If I buy an HTC Aria and unlock it, would I be able to use my existing GSM card (on AT&T "Blue" network (older GSM)) to make phone calls and connect via wifi without upgrading my plan or buying data plan? I don't need 3G support but would welcome a new phone that would allow me to jump on wifi and get on the web now and then.
Possible?
I would think other folks would be interested in this same scenario and I tried searching, but couldn't find anything.
Thanks
I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't be able to do that. I would think that any phone that obeys GSM standards that you stick a SIM in, should make calls on the network provided you have an active account. You don't need a data plan in order to do anything*, as I'm sure you know; however, that does mean you need to ensure you turn mobile networking off so you don't accidentally end up racking charges up for network access.
*YMMV, this has worked for me with different phones in the past.
because ATT scans the system for imei numbers occasionally you will ahve a data plan forcefully added at some point. If you call att and have a data block applied to your line you can supposedly lessen your chance of getting caught but its no guaruntee.
i find this business practice to be questionable at best but there is no sure fire way around it. They'll even add the plan to ouut of network phones that can't use their 3g band like the t-mobile version of N1.
Even if you call and convince them to remove you from the plan (an arduous process from what i understand) they'll add you back on in the next sweep.
i know a problem with this that occured on the iPhone was the EDGE network that the phone would randomly communicate with, idk how our phones work exactly with the whole edge/3g thing but its something that was a known issue with iphones
dasspunk said:
If I buy an HTC Aria and unlock it, would I be able to use my existing GSM card (on AT&T "Blue" network (older GSM)) to make phone calls and connect via wifi without upgrading my plan or buying data plan? I don't need 3G support but would welcome a new phone that would allow me to jump on wifi and get on the web now and then.
Possible?
I would think other folks would be interested in this same scenario and I tried searching, but couldn't find anything.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will be fine. When you activate the phone it asks if you have a data plan and gives you a option to say you don't have a data plan and to use WiFi only. And if your still worried you can download a HTC widget that turns off 3g completely. I have the 2gb data plan and I still disable 3g and WiFi unless I'm using it. So ya go get on because its a really great phone. Ps: about what another chap said about the iPhone using data with out his consent. Don't worry this is Android You have control over everything. One of the reasons we love android so much.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
Thanks everyone for the info. I'll be giving this a go and will update this thread with the results.
Now I just have to make a final decision between the Aria and the Nexus One... I like the smaller size of the Aria but it seems like the Nexus is a better phone, and will have less AT&T issues... If anyone has a strong opinion one way or the other, feel free to share.
Thanks again!
Aria or Nexus One
My wife and son both have Nexus One's. I have the Aria and think it is great. It was also a money issue. The Nexus One was $500 more. But I am not disappointed with my decision.
I have the Aria rooted and removed AT&T'S stuff. Put on Google Voice, Gizmo5, and Sippdroid and now have a VOIP phone. It works great and no problems with dropped calls yet.
ryan92084 said:
because ATT scans the system for imei numbers occasionally you will ahve a data plan forcefully added at some point. If you call att and have a data block applied to your line you can supposedly lessen your chance of getting caught but its no guaruntee.
i find this business practice to be questionable at best but there is no sure fire way around it. They'll even add the plan to ouut of network phones that can't use their 3g band like the t-mobile version of N1.
Even if you call and convince them to remove you from the plan (an arduous process from what i understand) they'll add you back on in the next sweep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that was true, ATT wouldn't allow me to still have the unlimited $15/mo data plan from my original RAZR on every smartphone I've owned since getting rid of the RAZR. They still list me as a RAZR owner even though I've gone through 6 smartphones (3 were iPhones, Moto Q9C, Verizon Imagio Worldphone, Moto Backflip) now over the last two years and I still only pay $15/mo for unlimited internet.
bogatyr said:
If that was true, ATT wouldn't allow me to still have the unlimited $15/mo data plan from my original RAZR on every smartphone I've owned since getting rid of the RAZR. They still list me as a RAZR owner even though I've gone through 6 smartphones (3 were iPhones, Moto Q9C, Verizon Imagio Worldphone, Moto Backflip) now over the last two years and I still only pay $15/mo for unlimited internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, and ive been using an unlocked blackberry storm on att for quite some time and used a blackjack and htc touch pro before that. they would have caught me a while ago if that was true.
its a newer policy that started late last year. for every person i've heard of still getting away with it there are dozens that haven't. there have even been people that switched from their smartphone w/o data to a dumbphone and then back to their original smartphone and have been nabbed by the scan. If you had a smartphone with no data before the policy change there is likely the feature "Smartphone Exclusion" on that line exempting you from the data plan (unless they notice that you switch phones that is).
they only scan for certain model's imei numbers( but good luck finding the list of which they scan for). For a while n1 users were getting away with it but have are now being nailed quite quickly.
Its right in the contract (that you sign automatically just by not canceling your service) that if they notice you using whatever they deem a "smartphone" they'll smack you with a data plan. The customer service reps are supposedly under the threat of suspension/firing if they remove the data plan as long as your sim is in said smartphone. People who have gotten them to remove the plan by switching phones got nabbed faster if they switched back.
