Global Roaming on S3 like Verizon will do

[Jay20]

So seeing as Verizon, a fellow CDMA carrier is going to add global ability to their S3 and several of their top-notch Androids, anyone know if Sprint is going to? I know they could if they wanted to, as LTE is a GSM-based technology and the hardware, minus the embedded SIM card, is the same on all 3 major carriers. I also have a Photon, but the phone is slow, and doesn't have LTE, but "wi-max." I spoke to a Sprint rep on the phone and he told me that Sprint is considering the idea, and could if they wanted to.

And if not, does Sprint really think they can revive their brand if going around the world means not having a phone? Have they not learned lessons from Verizon and ATT's success? Why be late on all three SVDO, LTE, and people travelling with their phones, especially such expensive and premium phones? I, for one, will be more likely to stay with Sprint, which I'm with at the moment because I'm young and don't have a ton of financial resources yet, if I don't always have to worry about renting a phone or having a dumb phone abroad, especially bc smartphones are great for strangers in strange lands.

Here's a petition I found online

Petition: Sprint-Nextel Corporation: Enable international roaming on 4G LTE phones and allow SIM card removal | Change.org

 

[clavodulce16]

Sprint does allow international roaming, what you want to do is be able to insert your own sim to use local wireless company.
When i travel to Dominican republic my phone does work roaming on VZ. Minutes are 1.99 and forget about data.

 

[Jay20]

Sprint does allow international roaming, what you want to do is be able to insert your own sim to use local wireless company.
When i travel to Dominican republic my phone does work roaming on VZ. Minutes are 1.99 and forget about data.

I meant GSM roaming, like in Europe or Latin America, or Africa. The GS3 has a disabled GSM radio, which needs to be enabled, as Verizon is gonna do (LTE is a GSM-based technology). When Verizon does it, Verizon users will be able to either roam with Verizon OR insert another SIM card. With Sprint, as of now they've not yet announced plans to enable GSM roaming in Europe. Tho the SIM card is embedded in it (unless you unscrew the plate, and replace it with a VZ/ATT/TMo plate), with Sprint you wouldn't be able to put in another SIM card, but you should be able to roam on Sprint in Europe/Africa as you'll be able to do with VZ when they send the update.

 

[made1305]

Hi, I seem to be reading conflicting information re: international roaming with Verizon's S3. You mentioned that you went to Dominican Republic, which I assume is on GSM/3G, swapped in a local SIM, and was able to use it?

But I thought Verizon has still to release an update that would allow for this and unlock the GSM capabilities?

Main concern is I will be travelling in Europe in 2 weeks. Can I get a a Verizon Galaxy S3 now and confirm it will work if I put in a local European SIM? Can someone please confirm?

Thanks in advance

 

[Skunkape60]

Hi, I seem to be reading conflicting information re: international roaming with Verizon's S3. You mentioned that you went to Dominican Republic, which I assume is on GSM/3G, swapped in a local SIM, and was able to use it?

But I thought Verizon has still to release an update that would allow for this and unlock the GSM capabilities?

Main concern is I will be travelling in Europe in 2 weeks. Can I get a a Verizon Galaxy S3 now and confirm it will work if I put in a local European SIM? Can someone please confirm?

Thanks in advance

The sprint gs3 has it's SIM on the circuit board and can't be easily swapped. If you're asking about the Verizon phone, your best chance for an answer would be in the Verizon gs3 forum instead of the Sprint forum.

 

[jz8]

Just looking over here to see if the Sprint Global situation is better. The GSIII is not a Verizon Global at this time. They will give you a cheap android loaner for free (other than you pay for shipping). No formal word on when the GSIII will be available Global, but apparently coming.