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National Wireless Independent Dealer Association

Verizon Wireless to End Support for CDMA Only Devices.

**updated dates – click here**

A recent memo went out to Verizon’s distribution confirming that CDMA only devices will not work after December 31, 2019. After that date, (Jan. 1, 2020) all devices must be VoLTE and HD voice capable. In addition, beginning July 1, 2018 (this year) dealers will “No longer be able to activate any CDMA data only devices, and any non HD/Volte phone devices, including swaps.”

Therefore, dealers will not be able to downgrade an existing device to 4G LTE/3G rate plans or swap to a 4G non HD Voice phone. Nor can they downgrade an existing data only device to 3G rate plans or a 3G device. Only HD Voice Smartphones and 4G LTE data only Verizon Wireless certified devices may be activated on the Verizon Wireless network. This includes device swaps.

Only HD Voice Smartphones and 4G LTE data only IMEI uploads will be accepted to the Verizon Wireless Device Management Database (DMD).

Verizon states that “…to avoid potential impacts and meet this CDMA decommission date, including, without limitation, loss of service, it is necessary that you continue to plan now and complete this critical technology migration before December 31, 2019.”

Verizon recommends starting now to wind down activations of devices incompatible with Verizon Wireless’ 4G HD Voice and 4G LTE data networks.

If you have customers with CDMA only devices, you will be able to do the following July 31st, 2019:

  • Rate plan and feature changes
  • MDN changes
  • Apply and restore from Hotline and Suspend status
  • Restore de-Activations that were made in error, per Verizon Wireless’ requirements
  • SIM changes on existing non HD Voice Smartphones Upgrades from CDMA only devices to HD Voice Smartphones and 4G LTE data only devices will continue to be allowed.

NWIDA members, contact us today if you need our assistance and if you’re not yet a member, we invite you to join today.
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Have any Question or Comment?

124 comments on “Verizon Wireless to End Support for CDMA Only Devices.

Joe

I am getting the “you have to get a new phone” message from Straight Talk too. However I don’t have a phone with them. I have a ZTE Z291DL hotspot which I have used for internet access for 3 years. Will the network Straight Talk is going to not support this 4G LTE capable unit. Or could they supply a new SIM card if they wanted to? It will no longer be cost effective to get my internet this way if I have to buy another hotspot device.

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Scott in California

Anyone please:
Hi, I have read all these comments. Many times it is stated “You should be fine with that phone. It has 4G capabilities.” Well is this statement fully true? I have read many times you need VoLTE “enhanced calling” or HD Calling on top of 4gLTE after the Verzion dropping of 3g/CDMA at the end of 2020. So here is my specifics. I have a Verizon branded Samsung s5 phone running Android 6.0.1 on tracfone service using Verizon towers. The phone has only been on/with tracfone (and Verizon towers) since new for 4-5 years now. I have never received a message about needing an upgrade. In the settings more networks-mobile networks-network mode only “global” works. Other 2 choices are “LTE/CDMA” and LTE/GSM/UMTS picking these 2 yields no service. Under about phone-status it says network “Verizon” and Mobile network type “LTE”. I have contacted Tracfone and they say my SIM card is not VoLTE compatible. They sent out a new SIM card and it is now in the phone, my I mention that the new SIM card says 4gLTE compatible with most CDMA smartphones and the credit card where the SIM was attached it says Verizon compatible. I did have 4gLTE service with the old SIM card and still do. Everthing as of now is still as before and working.
Here is the meat of my question….There is a setting under wirless networks-Advanced Calling-activate advanced calling upgrade service to HD voice and video. I cannot activate this as it appears to be part of the Verison installed software and I would need to be a Verizon customer with an account to activate this feature. Ticking the activate yelds “sorry could not complete request at this time. please check your network connectivity”, yes I have the data and/or WiFi on. In no other place is there anyplace for VoLTE, yes even in the phone dailer setting-call list and of course not in the dropdown screen. How do I active the VoLTE, HD or Enhanced Calling? Do I need that activated? When I input my IMEI on Verizon for a new account it says of course I can BYOP for this phone. It says the same thing on the tracfone site. Though last week I did get a Tracfone text “…get better call quality by enabling VoLTE on your phone settings…” but that might just be a generic text sent to everyone.
Again how do I active VoLTE, DOES THIS NEED TO BE ACTIVATED before the Verizon switchover? The New SIM card yelds no new features in any of the settings or dropdown.
I have given all information you might need to be able to answer this. Contacting my provider did not get me VoLTE turned on so that avenue is closed.
thank you

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David Bradstreet

Hey Scott, I’m in exactly the same position as you (sorry that I have no answer). I’m SO tired of trying to find an answer. If you found one, pleeaase let me know.