I'm not here defending their position, as i find the whole situation to be a shadey money grab, just telling the OP how it is.
my only real tip is to call and have a data block applied to your line before ever putting a sim in your aria. The only fool proof way to avaoid data on a smartphone is to jump to t-mobile's no ctract plan unforutunately
I gotta agree here and tell you that the scanning process is real.
The key is that they have to care to put your IMEI number in their database (or rather, a range of IMEI's that includes your phone). When your IMEI comes up in one of their scans, it's done.
I had a Rogers Magic on my account for 5-6 months, never had a problem. When the Nexus One became available for AT&T, I immediately gave the magic to my mom and got myself an N1.
For a while I had no issue, must have been 3 months on the cheapy data plan. Then, sometime last month (I think) my phone was moved to the smartphone plan. Before I called AT&T, I checked the forums and sure enough, everyone with an AT&T N1 was being switched to the smartphone plan forcefully.
So, it's a matter of chance really. If you have a phone that shouldn't be on their network and is unlikely anyone would pay the expense and use it on their network, well... there's a chance they won't have your IMEI in their database. However, if it's one of their phones and it's a smartphone, you have little choice.
Fortunately though, they now have a better "tiered" data structure that can ultimately be cheaper... but it still sucks.
Unlock Code
I finally got the phone but AT&T will definitely NOT unlock the Aria. Support said it's probably because it's an exclusive phone. They were kind enough to mention that it "may be possible" to get a code somewhere else
Can anyone recommend a reputable unlocker? I tried one on Ebay already but they were unable to find a code for the Aria. They offered to try another server for an additional $5 but I figured I'd go another route. They refunded the money though...
Thanks in advance for any help.
Returning the Aria
So after spending most of the day trying to sort this out, here's the deal. The phone I received from Amazon (and paid full price without a phone plan) can/will NOT be unlocked by AT&T or HTC or the unlockers on ebay.
AT&T couldn't tell me which phones might have this problem. The ONLY solution to be sure is to not buy anything from AT&T... which is what I plan on doing from here on out.
Too bad really... it's a nice little phone.
The scanning is real but i have been using a smartphone on my regular account for a few years now and didnt get caught yet. Seems people get caught easily when their account becomes delinquent. I let my mom use my old smart phone because hers were damaged and within 24 hours i received and email and a text message was sent to the phone saying that they placed the $15 200MB dataplan on her account.
I had to call them up and give them the IMEI number for her old phone in order for them to take it off which they didnt want to do right away because the account was past due, but was done eventually. But if you have the medianet bundle and they put the data plan on it removes the medianet bundle from your phone which they cannot add back on because the option no longer exists. I fought tooth and nail for them to put it back on but got nowhere.
I still have my Medianet bundle 5MB + 1500 texts for $15 a month that u use on my Aria and i dont even use the data part because i have WIFI at home, WIFI at work and Optimum Online WIFI most places outside so since the phone automatically switches to a WIFI signal when its in range its useless to pay for data i will not use.
What i have noticed and users have to be careful about is that if you send or receive a MMS while out of WIFI range the phone will not automatically disconnect from the 3G data until your back in range of a connectible WIFI sourcel. During this time if its syncing with your Mail, facebook, news, feeds, and other data things you can easily rack up 20MB
its possible. Ive done it on an old ATT blue account from 6+ years ago. The trick is just getting them to unlock it for you by telling them you need to use it overseas. This needs to be done over 611 or other customer service number. They will need the IMEI number and will either email you unlock information after a few days or give it to you immediately. My ATT blue account blocked the customer service from knowing which phone I was currently using. They THOUGHT I was using my first phone that I signed with(nokia 3300).
Also note that ATT Blue accounts for the most part cannot be touched (feature wise). Ive called them multiple times and asked for a data plan and other features but they were never able to do it.
This is my experience, it may or may not work for you. Note that I have a FAN account, but that shouldnt matter.
flipf0nt said:
its possible. Ive done it on an old ATT blue account from 6+ years ago. The trick is just getting them to unlock it for you by telling them you need to use it overseas. This needs to be done over 611 or other customer service number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the question is where/how did you get your phone? Has anyone bought a phone from Amazon that could be unlocked? I seem to be missing something.
If I could have just gotten the Aria unlocked, it'd work just as I wanted.
Thanks
dasspunk said:
So the question is where/how did you get your phone? Has anyone bought a phone from Amazon that could be unlocked? I seem to be missing something.
If I could have just gotten the Aria unlocked, it'd work just as I wanted.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know what dasspunk is talking about, there are people with the Aria unlocked on T-mobile!
dynamics_blue said:
I dont know what dasspunk is talking about, there are people with the Aria unlocked on T-mobile!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my point... some Arias can be unlocked and some can't. I bought mine from Amazon full price/no contract; it can't be unlocked. Which ones can?
I'll ask again... where/how did you get your Aria?
my friend got the Aria on amazon and unlocked it. so maybe you didnt go to the right place to Unlock it.
dynamics_blue said:
my friend got the Aria on amazon and unlocked it. so maybe you didnt go to the right place to Unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did he buy it outright ($330) or via a plan/upgrade ($0)?
