If I purchased a MyTouch 3G from Craigslist and then used it on ATT, how would OTA updates work when released (from TMo)?
Are OTA updates possible via WiFi or do you have to be using TMo SIM to get it to work?
Can't get out of ATT contrac for a good while but keen to try Android phone.
Can I buy a $10 prepaid SIM from TMo (if that is indeed a possibilty) and use the MyTouch that way? I don't want to buy an extra monthly paid SIM or anything like that cause that would be a waste of $ as I currently have coverage. Hope someone in he know can help. Thank you.
If you purchased a MyTouch 3G from Craigslist and then used it on AT&T, you would NOT get any OTA update from T-Mobile because the updates are pushed through T-Mobile data connection, not WiFi. So even if you were using the phone on T-Mobile (say via a $10 prepaid SIM card) without a data plan, you wouldn't get the update either.
But I don't see why not getting OTA updates is such a big deal, as any official T-Mobile update will appear on XDA 10 minutes after it becomes available. Also, the joy of using Android is flash custom ROMs onto the phone, and custom ROMs are often WAY ahead of T-Mobile's.
Just so you know, AT&T will detect that you're using a smartphone and automatically sign up for a data plan (if you don't already have one) without telling you.
The myTouch is really crippled without a data plan though. For instance, the deal breaker for me is that you can't send or receive MMS (picture/video messages) without a data plan.
I know when I had my G1, I received the cupcake OTA over wifi.
I'm on AT&T and don't have a data plan.
kindrich said:
Just so you know, AT&T will detect that you're using a smartphone and automatically sign up for a data plan (if you don't already have one) without telling you.
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Click to collapse
How would ATT know I had a smartphone if the phone is a TMo phone that is unlocked? I thought they only knew about smartphones from "their" arsenal of devices?
Can anyone confirm for sure if you would need a data plan using a non-ATT (smart)phone?
I already have a data plan (GRRR!) that I "had" to have, so hopefully I could do all the "nice" things the MyTouch can do.
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
Thanks for the help.
IconBoy said:
How would ATT know I had a smartphone if the phone is a TMo phone that is unlocked? I thought they only knew about smartphones from "their" arsenal of devices?
Can anyone confirm for sure if you would need a data plan using a non-ATT (smart)phone?
I already have a data plan (GRRR!) that I "had" to have, so hopefully I could do all the "nice" things the MyTouch can do.
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do automatically tack on the data plan for people who buy the Nexus 1. They are only able to tell it is a Nexus One however because Google gave them a list of all of their phones IMEIs.
If you are using a T-Mo phone or from any other carrier, their is no way for AT&T to beable to tell what kind of phone it is unless the carrier the phone oringinally belonged too decides to share their IMEI listing with AT&T. Which they don't do.
but you already have a data plan anyways so it doesn't even really matter. What sucks tho is that you are paying for the data plan and you will be stuck with EDGE. You will not beable to use AT&Ts 3G network. You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
[Edited-mainly for spelling]
WTH happened to my post count? I kno It's been awhile since I've been on but damn.........
lmao
msgnyc said:
You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
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Click to collapse
That would be a good idea, but being in the middle of USA, I am guessing there won't be too many people who have Canadian phones to sell on my local Craigslist.
Twice, I nearly was able to trade for a MyTouch 3G and each time, the person pulled out at the last minute
Will keep trying though.
msgnyc said:
They do automatically tack on the data plan for people who buy the Nexus 1. They are only able to tell it is a Nexus One however because Google gave them a list of all of their phones IMEIs.
If you are using a T-Mo phone or from any other carrier, their is no way for AT&T to beable to tell what kind of phone it is unless the carrier the phone oringinally belonged too decides to share their IMEI listing with AT&T. Which they don't do.
but you already have a data plan anyways so it doesn't even really matter. What sucks tho is that you are paying for the data plan and you will be stuck with EDGE. You will not beable to use AT&Ts 3G network. You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
[Edited-mainly for spelling]
WTH happened to my post count? I kno It's been awhile since I've been on but damn.........
lmao
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how but AT&T WILL detect that you're using a smartphone, regardless what kind of smartphone it is. I'm currently using a Sony Ericsson Xperia X1i, which is not supported by any of the US carriers. One day, I popped my friend's AT&T SIM card (he had been using a RAZR without a data plan) in and voila, I was surfin' the net after less than a second over EDGE (the X1i can't use 3G in the US). The next day, my friend checked online and a data plan was enabled for his line. Luckily, he was able to turn it off but only after an hour of explaining. He was reprimanded by the AT&T rep for putting their SIM card into an unsupported device which could potentially cause damage to their network (WTF?!!!).
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And yes, the Tmo CSR was just trying to sell you the data plan. When I had my myTouch, I was using it with a prepaid SIM card without data plan and it was fine. But, ON A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: you will need a SIM card with data plan to activate the phone. There is simply no other way around it. When I bought mine from Craiglist, I wiped the phone right on the spot and borrowed the seller's SIM card to activate it (your AT&T SIM card would work provided you have already unlocked the phone - which can be done on eBay for about $12). Luckily, back then the myTouch was still running Android 1.5 which allowed for rooting. You should do the same or don't wipe the phone until you have root it. However, if the phone is running Android 1.6 or higher, well, you're out of luck. The process is a bit more tedious. Check theunlockr.com for how-to.
kindrich said:
I'm not sure how but AT&T WILL detect that you're using a smartphone, regardless what kind of smartphone it is. I'm currently using a Sony Ericsson Xperia X1i, which is not supported by any of the US carriers. One day, I popped my friend's AT&T SIM card (he had been using a RAZR without a data plan) in and voila, I was surfin' the net after less than a second over EDGE (the X1i can't use 3G in the US). The next day, my friend checked online and a data plan was enabled for his line. Luckily, he was able to turn it off but only after an hour of explaining. He was reprimanded by the AT&T rep for putting their SIM card into an unsupported device which could potentially cause damage to their network (WTF?!!!).
