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apple sells the unlocked iphone 5, will this work on consumer cellular network?

apple is selling the unlocked iphone 5 will it work with the consumer cellular network?

Posted on Dec 3, 2012 8:29 AM

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21 replies

Feb 1, 2013 8:43 AM in response to modular747

Where were you able to find that information about Consumer Cellular's data network? Their website doesn't give specifics in the description, but the data coverage map shows 4G LTE (& it looks like the exact AT&T coverage map, just missing the AT&T logo). If they offer the exact AT&T technology for 2/3 the price, and no contract, it could be a great option. If it's 2G data though, that's a deal breaker for unlocked iPhone use.

Feb 1, 2013 9:09 AM in response to EclecticCitizen

It IS the AT&T coverage map, because Consumer Cellular owns no network hardware of their own - the lease use of AT&T's network. Consumer Cellular is an MVNO with no actual network of their own. As such, no they do not offer the "exact same technology as AT&T" as AT&T never lets their subscriber MVNO's access to the latest and greatest they offer their own direct consumer customers (otherwise, why would anyone bother to get service direct from AT&T). Also, MVNO's are able to offer their low(er) rates not merely because they do not own their own network, but because the subscribe to a bargain basement level of access to the network service provider's network infrastructure - they negotiate their fees with AT&T and keep them low by only paying for base level access to AT&T's network.

Feb 1, 2013 9:24 AM in response to 5bm

OK, so MB summarized the obvious part of how Consumer Cellular works as a company and restated what was already here. Does anyone have a source to verify what technologies they use from the AT&T network? (& I don't want you personally as the source) Their coverage map shows that they offer AT&T's full 4G & LTE, but that would be surprising at their price point. What Modular747 listed sounds logical, I'm just wondering where that info came from. Any Consumer Reports or other data on them?

Sep 21, 2013 8:26 AM in response to 5bm

I am in the process of switching my family from Verizon ~$300/mo to Consumer Cellular (CC) ~$100/mo which uses the AT&T network as an MVNO reseller. $30 for minutes and 1 phone + $10 each phone x 3 + 2GB Data $30 (each additional GB $15)


I know another family that made the switch to iphone 3GS with CC...I used them as a referral and we both got a $10 credit.


They give 5% off for AARP members $16/year or their under 50 "affiliates" $12/year....Spend $12 or 16 to save $50- Yes


Consumer Cellular does not offer MMS through the iPhone...So that means you may email video and photos and cannot send those as text-messages.


I now have 4s, 5 & 5s AT&T iphones... CC reports if the phone works with AT&T it will work through them



Consumer cellular has yet to offer nano-sim cards and there are plenty of templates and videos about cutting down sim cards with sharp scissors to the right dimensions and you can thin the card a bit with an emory board or some sand paper... Can be done in a couple of minutes per card after you watch the video an print a micro-sim template. http://www.airportal.de/nanosim/


I am still testing the waters from least crucial user (younger daughter) to most crucial (mom)...first iphone 4s for daughter. Then iphone 5 and 5s


The 4s works with the micro-sim card provided by Consumer Cellular


Exported contacts from Verizon as vCard-3.


Imported to icloud


Rep advised me to call in to port my numbers from Verizon then call in again after number activate Data

moved over


They needed Verizon acct #


Phone number ported over in a couple of minutes on 1st phone and they report it may take up to 24 hours for Verizon to work their magic


After first phone was ported I logged into CC website to enable data on all 4 lines


Then called into CC again so they could text me the link for needed APN-updater and get me to read them the iphones IMEI # to complete the data activation on the phone.


I restarted the phone and I had the web without Wi-Fi = Cellular Wireless Data plan working


Phone indicates 4G in some locations- 4G LTE may come at a later date for the 5 and 5s


http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/consumer-cellular-add-step-smartphones-lte -service/105179#sthash.WLG2mi4V.dpuf


Set up voicemail and my daughter's phone seems good so far


Sep 22, 2013 11:22 AM in response to modular747

I just ported my AT&T iPhone 5 to Consumer Cellular... imessage and facetime and visual voicemail all work for me : )


As far as I know NO multimedia messaging service (MMS) means I can NOT send (or receive) audio files, ringtones, photos, and videos to any other phone via text message...A small price to pay, me thinks, to save $200/month for my family of 4 iPhone users.


I asked the Consumer Cellular Rep this morning about why not promoting sim card cutting for the iPhone 5, 5c & 5s... and she said that if the card were to get damaged and they let customers know about the ability to cut SIM cards that they would need to eat the cost....Seems like an untapped buisiness opportunity to me.

Sep 22, 2013 12:01 PM in response to yojamey

There is this step-by-step guide too

http://www.hickendesign.com/site/2012/02/how-to-setup-your-iphone-or-ipad-on-con sumer-cellular/


I would make one tweak and that is to use the consumer cellular iphone apn updater rather than the

unlockit.co.nz apn updater described on the site above...


See How do I set up Data for my iPhone?
https://www.consumercellular.com/Support/Knowledgebase/2/42/183

Sep 27, 2013 5:45 AM in response to yojamey

Interested in saying YES to an MVNO?



Check out a extensive list of Mobile Virtual Network Operators

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_mobile_virtual_network_operat ors#Voice_and_data_service_operators


If you click on the heading "Host Network" you may sort alphabetically


If we end up needing unlimited data my fall back is http://www.net10wireless.com/#/plans/family

4 people- unlimited voice, text & data on AT&T network for $165


Since my family lives, works and studies in Wi-Fi zones much of the time I expect we will all be able to share the 2GB of data in a given month and time will tell.


<Personal Information Edited by Host>

Nov 26, 2013 1:33 PM in response to BriaDaCam

Consumer Cellular activated voicemail easily for me they captured my IMEI number and linked voicemail, and the rest was functional history... We have 4 iPhones (1 x 4s, 2x 5, and 1 x 5s) all sharing one Consumer Cellular account.


The voicemail setup is a bit different with Consumer Cellular...Instead of using the iPhone prompts you go into phone and go to keypad hold the "1" down for awhile...Then you will launch the voicemail setup realm where you can leave an outbound message and access code etc. See https://www.consumercellular.com/Support/Knowledgebase/3/15


If you still are challenged, you might call Consumer Cellular Technical Support again and make sure they have IMEI number on file for your phone and go up the tech support hierarchy to see if anyone one of their support staff has a bright idea.


What iOS are you running?


I "upgraded" to iOS7 on my iPhone 5 and lost my MMS and the SIM swap technique has not worked for me since iOS7. I will try to get my 5 unlocked through a friend with an AT&T account. The iPhone 5s running iOS 7 was able to do the SIM-swap technique, and it was linked delivered by Apple with a T-Mobile SIM rather than an AT&T SIM as with my iPhone 5.


apple sells the unlocked iphone 5, will this work on consumer cellular network?

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