Hi All,
I am purchasing a Xoom tomorrow morning, and I came to a stark realization today while browsing some other forums. I read that even with the no contract version that there is no true month to month data plan (ie the ATT iPad) and that it costs you $35 every time you want to activate it again. So if I use it for two months, decide to not for two, and then want to use it again, I have to pay a $35 fee. Can someone shed some light on this? I am REALLY hoping this is not the case.
Brock
Please search, this has been answered many times. Your description is correct. If you cancel the 3g service within 72 hours they will refund the activation fee.
I apologize, I did search, apparently not well enough, but that doesn't truly answer my question. I don't mind the initial fee, but will I have to pay it multiple times?
brockwitting said:
I apologize, I did search, apparently not well enough, but that doesn't truly answer my question. I don't mind the initial fee, but will I have to pay it multiple times?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Verizon isn't as kind with this plan as AT&T is with the iPad's month-to-month usage.
That is absolutely horrible... So basically, if you plan on using ANY data sporadically at all, you are better off getting the subsidized version... This is a bad thing for us consumers. I can't believe they would require reactivation multiple times.
brockwitting said:
That is absolutely horrible... So basically, if you plan on using ANY data sporadically at all, you are better off getting the subsidized version... This is a bad thing for us consumers. I can't believe they would require reactivation multiple times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a shame. I didn't mind getting the 3g version when I thought I could just activate it when I need it, like the iPad. I have a Nexus One I can use as a hotspot in most cases. It's just a kick in the groin to know I'll have to add $35 to the fee if I ever want to use the 3g. In this case, it looks like I'll be turning the 3g off right after I buy it and only activating in case of emergency in the future.
Jrockttu said:
It's a shame. I didn't mind getting the 3g version when I thought I could just activate it when I need it, like the iPad. I have a Nexus One I can use as a hotspot in most cases. It's just a kick in the groin to know I'll have to add $35 to the fee if I ever want to use the 3g. In this case, it looks like I'll be turning the 3g off right after I buy it and only activating in case of emergency in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats probably what I'd do. But I'd imagine if you made an issue out of having to pay another activation fee (when reconnecting), they would drop it. After all, some money is better than no money.
Wow.. Thanks for the updates guys. I just actually called verizon to confirm this, and yup. This is absolutely horrible.. I hope they change.
This is absolutely insane, and has convinced me to not only not get a Xoom, but to drop Verizon altogether once my contract expires in November. The whole point of getting a tablet off contract is to be able to enable data whenever you want. I probably only have use for the data service 3 months (non-consecutive) out of the year, so this has convinced me to wait for a tablet on a carrier that won't screw me as badly.
Meanwhile, I encourage everyone to complain loudly to Verizon. Let them know you're not going to put up with it.
Ingjald said:
This is absolutely insane, and has convinced me to not only not get a Xoom, but to drop Verizon altogether once my contract expires in November. The whole point of getting a tablet off contract is to be able to enable data whenever you want. I probably only have use for the data service 3 months (non-consecutive) out of the year, so this has convinced me to wait for a tablet on a carrier that won't screw me as badly.
Meanwhile, I encourage everyone to complain loudly to Verizon. Let them know you're not going to put up with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea im also leaving verizon, im trying to go att but my credit is bad and asked for 500 deposit on EACH LINE. so tmobile is what we are looking at now. We are going to switch once we move.
brockwitting said:
That is absolutely horrible... So basically, if you plan on using ANY data sporadically at all, you are better off getting the subsidized version... This is a bad thing for us consumers. I can't believe they would require reactivation multiple times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or tether wirelessly with an android phone.
Ingjald said:
This is absolutely insane, and has convinced me to not only not get a Xoom, but to drop Verizon altogether once my contract expires in November. The whole point of getting a tablet off contract is to be able to enable data whenever you want. I probably only have use for the data service 3 months (non-consecutive) out of the year, so this has convinced me to wait for a tablet on a carrier that won't screw me as badly.
Meanwhile, I encourage everyone to complain loudly to Verizon. Let them know you're not going to put up with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe any carrier for any tablet is going to offer a plan where you pay as you go. And if there is such a plan, I can bet you the price would be something like $5 for 250MB of data, or something that will truly not be worth it
unknown_owner said:
I don't believe any carrier for any tablet is going to offer a plan where you pay as you go. And if there is such a plan, I can bet you the price would be something like $5 for 250MB of data, or something that will truly not be worth it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The iPad offers it through AT&T. It's one of the competitive advantages they still hold against all of these new devices.
just to clarify some of vzw policy about activation
kinda thinking about it the wrong way, if you want a data plan it needs a phone number.
that is basically where the fee goes to.
so if you disconnect the data the number is lost.
but per vzw consumer clear disclosure, reactivating within 60 days there is no activation fee. (this would also waive ETFs, if it had one)
to get around this, you can activate a phone.
saving money and not losing the number.
