No service, but have data - IMEI locked?

[kenendorf]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but I'm also not sure if it's a device problem or I'm just ignorant as to how this works.

So I decided to buy an 'unlocked' galaxy nexus verizon off amazon marketplace. I got the phone today without a sim card. I went to a verizon store and picked up a sim card and got it activated and all of that. After that, I can connect and use LTE just fine it appears, but I can not get a cell signal. I get "Searching for service" on the lock screen.

In settings..
Mobile Network State = Connected
Mobile Network Type = LTE:13
Network = Searching for service
Service State = Out of Service

Here's where I get confused. If I have an LTE SIM activated, but a locked IMEI, would that be one possible reason for the state that I'm in? Did I get scammed on amazon marketplace? How does all of this work, if I have an old phone I do not intend on using, can I (legally?) use the IMEI from that phone somehow?

I also know there are problems like this with the galaxy nexus in general, which is the reason I chose to post here, but I feel this is more appropriate somewhere else. If so, please move it there.

 

[androidluvr2]

There are 2 radios in the GNex - one for CDMA to make phone calls/texts and handle 3G data and the other for the LTE network. Sounds like the CDMA radio is broken but the LTE radio works. They each have their own antenna, too, so it could be the antenna for the CDMA radio that is malfunctioning.

If there were a problem with the IMEI, the LTE wouldn't work.

Try dialing 911. If you can't even make a 911 call, the CDMA radio and/or its antenna is broken.