Thanks

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Scott in California

Hi David,
this again is going to be a long post….
My old sim card also said “Verizon 4gLTE”. The new sim card had been in for a few months. Last month I turned on the phone and the “Advanced Calling” in settings opened up automatically and I was able to turn on the advanced calling, I only ticked the HD Voice and not the video. I still have access to turn it off or on but I don’t dare turn it off. FYI I have 2 of these S5s bough and activated exactly the same time maybe 5 years ago with Tracfone…I only put the new sim card in one of the S5s months ago but both phones got the ability to turn on HD voice the same day last month and I turned it on in both of them….about a month later (last week) I put the new sim card (sent from Tracfone moths ago, ordered 2 of them) into the other phone and now that phones HD voice is back off and again cannot be turned on, I should have just left the old sim in as the HD voice was on. Tracfone somehow pushed the ability to override the Verizon HD calling app to activate it. Well on Jan 1, 2021 either one phone will work and other will not/ or both will not work/ or both will work. I will be calling Tracfone again before end of this year to see if they will push that Verizon HD Calling app override again to the phone with the sim card I just swapped.

I guess I just want to see how long I can keep these phones working, nothing wrong with them, I still get 10 days standby. In actuality a new phone that is 3 times+ better than the s5 is less than $200. I don’t do new phones every 2 years, if it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it. Next time I will be sure to buy a true unlocked phone meaning one that is unlocked but more important not carrier branded. It is the Verizon app that is preventing us from getting into the settings. When I bought these S5s from saveontracfone(dot)com I did not know they were carrier branded phones, I was more concerned that they worked with Tracfone being that they were $600 each back then.

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Scott in California

update 12/16/2020
I will try to make this short but that ain’t going to happen…
Last month (about Nov. 16th 2020) Tracfone pushed to me and my mom’s phone on the same day, a message in our drop down notification that they enabled “Advanced Calling” I tapped that notification and yes it took me to the settings page of advanced calling (the setting that I have been locked out of) and I was able to open up the “Advanced Calling turn on/off HD Voice and Video call”. Yes the “HD voice only” was already ticked and Advanced Calling was turned on. Done deal and I guess it will now work come 01/01/2021.
Well last week I poked around in the phone and decided to try and tick on HD Voice and Video Calling…message came up and said to call my carrier to activate it, I called Tracfone and to talk to someone I had to input my Phone #, BIG MISTAKE to do that. The automated system “detected issues and reset my settings”…I AM AGAIN LOCKED OUT OF THE ADVANCED CALLING SETTINGS! I called Tracfone and asked them to push to me again turn on the advanced calling in my phone settings. This is where is gets bad. The reps tried very hard to do it and they could not and they kept on telling me voLTE is turned on in my account. I said yes I know but I need it turned on in my phone. 1 1/2 hour later got transferred to next level up supervisor. She kept insisting there is nothing they can do and everything is fine, yes, fine on there end, not on my end. Then got transferred to high level tech. She did as much as she could do with no results. 20 minutes of no results she did another thing and vola got the notification that advanced calling has been turned on. All set to go.

Now now i need to do the same thing on my mom’s phone as last week i put a new sim card in and her advanced calling got turned off and again I am blocked out of the settings. Next day I phoned “up level tech dept” and after 1 hour 15 minutes of the gal trying to push to my mom’s phone turn on advanced calling…well our call got disconnected-mind you I was on a landline. I called back got someone else and he refused to help. He insisted they cannot turn on my advanced calling in my phone settings and everything is fine as advanced calling is turned on in their system. I got mad at him and said give me someone else you are wrong, the advanced calling settings was turned on yesterday on my phone by some in your department and last month automatically by Tracfone on both phones…So then got some supervisor named Richard. I gave him the same information I gave everyone else and within 1 minute he got the notification pushed to my mom’s phone and the advanced calling was again turned on for my mom’s phone.
If you have the advanced calling turned on and you put a new sim card in, it will reset and lock you out again from the advanced calling settings. Also don’t call the help line and input your phone number. The automated system will “detect issues” and rest your phone and lock you out of advanced calling settings.
Tracfone will insist that there is nothing they can do. THEY CAN IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PERSON THAT KNOWS HOW TO GET ADVANCED TURNED ON AND PUSHED TO YOUR PHONE ADVANCED CALLING SETTINGS.
Here is a little help for you and them. It might be different for another region but I think this is what they need to do/change. When I tried to do this myself on my mom’s phone it did not work. I had to have tracfone do it on both of my phone and my mom’s.