Benkr0n said:
just to clarify some of vzw policy about activation
kinda thinking about it the wrong way, if you want a data plan it needs a phone number.
that is basically where the fee goes to.
so if you disconnect the data the number is lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you cancel, wouldn't the number just go into the pool of available numbers? I'm not seeing how this should cost anything. (Also, AT&T doesn't charge an activation fee for the iPad)
but per vzw consumer clear disclosure, reactivating within 60 days there is no activation fee. (this would also waive ETFs, if it had one)
to get around this, you can activate a phone.
saving money and not losing the number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not exactly clear to me how that would save anything. Not only would that require buying another phone (useless to me), but it would require active service on it, which is, to my knowledge, no less than $40/mo--twice as much as the cheapest data plan.
Ingjald said:
When you cancel, wouldn't the number just go into the pool of available numbers? I'm not seeing how this should cost anything. (Also, AT&T doesn't charge an activation fee for the iPad)
It's not exactly clear to me how that would save anything. Not only would that require buying another phone (useless to me), but it would require active service on it, which is, to my knowledge, no less than $40/mo--twice as much as the cheapest data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesn't immediately go back into the pool, thats why you can get it back within 60 days
if you look at where the money goes to its mostly a credit check.
but it's easer to think of it as getting the number
i guess before, i made a few assumptions, that you had a phone (non smartphone so no data requirement). and a family share plan already with vzw.
meaning switching from the data plan to a secondary on the family share plan. only 9.99
Benkr0n said:
if you look at where the money goes to its mostly a credit check.
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Click to collapse
They should just do it prepaid like AT&T does for the iPad, with no credit check (but then I guess Verizon can't ding you for $20 when you go a byte over your allotment). It also doesn't make sense that they do a credit check on someone who is already a customer in good standing.
i guess before, i made a few assumptions, that you had a phone (non smartphone so no data requirement). and a family share plan already with vzw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have any other phones and am not on a family share plan. I still wouldn't pay the $9.99/mo just for the privilege of not paying a $35 activation fee; in fact, it would probably cost me about as much as the activation fee anyway.
secondary activations are also $25 instead of $35
so if you, again my assumptions, activate a secondary phone its only 25.
then switch to the xoom and data plan.
just throwing out more ways to save money.
and btw, vzw will never do pay as u go data
i've regularly seen international pay as u go in the thousands.
I just can't believe that verizon would operate like this, esp since att has prepaid data for the iPad.. I'm sorta screwed, I don't have a family plan, and I only have a D1, and afk, xoom can't connect to ad-hoc.. plus it kinda defeats the reason for me getting the 3g Xoom anyway.
with the xoom it is being handled differently than the tab...
the tab was an accessory non subsidized meaning you could just purchase it.
but the xoom has to go through a different order process
needing an account and plan
if you don't have vzw, thats where the fee comes into play
if you do, there are ways to order it with out the fee (by ordering it for your current line, and taking it off afterwards)
Related
Now, I know there are lots of threads on this already and I took a few minutes skimming search results and didn't find this answered.
Basically, I was hoping to switch myself to the $10 internet plan on T-Mobile rather than paying the $25 internet plan. I bought my phone unlocked from Google.com and not subsidized through T-Mobile. However, when I asked to switch to the other plan, they asked me for my IMEI number on my phone.
Has anyone else been asked for their IMEI when switching to a different data plan? Do they actually have a database of the existing N1 IMEI numbers or are they simply trying to build one? Would I be better off grabbing an old Razr and giving them that IMEI then switching back to my N1?
Lots of questions! Haha.
Anyway, if anyone could shed a bit of light on this I would very much appreciate it.
No, a few months after the initial G1 release T-Mobile caught on to the "scam" and closed the loophole. You have to have an Android data plan now or nothing.
evilkorn said:
No, a few months after the initial G1 release T-Mobile caught on to the "scam" and closed the loophole. You have to have an Android data plan now or nothing.
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Click to collapse
Confirmed--when I got my N1 and switching from a BB plan to an Android plan.
evilkorn said:
No, a few months after the initial G1 release T-Mobile caught on to the "scam" and closed the loophole. You have to have an Android data plan now or nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bloke226 said:
Confirmed--when I got my N1 and switching from a BB plan to an Android plan.
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Click to collapse
Hmm.. I was under the impression that this was solely for subsidized phones which they already had IMEI's for.
So, in the end, you're stuck paying the extra cost for the Android version of Web even if you bought it unlocked then huh?
Nedlinin said:
Hmm.. I was under the impression that this was solely for subsidized phones which they already had IMEI's for.
So, in the end, you're stuck paying the extra cost for the Android version of Web even if you bought it unlocked then huh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much--don't know what to tell you I bought the phone outright since I didn't want to kill my plan to be forced on the N1 T-Mobile individual plan for at least 4 months...and I was forced to go onto the $25/mos plan from my $20/mos BlackBerry plan.
