same technology. More on that in a bit.
Verizon‘s Network: Past and Present
Since its inception, Verizon has used CDMA technology for its 2G and 3G networks. This wasn‘t an issue in Verizon‘s early days, as it was mainly competing against Sprint, another CDMA carrier. But as GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile rose in prominence, it became a source of frustration for customers who wanted to bring their own devices to Verizon.
In recent years, Verizon has been moving away from CDMA in favor of newer technologies:
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In 2010, Verizon began deploying its 4G LTE network, which is based on GSM technology. Verizon was actually the first major U.S. carrier to launch 4G LTE.
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In 2019, Verizon launched its 5G network, which uses a technology called OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access).
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Verizon has already phased out its 2G CDMA network and is in the process of shutting down 3G CDMA as well. More on that in the next section.
Today, the vast majority of Verizon‘s traffic is handled by its 4G LTE and 5G networks. Only a small percentage of customers are still using devices that rely solely on Verizon‘s older 3G CDMA network.
Verizon‘s 3G CDMA Shutdown: What You Need to Know
If you‘re one of the few Verizon customers still using a 3G-only device, take note. Verizon has announced that it will be shutting down its 3G CDMA network on December 31, 2022. After this date, devices that rely on 3G CDMA will no longer work on Verizon‘s network.
This includes:
- 3G basic phones (also known as "feature phones")
- 3G smartphones
- Certain 4G phones that don‘t support HD Voice (VoLTE)
- 3G home phones
- 3G tablets and hotspots
- Some smart watches and other connected devices
If you‘re not sure if your device is affected, Verizon has a full list on its website. You can also check your phone‘s settings or user manual to see if it supports 4G LTE or HD Voice (which requires 4G).
If you do have a device that will stop working due to the 3G shutdown, Verizon is offering free or discounted upgrades to newer 4G LTE or 5G devices. You should receive communications from Verizon if you‘re impacted. But if you‘re unsure, it‘s best to check with Verizon directly.
It‘s important to note that even if your phone supports 4G LTE, it still may not be fully compatible with Verizon‘s network if it was originally designed for GSM carriers. In the next section, we‘ll discuss how to check for Verizon compatibility.
Will a GSM Phone Work on Verizon?
Here‘s the key question many people have: if you have an unlocked GSM phone, will it work on Verizon‘s network?
The short answer is: it depends. If your phone was made in the last few years and supports 4G LTE, chances are it will work on Verizon. Most modern phones include radios for both GSM and CDMA networks. But there are some important caveats:
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Your phone needs to support the proper LTE frequency bands used by Verizon. In the U.S., Verizon primarily uses LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 13, 46, 48, and 66. If your phone doesn‘t support these bands, it may not get optimal coverage.
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Your phone needs to be certified for use on Verizon‘s network. Even if your phone has the right LTE bands, Verizon still needs to verify and add it to its approved list. Some unlocked phones may not go through this certification process.
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Your phone needs to support Verizon‘s HD Voice (VoLTE) for calling. Without VoLTE, your phone may not be able to make or receive calls after Verizon shuts down its 3G network.
To check if your specific phone model will work on Verizon, you can use Verizon‘s online compatibility checker tool. You‘ll need to enter your phone‘s IMEI number, which you can usually find in the Settings app or by dialing *#06#.
If you‘re buying a new unlocked phone to use on Verizon, look for models that are explicitly marked as compatible with Verizon‘s network. Many major phone manufacturers now make universal unlocked models that work on all U.S. carriers.
The 5G Future
Verizon‘s 5G network, launched in 2019, uses different technology than its previous CDMA networks. 5G is based on OFDMA, which is an advancement of the OFDM technology used in 4G LTE. All the major carriers are deploying 5G networks based on similar OFDMA technology.
For consumers, this is good news. It means in the 5G era, there will be less confusion and more compatibility between carriers. A 5G phone made for Verizon‘s network is much more likely to also work on AT&T and T-Mobile‘s 5G networks, and vice versa.
However, 5G is still a new and evolving technology. Carriers are using different frequency bands and deployment strategies for their 5G networks. For the best 5G experience on Verizon, you‘ll still want to choose a phone that has been optimized and certified for Verizon‘s unique 5G spectrum.
Verizon uses a mix of low-band, mid-band, and high-band (mmWave) spectrum for its 5G network. Low-band offers the best coverage but the slowest speeds, while mmWave offers blazing fast speeds but very limited coverage. Mid-band aims to offer a balance of good coverage and fast speeds.
Older 5G phones may not support all of Verizon‘s 5G bands, especially its newer mid-band (C-band) spectrum that it started deploying in 2022. For this reason, if you want the best possible 5G experience on Verizon, it‘s smart to buy one of the latest 5G phones directly from Verizon or look for unlocked phones that advertise full Verizon 5G compatibility.
The Bottom Line
So to recap, Verizon has historically used CDMA technology for its 2G and 3G networks while competitors like AT&T and T-Mobile used GSM. This meant GSM phones were generally not compatible with Verizon. But this distinction matters less now that Verizon and other carriers have moved to 4G LTE and 5G technologies.
If you have an older 3G device on Verizon, you‘ll need to upgrade before Verizon shuts down its 3G network at the end of 2022. For most people, this won‘t be an issue, as the vast majority of Verizon‘s customers are already using 4G LTE or 5G devices.
If you want to bring an unlocked device to Verizon, compatibility is more likely than in the past but still not guaranteed. Make sure to check that your specific phone model supports the proper LTE bands and Verizon‘s VoLTE and 5G network. When in doubt, it‘s best to buy a phone directly from Verizon or look for unlocked models that are certified for Verizon‘s network.
In the 5G era, we can expect even more compatibility between phones and networks from different carriers. But for now, a little research is still needed to ensure your device will work optimally on Verizon and give you the best possible experience on America‘s largest wireless network.
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