And yes, the Tmo CSR was just trying to sell you the data plan. When I had my myTouch, I was using it with a prepaid SIM card without data plan and it was fine. But, ON A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: you will need a SIM card with data plan to activate the phone. There is simply no other way around it. When I bought mine from Craiglist, I wiped the phone right on the spot and borrowed the seller's SIM card to activate it (your AT&T SIM card would work provided you have already unlocked the phone - which can be done on eBay for about $12). Luckily, back then the myTouch was still running Android 1.5 which allowed for rooting. You should do the same or don't wipe the phone until you have root it. However, if the phone is running Android 1.6 or higher, well, you're out of luck. The process is a bit more tedious. Check theunlockr.com for how-to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They activated a data plan on your buddies account because you put his sim into your smartphone and started browsing the web with it over edge.
Did you think they weren't going to charge you for that?
They didnt know you had a smartphone. They knew you were browing the web using data.
If you hadn't begun browsing the web, they wouldn't have tacked on the data plan. They tacked on the data plan because you began using it.
Related
Is the non-American SGS recognized by AT&T's network as a smartphone?
I ask because some people have successfully tricked AT&T's network in allowing them to use the $15 unlimited data plan for non-smartphones (of course most are caught and forced to upgrade their plan, like with the nexus one).
I've had the SIM for my iPhone 3G in my Singapore version of the Galaxy S for over 48 hours now and the website at wireless.att.com for my account still shows the SIM as being inside the iPhone. When I put the SIM inside my Razr, it usually switches on the website within a few minutes.
That's a good sign, in my opinion, but I wouldn't bank on it.
INeedYourHelp said:
Is the non-American SGS recognized by AT&T's network as a smartphone?
I ask because some people have successfully tricked AT&T's network in allowing them to use the $15 unlimited data plan for non-smartphones (of course most are caught and forced to upgrade their plan, like with the nexus one).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt recognise it in the att olam. It shows my stupid dumbphone i had to throw on since att started cracking down on the nexus one.
So right now im using it with the $15 dollar media net plan with unlimited data
I plan on buying a brand new sim from AT&T, is that okay? Or should I just buy a used sim card from one of those non-smartphones?
Thanks for your replies.
INeedYourHelp said:
I plan on buying a brand new sim from AT&T, is that okay? Or should I just buy a used sim card from one of those non-smartphones?
Thanks for your replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly i dont think it would be a problem. Just buy a cheap phone or even get a free one with a simcard in it. Because if they ask you for the imei and the device you are using, you would have your crappy free phone to give the info.
When that is done just pop in the simcard into the galaxy s
Hey I'm gonna buy a tmobile HD2 from a friend of mine and I want to know if it can be use with AT&T.
Also do I haave to get a data plan with this phone?
Yes it can be used with AT&T but you will not get 3G speeds due to the specific bands the phone has.
I have an international HD2 and am using it on AT&T without data plan because AT&T does not have the IMEI for my phone in their database and thus cannot automatically add the smartphone plan. I'm not sure if they have the T-Mobile HD2 IMEIs.
I too have an international HD2 and am runing it on AT&T. You can't use the T-Mobile US one - the bandwidth doesn't work on AT&T only an international version will work.
I was going to say the same thing they said
You can use an Australian HD2 with AT&T and get 3G speeds. Mine works just fine.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633404
I am running an unlocked TmoUSA HD2 on AT&T and it works just fine. Other than the fact that I have no 3G with this on the AT&T network. I am very happy with the performance since I live in an area with no 3G coverage at all. I have to drive 15 miles to get into 3G coverage area.
Yeah Baaaby AT&T .... not!!
When in the hell is AT&T going to take expanding their 3G coverage areas seriously? I wonder what it feels like to be the AOL of the cellular world, all those customers and so little speed. This really sucks bigtime!
HTR
omershahab said:
Yes it can be used with AT&T but you will not get 3G speeds due to the specific bands the phone has.
I have an international HD2 and am using it on AT&T without data plan because AT&T does not have the IMEI for my phone in their database and thus cannot automatically add the smartphone plan. I'm not sure if they have the T-Mobile HD2 IMEIs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not put your AT&T sim card into a T-Mobile HD2. They will automatically "upgrade" your account to $30/month blackberry data. I had a $10/month unlimited that disappeared and I can't get it back now.
OCedHrt said:
Do not put your AT&T sim card into a T-Mobile HD2. They will automatically "upgrade" your account to $30/month blackberry data. I had a $10/month unlimited that disappeared and I can't get it back now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not true.
I've been using my HD2 on ATT for 2 months now and my plan has not changed at all.
sorry I didnt explain well. Im gonna buy an HD2 tmobile phone which is lock to only tmobile I think is there a way I can unlock it to use with ATT I dont wanna have a data plan I dont wanna have internet.
eddym123 said:
sorry I didnt explain well. Im gonna buy an HD2 tmobile phone which is lock to only tmobile I think is there a way I can unlock it to use with ATT I dont wanna have a data plan I dont wanna have internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there is a way to unlock it.
eddym123 said:
sorry I didnt explain well. Im gonna buy an HD2 tmobile phone which is lock to only tmobile I think is there a way I can unlock it to use with ATT I dont wanna have a data plan I dont wanna have internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used a T-Mobile HD2 for 5 months on AT&T without any problems except for no 3G. I used the $10mo data plan and still am. I now use a Telstra HD2 and enjoy full 3G coverage on AT&T. Both HD2's are unlocked and yes, the AT&T sim works fine. Just don't walk in to their store and expect them not to hammer you with the $30 data plan.