EDIT: They didn't ask me for what my IMEI number was though. In T-Mobile's system it will probably say I still use a BlackBerry device
The IMEI numbers update automatically in the system on a 2 day lag. So whatever phone you use today will reflect in their system on Saturday. As far as the $10 data plan, it will not work. It should say something to the effect that "you don't have the proper provisioning" or something like that. Basically your eating up too much bandwidth. You obviously had enough money to buy a Nexus 1, but won't pay for the premium data plan? That's the same thing as buying a brand new Ferrari and asking your friends for gas money to go out? At least I see it that way
srt4john said:
The IMEI numbers update automatically in the system on a 2 day lag. So whatever phone you use today will reflect in their system on Saturday. As far as the $10 data plan, it will not work. It should say something to the effect that "you don't have the proper provisioning" or something like that. Basically your eating up too much bandwidth. You obviously had enough money to buy a Nexus 1, but won't pay for the premium data plan? That's the same thing as buying a brand new Ferrari and asking your friends for gas money to go out? At least I see it that way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see... bummer.
And, as far as buying an N1 and not paying for the premium plan, the premium plan is great as long as you have a job to afford it. When you get laid off, not so much.
Nedlinin said:
I see... bummer.
And, as far as buying an N1 and not paying for the premium plan, the premium plan is great as long as you have a job to afford it. When you get laid off, not so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously, you're joking right?
You can't afford the $15 price difference?
Then you should cancel your phone altogether.
Wow, some people are douchebags.
Re: T-Mobile Data Plan?
Now, I know there are lots of threads on this already and I took a few minutes skimming search results and didn't find this answered.
Basically, I was hoping to switch myself to the $10 internet plan on T-Mobile rather than paying the $25 internet plan. I bought my phone unlocked from Google.com and not subsidized through T-Mobile. However, when I asked to switch to the other plan, they asked me for my IMEI number on my phone.
Has anyone else been asked for their IMEI when switching to a different data plan? Do they actually have a database of the existing N1 IMEI numbers or are they simply trying to build one? Would I be better off grabbing an old Razr and giving them that IMEI then switching back to my N1?
Lots of questions! Haha.
Anyway, if anyone could shed a bit of light on this I would very much appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently using a 5.99 plan on my nexus. fast 3.5g internet for really cheap price. it works just fine. they have my imei. they know I am using the internet like that but they don't do anything about it. by simply putting in the epc.tmobile.com apn you'll get full internet on any plan. but this only works for the nexus. no other android phone can use this because tmobile provides the phones not Google.
Re: T-Mobile Data Plan?
I see... bummer.
And, as far as buying an N1 and not paying for the premium plan, the premium plan is great as long as you have a job to afford it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously, you're joking right?
You can't afford the $15 price difference?
Then you should cancel your phone altogether.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$15 more a month over years adds up. and in this economy money is hard to come by. no need to flame the guy.
Henchman said:
Seriously, you're joking right?
You can't afford the $15 price difference?
Then you should cancel your phone altogether.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your input but I need my phone.
@Carbon: did you give them your Nexus's IMEI number or a different phones? Also, did you buy yours unlocked or subsidized?
carbonfiber1 said:
I am currently using a 5.99 plan on my nexus. fast 3.5g internet for really cheap price. it works just fine. they have my imei. they know I am using the internet like that but they don't do anything about it. by simply putting in the epc.tmobile.com apn you'll get full internet on any plan. but this only works for the nexus. no other android phone can use this because tmobile provides the phones not Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting to know more how you were able to achieve the $5.99 plan
bloke226 said:
Interesting to know more how you were able to achieve the $5.99 plan
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Click to collapse
From what I have been able to find out, if you had the old $6 T-Zones, you were able to be grandfathered in when they cancelled the service. The cheapest net they offer now is the "Phone First/Web2Go" internet which is $10 a month. Essentially the same thing just 4$ more.
Nedlinin said:
From what I have been able to find out, if you had the old $6 T-Zones, you were able to be grandfathered in when they cancelled the service. The cheapest net they offer now is the "Phone First/Web2Go" internet which is $10 a month. Essentially the same thing just 4$ more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, interesting they do grandfathering
srt4john said:
Basically your eating up too much bandwidth. You obviously had enough money to buy a Nexus 1, but won't pay for the premium data plan? That's the same thing as buying a brand new Ferrari and asking your friends for gas money to go out? At least I see it that way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good analogy. However, people don't get rich by spending money. If you can find a way to pay less, you do it. Some people made a financial stretch to afford the N1 and now cannot afford to pay for a premium data service.
Data service is data service and should not be dependent on device. At least I see it that way.
Hey, I'm all fur finding ways to pay as little as possible.
But let's not pretend an extra $15 is breaking the bank.
Hello, I just cancelled my cable TV after realising u rarely watch the 200 channels available.
And all the network channels i can get using a $15 pair if rabbit ears.
HD, .5.1
Next to go is the phone. Experimenting with magic jack this month.
All I want to pay for is high speed internet.
I'll save at least $120 a month
I think the grandfathering is BS because when I first got my G1 I had T-Zones on my old v3 and they made me switch to the newer data plan. To clarify, they had to do it because of activating the phone, so I don't know if you just buy it outright and don't tell them it could work.