Related
Hey guys, i was wondering, since i will probably have to import this phone and use it on a U.S. based plan, like t-mobile, would the "Myfaves" (TOP5) work on this phone. I can narrow the people i call the most to 5 important contacts, but since this phone would be from out of the U.S., would i still be able to use that feature? Im really wanting this phone and since their is a t-mobile store right behind my apartment, i see no reason as to go with any other company. Im not a big talker, but a major text person, that is why i would go with the "myfave" package with t-mobile. Anyone have any experience with T-mobile and this phone?
Hi redrazr7791,
I do not have the HD yet and I also do not have MyFaves plan.
But I would be happy to explain this to you. Anyway, please correct my info if you find any error.
The HD is an unlocked GSM phone, means it works in every GSM network around the world. T-Mobile and ATT are the two GSM provider in the US. Therefore, the HD will work in either networks fine. The only concern we have in the US is that, the HD will not support 3G in the US.
Whatever plan you choose determine what kind of service you get and how much you pay per month. It has nothing to do with the phone. If you choose the T-Mobile MyFave plan, it means you will get unlimited phone service to your 5 favorite numbers and you would pay the exact amount of $ every month as long as you use your phone within the defined/agreed scope of services included in the MyFave plan.
The phone has nothing to do with it.
From software side, T-Mobile's supported phone will have the MyFaves software installed, which allows you to choose 5 contacts and make them easily accessible from the phone, by displaying their contact pictures.
In the HD, there is also built in Favorite Contact software that will allow you to assign your favorite contacts to make them easily accessible.
What is the difference, you have to register your 5 favorite contacts to T-Mobile via the t-mobile website if you do not use T-Mobile supported phone that has the MyFaves software built in. T-Mobile allows you to change your 5 favorite contacts each month, so everytime you want to change your 5 favorite contact that is covered under the plan, you have to change it on-line, and then if you wish, assign them into your Favorite Contact in your phone.
awesome thanks for your response i have been looking at their plans and hope to be able to run this phone on one of them. If anyone else has any ideas or info, post it up, maybe it can help some potential buyers besides myself
Where do you plan to buy it from? I'm also very interested and tempted to buy.
Indeed I have been using unlocked PPC with T-Mobile for the last 7 years I guess.
They have the cheapest data plan. =)
hey guys if u need tm settings for pic and net i have them, just in case
Hey man i see your from Texas, where at im from texas too. I plan to buy it from Clove tech. I have been in contact with them and a friend of mine ordered from them successfully. His order is the one that i had hands on time with. I have just read a thread that supposidly a member here spoke with the HTC rep and they said it was coming to the U.S. anyone else read that?
lie_ui said:
Where do you plan to buy it from? I'm also very interested and tempted to buy.
Indeed I have been using unlocked PPC with T-Mobile for the last 7 years I guess.
They have the cheapest data plan. =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Touch HD and am actually using it on a MyFaves plan. It works fine. You don't have to have the MyFaves application on the device. I change my Fav5 on My T-Mobile so there should be no problem there. It's just a bit more troublesome but it works for me.
P.S. I am in Phila in case you are wondering.
Awesome to hear my man, its good to know that the whole "MYFAVES" thing will work with this phone. After i can hopefully scrape together the money needed to import the phone and get the plan, im going to need all the help i can get lol
Here's the deal.... I have a T-Mobile Dash, and my wife has an old Nokia phone. We have a family plan with shared minutes. Her phone is eligible for a discounted upgrade, but my line is not. I'm wanting to upgrade the phone on "her line", give it to me, and then give my old phone to her (which she doesn't use much). Make sense?
So.... T-Mobile is telling me that if I upgrade the phone on her line, we'll have to have a data package on that line for the duration of the contract. Wha?? She hardly uses the phone, and certainly doesn't need/want a data package. My line already has a data package that will work with the myTouch phone.
Is T-Mobile telling me the truth here? Am I going to be stuck ordering a 2nd data package that I don't want/need?
Thx.
Yip
There's probably nothing you can do to get around that requirement for now because the web site is very strict about those rules. Wait until the phone comes out and buy one in person at a T-Mobile store and they can get you set up the way you're trying to do it no problem.
T-Mobile has gone to mandatory data packages when you upgrade to certain high end phones. It has been set up with no way around it, even in store. I hope I am wrong, but doesn't look good from my seat.
That's why I bought the Google Ion instead of waiting for the myTouch 3G.
Well.... I don't need to tell you that I'm pretty unhappy about it I've been with T-Mobile since before they were T-Mobile (Voicestream, back then), and I think my 9 years of being a "good customer" deserves a bit better than this. I'm trying to pay them for a new phone, and I'm fine with having a data package -- I've had that for years. What I do *not* want is an extra data package that is unnecessary. Quite honestly, they DO have the power to resolve this situation for me, but they're choosing not to.
