[dmdeller]

The Verizon versions of iPad Air, iPad Retina Mini, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are identical to those sold for AT&T and T-Mobile, and will work on any of those three networks[1]. (It's different/more complicated for older devices.)

Also, an agreement Verizon signed when buying their LTE spectrum from the FCC says that all Verizon LTE devices must be carrier-unlocked out of the box[2].

However, Verizon will refuse to activate any device that was not originally sold for use on its network (they use a unique device hardware ID for this). AT&T and T-Mobile don't do this.

Therefore, for maximum flexibility, buy Verizon versions of recent Apple devices. You can then switch to AT&T or T-Mobile (not Sprint), or back again to Verizon, at any time, as many times as you wish. This is what the author did[3].

[1]: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_2008_wireless_sp...

[3]: http://www.caseyliss.com/2014/5/21/tmo-vs-vzw-plans

[justin66]

> Also, an agreement Verizon signed when buying their LTE spectrum from the FCC says that all Verizon LTE devices must be carrier-unlocked out of the box[2].

> However, Verizon will refuse to activate any device that was not originally sold for use on its network (they use a unique device hardware ID for this).

Which is a violation of those FCC rules you linked to. It's monopolistic, shitty behavior.

> AT&T and T-Mobile don't do this.

> Therefore, for maximum flexibility, buy Verizon versions of recent Apple devices.

Or just avoid Verizon entirely. That way you won't be rewarding their bad behavior.