Nedlinin said:
@Carbon: did you give them your Nexus's IMEI number or a different phones? Also, did you buy yours unlocked or subsidized?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got my phone unlocked. I didnt give them my IMEI, they automatically know it once your sim card is in the phone. Ive had the 5.99 tzones plan for a while now, but this article should help you out http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/5381...ed-data-for-5-99-works-wiphone-and-nexus-one/
edit: this comment by a user might also be helpful.
"as an alternative, i was able to set this up without customer service's help. this was more than a year ago when I setup tzones to work on my treo 650. the trick was that i had an old phone sony ericcson t300 that i had purchased back in 2000 or 2001. I keep it around because if i have an emergency where my phone or my wife's phone stops working i can transfer the sim card quickly to a working phone to make/receive a call. So here's what i did:
setup my sim card in the t300.
make a call or send a text message; long enough to let the t-mobile servers detect that I have switched phones.
log in to t-mobile.com
verify that my phone is now detected as a t300. if not, click on the "not my phone" and change it.
next, adjust service plans, t-zones appears on the list.
add tzones to your billing cycle. make any additional changes you need to make.
save the settings.
change your sim card back to the original phone.
setup the phone for t-zones service"
T-mobile has two data plans.
1) Data plan
2) Sidekick data plan
They have a ton of different pricing for number 1) , the $10 smart web, the $15 dollar smartphone plan, and the $25 android plan.
(I'm not even including all the grandfathered plans like t-zone/t-mobile shadow/blackberry,etc)
The point being they are all the same, they use the same servers, they are all unlimited, so If you can manage to get any of those plans on your bill you will have full 3g/HSPA speed internet on your phone, regardless of what phone it is.
i asked this in a thread a while back, but it got passed up.
if you purchased and activated an evo off contract, what was there to gain? it seems like it wouldn't be worth it for the evo, since everyone was supposed to upgrade their plan a mandatory simply everything data plan + premium data. before with other phones, i could see the allure, but now, not so much, unless you found a way to keep your old plan.
i suppose if you weren't due for an upgrade, you had no other option but to buy it that way. Then Sprint can change your plan without extending your contract.
radar5 said:
i suppose if you weren't due for an upgrade, you had no other option but to buy it that way. Then Sprint can change your plan without extending your contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that makes sense. it just seemed like alot of people got it in their heads that they would not be tied down to a contract no matter what, and it didn't seem to be worth it anymore.
radar5 said:
i suppose if you weren't due for an upgrade, you had no other option but to buy it that way. Then Sprint can change your plan without extending your contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol i laugh when customers tell me they arent due for an Upgrade. Ive upgraded 4 times this year. But yea there is NO way yo keep your old plan. The Evo is only compatible with the Everything Data Plan and the Simply Everything Plan. No exceptions. Ive tryed everything to get around it. I had to leave me Sero Plan to get the evo
i'm on the everything data plus plan (long story) but that was about all i could do.
I got mine off contract, and the only thing that changed in my plan was adding the additonal $10 fee, which did not affect my contract expiration date (which is still October 1st).
I bought mine from best buy for the $200 dollar two year contract. My old contract expired earlier this year. Now, somehow my account shows that my contract expired 2 1/2 years ago. Not that I'm complaining, but anyone know how that could have happened? I double checked with the upgrade checker on best buys website, it shows the same thing.
TheBiles said:
I got mine off contract, and the only thing that changed in my plan was adding the additonal $10 fee, which did not affect my contract expiration date (which is still October 1st).
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Click to collapse
expiration dates don't change if you are not receiving anything (subsidized phone on the same line, 75/150 off your bill.)
i should have wrote "mandatory". it looks like you lucked out. what plan do you have?
akastixx said:
expiration dates don't change if you are not receiving anything (subsidized phone on the same line, 75/150 off your bill.)
i should have wrote "mandatory". it looks like you lucked out. what plan do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did I luck out? I didn't renew my contract because I bought it off contract. Anyone else could do the same thing. No one forces you to use an upgrade.
with google voice account... seems like sprint could turn your phone off and you could still have a phone...lol
I buy all my phones outright. I would have bought my Evo if I didn't get one free from Google. Only phone I ever got on-contract was my 1st gen iPhone. At this point I go through 2 phones a year so off contract is way cheaper for me.
TheBiles said:
How did I luck out? I didn't renew my contract because I bought it off contract. Anyone else could do the same thing. No one forces you to use an upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought everyone had to change their plan to one of the new ones regardless if they activated an evo on their account. if my last statement is correct (barring rulebending/sweetalking/retentions/ etc. or the oct. 1st sero rumor), then you are lucky to have your same plan (+$10).