I think it has to do with -go to- settings/more networks/mobile networks/access point names- my old access point name was “VSWINTERNET” (without quotes) the new one that they changed it to is “TRACFONE.VZWENTP” (without quotes) . The Network mode is set to LTE/CDMA not global. I did tell Richard these access point names in my 5 minute explanation to him before he did his 1 minute of fixing the issue.

Tracfone will buck and fight you and say you are good to go and that there is noting they can do on your phone in the advanced calling settings…this is wrong they can. I “feel” that advanced calling needs to be turned on in the phone settings to have voLTE and should be done before 12/31/2020. After that one might be off the network and there might be no way for them to send these fixes to your phone. I have 2 more years service thousands of minutes of talk time, 13,000 texts and still have 6gb of data so if my phone does not work come 01/01/2021 then I will get another phone for my TF account but I think I am ready for 4gLTE with voLTE enabled on my phone with Verizon towers.

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Luisa Ebersole

I’m a grandmother who doesn’t know much about phones. I can’t afford to by my grandson a new I phone so I have been looking at refurbished. The last phone I bought him was a iphone 5c. I’ve read about the changes coming to the Verizon network at the end of the year. I know I have to look for an unlocked phone. But here’s the confusion, do I have to get a Verizon compatible phone or can I get any unlocked Iphone?

Reply
NWIDA

Thank you for your question. We recommend you visit your local independent dealer for assistance.

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Betty

If you want to buy an iPhone, I’d get the iPhone 6s (4.7 in phone) or a 6s Plus ( 5.5 in phone), the Verizon model. They are not in stores anymore, only on eBay or Amazon. I bought a Verizon 6s model which was like new, with a new battery. But I much prefer the larger model. The unlocked versions are supposed to work on Verizon also. Or look for a Verizon Android phone (not the iPhone). Something like LG G4, G5, or G6, Samsung Galaxy 5,6 ,7 models would work, depending on the size your grandson likes. My grandson is 10 and I gave him an LG Rebel 4 (5 in screen), using Verizon towers.
Hope this helps.

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Betty

Here’s a list of phones, other than iPhones. Be sure and buy a Verizon version, if available.
https://support.boom.us/153620-HD-Voice-Compatible-Phones

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Kara

I have a LG Extravert 2….is it going to work once they retire the CDMA Network? My husband keeps saying this is just a ploy to get everyone to buy new phones and we have to be notified by the carrier, in this case it is Verizon, that the phones are not going to work after a certain date.

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NWIDA

You will be notified (most likely)

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Cindy “Dense”

I am so dense..all this is so confusing. I understand there is an extension on this 3G and CDMA shutdown. Is that correct? In the beginning of this year, a note on my tracfone online account saying your phone won’t work at the end of 2019. it gave me a list of new phones available. That message is now gone as well as the list of phones. My phone, don’t laugh, is a Tracfone LG503c. I’ve browsed the phonescoop.com to see if my phone will be affected..but I couldn’t find “where” on the site to look. I’ve inquired at Tracfone customer service and just get a sales pitch.
Dense remember! So..would or could you kindly point me in the right direction…so I can see if I need another phone. Please and Thank you

Reply
NWIDA

Hi Cindy, Please visit your local independent wireless shop. They will be able to assist.

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Alison

I too got a notice from straight talk that my phone will not work after the end of the year. I called support and they said I will have to get a new phone. My phone is 4glte. He also said my tower was already updated in July/2018 but just because my phone still works, does not mean it will in the near future and because I was notified I will have to get a new phone.

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Ryan

Just because your phone is 4G does not mean it will work it needs the ability to make phone calls over the data network (volte/HD voice) all phone calls going forward will be voice over internet because the cdma network is going away, not all 4g phones have the ability to do this for instance the iPhone 5, I would try contacting Verizon or your carrier to check if hd voice is an available feature on your line of service if it’s not already activated or not available your phone will not be supported in 2020

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Diana Sogaro

I have an Iphone 5s. How do I know if it is HD/Volte capable after December 31, 2019

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NWIDA

Call or visit your local independent dealer, or you can look it up on http://www.phonescoop.com

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Betty

Hi. Just do an online search. Your iPhone is not supported. IPhones after the 5 series are.

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Charlie

I currently have an iPhone 7 Plus A1784 the phone is paidoff and unlocked. I bought it from Apple currently I have AT&T but I want to switch to Verizon. When I went to Verizon they said my phone would not work because it is not compatible with CDMA. Will my phone work once Verizon gets rid of CDMA in Dec 2019? I’m not sure if this matters but in the settings it shows 4G is enabled. I can’t get an answer from Verizon except to buy to a new phone.

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Anne Bleckov

I am no pro, but I think I found the easiest way to know if your phone will still work in 2020. We are with TracFone, 4 phones. I, too, received the message, for 3 of our phones (2 LG Premiers, and a Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime). My phone, an LG Fiesta 2, did not receive the message.

So, on your current phone, make a phone call and watch above your ‘bars’ or ‘data’ signal. If LTE appears, when you make the call (and 4G), your phone should still work. I believe that means you are using VoLTE. The moment I hit the ‘call’ button, the LTE came up on my phone. The LTE does NOT appear, when making a call on the other 3 phones.

In lieu of all this, I went over to HSN and picked up 3 LG Premier Pros (Excellent deal). Took 2 minutes to set up the first one. Immediately made a phone call (to be certain), and sure enough LTE popped up. Hope it helps.

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Truman

Hello Anne,
I just want to make sure I understood you. After you tested the following phones, the results are –
LG Fiesta 2, yes
LG Premier Pro, yes
LG Premier (not Pro), no
Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime, no
Did I understand correctly? Thanks for generously sharing those test results.

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Betty

Hi. The LTE is 4G or LTE connection. VoLTE is voice over LTE. These are 2 different things. I have the LG Fiesta 2 and it has VoLTE or HD Voice (same thing). Go to settings, advanced calling, and you’ll see the option to turn on HD Voice. FYI, I’ve been buying Tracfones from HSN for years. They have the best deals.

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david

HI

I Have a blackberry Q10 which is working with a sim card on the 4G network but is not a volte-HD device
will that stop to work in the near future juts like the 3G devices? or because its 4G it will still work?

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david

forgot to add to my question my phone carrier is verizon

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Josh Fox

Im in the same boat and also have a verizon 4G LTE blackberry Q10

According to verizon as long its not a a 4G volte and Hd capable even its a 4G device it will stop working just like the 3G devices by the end of 2019, that’s what verizon told me by phone

But i wonder if that is true i would love to hear what the NWIDA experts have to say on this

and lets say it will still work will i also be able to activate a new Q10 after 2019?

TIA

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David

Hi

i would really appreciate if i can get a answer on my question about the blackberry Q10 from anyone of the nwida team

Thanks so much!

Reply
NWIDA

David,
Per Phonescoop.com (an excellent resource) The Q10 has LTE, so it SHOULD be ok – but I would check with my local dealer to be sure. (https://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4114)

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David

Thanks so much for the quick reply!

so even its not volte and Hd capable its ok?
dosent Verizon shut down everything that not HD capable?

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Betty

Yes, Verizon is shutting down non VoLTE (HD Voice) devices. Just because a phone has 4G LTE doesn’t mean it is VoLTE capable. I’d look for a different phone. There are so many choices out there.

Kevin Haddad

We have the moms on our plan and they both have LG Revere® 3 which I believe is CDMA. When this takes affect which basic flip phone models would be compatible with the changeover?

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NWIDA

Hi Kevin, please visit your local independently owned wireless dealer – I’m sure they either have (or will get) a suitable phone for you 🙂

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Mark

Kind of a related question: Does anyone know if Straight Talk has deactivated HD voice calling in their network? I have an iphone SE on ST and in the last two months the quality of the audio on the calls seems to have reverted to typical crappy cell phone audio. It’s like the HD-voice service just disappeared. Of course, you cannot get a straight answer from ST’s tech support. Or has ST been deprioritized by VZ and AT&T and this part of that process?

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Jennifer

They have definitely stopped supplying voLTE service! July 3 I bought by new months card, and that’s when I lost my voLTE service. When I called, I was told straight talk was trying their best to deliver those services to new straight talk customers. They also told me it was my prior network (Verizon) who cut my service. Hmm … Interesting. I called Verizon and was told to call Samsung or straight talk again. Straight talk wanted nothing to do with this problem. This is a major problem for me, since this is how I get by every day, I use my phone as well as internet, so I need all services at all times. What a mess. Don’t bother making the cat and mouse chase with these companies. They won’t help you. They just want you to buy a new phone on their service before Jan 1 2020.

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Harry

I’ve received the same alert from TracFone as others and don’t understand why. I have an LG Treasure that is 4g lte gsm phone. Will this phone be ok ?

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NWIDA

If you go to Phonescoop.com, you can see if your phone supports 4G/LTE. However, please note that not all 4G phones are “safe.” If you have received notice from your carrier that you will need to change your phone, you will most likely need to change. Please check with your independent wireless dealer to be sure, or to upgrade.

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John U.