There's a real nice fellow from Australia that sold me my 2 HD2's. Very honest and reasonable. If you want his eBay ID, anyone can PM me and I will forward it. Beware of other internet store sellers! Some are selling the same phones for $100+ more and some people have been either screwed out of their money or have gotten refurb/used phones. Honesty is in short supply these days so be careful.
I unlock it... Just call T-mobile and ask for the pin that was yesterday and today got it by email.
Now the phone is for my girlfriend and I she doesn't have any data plan and she doesn't want any....Can this be done? have the phone without any data plan on AT&T?
eddym123 said:
I unlock it... Just call T-mobile and ask for the pin that was yesterday and today got it by email.
Now the phone is for my girlfriend and I she doesn't have any data plan and she doesn't want any....Can this be done? have the phone without any data plan on AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if they happen to add it on there (by doing a maintenance sweep daily), give them a call and demand that they put DATA OPT-OUT on that line.
Thanks ill call before putting the don card in....I thought that it was mandatory with the phone.
Sent from my HD2 One using XDA App
eddym123 said:
Thanks ill call before putting the don card in....I thought that it was mandatory with the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It IS mandatory, that applies to ANY smartphone. Whatever you do, DO NOT tell them you are using any smartphones. iPhones are all in their database since they were the exclusive dealers for them so it's impossible (as far as I know) to use an iPhone on AT&T without them nailing you for a $30 data plan since all the IMEI's are pre-loaded in AT&T's system. At least with the HD2's and other non-AT&T branded smartphones, they don't have the IMEI's and can't just hit you with the data plan.
It's in their contract, any smartphone use requires a data plan. Of course, they also hit you for a tethering fee as well for the privilege of using tethering (computer to smartphone connection) even though there's nothing special about it nor does it use the data service any differently. Just another way for AT&T to stick it to the consumer.
Any one get this email?
When I got my Atrix from AT&T in the mail it did come with a new SIM card, but it wouldn't activate, so I just used my old one from my iPhone 3GS days and then used it for a whole year in my Nexus One without issues.
A. I didn't think you needed a different SIM to get [fake] 4G service.
B. What plan are they talking about...I thought I could continue to use my iPhone UNLIMITED plan.
I smell BS. Thoughts? Should I go into the local store and see what this is all about??
Dear *****,
We hope you are enjoying your 4G Smartphone!
We value your business and want to ensure you're set up with the right data plan for your Smartphone. If you have recently swapped a SIM card from your 3G handset into your 4G Smartphone, your data service may not work properly. Please call us at 1-800-331-0500 (or 611 from your wireless phone) and our team can help you establish service with an AT&T 4G Data Plan.
Our team is ready to help you activate data service with the right plan. We look forward to your call.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer.
Sincerely,
AT&T
You don't need a 4g sim, the 3g is the same thing. Now they do have an unlimited 4g plan if you were on another 3g unlimited plan. I had to go to a corporate store to switch it over, I tried online but it errored out. This obviously didn't give me any faster speeds but I might as well have it.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
You will be able to continue your grandfathered unlimited plan. But the iphone has a different plan in regards of voicemail etc.
It's no BS. Just make sure they catch it that u have the unlimited data already, which they have to activate.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
spielnicht said:
Any one get this email?
When I got my Atrix from AT&T in the mail it did come with a new SIM card, but it wouldn't activate, so I just used my old one from my iPhone 3GS days and then used it for a whole year in my Nexus One without issues.
A. I didn't think you needed a different SIM to get [fake] 4G service.
B. What plan are they talking about...I thought I could continue to use my iPhone UNLIMITED plan.
I smell BS. Thoughts? Should I go into the local store and see what this is all about??
Dear *****,
We hope you are enjoying your 4G Smartphone!
We value your business and want to ensure you're set up with the right data plan for your Smartphone. If you have recently swapped a SIM card from your 3G handset into your 4G Smartphone, your data service may not work properly. Please call us at 1-800-331-0500 (or 611 from your wireless phone) and our team can help you establish service with an AT&T 4G Data Plan.
Our team is ready to help you activate data service with the right plan. We look forward to your call.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer.
Sincerely,
AT&T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No bs you can get the unlimited 4g plan nothings gonna change in terms of speed but your phone will be ready for when they turn it on
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
No more unlimited
They want you to sign up for a capped plan. I want to know how they can tell. I would happily accept 3G data plan performance. I am just occasionally using the phone with SIM for testing, so I really don't want that...
Maybe the default APN is different for 4G phones from ATT. I wish I had an old Android that I could check settings from.
I see AT&T US and AT&T HSDPA as options. I am think of switching it to AT&T US, I think this might put us in "stealth" so to speak.
Like you, I swapped my sim rom an older 3g phone, namely the vibrant unlocked, to the attic and my data didn't work at all. What's worse is that when I go to the at&t store, they told me that they could put data back on it but it wouldn't be unlimited ( I grandfathered in ) . I told them that I don need their *fake* 4G . I just need my regular good o' 3g . What I had to do was file a request to them and waited about a week before someone called and finally gave me the unlimited plan that was promised in my contract. Quite an experienc eh?
