The Verizon versions of iPad Air, iPad Retina Mini, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are identical to those sold for AT&T and T-Mobile, and will work on any of those three networks[1]. (It's different/more complicated for older devices.)
Also, an agreement Verizon signed when buying their LTE spectrum from the FCC says that all Verizon LTE devices must be carrier-unlocked out of the box[2].
However, Verizon will refuse to activate any device that was not originally sold for use on its network (they use a unique device hardware ID for this). AT&T and T-Mobile don't do this.
Therefore, for maximum flexibility, buy Verizon versions of recent Apple devices. You can then switch to AT&T or T-Mobile (not Sprint), or back again to Verizon, at any time, as many times as you wish. This is what the author did[3].
> Also, an agreement Verizon signed when buying their LTE spectrum from the FCC says that all Verizon LTE devices must be carrier-unlocked out of the box[2].
> However, Verizon will refuse to activate any device that was not originally sold for use on its network (they use a unique device hardware ID for this).
Which is a violation of those FCC rules you linked to. It's monopolistic, shitty behavior.
> AT&T and T-Mobile don't do this.
> Therefore, for maximum flexibility, buy Verizon versions of recent Apple devices.
Or just avoid Verizon entirely. That way you won't be rewarding their bad behavior.
Also, an agreement Verizon signed when buying their LTE spectrum from the FCC says that all Verizon LTE devices must be carrier-unlocked out of the box[2].
However, Verizon will refuse to activate any device that was not originally sold for use on its network (they use a unique device hardware ID for this). AT&T and T-Mobile don't do this.
Therefore, for maximum flexibility, buy Verizon versions of recent Apple devices. You can then switch to AT&T or T-Mobile (not Sprint), or back again to Verizon, at any time, as many times as you wish. This is what the author did[3].
[1]: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_2008_wireless_sp...
[3]: http://www.caseyliss.com/2014/5/21/tmo-vs-vzw-plans