I have an older LG TracFone,(Verizon), that is a tri-mode phone. CDMA,PCS, and AMPS. TracFone does not give me a warning that service will end. Will it still work ? Thankx…

Reply
NWIDA

If you go to Phonescoop.com, you can see if your phone supports 4G/LTE. However, please note that not all 4G phones are “safe.” If you have received notice from your carrier that you will need to change your phone, you will most likely need to change. Please check with your independent wireless dealer to be sure, or to upgrade.

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John U

This is not a smart-phone, no sim card. 4G/LTE technology was not available when this phone came out and phonescoop gives no definitive answer as to whether it will support it or not , but thank you for your help. If it’s still working in 2020, I’ll give you a call.

Reply
Kai

John, Trac more than likely uses the CDMA modem which will no longer work come Jan 1, 2020. AMPS is analog which is defunct in the US. PCS, well that should be CDMA, GMS, and TDMA which are all going to be the 2G/3G versions which just about everyone is or has gotten rid of. Here’s crossing my fingers your device will work without the CDMA support. Overall, everything in the US is moving to LTE (4G) Long Term Evolution for Cellular Devices. Every call is going to be VOLTE, Voice over LTE. And with cellular & communication companies making their moves for 5G, they are going to need every inch of bandwidth in the airwaves’ pipelines meaning 1G, 2G, and 3G are taking up that needed space and must go bye bye. Eventually everything cellular will be data relayed. All 1G-3G towers will be outfitted for 4G use. In order to get faster, they’ll have to get rid of everything that’s slower.

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Betty

That phone is not even a 4G LTE phone, let alone not having VoLTE support. I’d be looking for a smartphone, 4G LTE with VoLTE support. There are tons of options out there.

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Laura

I have a Samsung SM-S766C. Will I need to replace it by December 2019?

Reply
NWIDA

If you go to Phonescoop.com, you can see if your phone supports 4G/LTE. However, please note that not all 4G phones are “safe.” If you have received notice from your carrier that you will need to change your phone, you will most likely need to change. Please check with your independent wireless dealer to be sure, or to upgrade.

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Pamela Holihan

I have a GalaxyJ7V 4G LTE Sim. Should my phone still work?

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NWIDA

Please check with your local independent wireless dealer. They will be able to assist. Thanks!

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Rose

Will the straight talk home phone still work? It uses Verizon’s towers. It’s a Huawei H226C.

Reply
NWIDA

Please check with your local independent wireless dealer. They will be able to assist. Thanks!

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Bob Morris

I have contacted Straight Talk 3 times about the home phone box. The first two times, they told me they knew nothing about Verizon eliminating CDMA and that until they heard something, they were not going to make a statement. The third time I called, they assured me that their home phone boxes, which use 1X on CDMA, would not be affected by Verizon’s shut-down of CDMA. I’m still shaking my head.

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Michael Hawkins

I finally got in touch with someone at Straight Talk that told me a new model Franklin F800HPVL VoLTE home phone is coming out soon (they didn’t know when). If you have noticed the Straight Talk home phone has been listed as out of stock for over six months.

I am still not sure if the existing Straight Talk home phones will work after the end of the year.

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michael hawkins

Further update…the ZTE Z723el home phone is now in stock from Straight Talk. A Straight Talk tech told me that my older home phone model Huwei H226C runs on the 2G network and will no longer work after the end of the year and that they are not activating any of these older models. He suggested I should buy the newer model which is ZTE model which is LTE.

I have to believe that there are thousands and thousands of people out there with older model Straight Talk home phones that have no idea what is coming down the pike in less than 6 months.

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Bob Morris

I would think it would be Straight Talk’s responsibility to contact it’s “home phone” customers to let us all know that our older 2G/1X boxes are not going to work after the end of the year. If they are waiting for all of us to keep contacting them over and over and over again, until they finally have something to tell us, then that is a very, very poor way of doing business. if this is how they are going to act, I may as well just go ahead and get a home phone box directly from Verizon and take Straight Talk completely out of the loop.

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Bob Morris

This is hilarious. I just contacted Straight Talk again (4th time), and they AGAIN told me that my H226C would NOT BE AFFECTED by Verzion’s shut-down of the CDMA network…. completely opposite of what they have told you, Michael. I also looked at the ZTE Z723EL box, as it is now showing in stock at Straight Talk. They show it as using the CDMA network, and their is not mention, whatsoever, of the box using 4G VoLTE technology. So I don’t know what to think. I guess I will continue to use my H226C box until the end of the year, and if it stops working, I will go from there. There should not be this much confusion about this!!!!

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michael hawkins

I saw the same thing on the Straight Talk site about the ZTE Z723EL using CDMA so I did a little searching on the ZTE Z723EL on the ZTE web site and it says it is VoLTE. Hopefully they know more than Straight Talk about their product and there are not different models using the same number with different characteristics. I do know that there is also a GSM model that is supposedly also VoLTE. Stay tuned…….

