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Verizon makes it easier to bring (some) phones to its network
As a CDMA-based carrier (until LTE takes over), Verizon isn't nearly as friendly to the bring-your-own-phone trend as the likes of AT&T or T-Mobile. You can't usually swap SIM cards and expect your unlocked phone to work. Thankfully, the carrier recently made the process a whole lot easier... provided you have the right device, that is. It'll now activate compatible, unlocked versions of the iPhone 6 and Nexus 6. So long as you can find your device's ID and pick up a Verizon SIM, you can jump over to Big Red without having to ditch your existing hardware. You'll likely be stuck if you own another device, but that's more due to technology (few unlocked phones have full Verizon CDMA and LTE support at present) than anything else.
MetroPCS to start using T-Mobile's network and GSM handsets June 12th
And so it begins. With T-Mobile recently closing the deal to acquire MetroPCS, it was only a matter of time before we'd see more commingling. PhoneArena's uncovered yesterday that MetroPCS is about start using T-Mobile's network and GSM handsets. Two phones which are currently available on T-Mobile -- the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Exhibit (a Galaxy S III mini clone) and the LG Optimus L9 -- are making their way to MetroPCS, complete with GSM / EDGE and AWS-capable UMTS / HSPA+ radios (no LTE). Pricing for these devices is still unknown, but the company's expected to begin selling plans on T-Mobile's network as soon a June 12th. In addition, a service called BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) will allow customers to bring their own GSM handsets to MetroPCS (excluding BlackBerry models). It's unclear if eligible devices have to be unlocked and / or T-Mobile branded but we'll find out soon enough. So there you have it -- the start of a perfect honeymoon.
