Database Users

WiFi or Data plan usage?

Hello all I have a HTC/Fuze (Raphael) with AT&T and can access the web just fine. I however did not get a data plan on the the phone..just an unlimited text to talk family plan. This is an offered plan in case you do not want a data plan. My question is how can you tell if you are using your wifi to access the internet and not the att network. I don't want to be charged for using the internet (since i have no data plan)...I went to the att store yesterday and they told me I can still get charged for using their network to access the net even though I have no data plan... can anyone help me with this question?
Thanks.

driverx2010 said:
Hello all I have a HTC/Fuze (Raphael) with AT&T and can access the web just fine. I however did not get a data plan on the the phone..just an unlimited text to talk family plan. This is an offered plan in case you do not want a data plan. My question is how can you tell if you are using your wifi to access the internet and not the att network. I don't want to be charged for using the internet (since i have no data plan)...I went to the att store yesterday and they told me I can still get charged for using their network to access the net even though I have no data plan... can anyone help me with this question?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to use the HTC data connection application. you should be able to totally disallow any internet connection.

I am using an Orbit 2 on O2 UK, when wifi is connected it will only use it until disconnected or out of range, then reverts back to 3G.
You will know when it reverts back because the speed of the internet will slow significantly.

I completely disable/delete the medianet and AT&T ISP profiles so that it doesn't ever connect over 3G.

I have the same setup as you (but with a Tilt, no data plan). Download Modaco No Data cab, install and disable the ISP (the first option). This will turn off data usage but still allow you to send and recieve text and MMS.

HD2 Data questions?

I ordered a HD2, And am on AT&T. Wouldnt mind killing my 30$ data plan, is there any way to stop it from connecting, and can AT&T tell I have a smart phone?

GamerMYJ said:
I ordered a HD2, And am on AT&T. Wouldnt mind killing my 30$ data plan, is there any way to stop it from connecting, and can AT&T tell I have a smart phone?
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Click to collapse
to answer your question first, yes you can cancel your data plan and stop the HD2 from connecting to ATT data (by not setting up your device during your first setup, or you can just delete the media net settings after setup is complete. i.e. selected AT&T as your network during the first boot up).
AT&T would not recognize your device, as it is not listed in theit IMEI bank under AT&T's system. (you can just tell the representative that you have an old flip phone, if they ever call you to get the imei of your phone since it is not going to appear in their system or at the time that you cancel your data service, as i am sure they will ask you why are you terminating the iphone plan). so make sure you have an old cingular or At&t phone that you can give out the IMEI when you made the call. (This will also benefit you in the future, if you ever decided to get a medianet unlimited for $15.00 which is the perfect data plan for HD2 under AT&T since your HD2 (assuming that it is a T8585 or a Tmobile brand phone and HSDPA or 3G will not be supported.)
Im sorry but i just don't see the use of having a device such as the HD2 without using the data. Im sure that you are aware that HD2's features such as weather, maps, facebook, etc.. require's an internet connection right??? so if you decided to cancel your plan, you can only be connected thru Wifi or if ever you permit, AT&T pay per use is extremely expensive.
1Cent = 1KB
opening yahoo.com webpage = assuming 1,024KB = 1MB = $1.00
so think about it really good if i were you.
cheers

I think one problem is that the T-mo HD2's are showing up as Blackberries so they are going to force the $30 data plan regardless. I'm 100% positive they think I have a blackberry but I'm hoping that someone can tell me that they don't enforce the $30 plan in this instance?

Can you disable data, and use a voice plan only?

Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?

KevinStraight said:
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re: Disabling GPRS - try NoData from Modaco - its a freeware, just google for it and disable all your data plans.

O2 will work with just voice plan
A. Omnia 2 will work with just a voice plan, I used mine in the Cook Islands last week with just a voice plan SIM.
B.The problem is that Bell offers data with the phone setting so you would have to make sure you disable the data, not just with Opera or the GPS, or you will incur data charges and they will roll up quickly. Most likely they offer the bundle (I have it and fine it a very reasonable plan for my phone use) because people regularly use data by mistake.
C. GPS Worked just fine. I couldn't use google maps but no problem, there's only one real road
D. As long as you are not using push email or any application that accesses the internet automatically you should not incur charges.
E.You don't have to unlock the phone unless you want to go with a different provider than Bell.
Are you set on having an Omnia 2? Perhaps a better option would be to purchase an unlocked Omnia 2 and a pay as you go SIM from a provider that does not have data.
Good luck.

post deleted

That rep was full of ****. Buy the phone outright, and call Bell and ask them to disable the data for you so you never have to second guess or accidentally use data on your phone. Be careful, you must disable data on every sim card you decide to use.