I'm going to keep pressing them, and I think we all should. I don't really care what "other providers" are doing or have been doing for years. I'm not with another provider, I'm with T-Mobile. If they want to act/price like the other providers, then maybe it's time for me to move along.
if you find a friendly rep at a local store, they maybe willing to do the non-req data, seems that the rec data stick rate is not high atm since it was just introduced in june
Thanks for the replies, folks. After talking with 3 separate reps over there, I finally got to a manager who could *REALLY* help me out! I've ordered the myTouch (which will need a data package to start), but I can them call them and they'll do an IMEI switch and drop one data package for me. Essentially, I'll get the phone at $199 *and* will only need to pay for a single $24.99 data package, rather than two data packages. I'm not sure if everyone can get this "deal", but I was able to work it out, get it documented (with them) and place my order.
Anyone can get that deal. You just have to wait till the phone comes out instead of pre ordering it. I'm a rep in a store and we do this all the time. Pre orders are different mainly because its automated on the website.
bachviet said:
That's why I bought the Google Ion instead of waiting for the myTouch 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I get a google ion? I want this phone, but want the 288 MB of RAM.
mikeybags said:
Where can I get a google ion? I want this phone, but want the 288 MB of RAM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On local craigslist but it only has 192MB of RAM just like the myTouch 3G.
bachviet said:
On local craigslist but it only has 192MB of RAM just like the myTouch 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh...I read a review that said it has 288. That sucks.
I wonder if you can do the the quick switcharoo get one with data then change phone for another month then call them and let then know you lost the phone and downgrade to the t-web? Or get the phone then change your data plan online to t-web?
Solution to your "problems"
yipcanjo said:
Well.... I don't need to tell you that I'm pretty unhappy about it I've been with T-Mobile since before they were T-Mobile (Voicestream, back then), and I think my 9 years of being a "good customer" deserves a bit better than this. I'm trying to pay them for a new phone, and I'm fine with having a data package -- I've had that for years. What I do *not* want is an extra data package that is unnecessary. Quite honestly, they DO have the power to resolve this situation for me, but they're choosing not to.
I'm going to keep pressing them, and I think we all should. I don't really care what "other providers" are doing or have been doing for years. I'm not with another provider, I'm with T-Mobile. If they want to act/price like the other providers, then maybe it's time for me to move along.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just get the phone with the discounted price, once you get the phone swap it with your wife and let tmobile know that your wife didnt like the phone but you will keep it and you want to move the data plan from her line to yours and that she will keep using her old phone. That's everything you will have to do.
P.S. I'm a TMo Sales Rep
Actually, I didn't even have to be "sneaky" about it. I *knew* that T-Mobile could do this, it was really a matter of their willingness. I was able to speak with a cust svc manager who will "make it all good" after the phone arrives.
New phone ordered on wife's line ($199), will move the phone to my line, data package stays on my line, no data package required on her line. NET = Cost stays the same.
Thanks, T-Mo.
yipcanjo said:
Actually, I didn't even have to be "sneaky" about it. I *knew* that T-Mobile could do this, it was really a matter of their willingness. I was able to speak with a cust svc manager who will "make it all good" after the phone arrives.
New phone ordered on wife's line ($199), will move the phone to my line, data package stays on my line, no data package required on her line. NET = Cost stays the same.
Thanks, T-Mo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL That's what I did to get my G1 when it came out and now that my contract is up, I have no problem getting the myTouch just switch out the sim and I'm done
Anyone know of a way for me to keep my bill at the same price when I get my mytouch 3g. I currently have the tmobile total internet package that cost 19.99 and the 400 text messages for 4.99. I know they had the g1 plan for 24.99 that basically included my services in one but the recently changed it. Would they be able to give that old service or let me just keep my current ones?
Thanks
I can tell you for certain that T-Mobile will lock a minimum $25 data package to the line you upgrade to the MyTouch on for the duration of the new contract. The only way out is to pay full price for the handset after the phone is released on or about the 15th of august. I dont know why you would want to have that much phone without a data plan but that's just me.
donepate said:
I dont know why you would want to have that much phone without a data plan but that's just me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
plus 1 on this one too. i don't think you'll be able to really enjoy the phone w/o the data. besides your already paying the same thing might as well get the 3g benefit instead of edge!
I have a G1. My wife has a T-Mo BB Pearl.
We want to buy the nexus one outright and put her sim in it.
Can I call and have them move her line to my plan and switch me to the even more plus (unlimited).
Seems like a way to avoid the individual plan only TMo is doing. I mean, they would never even know she had the N1 right?
You can just put the sim in and it should work out of the box with whatever plan she had (or is being switched to). They generally don't care what plan she's on, but the data plan may be device specific. I don't think there's a different rate for the android internet vs BB internet.
that should work but im not 100%...
well, the tricky part is that she used to do PR for T-Mo and for the past 3 years we have had a completely free, unlimited BB. Seriously, it has unlimited data/voice/anything.
I was concerned that she may lose this when putting her sim in the Nexus, but like you guys said... seems like T Mo nor the sim card would know the wiser.
Really just want to get her into android and have a nexus in my house.
s15274n said:
I have a G1. My wife has a T-Mo BB Pearl.
We want to buy the nexus one outright and put her sim in it.
Can I call and have them move her line to my plan and switch me to the even more plus (unlimited).
Seems like a way to avoid the individual plan only TMo is doing. I mean, they would never even know she had the N1 right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work for T-mobile so I can clarify this pretty easily.
