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Verizon and Sprint were primarily built on CDMA networks, which generally didn't use SIM cards. They wouldn't work internationally largely because they were inc
by ocdtrekkie 7y ago
Verizon and Sprint were primarily built on CDMA networks, which generally didn't use SIM cards. They wouldn't work internationally largely because they were incompatible radios. The phones have the unique identifiers hardcoded into the phones, but could be added to a compatible carrier's network.
(Bear in mind, a SIM is really just a hardware manifestation of a unique identifier and some settings. It's not impossible to do these things entirely digitally, and now with eSIM, that is happening on GSM/LTE networks as well.)
- lotsofpulp 7y agoTechnical reasons aside, it still meant Verizon/Sprint phones were effectively locked to their networks until recently.
- ocdtrekkie 7y agoBut that had nothing to do with T-Mobile or Legere. It was the shift to LTE networking and some mandates by the FCC related to spectrum auctions.