I still have my old Cingular SIM card, and it works fine for me.
A 4G sim is not needed for the Atrix. It is for when they have LTE later this year. Do not let the reps lie to you about anything. The HSDPA+ that the Atrix uses is just a better 3G, that's all.
Clienterror said:
You don't need a 4g sim, the 3g is the same thing. Now they do have an unlimited 4g plan if you were on another 3g unlimited plan. I had to go to a corporate store to switch it over, I tried online but it errored out. This obviously didn't give me any faster speeds but I might as well have it.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you *do* have to use a newer 4G SIM. Either way the phone usually comes with one.
If you need one you can literally walk into any AT&T store and get one for free in like 2 minutes without a hassle.
hotleadsingerguy said:
I think you *do* have to use a newer 4G SIM. Either way the phone usually comes with one.
If you need one you can literally walk into any AT&T store and get one for free in like 2 minutes without a hassle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The new sim cards they are giving out are just 3G sim cards with a 4G printed on it. Trust me, that's the only difference.
They just need your new IMEI
Turns out that there is nothing sneaky going on at all. I bought the phone without them knowing about it, so their system doesn't have my new IMEI number recorded. I'm in an area with HSPA+, so I guess they see that there is an unknown IMEI on there logged in with my SIM, so they texted/email me. In any case, I called them up and they just asked for the IMEI and updated my plan to work with it. I had an iPhone 3G w/Unlimited before, and I still do now. The customer service rep was really nice and just figured out how to get me the exact same features (unlimited, messaging, etc) without me even asking.
So I'm on a 3g android smartphone with AT&T right now and if i got a 4g off contract would i have to pay for the 4g service which is really expensive or could i just stay on my good Ole 3g service i am currently using?
I think you can keep your current plan, but don't hold me to that. It may have changed since I've asked about it.
Source
This is the latest thing I've found regarding you question. I asked a little while after that. xD
Since when did they start offering a 4g plan?
I know with my AT&T Sony Ericsson Xperia X10a that when I unbranded and updated to 2.1, my mobile data automatically increased from 3G to "H" or HSPA which is like 3.5G without any rate changes.
I am guessing with AT&T that 4G will be more money, so I am happy with HSPA at 3G rates. Especially since the competition is limiting the speeds of their unlimited data plans.
i thnk the 4g prices will be the same as 3g then 3g prices will drop down.
But will using "4G" route you through a different WAP? If not and it's all a matter of wording and phrasing, I say root/rom and use unlimited data as if you were on a non-smartphone. They don't have to know, you don't have to throw your $ away.
Skv012a said:
But will using "4G" route you through a different WAP? If not and it's all a matter of wording and phrasing, I say root/rom and use unlimited data as if you were on a non-smartphone. They don't have to know, you don't have to throw your $ away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fact is that with AT&T data is measured in MB or GB, not speed or time. Regardless of how fast or slow you download or use data, it is metered.
However, I do agree that it could be as easy as changing your settings to access 4G, but it won't save you any money.
AT&T's "4G" technology is technically 3G according to the standards committee that oversees these technologies. However, when AT&T starts deploying real 4G, LTE, the prices have a good chance of changing. For now, "4G" plans cost the same as any other.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
jonandkym said:
AT&T's "4G" technology is technically 3G according to the standards committee that oversees these technologies. However, when AT&T starts deploying real 4G, LTE, the prices have a good chance of changing. For now, "4G" plans cost the same as any other.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, it is based on volume of data used, not on speed of use.
I personally plan to switch to verizon once they allow data roll over and family-plan sharing.
wcdolphin said:
I personally plan to switch to verizon once they allow data roll over and family-plan sharing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon also limits data speeds on unlimited plans. Either way you are going to pay for data in time or money.
I have a very similar question. Hopefully someone can shed some light.
HERES WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW:
I am currently using a Rogers HTC Dream, unlocked rooted and running Gingeryoshi on AT&T. On my line, "Line A," I have the $10 unlimited dumbphone data plan and AT&T thinks I have a Samsung A737 (ancient slider phone). When I bought the phone on ebay, I just put in the APN settings and off I went.
Thanks to a contract renewal discount on "Line B" on my account, whose user does not need a new phone, I recently purchased an HTC Inspire 4G.
HERE IS THE QUESTION:
When I receive the phone, AT&T told me that I can use it on Line A, even though it was purchased through Line B. However, they said I need to call in to activate it. They said that until I do the upgrade will be listed as "incomplete" on their end. Further, they said that I will have to bump up to at least the $15 200MB data plan.
I told them I just want to sell the phone and not use it. They told me I still have to call and activate it, but that I can then "remove" it from the account and "reactivate" my dumbphone, at which point I will be reverted to the $10 a month dumbphone plan.
The $1,000,000 question: when I receive the new AT&T branded HTC Inspire, can I just pop my existing sim that I'm using in my Rogers Dream into the Inspire, and use it without calling to activate?
**to be clear, I'm not talking about bypassing the Android activation screen. Seeing as how there was no "activation" process for my Rogers Dream, I'm unfamiliar with the process as to AT&T branded phones. So, I guess the questions is if it is any different. I am comfortable rooting and roming, so if either of those processes will get me an Inspire working with my $10 data plan I'm ready to pull the trigger.
ALSO: THANK YOU XDA FORUMS. I think this is my first real post here, but I have browsed the forums for hours and you all helped me along from tethering my A737 to rooting my first T-Mobile G1, to installing roms and the DangerSPL on my Rogers Dream, so hopefully you can help me with this!
okachowwa said:
So I'm on a 3g android smartphone with AT&T right now and if i got a 4g off contract would i have to pay for the 4g service which is really expensive or could i just stay on my good Ole 3g service i am currently using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jessehclark said:
I have a very similar question. Hopefully someone can shed some light.
HERES WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW:
I am currently using a Rogers HTC Dream, unlocked rooted and running Gingeryoshi on AT&T. On my line, "Line A," I have the $10 unlimited dumbphone data plan and AT&T thinks I have a Samsung A737 (ancient slider phone). When I bought the phone on ebay, I just put in the APN settings and off I went.
Thanks to a contract renewal discount on "Line B" on my account, whose user does not need a new phone, I recently purchased an HTC Inspire 4G.
HERE IS THE QUESTION:
When I receive the phone, AT&T told me that I can use it on Line A, even though it was purchased through Line B. However, they said I need to call in to activate it. They said that until I do the upgrade will be listed as "incomplete" on their end. Further, they said that I will have to bump up to at least the $15 200MB data plan.
I told them I just want to sell the phone and not use it. They told me I still have to call and activate it, but that I can then "remove" it from the account and "reactivate" my dumbphone, at which point I will be reverted to the $10 a month dumbphone plan.
The $1,000,000 question: when I receive the new AT&T branded HTC Inspire, can I just pop my existing sim that I'm using in my Rogers Dream into the Inspire, and use it without calling to activate?
**to be clear, I'm not talking about bypassing the Android activation screen. Seeing as how there was no "activation" process for my Rogers Dream, I'm unfamiliar with the process as to AT&T branded phones. So, I guess the questions is if it is any different. I am comfortable rooting and roming, so if either of those processes will get me an Inspire working with my $10 data plan I'm ready to pull the trigger.
ALSO: THANK YOU XDA FORUMS. I think this is my first real post here, but I have browsed the forums for hours and you all helped me along from tethering my A737 to rooting my first T-Mobile G1, to installing roms and the DangerSPL on my Rogers Dream, so hopefully you can help me with this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I work for AT&T and saw this thread and thought maybe I'd help clear some of this stuff up.
First, the 3G and the 4G plans are pretty much the same thing. You should be good using a 4g phone off contract. they are labeled different in my system at AT&T but I believe them to be the same plan because AT&T does not have a full 4G plan yet. But to be safe you can switch because the 4G plan smartphone plan costs the same as the 3G smartphone plan.
Unless you are saying you have a 3G "QMD" (Quick Messaging Device), or in lamest terms, a Non-Smartphone or "DumbPhone" haha. And that leads me to my next point. Pay attention here haha. As far as I've seen, if you have an ATT phone, the system will automatically detect if you've switched phones. Like if you went from a QMD to a ATT Smartphone, the system will auto-detect that you have a smartphone and will switch your data plan and notify you of it.
BUT, from what I've seen a few times, if you get a NON ATT Smartphone, the system doesnt seem to recognize you have a smartphone because it doesnt recognize the IMEI as a smartphone but instead as a Third-Party Device. Therefore it doesnt change your plan.
Now this does not happen to ALL non-ATT smarphones. Like my buddy who went from a QMD to an unlocked Tmo HD2 on his ATT plan. the system some how recognized his phone as a smartphone and switched him. He might have one of the phones that ATT has been able to recognize I guess.
As for getting the Inspire 4G and not activating it but using it on your other line, I would have to say that is a bad idea. If you dont activate it then after 30 days that additional line is cancelled and removed off your acct and ATT will then request the phone back. and if you dont return it, then ATT will charge the price of the phone to your acct. So no, dont do that.
As far as I know, the best way to go about getting a smartphone and not be forced to change your plan from the $10 QMD unlimited data plan to the smartphone plans is to get a non-ATT smartphone and hope they cannot recognize it as a smartphone.
My guess would be if you use 2 gb of data on that though, ATT might start asking questions as to why you are using 2gb of data on a non-smartphone though, haha. so be careful.
wrote a book but atleast I cleared some stuff up for you guys
thanks for the input chris-
you got at something that i had been wondering, mainly, whats the difference (in terms of detecting whether i have a smart phone) between my G1 or my Dream and the Inspire I just ordered. Is it that AT&T has the IMEI? I thought carriers could detect the IMEI of my Dream and discover that it was a smartphone, but they haven't...
As for the data, what's funny is that I've been using the Dream on that line with the $10 plan for 2 years, averaging 1 to 3 GB of data a month. I even had the rep pull up my account and, in the same conversation, verify that I had an A737 dumbphone (its just easier to say) and that I was using over 2GB of data. =) hahah
so, I guess I will need to activate the phone, tell them im selling it and using a razr, give them the razr imei (i have an old one) then switch the sim to the inspire and hope they dont catch it.
i wonder if anyone has tried this (maybe using an AT&T phone that they purchased on craigslist or ebay on AT&T) and how it went for them.
I guess this is sort of the even cheaper form of the UNLIM DATA 4 EVERYONE iPhone 2G trick!
PS chris I lold when you said you worked for AT&T but your info shows you're a Tmo customer. =) Maybe soon they'll be one in the same...
jessehclark said:
thanks for the input chris-
you got at something that i had been wondering, mainly, whats the difference (in terms of detecting whether i have a smart phone) between my G1 or my Dream and the Inspire I just ordered. Is it that AT&T has the IMEI? I thought carriers could detect the IMEI of my Dream and discover that it was a smartphone, but they haven't...
As for the data, what's funny is that I've been using the Dream on that line with the $10 plan for 2 years, averaging 1 to 3 GB of data a month. I even had the rep pull up my account and, in the same conversation, verify that I had an A737 dumbphone (its just easier to say) and that I was using over 2GB of data. =) hahah
so, I guess I will need to activate the phone, tell them im selling it and using a razr, give them the razr imei (i have an old one) then switch the sim to the inspire and hope they dont catch it.
i wonder if anyone has tried this (maybe using an AT&T phone that they purchased on craigslist or ebay on AT&T) and how it went for them.
I guess this is sort of the even cheaper form of the UNLIM DATA 4 EVERYONE iPhone 2G trick!
...
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Glad I could help
But again I would strongly advise not actually using the Inspire because even if you give them the imei of a Moto Razr, if you put that sim in the Inspire, since it's an AT&T phone, They will probably recognize it automatically and sign you up on the smartphone data plan. The only way that I know of to get around it is to use a NON-ATT smartphone, therefore they dont know what the phone is.
Know what I mean?
and as for this..
jessehclark said:
PS chris I lold when you said you worked for AT&T but your info shows you're a Tmo customer. =) Maybe soon they'll be one in the same...
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Yea, I love being a customer with Tmo. And I swear I'll be so mad if this merger goes thru
thanks again chris!
everyone's responses are always appreciated. thought i'd give you all a quick update:
today my inspire arrived. I called the automated activation line, entered some billing info, and accepted the terms and conditions. i did not use the new sim card sent to me at any point.
i called ATT&T just to be safe and confirm, which they did, that i had completed activation properly. my line wouldnt be canceled because i didnt put the new sim in the new phone, and i would not be charged the retail price of the inspire even though it was not registered on the line i used to order it. i told them simply that i wanted to sell the inspire, and they assured me it would work without further AT&T involvement if i put in a compatible sim card. seems like they are most concerned about 1) getting you to accept the contract in exchange for the phone and 2) getting you on a **&%*[email protected] data plan if they catch wind of you using a smartphone.
they also confirmed that NO data charges had been added to the line i used to order the upgrade, and that the 2 year contract was in effect. score.
inspire is charging, ill let you all know how it goes when i turn it on and put in my OLD AT&T sim (on the line with the $10 dumbphone plan). According to chris im rolling the dice here, so OPTIMALLY it will turn on, connect to sweet sweet 4G data, and AT&T will keep thinking I have a dumbphone. if so, chalk one up for shiftiness.
yes is it man
I have an unlocked Tmo HD2 on AT&T rooted to NexusHD Gingerbread. They think I'm still using a dumb phone. My data rate did not change.
AT&T PayBack
Egrier said:
I have an unlocked Tmo HD2 on AT&T rooted to NexusHD Gingerbread. They think I'm still using a dumb phone. My data rate did not change.
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(Someone) should open a new thread on the whole various factors of unlocking non att phones or actual att smartphones but being able to trick att into thinking were using a crappy dumb phone haha (;
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I second that notion above me!
I'm thinking about switching to the Nexus One that works with the ATT 850 and 1900 bands but, after reading all these stories of people getting switched over to the $30 smartphone data plan I'm contemplating whether I should or not. It seems as though ATT is starting to recognizing and crackdown on more and more non-att smartphone imeis and switching them to the "appropriate" smartphone data plan.
Is there a list of phones that are still unrecognized by ATTs database?
Ok, so I found a bit of information about this data plan working with the Samsung Galaxy S II reaching HSPA+ speeds, however I would like to know if it is possible to get the data from this plan working on any other SMART PHONES.
A few things I am interested in is...
1. Has anyone got the data working on any other smartphone? What kind?
2. Does changing the APN settings work?
3. Do you have to initially register a basic phone?
4. Is it possible to modify the IMEI of a smart phone to represent a basic phone so that the data may work.
5. Does anyone have any good ideas to get this working?
If so we can all have Unlimited Talk, Text, and Web on a smart phone for $50.00 plus normal sales tax.
If anyone has or is capable of getting this working on any (or all) smart phones, then it would be mutually beneficial to everyone
I have the plan running on my Galaxy S II, it was kind of tough to get going, and until I turned on airplan mode and then turned it off again, was I able to connect to 3g and H+ instead of just edge. The AT&T store employees also had a hell of a time, getting it to work at first. I did pop the SIM into an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S, and it worked after I went too settings, wireless networks, and then selected GSM only. The only APN available is Cingular 410, which is the wap.cingular. I am getting full 4g service on both devices, so I'm happy.
Note the AT&T stores dont always have the $50 pre-paid sim card in the store because I believe you can only do this on "International phones" according to the guy who helped me (whatever that means, I'm sure they are wrong.) I did explain how the Galaxy S II was unlocked and that I had bought it in Europe, but they still didn't have the actual $50 dollar sim card, so instead they gave me a regular 4g sim card ($25 charge) and then used two $25 pre-paid data plan cards (actual cards like iTune gift cards.) As I said above, they had some issues getting the $50 dollar plan to work, but it eventually did using this method. If anyone is in NJ the store I used was in the Paramus Mall.
Hope this was decent first post.
$50 prepaid simcards lol I would never pay that much for a prepaid sim card ever. I bought both my phones: previous Rokr E6 and the current X1i and simcards from myworldphone.com. For the E6 my $15 T-mobile simcard cost me about $15 with credit and my [email protected] prepaid one cost me $8.50 non active. Now for the non active simcard I had active it and then put money on it(depending on the plan I wanted) but it beats paying $50 for simcard when you can buy one for $8.50 and then switch to the $50 unlimited plan. Now looking at the rate plan options it says: " 1Monthly Unlimited Talk, Text & Web plan requires an eligible device. Smartphone users must purchase a data package to use Data on this plan. Pay per use data is not available on Smartphones." I'm not sure what exactly eligible device really means but when I first bought my phone I had the option to switch to the unlimited plan, something funny I noticed was it says smartphone cannot use pay per use data, well it's available to me . I only use wifi for my internet because I use my laptop for browsing the internet and really only use the internet on my phone for updating Touch Weather but if I need to I can use the pay per use data which I rarely only do for MMS. I don't know if it's the type of prepaid simcard(National prepaid simcard) I'm using that allows me to get through this loop hole or not but if it is I'm not complaining . Just my .2cents
JKDEM85 said:
I have the plan running on my Galaxy S II, it was kind of tough to get going, and until I turned on airplan mode and then turned it off again, was I able to connect to 3g and H+ instead of just edge. The AT&T store employees also had a hell of a time, getting it to work at first. I did pop the SIM into an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S, and it worked after I went too settings, wireless networks, and then selected GSM only. The only APN available is Cingular 410, which is the wap.cingular. I am getting full 4g service on both devices, so I'm happy.
Note the AT&T stores dont always have the $50 pre-paid sim card in the store because I believe you can only do this on "International phones" according to the guy who helped me (whatever that means, I'm sure they are wrong.) I did explain how the Galaxy S II was unlocked and that I had bought it in Europe, but they still didn't have the actual $50 dollar sim card, so instead they gave me a regular 4g sim card ($25 charge) and then used two $25 pre-paid data plan cards (actual cards like iTune gift cards.) As I said above, they had some issues getting the $50 dollar plan to work, but it eventually did using this method. If anyone is in NJ the store I used was in the Paramus Mall.
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ok a few things. First to answer OP's question is yes, it is possible with any unlocked phone. problem is that AT&T has certain IMEI numbers that are recognized as smart phone IMEI's. Like my friend had an HD2 that he brought to AT&T and they recognized it and immediately changed his data plan to a smartphone data plan. Although there are other people with smartphones who have the AT&T system tricked because the system doesnt know what their IMEI number is for.
So yes, it is possible. And yes, as for the NON-Smartphone $50 unlimited talk, txt, and data plan, yes it does exist. AT&T just started it recently and no its not for just international. Its directed towards NON-Smartphones. But again, if they cant recognize your smartphone IMEI, then they wont know.
As for the $50 sim card, no there's no such thing as a $50 sim card and no, its not "just for international phones" haha. Sim cards are $5.95 and if a store tells you anything higher, then call AT&T sales. Because they are ALWAYS $5.95 over the phone.
BOOM! glad to help haha
caffeinated chris said:
ok a few things. First to answer OP's question is yes, it is possible with any unlocked phone. problem is that AT&T has certain IMEI numbers that are recognized as smart phone IMEI's. Like my friend had an HD2 that he brought to AT&T and they recognized it and immediately changed his data plan to a smartphone data plan. Although there are other people with smartphones who have the AT&T system tricked because the system doesnt know what their IMEI number is for.
So yes, it is possible. And yes, as for the NON-Smartphone $50 unlimited talk, txt, and data plan, yes it does exist. AT&T just started it recently and no its not for just international. Its directed towards NON-Smartphones. But again, if they cant recognize your smartphone IMEI, then they wont know.
As for the $50 sim card, no there's no such thing as a $50 sim card and no, its not "just for international phones" haha. Sim cards are $5.95 and if a store tells you anything higher, then call AT&T sales. Because they are ALWAYS $5.95 over the phone.
BOOM! glad to help haha
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Thanks for clearing some things up, so it's the IMEI number that determines if they can tell if it's a smartphone or not. I probably got lucky with buying the international version of the X1 .
Viper89 said:
Thanks for clearing some things up, so it's the IMEI number that determines if they can tell if it's a smartphone or not. I probably got lucky with buying the international version of the X1 .
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exactly. As far as I know, that is how they determine which phone you have is thru your IMEI.
So to answer OP's question, yes, you probably want to initially set it up with a NON smartphone IMEI and then switch the sim card to your SGSII.
OR get lucky and give them the IMEI and they dont recognize it and just assume it is a non smartphone. (So if you are setting this up over the phone and they ask you what type of phone it is, its some basic flip phone. DO NOT tell them its a smartphone. Or you will have ruined that idea haha)
PS. there is a possibility that later on they will recognize your IMEI and will notify you (usually by a text msg) telling you that they are switching your plan to a smartphone plan. If they have done this, then they probably finally found out that the IMEI you're using is actually a smartphone. And that sucks haha.
Its also possible they wont ever know. chances are they will once they get the list of IMEI's and what phones they actually are for. I dont know how often they update their list of IMEI's so no telling how long you'll get away with it. some people have successfully done so for months or years. so we will see
good luck!!
PS. there is a possibility that later on they will recognize your IMEI and will notify you (usually by a text msg) telling you that they are switching your plan to a smartphone plan. If they have done this, then they probably finally found out that the IMEI you're using is actually a smartphone. And that sucks haha.
Its also possible they wont ever know. chances are they will once they get the list of IMEI's and what phones they actually are for. I dont know how often they update their list of IMEI's so no telling how long you'll get away with it. some people have successfully done so for months or years. so we will see
good luck!! [/QUOTE]
I've had my phone for 1 year and 9 months now if they were going to do something they would have already, and Sony also stopped making the X1i awhile ago so as for as my IMEI being recognized I'm not worried at all about it .