You mentioned corperate discount for the BB plan, unfortunately if you get an N1 you'll lose that. The problem lies in that the BB data and Android data are defined as two different types of data on tmobile, and while it may work for a little while you'd still have some problems. (my boss has to do this on occasion when switching between his g1/cliq/mytouch and his unlocked bb storm)
You'd have no problem changing the plan over, but if you wanted to keep it free, you may have some issues. (You might be able to convince them to give you the android plan free, since it was a gifted bb thing?)
Since it's on the even more plus, just go in on the last day of your close date (bill is due one day, close date is generally a couple days later, check with #225# and 'due by' is the date you need to go in, before you pay your bill) Have them change the plan then and you'll only have to pay next month's bill including the new data plan, and your services would take effect the next day with all the new stuff.
if you have additional q's feel free to pop me an email at jareduarunorudu[at]gmail.com (I may not see the thread)
Hmm, did not realize there was a difference in BB data and android data.
That could severely limit what I am trying to do as I do not want to do anything to lose her "free" phone and its service.
So, you are saying the Nexus could not get data from the sim card, because her sim card has BB data plan on it, right?
s15274n said:
Hmm, did not realize there was a difference in BB data and android data.
That could severely limit what I am trying to do as I do not want to do anything to lose her "free" phone and its service.
So, you are saying the Nexus could not get data from the sim card, because her sim card has BB data plan on it, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a weird plan thing =\ BB's always been separate though, even before all the new smartphones came out because of their enterprise push email service.. it was always listed differently on accounts lol. Now it's listed as total internet for normal smartphones, BB data and then android data's separate =P
The first thing I'd say try would be to simply take her sim out, put it in your g1, and see how far you get. if it works, it should work the same way with the N1... Worst case scenario is you get the n1, it works for 3-4 weeks then quits working, you call customer care and yell at them until they give you free android data heh.
Gotta love GSM.
JareduPS said:
It's a weird plan thing =\ BB's always been separate though, even before all the new smartphones came out because of their enterprise push email service.. it was always listed differently on accounts lol. Now it's listed as total internet for normal smartphones, BB data and then android data's separate =P
The first thing I'd say try would be to simply take her sim out, put it in your g1, and see how far you get. if it works, it should work the same way with the N1... Worst case scenario is you get the n1, it works for 3-4 weeks then quits working, you call customer care and yell at them until they give you free android data heh.
Gotta love GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you make this sound like this isnt your first run in with having to give someone free android data?
ive still got my 5.99 internet (works with N1) i have little faith in it lasting in the long run but are you saying that if i raise my voice enough they will upgrade me for no cost? lol
I threw her sim card in my g1 and it worked perfectly.
Ordered the nexus last night.
Thanks for all of the help.
JHaste said:
you make this sound like this isnt your first run in with having to give someone free android data?
ive still got my 5.99 internet (works with N1) i have little faith in it lasting in the long run but are you saying that if i raise my voice enough they will upgrade me for no cost? lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear it worked!
Haha no, it's not my first time. Depending on how you yell, I've seen people given free $300 phones just to stay, but it depends on how you do it, who you get, if they're foreign and a few other things lol.
Due to a messup by a rep I had one customer keep coming back and doing the same thing 3 months in a row for free unlimited texting on their family account on flexpay haha.
since it did work I'd say that if it stops working say it's been working fine for ages and the plan is grandfathered, make it free because it was working perfectly fine before and it's not your fault that the system defines it as two different things when it's still just data
Good luck! hope all goes well
Sorry for the late reply, I had never seen the notification thing on XDA before lol. (still relatively new to posting a bunch)
What do you think is the strategy behind selling the Tab with no voice capability? Make us buy two devices instead of one? I don't think that would work, the first carrier that decides to sell it with voice will get the whole market.
Is there some other reason I'm not seeing? Come to think of it, why am I buyng this thing from the phone company if it's not even a phone!?
I'm with Bell and the TV add clearly says "complete communications solution" and shows a guy in a phone call... but only when you get to to store do they tell you you can't actually make a phone call!
No hothead answers please and yes, I know you can flash the thing and make calls anyway...
davidke said:
What do you think is the strategy behind selling the Tab with no voice capability? Make us buy two devices instead of one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.
A few of us has commented on this in other threads... and I come down on the thought that all of the carriers are now rolling out these data-only (or Mobile Broadband, webConnect, DataConnect, etc) monthly plans where the obvious intent is to lock customers into multiple contracts -- one for their phone and another for their tablet device -- i.e., it is a play for additional revenue.
I can't imagine how there wasn't collusion involved here by the US carriers... unless it was Samsung's strategy, but that seems rather ham-fisted, even for Samsung.
Forcing you buying the device with additional data plan to the one you have now for your smartphone, that's whats behind date.
Wont I just cancel the data plan on my current phone when I get the Tab?
I'll be giving them less money not more... Why would anyone get two data plans?
Well, had just been to the TMobile store today to sort some other things out.