StevenCCCP said:
I buy all my phones outright. I would have bought my Evo if I didn't get one free from Google. Only phone I ever got on-contract was my 1st gen iPhone. At this point I go through 2 phones a year so off contract is way cheaper for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i used to get mine off contract, but with having to get the new plan, i just didn't see a reason. once again, your situation is somewhat different than the norm since you got the i/o phone, and since you switch phones so often, it would make sense as your phones retain most of their resale value. i guess my question goes out more to the people who are eligible for a full upgrade.
thanks for the replies
The additional $10 fee doesn't change or extend your plan. It just adds $10/month, the same way insurance adds $7/month.
--
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using Tapatalk Pro.
TheBiles said:
The additional $10 fee doesn't change or extend your plan. It just adds $10/month, the same way insurance adds $7/month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, with OTHER PHONES. If you (or anyone else) were able to get by without having to change plans, cool, they just didn't write the terms that way for THIS PHONE.
"If you’re already a Sprint customer but have a different plan, you’ll have to change plans when you activate your device. Also, once you change your plan, you will not be able to change back to your old plan if we no longer sell it, even if you go back to your old phone."
Nothing in their verbage says you have to extend your contract of enter one if you pay full price or get it from another party, but the terms for the evo state that if you use the phone on sprint, you have to change your plan. will people be able to get away without having to? of course, but I already mentioned that in my last post.
TheBiles said:
I got mine off contract, and the only thing that changed in my plan was adding the additonal $10 fee, which did not affect my contract expiration date (which is still October 1st).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought Sprint was not selling them off-contract?
akastixx said:
True, with OTHER PHONES. If you (or anyone else) were able to get by without having to change plans, cool, they just didn't write the terms that way for THIS PHONE.
"If you’re already a Sprint customer but have a different plan, you’ll have to change plans when you activate your device. Also, once you change your plan, you will not be able to change back to your old plan if we no longer sell it, even if you go back to your old phone."
Nothing in their verbage says you have to extend your contract of enter one if you pay full price or get it from another party, but the terms for the evo state that if you use the phone on sprint, you have to change your plan. will people be able to get away without having to? of course, but I already mentioned that in my last post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure that is for people on those ancient SERO plans that give them unlimited data for like $40. I already had an unlimited everything plan, so I just needed the $10 fee.
gmanvbva said:
I thought Sprint was not selling them off-contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine from Google I/O, but my local stores were selling them for the $450 MSRP.
goodelyfe said:
with google voice account... seems like sprint could turn your phone off and you could still have a phone...lol
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Click to collapse
I am pretty sure that would only work where you have a WiFi signal, and you may be limited to no MMS, since MMS can't be sent/received over WiFI.
NOW, If you were to let sprint turn you off, and start an account with CLEAR for their WiFi and used your Google Voice number, I THINK you would have phone and Data Anywhere there is a Clear signal....
dj_jelly said:
Lol i laugh when customers tell me they arent due for an Upgrade. Ive upgraded 4 times this year. But yea there is NO way yo keep your old plan. The Evo is only compatible with the Everything Data Plan and the Simply Everything Plan. No exceptions. Ive tryed everything to get around it. I had to leave me Sero Plan to get the evo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused...how did you get 4 upgrades in a year? I would love 4 upgrades a year. I could get another evo or epic for someone else on my plan.
beandogg said:
I'm confused...how did you get 4 upgrades in a year? I would love 4 upgrades a year. I could get another evo or epic for someone else on my plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's apparently an employee. Just do what I do: Keep your phone in very good condition and sell it when you get another one. I sold my ancient Hero for $300 when the EVO came out, which is more than the rebates.
thenewguy821 said:
I am pretty sure that would only work where you have a WiFi signal, and you may be limited to no MMS, since MMS can't be sent/received over WiFI.
NOW, If you were to let sprint turn you off, and start an account with CLEAR for their WiFi and used your Google Voice number, I THINK you would have phone and Data Anywhere there is a Clear signal....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks captain obvious.... i didnt write that cuz its an understood, right? besides, wifi is just about everywhere. meh @ MMS when you have email accounts. Sometimes you gotta sacrifice and venture other avenues to do what you like
Hi, I just upgraded my N97 to the G2 and got the HD7 free on black Friday.
I didn't have a data plan before, but when I look up my service it says I have 4g unlimited? I can't seem to find the service fee for it either.
I don't want to get a surprise at the end of the month and be hit with a $30 data plan.
Should I be worried?
The Rep told me the upgrade is only for the phone and does not affect the plan.
If I did get free 4G service then WOOT!
highly doubt it. when you upgrade, they change your data rate plan to the required one for your device. you're most likely going to get charged for it
thanks,
My brother got the HD7 and he had the 5.99 tmobile web plan, does this mean he lost his tmobile web plan forever? We he don't plan on keeping the phone and plans to go back to his Milestone.
For tmobile I know that if you upgrade a phone to a "data service required" model, YOU WILL NOT NEED A DATA SERVICE TO USE IT. They pull that bs to get more money out of you on the upgrade offer. All you need is a sim card for the phones designated provider. I know this because I handle the phones in the family plan for my family and have seen nearly every situation and outcome. Every 2 years each of us has a phone we get an upgrade for that individual line. We do not take upgrades always in turn and in the past have bought these "data plan required" phones off craigslist or ebay. They still work. If you use the data without a plan you will get charged out the ass. Luckily you can restrict yourself from doing that just incase you can't remember not to. You will also not lose the web features that are registered to your sim card. If you have the edge package (the cheaper one) and stick your sim in another phone, that phone now becomes "edge" enabled. Same goes for 3G package unless you put it in a HSPA compatible phone, then you will have the HSPA capabilities. Kinda nice that they aren't charging a jacked up fee for their new data service, but my connection locally sucks for it anyways so go figure.
One other rule about tmobile that I like is that they grandfather you on certain things. For example, I pay a flat $55 monthly for unlimited minutes/texts/data and they no longer have this plan available but since I've had it for the last few years, I am an exception to any plans they have now and that makes me a happier camper.
Thanks
so should I call the rep at the store back and tell him to remove the 4g unlimited?
I never had a data plan before the update, but my bro had the 5.99 plan.
or should i switch to a dumb phone and remove it myself?
thanks
You will NOT be able to keep the phone if you want to cancel the data plan. Tmobile requires the data plan as a part of the deal on the upgrade. I have a hard time believing this wasn't made abundantly clear to you before you upgraded.
Sent from my HTC Vision
That's what I heard, but I kept asking the Rep, Will the upgrade add or change anything to my current, plan and he kept saying no. And he assured me that the upgrade is only for the phone. He told me the Data plan is only for new subscribers.
Ray_jai said:
That's what I heard, but I kept asking the Rep, Will the upgrade add or change anything to my current, plan and he kept saying no. And he assured me that the upgrade is only for the phone. He told me the Data plan is only for new subscribers.
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Ray as much as I would like to say woohooo for you, it is a well know problem with T-Mo Reps...They hay no clue what they are talking about! I would check your online account in the next few days, but you may not see it until your new billing cycle. These folks really suck at getting their fact straight!
Anyway, i hope that ou do get what you wanted, and keep us posted on the long term outcome.!
I find that no one ever knows what they are doing. I upgraded to the G2 and was very happy until the website said that another data plan was added to our contract for 30 a month. I've had a data plan for quite a while and it was 25 a month. When we called Tmo, they said I had to have that data plan on top of my old one to keep the phone. They were obviously mistaken but refused to do any of the leg work to get it fixed. I had to make calls to Best Buy and Tmo many times to make sure that it was fixed. Sorry for the rant, I just find it hard to believe that anyone has gone through this process smoothly when it has been a huge pain in the ass every time I have upgraded a phone.
I checked online and i saw the $30 data plan. I knew it wasn't going to be free, but oh well.
Do you guys know if i could change it to the $15 data plan?
thanks
I would recomend to anyone getting phones on contract.... buy the phone outright and all the plans become cheaper. Once gou have a contract you loose all your bargining chips. If i have a problem with my service i can call them up and say fix this or i cancel. They will quickly transfer me to a level whatever rep that has the power to change anything oon my plan to keep me happy. Just an fyi if you dont have the cash to buy the phone tmo has a plan that you pay them 20 a month till it paid off no interest. Even going that route monthly rate is still less then being on contract.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Reps will generally tell you whatever they can to make a sale. The rep outright lied to you when he said it wouldn't require a data plan.you should've asked for it in writing.
All subsidized smartphones require a compatible data plan (except the Nokia Nuron) for the life of the contract.
He didn't say I didn't need data, he just said he wouldn't add or change anything. He just never mentioned I will need a data plan.
looks like my bro won't be getting his 5.99 tzone plan back.
Does forcing us to get a data plan go under that net neutrality thing?
Ray_jai said:
He didn't say I didn't need data, he just said he wouldn't add or change anything.
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Well, I guess he didn't really lie then... the computer did it automatically.
Seriously though, he probably assumed you already had a data plan due to having an N97 smartphone.
Does forcing us to get a data plan go under that net neutrality thing?
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Not a chance. It's a term stipulated by the contract in order for you to get the discounted price. All spelled out in the terms and conditions paper you sign.
On the G2, you can just use the "My Account" app, "Plan and Services" tab - it will show you up to the minute info regarding your plan, details, and monthly costs. Nothing is free, but TMo is as close as you can get in the US.
What happen is for some reason when upgrading 2 lines only the first one gets the "unlimited 4g" I ran into this problem a few days ago. The system doesn't automatically add the web on the second device(the "free" one) So the customer leaves the store with out the internet of the second device. Now unless he went into your account and changed the tzone package then you should be fine. But in the case that he did just call customer care and have them put the old feature on. They will be reluctant to do so and say that it doesnt exist anymore but they keep all of the plans in the system. Reps just dont like to go into the system and find the package. Hope this helps.
Please I need some clarification on how the "Pay as you go" data plan works with Verizon for the XOOM. My only experience is with the iPad and AT&T, where it was very simply and user friendly, I just had to purchase the data from the iPad itself and pay with my Credit Card, no calls to customer service, and I can cancel it anytime from the iPad itself. Based on a quick conversation with a Verizon rep, with Verizon it's much more complicated, I have to actually setup an account with Verizon, use the XOOM with the monthly contract data plan, and when I want to cancel it I have to call customer service and close the account, the same thing to activate the plan again, is that true that it's so complicated ?, I think the way how Apple implemented it with AT&T is very effective and simple, I don't know if with the iPad 2 Verizon will have a different option. Please could you add your comments based on your experience ?, thanks
its true and will apparently incur an activation fee each time service is restarted. Verizon really wants you to get a data plan and keep it :-(
Today I was ready to buy the Verizon XOOM, and use the data as "pay as you go", but after I understood the way how Verizon manages "pay as you go data", I will never invest on something that it will be so complicated and expensive to use. I'll have to wait for the Wifi only XOOM.
Supposedly you don't have to pay an activation fee of $35 bucks but rather you can suspend your account for $15. Still a major deal breaker but maybe when the iPad 2 is released they will change their policy.
Ya it really sucks. I purchased my Xoom and returned it after a week. Day after i returned it i got a Bill from VZN for almost 60 bucks for my "activation fee" + "1 month Data". I actually had to call up VZN and speak to a representative to "see what they could do". Fortunately i got an absolute sweetheart of a rep and was sure to be equally as sweet back. though i didnt get %100 credit. She was able to reduce my bill to $2.39 for the cost of my prorated data for 2 days. While most people would probably argue about that i said that was fine and will pay that bill when i get it.
Im not sure if they do the same thing with the Ipad 3G for ATT(even though i own one) but with the Xoom your data plan actually has a Phone number in addition to the ACCT number associated with it. So thats where all these stupid fees are coming from, they treat it like your actually opening up a new cellphone contract. IPad was 1(setup),2(pay),3(Surf)
verusevo said:
Ya it really sucks. I purchased my Xoom and returned it after a week. Day after i returned it i got a Bill from VZN for almost 60 bucks for my "activation fee" + "1 month Data". I actually had to call up VZN and speak to a representative to "see what they could do". Fortunately i got an absolute sweetheart of a rep and was sure to be equally as sweet back. though i didnt get %100 credit. She was able to reduce my bill to $2.39 for the cost of my prorated data for 2 days. While most people would probably argue about that i said that was fine and will pay that bill when i get it.
Im not sure if they do the same thing with the Ipad 3G for ATT(even though i own one) but with the Xoom your data plan actually has a Phone number in addition to the ACCT number associated with it. So thats where all these stupid fees are coming from, they treat it like your actually opening up a new cellphone contract. IPad was 1(setup),2(pay),3(Surf)
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That was nice of her!
has anyone seen this? it is not the first time I've heard that Verizon wants to go head to head with AT&T (is no activation fee each time). Read in the comments.
We'll see tomorrow. I will go into a store and ask.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/iPad...from-AT-T-and-Verizon-go-head-to-head_id17305
The verizon rep i spoke to when I setup my month to month accounts that its simply$20 a month plus a little tax and the stupid 35 dollar activation fee. . . as long as you have them bill you for it - but without a contract.
If you want to pre-pay they charge you a $30 fee every month . . . thats right, if I want to be a thrifty consumer and pay as I go so I don't overspend, they charge a fee thats MORE than the cost of service.
Just to clarify, if you want to prepay as opposed to having them bill you (both options without a contract), they charge $50/month for 1GB.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Also note: the "suspension" option can be done online, I believe, without the $15 fee, but it can only be done twice a year for 90 days max each time. So, that's not an option unless you can plan your year pretty carefully.
I'm going to swap my 3G version out for the wifi-only version as soon as it's available. I was told when I purchased mine that data could be turned on and off as needed without any fees, and so I won't have any qualms about exercising the 90-day return policy at Costco.
It seems Verizon will enable "true pay as you go" capabilities for the iPad 2
http://news.vzw.com/news/2011/03/pr2011-03-09y.html
Why not the XOOM ?
I've called customer service several times today. I bought my xoom on contract because I wanted to have 3g data but was specifically told I couldn't activate it whenever I wanted and I was just better off keeping the minimum $20/1gb plan. So I said if I'm going to have to pay that anyway, I might as well get it subsidized. In other words I was specifically told that vzw would not have that option. Of course, my two weeks are up today and they may change it!!
I would be very mad. I would have definitely bought my xoom without contract. I have called several times and I keep getting different answers. I'm going to go to the store tomorrow and find out. If anyone finds anything definitive, I'd love to see it. Thanks.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
I activated my Xoom at the Verizon store on a month to month plan and it was $20/month/1GB and they did not charge me an activation fee.
I bought mine at costco.. the paperwork said 20 a month, activation fee with refund, unsubsidized.
I called VZW the next day and they had put me on a 2 yr contract that if I hadn't have called when I did would've been like 175 bucks ETF to get out of.
SO.. buyer beware, be sure to call vzw to ensure you are getting what you really wanted!