I've had my phone for 1 year and 9 months now if they were going to do something they would have already, and Sony also stopped making the X1i awhile ago so as for as my IMEI being recognized I'm not worried at all about it .
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NICE. haha yea like I said, some phones they might eventually find out, and some they wont. You happen to be one of the ones they probably wont find. Enjoy that haha
Almost 100% sure that plan does not include Smartphone data.
As well it shouldn't; I do not understand why carriers cater more to their prepaid customers by offering such low rate plans while proceeding to charge customers who sign contracts by charging them a steeper price for the same plan.
illatwill said:
Almost 100% sure that plan does not include Smartphone data.
As well it shouldn't; I do not understand why carriers cater more to their prepaid customers by offering such low rate plans while proceeding to charge customers who sign contracts by charging them a steeper price for the same plan.
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Yes, you are right, this plan is not a smartphone data plan. Thats why we are talking about ways on how to get it on your smartphone haha.
And secondly, no contract phone plans are cheaper because you have to lay down money flat out to buy a phone. Contracts are made to give you that $700 phone for $100-$199. By you being in that contract it guarantee's they are going to get their money for that phone.
caffeinated chris said:
ok a few things. First to answer OP's question is yes, it is possible with any unlocked phone. problem is that AT&T has certain IMEI numbers that are recognized as smart phone IMEI's. Like my friend had an HD2 that he brought to AT&T and they recognized it and immediately changed his data plan to a smartphone data plan. Although there are other people with smartphones who have the AT&T system tricked because the system doesnt know what their IMEI number is for.
So yes, it is possible. And yes, as for the NON-Smartphone $50 unlimited talk, txt, and data plan, yes it does exist. AT&T just started it recently and no its not for just international. Its directed towards NON-Smartphones. But again, if they cant recognize your smartphone IMEI, then they wont know.
As for the $50 sim card, no there's no such thing as a $50 sim card and no, its not "just for international phones" haha. Sim cards are $5.95 and if a store tells you anything higher, then call AT&T sales. Because they are ALWAYS $5.95 over the phone.
BOOM! glad to help haha
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Don't mean to grave-dig the post but when I went to an AT&T store for new SIM cards (activated one through a go-phone and didn't know that it locked the SIM to the phone), I wasn't charged anything for them, the store rep gave them to me for free.
That aside, I've been toying with this concept myself. I've been looking everywhere for good candidates for a smartphone that ATT doesn't sell and that is compatible with their HSPA network.
I have a couple unlocked T-Mobile phones that the data works on, but only at EDGE speeds because they don't have the proper frequencies to support ATT 3/3.5/4G.
Does anyone have any new suggestions?
EDIT: So far I've found that the HTC Wildfire S A510a, and the HTC Sensation Z710a are both compatible with ATT's HSDPA 850 and GSM 850 bands and may be good candidates. I already have a T-Mobile HTC Sensation Z710e and really don't want to buy another phone that's practically the same .
I'm digging this up because I need answers before jumping ship.
Does AT&T still make smartphone users pay extra for data? I'm thinking of moving from Boost mobile to AT&T with an LG Fathom...
Either AT&T or metroPCS, if AT&T does still charge smartphone users for data then most likely it'll be over to metroPCS I go then.
n1nj4Lo said:
I'm digging this up because I need answers before jumping ship.
Does AT&T still make smartphone users pay extra for data? I'm thinking of moving from Boost mobile to AT&T with an LG Fathom...
Either AT&T or metroPCS, if AT&T does still charge smartphone users for data then most likely it'll be over to metroPCS I go then.
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Like with a plan? Yes.
TomTheGeek3 said:
Like with a plan? Yes.
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Well what I meant was are Smartphones still supposedly uneligilble for the prepaid 50 a month unlimited plan, do they still have to pay extra for data?
If yes, how much extra?
n1nj4Lo said:
Well what I meant was are Smartphones still supposedly uneligilble for the prepaid 50 a month unlimited plan, do they still have to pay extra for data?
If yes, how much extra?
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Yes, they have to pay extra. Not all smartphones will be in their database, so if you have a European phone with the appropriate HSPA bands it could potentially trick the system into believing you have a featurephone.
As for how much extra, it's something ridiculous like 30 bucks or so.
synaesthetic said:
Yes, they have to pay extra. Not all smartphones will be in their database, so if you have a European phone with the appropriate HSPA bands it could potentially trick the system into believing you have a featurephone.
As for how much extra, it's something ridiculous like 30 bucks or so.
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Mines a Verizon LG Fathom...
Is T-Mobile just as ridiculous too? I saw they have a prepaid 50 a month unlimited plan... What jerked me back away from that was 100Mb unthrottled then every bit over that is "managed" unless ya pay for the highspeed unlimited 4g data.
How do you expect a non-gsm phone to work on a gsm network?
Stonent said:
How do you expect a non-gsm phone to work on a gsm network?
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Just because it came from a cdma carrier doesn't mean it's a non-gsm phone... It's a world phone, meaning both cdma and gsm.
Called up t-mobile and it sounds like they'd be my (our) best bet, they don't charge ya anything additional if it's a smartphone for data... So it really is flat-out 50 bucks unlimited everything, no limitations, no specification handsets required or anything.
Sorry to dig up an old thread, but has anyone tried this recently?
Will probably give this a go in a couple of months using the HTC Sensation z710a.
Pretty harsh not getting any "smartphone data" included on a $50 plan. Would be heading straight to T-mobile if my z710a was AWS compatible.