Had a chat with the sales girl who at first said it was impossible to get phone calls, they were different to the Euro models. When I took out my Tab and made a phone call, she was suprised but I pointed out that it was crazy I could get voice on Tmobile, but not 3G, but AT&T could be hacked to enable both. I asked 'why would I want to keep 3 accounts (my phone, my tab, and GF's phone) on TMobile, when I can more them to AT&T and get the device working the way I wanted to.
She couldn't really come up with a reason but didn't try to BS me. Eventually she realised that it was mad buying a phone capable device that had the phone part removed, but understood why I'd be bringing it back in < 30 days to get a refund and go to AT&T.
Then, after all that, she admitted that I wasn't the first person in complaining about it.
Sheesh.
But yeah, at this time, it's Prisoner's Dilemma. If NO-ONE offers voice, they'll get away with it. As soon as one carrier in the US offers it, the rest will have to offer it.
Jyveafk said:
Well, had just been to the TMobile store today to sort some other things out.
Had a chat with the sales girl who at first said it was impossible to get phone calls, they were different to the Euro models. When I took out my Tab and made a phone call, she was suprised but I pointed out that it was crazy I could get voice on Tmobile, but not 3G, but AT&T could be hacked to enable both. I asked 'why would I want to keep 3 accounts (my phone, my tab, and GF's phone) on TMobile, when I can more them to AT&T and get the device working the way I wanted to.
She couldn't really come up with a reason but didn't try to BS me. Eventually she realised that it was mad buying a phone capable device that had the phone part removed, but understood why I'd be bringing it back in < 30 days to get a refund and go to AT&T.
Then, after all that, she admitted that I wasn't the first person in complaining about it.
Sheesh.
But yeah, at this time, it's Prisoner's Dilemma. If NO-ONE offers voice, they'll get away with it. As soon as one carrier in the US offers it, the rest will have to offer it.
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Interesting I plan on doing the same but did she say anything about returning it with the modified firmware allowed?? But yeah I'm seriously trying to debate if I really like having my second phone as a access point just to access Internet with the tab , and going to AT&T now with no unlimited Internet would be a crappy option stupid AT&T
TurckBoatTruck said:
Exactly.
A few of us has commented on this in other threads... and I come down on the thought that all of the carriers are now rolling out these data-only (or Mobile Broadband, webConnect, DataConnect, etc) monthly plans where the obvious intent is to lock customers into multiple contracts -- one for their phone and another for their tablet device -- i.e., it is a play for additional revenue.
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Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.
Unfortunately for tmobile I am going to return mine and get one from att. Didn't know they offer non contract. And their data plan seems cheaper and I can enable voice...
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App
My buddy who is a manager for AT&T said there were 2 reasons to cripple the tab... #1 - why have customers have a total solution when they can pay for 2. #2 - can't have it take any fame from the iPad. Come on, why would AT&T make a stupid move and take out mms on their tab?! As small as it is but still, didn't they learn their lesson with mms on the iPhone?? He said this was covered in training. Im sure other US carriers have the same think in mind... Minus tmobile for reason #2... I am rather surprised in tmobile as they have been Rollin out devices like nobodys business and meeting the community demand.
peestandingup said:
Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.
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Click to collapse
I just signed for Axvoice unlimited international for just under $17/mo. and will be porting my cellular number to it. Now I can choose Simple Mobile or At&t for $60/mo for data only on the respective Tab and have simultaneous data and voip. I've been wanting to do this for a long time but now the plans and options make it possible .
peestandingup said:
Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.
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Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).
TurckBoatTruck said:
Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).
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Tell her to keep quiet while you're talking, problem solved!
TurckBoatTruck said:
Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).
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Yeah, I imagine it may not be a robust enough solution for a lot of folks, esp business types who need to talk on the phone a lot & need everything to be solid.
Fortunately for me, Im just a stay at home dad & dont talk on the phone that much. My wife & I mostly email/IM when she's at work, even when I had a smartphone. And the Skype/Google Voice combo works well enough when Im on the road to make/receive decent calls from random friends/family if I need that.
So for someone like me who uses much more data than voice, its pretty awesome that the US carriers actually didn't try to turn the Tab into a phone & charge extra for a voice plan.
Its possible to use the voip for the sprint g tab?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I got a nice SMS on March 18th from AT&T saying "An eligible data plan is required for Laptop, Tablet or MiFi devices. Call 611 as soon as possible for details and to avoid service interruption"
We are on 20th and I have no dtaa connection anymore
I happen to be paying the most expensive plan for my device (Coming from TP2), with an extra to have Exchange emails (Yeah can you believe you are charged extra for Exchange emails) and now.... I would have to pay even more because I use my SIUM in my tablet. WTF...
Maybe it's just me but if some of you have the same issue and found a workaround... Or maybe I should just step away from AT&T... F them...
Edit: Just got an SMS "Your data service has been restricted due to SIM swapping with a data Connect device". I pay 150$ a month for my data plan, calsl, etc... How much is not enough ????
I got the same thing. AT&T is now doing the same thing T-Mobile is doing. You cannot put a T-Mobile phone SIM in a T-Mobile tab, and, now, you cannot put an AT&T phone SIM (for example one with an unlimited data plan attached to it) into an AT&T tab.
It's all robbery.
