Prepaid customers on Verizon service outside of major metropolitan areas will now face reduced 1X coverage as a result of new policy changes. This is an area where prepaid services such as those offered by Ting, however, are not affected.
Areas Affected and How it Affects You
1X coverage has been reduced from 850 MHz to 700 MHz.
The biggest impact will be in areas outside of large metropolitan cities, which are typically covered by the 850 MHz band. 1X only exists on the 850 MHz band - meaning if your device isn't compatible with it, you're out of luck. Because Ting is not a Verizon MVNO, customers who use Ting outside of major metropolitan areas will not be affected.
Prepaid customers who use a device that is compatible with the 700 MHz band - for example, the iPhone 4S and up - will likely see no change in coverage or call quality.
If you have a Verizon prepaid phone from before 2012, it's possible that your device isn't capable of using the 700 MHz band.
Ting offers CDMA service on the Sprint network, and we work with both GSM and CDMA devices. We recommend that you check your phone's compatibility here: Ting compatible phones.
Verizon's Change in the Network Infrastructure Means a Change in Service for Prepaid Customers
Verizon's Network Upgrade is a change in network infrastructure. In order to deliver service that meets customer expectations, including high quality voice service, they have made the decision to upgrade their technology from 850 MHz to 700 MHz when it is available.
This network change is not specific to Ting or any particular provider, but will impact all providers not using 700 MHz compatible devices.
In general, this means that if you have a device that was manufactured in 2012 or earlier, then it is likely that your phone will see reduced coverage outside of major metropolitan areas.
If you have a phone that was manufactured in 2013 or later, it is likely that your device will still work on the upgraded network.
Verizon Prepaid Phones from 2012 and Earlier are Impacted by the Change
Prepaid customers using Verizon's prepaid service from before 2012 who wish to experience coverage outside of the major metropolitan areas will need to get a device that's capable of using the 700 MHz band.
This is true for newer devices as well - which means, if you had an iPhone 5, and were planning on upgrading it to iOS 9 when it comes out this fall, there's no guarantee that it will work with 1X outside of major metropolitan areas.
Ting offers CDMA service on the Sprint network, and we work with both GSM and CDMA devices. We recommend that you check your phone's compatibility here: Ting compatible phones.
How to Fix Verizon 1x?
Prepaid customers on Verizon service with a device that is capable of using the 700 MHz band - for example, an iPhone 5 and up - will likely see no change in coverage or call quality.
If you have a Verizon prepaid phone from before 2012, it's possible that your device isn't compatible with the upgraded network. To fix this issue, you will need to get a device that is compatible with the 700 MHz band.
This is true for newer devices as well - which means, if you had an iPhone 5, and were planning on upgrading it to iOS 9 when it comes out this fall, there's no guarantee that it will work with 1X outside of major metropolitan areas.
What Does This Mean for You as a Customer?
This network change is not specific to Ting or any particular provider, but will impact all providers not using 700 MHz compatible devices.
If you're using a device manufactured in 2012 or earlier and it's not compatible with the 700 MHz band, then outside of major metropolitan areas you should expect reduced coverage and call quality.
If you have a device manufactured in 2013 or later, it is likely that your device will still work on the upgraded network.
As of today, Ting doesn't support Verizon service at all. Meaning that if you have an older phone with Verizon service and are planning on importing it to Ting, there's no guarantees that you'll see coverage outside of major metropolitan areas.
Conclusion
This network upgrade is not specific to Ting or any particular provider, but will impact all providers not using 700 MHz compatible devices. It's crucial that you check your phone's compatibility before making the switch.
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