Well, here it's from the horses mouth - Verizon says NO: https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1129861#1129861
Also here: https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1189644#1189644
Of course, I'm sure you know more about Verizon than Verizon does.
Quoting from the first link:
This question has been Answered.
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zippythewonderslug Aug 30, 2014 2:56 PM
I am currently with T-mobile and have an iPhone 5s that I purchased through them. My wife has the iPhone 5c. We own both outright (no payments, no contract). I have seen conflicting information on whether or not we can activate these phones with Verizon. If we want to switch to Verizon, can we use our current phones? If so, what steps do we need to take?
We are interested in Verizon, but are not willing to take the several-hundred dollar hit of trading in paid-off phones for new hardware.
Zippythewonderslug,
We are very excited to hear that you want to join us and apologize for the confusion! I'm happy to clarify.
T-Mobile uses a technology called GSM and we use a technology called CDMA for calls and texts. This means that although data may work (we both use some of the same LTE bands) in 4G LTE areas that we cover, calls and texts will not since that technology is different.
If you go into an area that we supply 3G or 1X data only you will not be able to use our data either because it is CDMA based, and there are areas where our LTE bands are different than their LTE bands. In these areas you would also not be able to use our LTE data.
This can be very frustrating/confusing and we do not want you to be limited in what capabilities you can use with your phone so we recommend using a Verizon iPhone with our services for full functionality.
Due to all of these factors we cannot promise that if you bring your iPhone to us it will work/activate, or what kinds of service/coverage you would have with it.
If you choose to bring another carrier's phone to us you would be able to use our More Everything plan, with the pricing described here: http://vz.to/1jK3j4H.
I hope that clarifies everything.
SarahO_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport