A recent report from a blogger on iDownloadBlog indicated that Verizon's version of the iPhone 5 is unlocked, meaning that the smartphone can be used on other carriers. U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless has now officially confirmed the news.

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"I can confirm that the Verizon iPhone 5 is indeed GSM unlocked. Even though I bought an iPhone 5 from Verizon under contract, I was able to cut down my AT&T Micro SIM, and use it in my Verizon iPhone 5 to pick up an AT&T signal. By doing so, I was able to hop onto AT&T's HPSA+ network, or '4G' as they so ridiculously name it," indicated the blogger.

Like other U.S. carriers, Verizon began offering Apple's iPhone 5 on Sept. 21. However, for the first time, the country's largest mobile phone carrier is selling a mobile handset that works on alternate U.S. networks.

Verizon's iPhone5 is dual-mode capable; users can access the device on both CDMA and GSM networks. This implies that users can either switch providers at the end of the contract period without the need to unlock the smartphone, or sell their used iPhone 5 to buyers on any other network. Furthermore, Verizon users can also break their contracts by paying an early termination charge and have the option to sign-up for a cheaper service or even use prepaid service plans, with the same iPhone 5. However, shifting to another operator will mean that users will be unable to use the faster 4G LTE data speed that only Verizon offers.

Sprint sold unlocked versions of iPhone 4S last year that worked with rival AT&T's SIM, but the carrier later deployed a software update that turned off that capability. However, Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Brenda Raney said that the carrier does not plan to relock the iPhone 5.

The unlocked version of the iPhone 5 comes as good news for those who travel frequently to European destinations where GSM technology is standard, rather than the CDMA technology of Verizon.

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