- Average user rating: stars out of 450 reviews
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Product summary
Verizon Wireless is the biggest CDMA carrier in the United States. It was one of the first to offer a 3G network, and it recently launched the first mobile TV network for a carrier.
CNET editors' take
- Reviewed on: 02/20/2007
- Updated on: 06/16/2009
Editors' note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level. For more carrier information, please see CNET's Quick Guide.
After acquiring Alltel in January 2009, Verizon Wireless became the biggest wireless carrier in the United States. It was one of the first to offer a 3G network, a music store and GPS services, and it launched the first mobile TV network for a carrier. A joint venture between Verizon Communications and Vodafone, Verizon Wireless was formed in 2000 through a merger between GTE Wireless and Bell Atlantic. Although its phone lineup was once limited and somewhat ordinary, in the past few years it has grown rapidly to include several popular, high-end handsets.
Things you should know:
- This carrier offers an unlimited calling plan.
- High-speed 3G networks are limited to urban areas.
- Uses BREW instead of Java for games and other applications, which can limit the number of choices available to consumers.
- Verizon claims it has the most reliable network nationwide, and the network quality has been rated highly in consumer and analyst studies. Tell us what you think in our User opinions section.
- Offers the widest selection of LG phones of the major carriers, and is the only major carrier to have offered Kyocera phones. Its smartphone selection is varied and includes Palm, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry devices.
- Its Friends & Family option offers unlimited calling to a select group of numbers, even landlines.
- As a CDMA carrier, Verizon's international coverage is limited to a handful of countries but it offers dual-mode CDMA/GSM handsets.
Fast facts:
- Subscribers: 78 million
- Coverage: Verizon Wireless has nationwide coverage with service in every state (though not all services are available in Alaska). Of course, actual reception will vary by location. CDMA international roaming using a Verizon phone is available in 17 countries.
- Technology: CDMA, 1xRTT
- 3G network: Yes, EV-DO
- Streaming video service: Yes, Verizon V Cast and V Cast Mobile TV
- Music download service: Yes, V Cast Wireless Music
- Push-to-talk: Available, depending on phone model
- Prepaid plans: Yes
- Family plans: Yes
- See more CNET content tagged:
- Verizon Wireless,
- CDMA,
- CDMA company,
- mobile TV,
- Verizon V-Cast
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 450 reviews
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 3 of 450 user reviewsSee all 450 user reviews
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21 out of 25 people found this review helpful
"nearly unbeatable network coverage but other annoying issues"
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17 out of 25 people found this review helpful
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12 out of 15 people found this review helpful
"Great network but with Sprint I get free Verizon/Alltel voice and web roaming"
- See all 450 user reviews Write review