Be careful if your under contract my understanding was that if you suspend the data it also extends your contract until data is turned back on. This is why I just bit the bullet and bough the device. I know its not in everyones budget to do so, but it will save you money down the road.
zone23 said:
Be careful if your under contract my understanding was that if you suspend the data it also extends your contract until data is turned back on. This is why I just bit the bullet and bough the device. I know its not in everyones budget to do so, but it will save you money down the road.
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This is what makes me mad. Given the choices at the time, I got the device subsidized since I was going to have to get a data plan anyway (if I wanted data some months and didn't want to pay an activation fee). Now, two weeks after my purchase, they change the rules!
BTW - no activation fee on the ipad2. according to @Verizonwireless
http://twitter.com/#!/VerizonWireless
That's crap.
ok. i went to the store. the first three sales people had no idea what i was talking about. I finally spoke to my manager. They are running a promotion of no activation fee starting today for any tablet (obviously if you buy at full price). I still do not have clarity on whether there's an activation fee each and every time you turn on your device's mobile data. I have read that ipad2 will not have to pay (ie using mobile data whenever you want and pay only the mobile broadband plan) and Xoom will have to pay (ie pay activation fee each and every time you activate).
my takeaways:
1. VZW sales people either just plain dumb or not trained well
2. Apple is pushing VZW around and VZW is pushing Moto around
3. Flash or no flash, this is definitely going to lead to fewer Xoom sales
The ONLY reason holding me back to buy a XOOM today, it's Verizon NOT having a TRUE "Pay as you go" data plan, like the iPad with AT&T and now the iPad 2 with AT&T and Verizon. I think will buy an iPad 2 today.
They have finally come to their senses. Probably do to all the backlash at such a ridiculous idea.
http://androidcommunity.com/verizon-waives-35-tablet-activation-fee-20110314/
I received credit for the activation fee (although I had contacted them requesting it) without argument. My question is, though: will they carry that forward for future activations? If they offered a real pay-as-you-go plan for the Xoom (as they have for the iPad, that is, dial up a month's data whenever you want with no activation fees) then I'd keep the 3G version. As it is, I'm likely to swap it for the wifi-only version assuming it comes out within my Costco 90-day return period.
Not only is the iPad 2 pay as you go prepaid... it has a freaking activation app on it!!
They aren't even trying to sell the Xoom, its so frustrating. If the xoom had this option on it I would have a data plan.
-Bauxite
Sent from my Evo 4G
Bauxite said:
Not only is the iPad 2 pay as you go prepaid... it has a freaking activation app on it!!
They aren't even trying to sell the Xoom, its so frustrating. If the xoom had this option on it I would have a data plan.
-Bauxite
Sent from my Evo 4G
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It is definitely confusing that they don't offer the same exact prepay no activation month to month (cancel/start any time) plans that they offer to the iPad. Makes no sense at all.
They also for a while starting Fridays and ending Sunday at midnight waive Activation fees for devices activated during this time period. You have to initially pay the amount, but the discount occurs two statements later. So if you have any verizon device that needs activation take advantage of this.
I'm a little confused is the "month-to-month" data plan someone who has a contract with Vz or is it someone who paid $799 for the xoom? I'm hoping the prior because I would really like something for this lack of online acct management capailities just because they are to lazy to ensure a piece of paper gets sent out in the mail.
Apple tells Verizon what to do with its ipads. Its that simple.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
jmc2543 said:
I'm a little confused is the "month-to-month" data plan someone who has a contract with Vz or is it someone who paid $799 for the xoom? I'm hoping the prior because I would really like something for this lack of online acct management capailities just because they are to lazy to ensure a piece of paper gets sent out in the mail.
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contract = 1yr or 2yr agreement and subsidized price for tablet
month-to-month = pay as you go, but to my understanding if you stop service for 3 months and re-activate you are charged an activation fee again afaik (could be wrong). Also, full $799 up front of course. Just because you're month-to-month doesn't mean you can't manage your VZW account online though...
Ok thanks for the info. I signed a contract and really am fine with that fact but its really starting to piss me off that I pay all this money, even though a lot paid more, and they cant even send me a damn letter with a f'in password so i can get into my online access account.
jmc2543 said:
Ok thanks for the info. I signed a contract and really am fine with that fact but its really starting to piss me off that I pay all this money, even though a lot paid more, and they cant even send me a damn letter with a f'in password so i can get into my online access account.
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Uh when I got mine, there was a section in the Market for Verizon apps, download their VZW for Tablets app, and loaded it up, and without entering any information, displayed the amount of data used, and had a widget for it. Not sure if I could pay it there... oh so you want the password to access the main account online and pay your bill? yeah...
Yeah the activation fee is so rediculous. I can't believe they waived it for the iPad 2... figures as they had to actually compete vs AT&T, where as for the Xoom they can just f**k everyone over cause we have no option. They also have motorola in their pocket, as I read somewhere about 30% of their (MMI) revenue is from VZW.