KevinStraight said:
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just signed a three year contract with Bell, a few weeks ago i was surfing on their site and like you said , impossible to get a Omnia 2 without a data plan, last week i went back on, and I dont know if its a bug, but you can order one with a regular voice plan, i took the 30$ plan ( cheapest) got the phone by mail , free.
If i click on my connections on top you can disable all data, and only use wifi. If it does want to use data it warns you before activating it.
Hope this helps

Does your network charge for WiFi?

Ever since I purchased one of my previous phones about a year ago I noticed that the carrier I was about to sign up for stated that they offered free wifi as part of the package. So basically you could connect to a wifi signal and they wouldn't charge you for it. At the time I said to the sales person that surly that's always the case as the wifi signal is not apart of the data usage and its and external source the data. The sales person said that some carriers do change for this though.
Is this true? I still do see carriers advertising this as part of the package so wondered it some contracts don't come with "free wifi"

My network (T-Mobile US) does not charge for data or calls (providing you have the "Free WiFi Calling" addon) over WiFi, however, I think texts are still charged.

On O2 in the UK it's free use of The Cloud at it's hotspots, and supposedly BT Openzone hotspots (can I use them? like bugger can I!) where as otherwise their use would be chargeable

Sparksltd said:
Ever since I purchased one of my previous phones about a year ago I noticed that the carrier I was about to sign up for stated that they offered free wifi as part of the package. So basically you could connect to a wifi signal and they wouldn't charge you for it. At the time I said to the sales person that surly that's always the case as the wifi signal is not apart of the data usage and its and external source the data. The sales person said that some carriers do change for this though.
Is this true? I still do see carriers advertising this as part of the package so wondered it some contracts don't come with "free wifi"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're talking about their hot spots right, asnd not say, your own personal wireless network?

Sparksltd said:
Ever since I purchased one of my previous phones about a year ago I noticed that the carrier I was about to sign up for stated that they offered free wifi as part of the package. So basically you could connect to a wifi signal and they wouldn't charge you for it. At the time I said to the sales person that surly that's always the case as the wifi signal is not apart of the data usage and its and external source the data. The sales person said that some carriers do change for this though.
Is this true? I still do see carriers advertising this as part of the package so wondered it some contracts don't come with "free wifi"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine they are talking about Hotspots coming with their network. For example I can connect for free to any SFR xDSL box in France if its Hotspot function is enabled.
Evidently if you connect your phone to your personal WiFi Network your phone provider can't charge you for anything...

Ya, I believe hotspots talking about too. Ie, here in Canada a provider called bell has wifi hotspots I believe at Starbucks and they are free with some plans, if not all. Don't think anyone can limit wifi access, although I think with blackberrys they maybe able to, not with androids tho, and why would they limit you.

On AT&T if at an at&t hotspot at like starbucks or something the data used from the hotspot is free and not counted against your plan.

For T-Mobile, minutes/texts are still charged when you are on WiFi if you don't purchase the WiFi hotspot plan - which is a additional $10 a month. Texts are still charged if you are on WiFi with the plan but not minutes.

crawler9 said:
My network (T-Mobile US) does not charge for data or calls (providing you have the "Free WiFi Calling" addon) over WiFi, however, I think texts are still charged.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wifi calling DOES use minutes and texts (texts are ONLY charged if you, pay per text or have a limited bucket, ie: 500 texts per month)
T-Mobile USA ( I'M in Jersey City NJ) does NOT charge for wifi usage, only mobile data usage.
Pipsqueak approved this message.

Babydoll25 said:
Wifi calling DOES use minutes and texts (texts are ONLY charged if you, pay per text or have a limited bucket, ie: 500 texts per month)
T-Mobile USA ( I'M in Jersey City NJ) does NOT charge for wifi usage, only mobile data usage.
Pipsqueak approved this message.
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Click to collapse
T-Mobile told me that WiFi Hotspot Calling feature is a free add-on for most plans. They added it for me and when I'm using WiFi, minutes don't come out of my rather limited bucket of anytime minutes. Texts are not affected by WiFi calling. You'll pay (or not) just as you normally would. Without the add-on, WiFi calling will use minutes, but with it, it won't. Sorry I took so long to respond, but I just hadn't been following this thread.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk

crawler9 said:
T-Mobile told me that WiFi Hotspot Calling feature is a free add-on for most plans. They added it for me and when I'm using WiFi, minutes don't come out of my rather limited bucket of anytime minutes. Texts are not affected by WiFi calling. You'll pay (or not) just as you normally would. Without the add-on, WiFi calling will use minutes, but with it, it won't. Sorry I took so long to respond, but I just hadn't been following this thread.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should call T-Mobile back and get a clarification, you seem to have been given wrong information.
WiFi calling on T-Mobile DOES eat into your minutes. T-mobile has provided WiFi calling as a way to make up for their ****y network and dead spots in many areas. However, using wifi calling still uses your minutes.

