S7 Duos work with Verizon SIM outside of US?

[Android Central Question]

I have Verizon service on a Verizon phone. No problem.

However, when I go outside of the country, I want to use my S7 Duos (Dual SIM phone) so I can have service both from a local SIM card of the country I'm in (a country using GSM), and service from Verizon, at the same time. Previously I had T-Mobile instead of Verizon, and it worked fine - I had a T-Mobile SIM in the S7 Duos, and it was roaming on the country's local network.

Wondering if Verizon should work as well. Would a Verizon SIM card in a GSM phone allow me to roam on the country's local GSM network?

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to Android Forums

I'd like to recommend creating a account so me or other members can assist you, as guest have limitations in replying here and if we need further Information to communicate with you.

I'll provide a link to register, please come back to your post so we can further assist you . Thank you
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[mustang7757]

I like to say it would work , but need other members to chime in

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Which country? Check Verizon's website to make sure that country is covered by their international plan.

 

[ericfree]

Yes, the countries are covered by Verizon's international plans. Just wondering if Verizon allows it though from a non-Verizon branded phone. So with a Verizon SIM card in a non-Verizon branded GSM phone roaming on the country's local GSM network?

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome
We going need more members feedback on this ..you bring up a good point that phone is gsm so big question mark if it will work?

Yes, the countries are covered by Verizon's international plans. Just wondering if Verizon allows it though from a non-Verizon branded phone. So with a Verizon SIM card in a non-Verizon branded GSM phone roaming on the country's local GSM network?

 

[B. Diddy]

Have you asked Verizon about it? I don't think they'd be mad at you for asking ...

 

[ericfree]

OK, I will ask Verizon, but I have my doubts they will be able to give me an accurate answer.

 

[ericfree]

Well, I know that they do allow you to connect to the country's local GSM network when using a Verizon branded phone using the phone's built-in GSM frequencies. (As opposed to using the phone's CDMA frequencies when connecting in the USA directly to the Verizon network.) So, it's just a matter of Verizon allowing it in a non-branded Verizon phone. I'm guessing it would work, but I don't want to find out the hard way..

 

[B. Diddy]

What I'd want to know is if Verizon has to reprovision a non-Verizon-branded phone for it to work correctly on their network.

 

[ericfree]

I finally got through to technical support at Verizon. The person insists that it WILL NOT work, as most non-Verizon phones do not work internationally (one exception was the SM-G930U which is the Unlocked US version of the Galaxy S7). I'm not totally sure she is right, but I think all I can do at this point is to try it when I get to a foreign country, and obviously can't rely on it in fact working.
She also said that all Verizon accounts need to be provisioned for International use (regardless of any phone used), i.e. the customer has to call into Verizon before traveling, so that Verizon can turn on the International Services, otherwise the phone will not work when arriving to a foreign country. I thought that step wouldn't in fact be necessary, but that's what she said.

 

[B. Diddy]

I'm guessing your phone would technically work in Europe since it's a dual SIM, which tends to work in many other countries (dual SIM is much more popular outside the US). But the provisioning thing sounds about right -- Verizon can be a pain about that.