Ted Hancock

I was told by a straight talk rep my H226C would stop. That was after she had to ask someone which I thought was odd that she didn’t already know. This was in Jan 2021. Now it’s Feb2021 and my H226C is still working. After I talked to them I received a letter telling me my box would quit and that I may have already noticed dropped calls. I thought it would stop all at once, not a little at a time.
I did buy a new one, but I am waiting to see if mine really does quit. With the lack of info about the base/box I don’t really trust them. If my box continues to work I might return the new one to walmart. I guess verizon gets credit for good phone service and straight talk gets an F for communication.

Bob Morris

Michael, I see we have another year… Verizon has pushed back it’s shutdown of the CDMA network to the end of 2020… just no new non 4G VoLTE devices will be allowed now. Existing equipment should continue to work until the end of 2020.

Reply
Phil

4G LTE goes down a lot in downtown Buffalo and have to rely on 3G when that happens, will this be fixed?

Reply
NWIDA

Probably not before the merger takes place, unless they’re already in the process of adding more cell sites.

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Vicki Murphy

I have a LGL62VL tracfone purchased from QVC a few years ago. The network type says LTE. Tracfone sent me the message that it will no longer work at the end of the year. Is this correct?

Reply
NWIDA

Please check with your local independent wireless dealer. They will be able to assist. Thanks!

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Betty

Yes, it’s true. I had the same phone, got the same message and have already gotten another phone. No reason to wait. I buy Tracfones from QVC and HSN, have for years. $50 for a nice phone with 1500 minutes, text, and data and now they have a $20/ month plan with 1 GB data that rolls over. I’ve been using that plan since it came out. Works great since free wifi is all over the place.

Reply
sheila parks

looking to purchase : LG rebel 4 LTE TracFone..4 LTE LML 212VL will this be compatible with new decision , and can be used without service ending Dec.2019? Thank You

Reply
NWIDA

To be sure, we would recommend checking with your local independent wireless dealer.

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Derek LaMonte

I have a brand new Factory Unlocked Moto G7 (released & purchased @ 3months ago). My service is with TracFone, piggybacking off Verizon. I received a message from TracFone this week that due to this Verizon network upgrade, my brand new phone will stop working at the end of the year. Does this sound right?

Reply
NWIDA

The G7 has LTE so it should NOT be impacted, but I would double check with my local independently owned cell phone shop.

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Jeannette

I have a Straight Talk iphone 5s, what should I upgrade to? I really like the iphones but it has to work with Verizon in the area I am in.

Reply
NWIDA

Sorry – we can’t recommend any phones as each person has different needs and likes different things! We suggest you visit your local independently owned cell phone shop and see what they have!

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Patricia

I have Tracfone and my phone is an LGL44VL Rebel…will I be OK?

Reply
NWIDA

That phone has LTE so you SHOULD be OK, but we suggest you visit your local independently owned cell phone shop to be sure!

Reply
John

According to my phone provider, my LGL44VL is NOT okay. It has LTE, but they said it needs to have VoLTE in order to stay activated. So you should definitely investigate further.

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Bill

I will be purchasing a iPhone 6s Plus. Will that satisfy the problem? I am currently with tracfone and have an Alcatel 3g phone. Would it be advisable to upgrade to the 6s plus? Please let me know, as the iPhone 6s Plus is on sale, or do you think the phone will be cheaper at the end of the year?

Reply
NWIDA

We obviously cannot predict pricing, but the iPhone does have 4G capabilities so it will continue to work.

Reply

I have an S4 with Verizon…. Will i have to upgrade? It works perfectly!

Reply
NWIDA

No, you’re fine. This only impacts (typically) much older phones.

Reply
Jessica

Yes, you’ll have to upgrade. I went into Verizon to get an S8, was told that my phone (S4) wouldn’t work in February 2020. Never received a notice from Verizon, only upgraded because my phone was slowing down and overheating.

Reply
Lorraine

I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 4 G LTE. Verizon is my carrier. Will this phone work after 12/2019?

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NWIDA

If you have LTE, you’re good

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Leah

I have a Samsung Galaxy Core Prime smartphone through TracFone that runs on Verizon towers. It is CDMA/LTE. If I understand the preceding comments and explanations, this phone should continue to work, is that correct? I don’t believe this phone has HD sound. Will I still be able to place/receive calls?

Reply
NWIDA

It will still work

Reply
Debra

I purchased a galaxy core prime with straight talk sims card from eBay got new service pack now find out phone has been migrated out? Am out phone money and service pack was gift to help someone out suck

Reply
NWIDA

That phone does have 4G/LTE so you should be ok.

Reply
Jim

I have the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime. It is CDMA and currently works over the Verizon network via Tracfone. The Tracfone My Account App just started informing me that end of year network changes are impacting my phone and I am eligible for a discount on a new phone that takes advantage of the improved network. The phone connects to a 4G/LTE service. Why is a change of phone required?

NWIDA

If it connects to LTE, you shouldn’t have to change. Should be OK to go – the change is for CDMA ONLY phones.

Ll

I have the same phone Straight Talk and I got a notification on my computer in my Straight Talk account that this Core Prime phone will need to be new by the end of the year I also have a Samsung Galaxy Luna which they said should be fine

Reply
Linda Stewart

I have an LGL62VL phone and was wondering if this phone will work with Volte or do I need to get another phone. I’m on a limited budget so I’m hoping this phone will work after Dec.31, 2019

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NWIDA

You should be fine with that phone. It has 4G capabilities.

Reply
Reid Gerig

My phone is an Lg Cosmos 3. Will this be impacted by this?

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NWIDA

You should check with your dealer or Verizon, but it does appear that phone is CDMA only – so it would be.

Reply
Shirley

According to the article “CDMA only devices will not work after December 31, 2019” but some of the replies to question seems to indicate that these phones may continue to work for another couple of years (replies to Michael and Jay) so I’m confused. I have an LG Accolade (basic but its all I need) which is CDMA only on a Verizon post-paid account so what should I expect come the end of the year? Also do any of these changes affect USB modems that are EVDO or MiFi’s?

Reply
NWIDA

The changes WILL impact all devices. Of course, Verizon has it’s prerogative to push the date back. I would suggest visiting your independently owned dealer and ask them. We will, of course, update our site as we hear any news.

Reply
Sheri

Tracfone sent a replacement phone for an LG3G phone we had bought that could not be activated because of this change. The replacement is Alcatel Myflip A405DL. I thought it would still function with our Verizon towers in 2020, but a gal at Verizon said it would not. How do I find a list of tracfones that will still be compatible with the Verizon towers in 2020?

Reply
NWIDA

Any phone that has 4G is ok

Reply
Roger7906

So I have a j3 eclipse that won’t be paid off till April 2020. Will Verizon make me pay 3 months payment on a phone that will not work after jan1 2010?

Reply
NWIDA

I believe that phone will continue to work, but best to check with your local wireless dealer or Verizon.

Reply
Donald

Is a consumer safe in the transition if they purchase their phones from Verizon? We recently purchased a smart phone from Verizon and hopefully it will be functional for 3 years or so. Will we be stuck with a useless phone or an expensive transition cost when the network moves to 5G?

Reply
NWIDA

Yes. The full transition will take a few years.

Reply
Lucas Edwards

Is Verizon and possibly others as well violating the terms and conditions of their FCC agreement/contract by doing this?

Certainly wouldn’t be the first time they’ve violated it and in most cases eventually they get caught and either have to reverse what they’re doing or payout a large sum in restitution.

Thanks for the article. I’ll have to look into this some more.

Reply
NWIDA

No violation. Wireless companies have changed technologies many many times since the 1980s when they first launched.

Reply

If I understand you correctly, then it is time to leave Verizon in the dust! It is difficult enough trying to find decent CDMA phones, and at a decent price. So now, you are telling me that they are going to be even more exclusive?! Pardon me, but I think I would rather go with one of the cellular companies that are on the GSM network. Which is more common throughout the world. Also GSM phones are easier to find, so you won’t waste your time searching forever for a decent phone at an affordable price. So, unless the GSM networks are also going to change in the near future, I am going to get rid of Verizon ahead of time. Cheers for the info.

Reply
NWIDA

Well, GSM also has an end-of life – it’s just not announced yet. The US is moving to VoLTE and all the major carriers will be there sooner rather than later.

Reply
jay

Its a bit confusing. So i have a galaxy s4 sch-i545 that doesnt have volte but im using it on straight talk on verizon towers. Does this mean my phone will not work at the end of 2019?

Reply
NWIDA

Hi Jay – no, your phone will continue to work – for now. I’d estimate at least another 18-24 months but dealers won’t be able to activate any new 3G phones – IF that date holds. We’ve seen similar dates get pushed back before.

Reply
Gary

I’ve got the same phone and service as Jay and as of a couple of weeks ago I’m getting repeated notices from Straight Talk to get a new phone that will work on Volte. My girlfriend has the AT&T version of the S4, also on Straight Talk, and she is not getting the notices. So I assume this is related to Verizon’s end of year changes. Does anyone know of a list of phones that support Volte?

Reply
Gary

Or is there some way to tweak the I545 to work on Volte?