Hi xaccers
xaccers said:
On O2 in the UK it's free use of The Cloud at it's hotspots, and supposedly BT Openzone hotspots (can I use them? like bugger can I!) where as otherwise their use would be chargeable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BT Openzone and BT Fon is free if you have a BT Total Broadband account.
Which is an unlimited amount of data usage up-to your monthly package, i.g. 10GB, 40GB, or Unlimted.
Which as you say, other wise it must be purchased.
Take Care
TheQuest

SamsungVibrant said:
I think you should call T-Mobile back and get a clarification, you seem to have been given wrong information.
WiFi calling on T-Mobile DOES eat into your minutes. T-mobile has provided WiFi calling as a way to make up for their ****y network and dead spots in many areas. However, using wifi calling still uses your minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad, perhaps you were right. I just had multiple T-Mobile employees telling me otherwise. Apparently they don't know what they're talking about and at least now I do.

Moto X pure with international wifi

I use my pure with t-mobile and will travel to Japan next month for 1 week. I read that wifi calling is not available on this phone at all. I plan to rent a portable hotspot anyhow, so does the sms or mms still work?
I was also checking out how to turn off data roaming on my phone and noticed it was already off but hasn't affected anything so far. Is that normal? I was hoping to at least have text working or would have to revert to email to keep in contact with my family if we separate.

I'm not entirely sure what you are asking here... SMS and MMS will need a connection to T-Mobile, the later will require data connection.
WiFi isn't really "international" or US or Japan, it is just WiFi... although there are some regulatory aspects to it (and channel restrictions in the US), your WiFi should work just fine in Japan. Before getting or renting a hotspot, check out where you are going and look into Softbank's Free WiFi Passport and Travel Japan WiFi, they require registration but can get you free WiFi at almost 500,000 locations in Japan for 2 weeks, there are also paid WiFi networks you can subscribe to. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html
You might want to look into a Google Voice account, set it up before you go, or get a local SIM.
You could also change your T-Mobile plan to T-Mobile ONE and Simple Choice North America for the term you are there, it would likely cost more but offers free data, text and 20 cent/min voice calls.

chitin said:
I use my pure with t-mobile and will travel to Japan next month for 1 week. I read that wifi calling is not available on this phone at all. I plan to rent a portable hotspot anyhow, so does the sms or mms still work?
I was also checking out how to turn off data roaming on my phone and noticed it was already off but hasn't affected anything so far. Is that normal? I was hoping to at least have text working or would have to revert to email to keep in contact with my family if we separate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By chance did you end up testing your data speeds in Japan? I am going there in a month and am trying to avoid a pocket wifi unless absolutely needed.

jjchdc said:
By chance did you end up testing your data speeds in Japan? I am going there in a month and am trying to avoid a pocket wifi unless absolutely needed.
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Click to collapse
I leave on Friday and may end up getting a pocket wifi for 1 week @ $50. T-mobile said my data and all text is still unlimited over there but it caps at 3G speed and I prefer to to have something with us instead of looking for wifi hotspots. Voice calls are $.20/minute, so wifi will have to be enough.
acejavelin said:
I'm not entirely sure what you are asking here... SMS and MMS will need a connection to T-Mobile, the later will require data connection.
WiFi isn't really "international" or US or Japan, it is just WiFi... although there are some regulatory aspects to it (and channel restrictions in the US), your WiFi should work just fine in Japan. Before getting or renting a hotspot, check out where you are going and look into Softbank's Free WiFi Passport and Travel Japan WiFi, they require registration but can get you free WiFi at almost 500,000 locations in Japan for 2 weeks, there are also paid WiFi networks you can subscribe to. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html
You might want to look into a Google Voice account, set it up before you go, or get a local SIM.
You could also change your T-Mobile plan to T-Mobile ONE and Simple Choice North America for the term you are there, it would likely cost more but offers free data, text and 20 cent/min voice calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does google voice use data only? I have a Voice acct and if I rent a personal hotspot, that would work out nicely. I'm a little worried about not being able to make any voice calls in Japan since there's a T-mobile charge. But if our hotspot covers text and google voice, I think we're all set.

chitin said:
I leave on Friday and may end up getting a pocket wifi for 1 week @ $50. T-mobile said my data and all text is still unlimited over there but it caps at 3G speed and I prefer to to have something with us instead of looking for wifi hotspots. Voice calls are $.20/minute, so wifi will have to be enough.
Does google voice use data only? I have a Voice acct and if I rent a personal hotspot, that would work out nicely. I'm a little worried about not being able to make any voice calls in Japan since there's a T-mobile charge. But if our hotspot covers text and google voice, I think we're all set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can... Install the Google Voice app or use the Hangouts Dialer plugin.and it can run completely on data.

thats what i am planning to do when i go to the carribean for a few months. i dont have tmobile but when i get there im going to do google voice on one of my phones and a simcard from there for another. check your prices though because what i found is amazing over there. so which ever works cheapest i may go with, but i have been integrated with google voice for years with sprint
30 Day 10 GB $30.00 a month/US