Does Verizon Require GPS?

I'm looking to buy a used phone on eBay. I pretty much narrowed my search to LG because I hear they're pretty good phones.

After looking up a few things about replacing Verizon phones with a new one, I thought I saw something about making sure that the phone you purchase is GPS enabled, otherwise Verizon will not activate it for you.

While looking for phones I noticed not all Verizon phones have this feature, so made me wonder if this is true or not?


I'm specifically looking for an LG Chocolate or a VX8600, and not all of them have this feature. Will I still be able to transfer my service to one of these phones without it?

For VZW, the phone has to be E911 enabled--not sure if that's the same thing as GPS enabled.
Answers to FAQs

VZW requires E-911. In order to accomplish this the phone needs to have GPS capabilities. There is an icon that looks like a plus sign inside of a diamond-sort of like this <+> or this <+>))) ( Location Based Service (LBS) ) . This allows the 911 operator to locate the phone to with-in 100 Meters. LBS allows not only E-911 but also the ability to receive services based on location. Ex: Sat you are near Starbuck$. They can "push" to your phone a cupon for a small coffee when you buy a small or larger coffee.

So, in answer to the OP's question, yes. Yes you'll need to have a GPS enabled phone to work on VZW's network.

HTH

Most verizon phones have a setting for this. 'Location On' or 'E911 Only'.

From reading Verizon does not require phones to have e911. It is the FCC that does. Also, it only applies to new phones, not refurbished or old phones that you may have. All new phones must have e911.

However, Verizon has disabled gps except for 911 and your phone*.



*Your phone still needs gps to find your closer cell tower

Not sure what you're getting at with this.

The bottom line answer is Verizon Wireless will not activate a phone that is not E911 compliant. This applies to all phones, new or used. It's clearly stated in the link in my previous post.
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6. Can I activate a phone that is not GPS-compatible?
No, because the FCC requires that carriers convert nearly all of their handsets to GPS capability, Verizon Wireless will no longer allow non GPS-capable phones to be activated onto the network. Older phones that are not GPS-capable cannot assist in estimating their location. If a non-GPS capable phone that is currently active is disconnected for any reason, it will not be reactivated. If you purchased your handset in 2001 or earlier, it will not be GPS-capable and you should upgrade it. Even if you bought your phone in 2002 or later, it may not be GPS-capable and if so you should upgrade it.

If you currently have a non GPS-capable device, you can continue to use it. However, once the device has been de-activated it will not be allowed back onto the Verizon Wireless network.
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Not sure, but I think Verizon is misinterpreting that rule. Yes, it required for new phone but old phone can still be activated on it. Otherwise people wouldn't be able to sell there old phones on ebay. Maybe Verizon will not activate is but it does mean their mvno will not activate it. Before the analog shut off, Pageplus would activate an analog phone, on the Verizon network.