Reply
K. Cook

Yes you’re correct, Straight Talk is telling all older CDMA customers to upgrade and giving discounts on new phones because at the end of 2019, these phones will no longer have service.

Reply
Betty

Hi. Since Straight Talk and Tracfone are owned by the same company and have many of the same phones , this site has lots of info, https://tracfonereviewer.blogspot.com/2019/05/tracfone-closing-3g-cdma-network-phones.html
It has a pretty good list of VoLTE capable phones. The VoLTE part is not advertised on all of them (not like 4G LTE part is). Read the descriptions and it should state VoLTE capable. Non VoLTE phones, even thought they are 4G LTE, rely on 3G for talking but 3G is being re-farmed for LTE, so hence, the move to VoLTE only phones. There are lots of choices out there.

Reply
Chuck

Why do you state a limited life for this phone and not the others? According to the website you keep pushing, phonescoop.com, this phone is LTE 4G compatible which as far as I can tell is the highest level event he newest phones achieve, and no phone that I saw lists “VoLTE.”
The problem is that most technical people assume some understanding of these terms and their interrelatedness. We do not understand this in the least bit. My knowledge of phones? Turn them on and talk.
Why is VoLTE being consistently referred to, even dating bcak to 2011 or 2014 or something like that if it is something new and if this LTE 4G phone will be phased out soon what are the criteria that this phone does not meet?

Reply
NWIDA

Hi Chuck. While we’re happy to help, NWIDA is a trade association and the website is designed for members of the wireless trade – hence the “jargon” we tend to use. If there’s anything you find confusing, or need additional help/information with, we would direct you to your local wireless dealer shop.

Reply
Michael A Abad

I have a Motorola flipphone model W385 with Verizon service. Will this phone be impacted by CDMA Network Retirement?

Reply
NWIDA

Hi Michael, You should visit your local independent wireless store and double check, but yes – that phone is CDMA and when Verizon finally retires the CDMA network you will need a new phone. You probably have at least a couple of years though.

Reply

Will Verizon activate a new unlocked phone with gsm with this change coming in Dec 2019?

Reply
NWIDA

No. Verizon is not switching to GSM. They will be transitioning to LTE (VoLTE) which, while based on GSM, isn’t.

Reply
Lana Washburn

Hi Michael…I too have a Motorola flip phone model w385, and it’s been at least 3 weeks now of having NO SERVICE at my house. The phone works fine everywhere else…but I lose bars when I come up the road to my house and then I get “NO SERVICE” at all in or around my house. I have had service for 13 years…same phone…; I called Verizon and the girl told me to update the software in the phone, but the directions she sent me were actually for a Master Reset, which would delete all my contacts. So…I just am wondering what you have done about Your w385… ? Thanks… I have not gotten any notices from Verizon that my phone would not work any more…

Reply
Jeffrey Miles

It’s real alright….My wife got an i-phone today a little newer than hers and called Verizon to get it activated. So, they deactivated her’s and couldn’t get the newer one turned on. Now they told her they couldn’t reactivate her old phone again. Verizon then went on that we needed new phones. So 50.00 more a month and a two year contract they want. I feel like I’M getting took. Are all carriers doing this switch over thing from (CDMA)?????

Reply
NWIDA

Eventually yes. All US carriers will be VoLTE (ie 5G)

Reply
Judith Bergevine

I think a class action suit needs to happen! We have purchased 3 Samsung Galaxy S6 smart phones from Tracphone that will become unusable in Dec. Are we correct?

Reply
NWIDA

No – you are mistaken. The S6 is NOT CDMA only, it has “4G” and will continue to work.

Reply
Julian

This is fake news that should not be put out to the public! I called Verizon and spoke to a supervisor and she had no knowledge of any of this and said they still accept people who use 3G service!

Reply
NWIDA

Hi Julian. I assure you it’s quite real. Did you speak to someone in dealer support? Here are links to multiple sources that confirm it:
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/7/17/17582370/verizon-stops-3g-activations-smartphone-network-shutdown
https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/verizon-stops-activating-cdma-3g-devices-as-network-shutdown-looms

However, some of the dates DID change but only for MVNOs. See our article here: https://nwida.org/updated-verizon-extends-3g-life-cases

Reply
Roger

The ill-informed Verizon employee you spoke with needs to polish up on her technical knowledge and skills with the company who pays her salary every week. >> https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-218813/

Reply
Paul

How does affect Verizon customers outside Washington dc

Reply
NWIDA

The same way it impacts Verizon customers inside DC. This is a nationwide decision.

Reply
Amaad Jabriel

Will verizon allow hand set devices to there carrier?

Reply

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