My reaction to the text I got from AT&T was to erase, wipe, and flash my AT&T Galaxy Tab to Overcome 1.3.0, and then put my T-Mobile phone SIM into my AT&T Tab. Ha! THAT at least still works, since the two companies are separate.
And now, AT&T just bought T-Mobile! HA
Looks like after all the effort, I lose.
I am SO DONE with tablets and smartphones. Back to laptops and WiFi. The monopolies here in the U.S. are unbearable. And our government does nothing. No wonder the rest of the world hates us - we hate ourselves!
I got AT&T on the phone
The guy first explained me that technically tablets and phone cannot connect teh same way, etc, etc... So I asked him to stop the Bs#it because technically it was possible for 3 months... The guy I had on the phone was polite and pretty embarrassed...
I was straight forward explaining I don't mind paying for an extra tethering plan if that's what they want but I just want to carry around only ONE device, etc, etc... In the end he was very clear: they want us to use our tablet with a different plant and different SIM card. period
Now... for me it's clear they saw the IMEI of my device was different from the one I used to have so this + the fact I used a lot of Data may have triggered the detection... Or it is in the access point we use... But anyway/anyhow there is no way we cannot make our tablets appear as a Galaxy S or whatever other phone. Aside from the screen too much of the Hardware is similar to a phone not to be able to do something about it...
Meanwhile my data plan is frozen
I am SO pissed off. I can't believe I leave these guys 150$ a month and they can't even provide a decent service...
The worst: if I take a specific plan for my tab and trim down my phone plan it will cost me less
They are just F&*%#@ dumb and a terrible pain in the ass
Now let's work to "disguise" our Tab as a phone for AT&T connection...
I still think it has a lot to do with the Acces point setup... Or just the tethering... They guy on the phone was (maybe deliberately or not...) confusing about what was allowed and what was not... he was kind of implying that even if I get a tethering plan, tethering from my phone to my Tab would still be an issue if I don't use some kind of AT&T official tethering Software... (Weird...)
I am SO pissed off
I am thinking and if I go for the tethering plan I really don't see under which stupid claim they can block me... Sue it will cost more, but whatever...
Still this is justa shame
More AT&T fun I see.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
I Am Marino said:
More AT&T fun I see.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
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Yes... Teh problem is since they try to avoid users going around their stuff it is not even easy to understand what is allowed or not. Initially i brought a phone from abroad and was told I could use it on an illimited data plan... Fine. But now the guy on the phoen didnt even wnated to be clear whether I could use a non AT&T phone for my plan (So we're not even talking about the tab)
I think they may be targeting heavy users that dont show the same IMEIR as the one they registered. Or soemthign else.. probably can detect by the protocols used that we are not technically ona phone (But hey technically, aside teh screen tehre is no major difference betweena Galaxy tab and a Galaxy phone...)
They are targeting unlimited data plan users who are sim swapping. If you're on the 2gb or tethering 4gb plan you shouldn't see anything. People were putting their sims into laptops/netbooks and going nuts. It breaches the agreement with AT&T and they have the right to change your plan if you don't reply to them or stop sim swapping.
waltah! said:
They are targeting unlimited data plan users who are sim swapping. If you're on the 2gb or tethering 4gb plan you shouldn't see anything. People were putting their sims into laptops/netbooks and going nuts. It breaches the agreement with AT&T and they have the right to change your plan if you don't reply to them or stop sim swapping.
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I am not using it in a laptop but in my Tab. I use my Tab as my main phone and I ma pretty pissed off that AT&T decides which phone they like and don't like. It's not EVEN about the money: I proposed them to pay for a tethering plan (which would be stealing from me but whatever) and they do not even care
I would not even mind going for the 4Gb plan but that would mean giving up on voice services on my tab, ie would have to carry around two devices which i definitely do not want
Going the 4Gb plan + stripping down my phone to the cheapest plan AT&T has, would cost me less than I pay now... So it's not even a money issue. I am completely pissed off since I a ready to pay whatever they want but they do not seem to care
Anyway it's fine. They managed to kill the GTab and all other 7" tablets to come
They nearly succeeded by originally forbidding calls on it. They succeeded with this last measure
It was for me the perfect size between a phone and an iPad. If I cannot have Voice + illimited data on it I will just go for a large 4.3" phone
Thank you AT&T for killing progress and congratulation for displeasing customers who were actually ready to pay (Because in actual facts I was ready to pay more if it is what they wanted from me)
Alcibiade said:
Anyway it's fine. They managed to kill the GTab and all other 7" tablets to come
They nearly succeeded by originally forbidding calls on it. They succeeded with this last measure
It was for me the perfect size between a phone and an iPad. If I cannot have Voice + illimited data on it I will just go for a large 4.3" phone
Thank you AT&T for killing progress and congratulation for displeasing customers who were actually ready to pay (Because in actual facts I was ready to pay more if it is what they wanted from me)
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I'm in the same boat, Alcibiade. Never tether, just like the phone and tablet in one device.
Just got off the phone with our friends at AT&T and got the same message. Unfortunately, there is no 4GB plan for data devices like the Tab, just "phones". So I'm stuck with carrying a phone and a Tab until we figure out a way around this issue.
