Verizon "certified" my arse

[sangs]

Just to sum up, since it's spread throughout several threads here. Three days with the HTC U11 on Verizon and despite the claims of the internet and some suits at HTC, here's what's lacking when used with Big Red.

- No WiFi calling;
- No 3G or lower;
- No Verizon Visual Voicemail;
- No HD Voice;
- No Verizon Caller ID;
- Not recognized as a supported device in Verizon account;
- No access to several Verizon apps in the Play Store;

There is VoLTE, however, when attempting to text a photo while on a phone call, it would not work - and a I tried several times. (Please let me know if this differs for others.)

So, maybe I just don't understand what "certified" means, but this is like buying a fully-loaded BMW and having several features unavailable for use. Time to process my return.

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

Just to sum up, since it's spread throughout several threads here. Three days with the HTC U11 on Verizon and despite the claims of the internet and some suits at HTC, here's what's lacking when used with Big Red.

- No WiFi calling;
- No 3G or lower;
- No Verizon Visual Voicemail;
- No HD Voice;
- No Verizon Caller ID;
- Not recognized as a supported device in Verizon account;
- No access to several Verizon apps in the Play Store;

There is VoLTE, however, when attempting to text a photo while on a phone call, it would not work - and a I tried several times. (Please let me know if this differs for others.)

So, maybe I just don't understand what "certified" means, but this is like buying a fully-loaded BMW and having several features unavailable for use. Time to process my return.

When I put my pre-activated SIM in my U11, it prompted to install carrier apps... VVM was among those and I believe called id as well (though I uninstalled the latter). From your list above, I can verify that you are incorrect (at least partially) with regards to HD voice (that's what VoLTE is) and the access to apps should be handled when you pop in your SIM card.

When HTC released the phone specs, we knew there was no CDMA/3G radio. Verizon seems to be trying to shut down their older networks (I've heard in two years or so), so the U11 is not unique here. The simultaneous voice and data only worked because one used 1x/3g and the other used LTE... Since the U11 doesn't have CDMA radio, that's no longer possible.

The only thing that irks me is not having it show up properly when managing my account online... I can't change any of the features because it is not a recognized device, so provisioning is impossible.

 

[sangs]

When I put my pre-activated SIM in my U11, it prompted to install carrier apps... VVM was among those and I believe called id as well (though I uninstalled the latter). From your list above, I can verify that you are incorrect (at least partially) with regards to HD voice (that's what VoLTE is) and the access to apps should be handled when you pop in your SIM card.

When HTC released the phone specs, we knew there was no CDMA/3G radio. Verizon seems to be trying to shut down their older networks (I've heard in two years or so), so the U11 is not unique here. The simultaneous voice and data only worked because one used 1x/3g and the other used LTE... Since the U11 doesn't have CDMA radio, that's no longer possible.

The only thing that irks me is not having it show up properly when managing my account online... I can't change any of the features because it is not a recognized device, so provisioning is impossible.

(We're doing this at XDA too ) I wiped and started from scratch, still never prompted for anything when inserting my pre-activated Verizon sim. No carrier settings, no apps. Did it twice, actually. Also if, as you say, HD Voice and VoLTE are one and the same, then why is there no option or setting for HD Voice anywhere in the menus? If I'm wrong about that, I apologize. The CDMA/3G problem was hinted at, but everybody insisting it would work on Verizon even if that wasn't included is wrong, because without WiFi calling, having no CDMA/3G cripples it. And yes, I've heard the arguments about CDMA/3G going away eventually, but there are plenty of Verizon areas that need it. I know, because I go to them. So again, please tell me what the actual definition of "certified" is, because I'm apparently too stoopid to know.

 

[cmurgia]

I'm trying to get the Verizon apps too. Was not prompted to install either.

 

[Iamus]

worldofjohnboy, did you actually buy the "Verizon" u11 or the "unlocked" u11. could be that there is some slight difference after all and the "Verizon" u11 imei's are treated as Verizon devices

 

[Zulfigar]

The U11 is only sold as a Sprint or unlocked phone, right?

 

[bh992004]

I just went to a Verizon corporate store and it said it only does HD voice, no Wi-Fi calling or HD video if that helps

 

[Iamus]

certainly there are only 2 hardware version in the USA (the sprint version, and everyone else).

The question is why on the HTC site they are still selling Verizon, att, T-Mobile and unlocked as separate items. The consensus seems to be that HTC is just being weird or something, and the unlocked version is the exact same as all the non-sprint "carrier" versions

what worldofjohnboy said makes me wonder if perhaps we were wrong, and the other "carrier" versions do have some slight differences to the base unlocked model.

 

[cmurgia]

FWIW, I ordered the "Verizon version". No prompt when I installed the SIM.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Certified to run on the network is not the same as designed for the network. WiFi calling and HD voice both required updates from Verizon, they get built into the phone settings, Verizon has no control on updates from an unlocked phone. Older Verizon devices don't even support these because they didn't provide software updates. This is a problem with bringing an unlocked phone to any carrier, you connect to their towers but don't get all the built in features because THEY AREN'T BUILT INTO THE PHONE.

The fact it doesn't have CDMA and no support for anything but LTE wasn't hidden, it's on HTCs website and it was covered in an article on this website. I'm not even sure if it has all the bands Verizon uses for LTE.

I am a bit surprised you can't download some of the apps from the play store.

BTW I faced these same issues bringing an unlocked S7 to Tmobile last year.

 

[digitalbreak]

This is a problem with bringing an unlocked phone to any carrier, you connect to their towers but don't get all the built in features because THEY AREN'T BUILT INTO THE PHONE.

I don't believe so. There are two types of 'bring your own unlocked device' to the carrier:

1) Buying an unlocked device that is not tied to any carrier

In this case, U11 is a good example and so are Axon 7, Honor 8, S8 unlocked etc., To my knowledge, all of these unlocked phones that support WiFi calling and VoLTE have either both or one of these in their phones. For example, in my Honor 8, I get VoLTE without any issues with my TMobile SIM. And with Axon 7, I get both WiFi calling and VoLTE just like in the U11 with my TMobile SIM.

2) Bringing another carrier device which is unlocked to use any SIM

In this case, say you use ATT S8 and then you switch to TMobile. You put an unlock request to ATT and get your S8 unlocked to use it in the TMobile network. In this case, even though your S8 supports WiFi calling, it will not work with TMobile SIM as that ATT carrier branded does not allow this.

What you are referring to in your post seems like the #2 as I have tried #1 with TMobile and it just works.

Carriers need to find ways to provide the service to their customers. If the only way is to purchase a phone from the carrier solely, then they are doing it wrong. It doesn't make sense to blame the OEMs for this.

 

[cmurgia]

Again, FWIW, I posted this in a different thread:

Quick update, had a chat with Verizon tech support today. He agreed that it is certified to work on Verizon and that the apps should be pushed through. He spent sometime researching and contacting his help desk, and they have put in a ticket for these issues.

At least they seem to be acknowledging the problem and not pushing it off. We'll see.

 

[AustinTech]

Hopefully they get this resolved. I love HD voice.

 

[Ry]

Just to sum up, since it's spread throughout several threads here. Three days with the HTC U11 on Verizon and despite the claims of the internet and some suits at HTC, here's what's lacking when used with Big Red.

- No WiFi calling;
- No 3G or lower;
- No Verizon Visual Voicemail;
- No HD Voice;
- No Verizon Caller ID;
- Not recognized as a supported device in Verizon account;
- No access to several Verizon apps in the Play Store;

There is VoLTE, however, when attempting to text a photo while on a phone call, it would not work - and a I tried several times. (Please let me know if this differs for others.)

So, maybe I just don't understand what "certified" means, but this is like buying a fully-loaded BMW and having several features unavailable for use. Time to process my return.

- No WiFi calling;
- No Verizon Caller ID;
- Not recognized as a supported device in Verizon account;

I wouldn't expect any of these on a non-Verizon phone.

- No 3G or lower;

This has been clear from the beginning. No CDMA.

- No HD Voice;

This is just flat out wrong. It's how you're using voice on the U11 on Verizon now. It probably won't be called HD Voice on an unlocked phone. There may be a setting for "Enhanced 4G LTE". You wouldn't want to turn that off anyway.

- No Verizon Visual Voicemail;
- No access to several Verizon apps in the Play Store;

Which Verizon apps are you looking for? Does it just say "Unsupported Device"?

 

[ckupsco]

When i make a voice call i do see the HD logo when i call another vzw customer.

 

[Ry]

Hopefully they get this resolved. I love HD voice.

There's nothing to resolve with HD Voice. It's there on the U11 with Verizon.

 

[Ry]

The only thing that irks me is not having it show up properly when managing my account online... I can't change any of the features because it is not a recognized device, so provisioning is impossible.

What features are you looking for?

 

[cmurgia]

HD Voice is working and it is now showing HTC U11 on the online account.

I'm hoping to get Caller Name ID, Visual Voicemail, and WiFi calling working.

 

[Andrew72501]

HD Voice is working and it is now showing HTC U11 on the online account.

I'm hoping to get Caller Name ID, Visual Voicemail, and WiFi calling working.

Verizon IMEI checker now comes back positive as well.

 

[Ry]

HD Voice is working and it is now showing HTC U11 on the online account.

I'm hoping to get Caller Name ID, Visual Voicemail, and WiFi calling working.

Caller Name ID probably won't work. It's not a core telephony feature.

Visual Voice Mail - do you have regular voice mail set up on that line?

WiFi Calling should work. Is there an Advanced Calling section in the Settings under Wireless & Networks?