I got the same message from at&t too. I think the only workaround to this is to get the telstra or the other canadian tab that uses the 850 band. Anyone with the telstra tab want to do a trade for a like new at&t tab?
Believe me it pisses me off too, and I work there. lol
I'm planning on getting a GTab and was going to use it for voice occasionally so it kinda throws a kink in the works. I have the 4gb tethering plan. I really just want to be able to jump right on the Tab and use it without kicking the hotspot on so I'll just end up going down to the 2gb plan for my Atrix and the 2gb plan for the Tab. I wanted to carry one device when I wanted to, but I love my Atrix so I'm not sure how often I would do it anyway.
I believe AT&T doing the same as T-mobile by look up the IMEI. The IMEI database will match the phone you use. The only workaround is change the IMEI on the tab.
You will see the TAB Icon under your att account but I did not see that months ago....
Currently on the phone with att about the same issue...thing is im using an htc desire from telus...im not swapping my simcard with anything at all. They are saying my device is coming up as a telemetry unit which is therefore making the assumption of sim swapping. On the phone for an hour now and the geniuses still cant figure out how to fix the issue.
small9 said:
I believe AT&T doing the same as T-mobile by look up the IMEI. The IMEI database will match the phone you use. The only workaround is change the IMEI on the tab.
You will see the TAB Icon under your att account but I did not see that months ago....
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Not sure it's through the IMEI. How do they do if I use a foreign phone ? If it is that simple, we all know how to find a solution...
I hope they do not make me PAY for my data plan while I they block it, I would be even more pissed off
One point I do not get: if I pay for a Tethering plan (Which I don't but am considering if it can help), why the hell would they block me from using my plan the way I want. Illimited + tethering --> I use it on my tab or anything else doesn't matter (Could be my phone tethered to my laptop it would be the same)
jstdontgiva said:
Currently on the phone with att about the same issue...thing is im using an htc desire from telus...im not swapping my simcard with anything at all. They are saying my device is coming up as a telemetry unit which is therefore making the assumption of sim swapping. On the phone for an hour now and the geniuses still cant figure out how to fix the issue.
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Click to collapse
Funny cause it's exactly what I told them: I have a foreign phone as well (On top of my Tab) and I bet them that my foreign phone would have the same issue
MMh so they either detect what we do with the IMEI or potentially the radio (Or a combination of both)
I feel really bad trying to find a workaround while what I ma doing is perfectly legit when it is on my TP2, or I am even ready to pay for their Tethering plan........
If the issue is just the IMEI, that can be easily solved... But I dont like to have to be sneaky when again I pay honetsly my stuff every month
If you find a solution for your telus please tell us
Yeah I got that text last night around 9 pm I nearly craped my self. I was like wtf. I have the unlimited data. it shouldn't matter what device my Sim is in.. I guess I'll see what the tab does with the Sim that it came with. my Nexus still works fine though. I checked the website today and they are doing Maintenance to the data section. figures.
hybred-nexus said:
Yeah I got that text last night around 9 pm I nearly craped my self. I was like wtf. I have the unlimited data. it shouldn't matter what device my Sim is in.. I guess I'll see what the tab does with the Sim that it came with. my Nexus still works fine though. I checked the website today and they are doing Maintenance to the data section. figures.
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I am pretty sure my Tab fits ok within a 4Gb plan (I don't tether anyway). BUT I just dont wnat to carry aound 2 devices. My phone + teh Tab. And if I ahve to use their stupid plan / SIM card I will have to
I am surprised we don't see many more reactions. I thought a lot of us were doing Data + voice using their phone plans... Maybe not everybody was blocked yet. Or I just overestimate the number of US users using their tab like this. What's unbelievable is how other countries are managing the Tab vs the US (real pain here...)
Alcibiade said:
Funny cause it's exactly what I told them: I have a foreign phone as well (On top of my Tab) and I bet them that my foreign phone would have the same issue
MMh so they either detect what we do with the IMEI or potentially the radio (Or a combination of both)
I feel really bad trying to find a workaround while what I ma doing is perfectly legit when it is on my TP2, or I am even ready to pay for their Tethering plan........
If the issue is just the IMEI, that can be easily solved... But I dont like to have to be sneaky when again I pay honetsly my stuff every month
If you find a solution for your telus please tell us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After getting off the phone here was the scenario:
The guy admitted to me that he was not very familiar with what was going on, however I could tell he was still trying pretty hard to find out how to resolve the issue by calling other departments and he didnt have a bias towards me having an unlocked phone like I know ATT personel tend to have.
Basically there were 3 options
1. return the phone which I laughed in his face ( this was recommended not by him but by another person in a diff dept
2. Turn the internet back on with the risk of shutting off again ( which I did not do because he told my my account was now flagged for disuse of internet and could result in plenty of charges I wouldn't want.)
3. Wait until Tuesday for a call back from him since some1 has to manually put in my IMEI # and override the system, (which was apparently down)
I took option 3 with the hopes that this will be resolved by the time the rep gets back to me on Tues. If it doesn't go well my phone is basically useless and I will probably push for a free phone somehow. Best of luck to everybody else, I will update ASAP