Database Users

Wow, how lucky am I

Long story short, I changed my cellphone to N1 last month from my old Nokia 5800 XM with the unlimited $15 data plan. Not surprisingly, they forced the $25 dollars smartphone data plan on me soon after I swapped the sim card.
But considering I use wifi mainly on my phone, I called today to downgrade my data plan to the $15 200mb tier as the option doesn't show up in my online account feature section. And apparently, the lady on the phone doesn't know her business too much. She asked me what phone model I was using several times and asked me if it's a smart phone. I had to articulate word by word "google. nexus. one." to her so she could put it down. Before that, she just assumed I was using an iPhone, lol. And also she sounded quite confused about the data plans AT&T has. After some long wait on hold, she cheerfully told me she successfully changed my data plan to $15. So I logged into my account and surprisingly found out the feature of my data plan is:
Data Unlimited: Quick Messaging/Basic Phones
AT&T Recommends $15.00 N/A Unlimited Current
Didn't the honest me just tell her that I was using a nexus one and it's a smart phone? I guess she really doesn't know too much about phone tech even though she works as a customer service rep for AT&T. But I don't blame her for that. Well, even though if somehow in the future they find out there's some mistake and revoke the change, I wouldn't mind because I don't use that much 3g data anyway.

I wouldn't go out of my way, but if that force you to upgrade or realize the error just know it's the correct charge.

Wow you got an awesome plan that is hard to get anymore. Nice

Not a bad plan! Hopefully it will last...

yea i hope it lasts for you too. hey guys on a side note. is that whole "Google charing you on your phone bill" option in place already? because im buying apps and oddly enough, my AT&T bill is coming up $10-$40 dollars extra for the past 3 months
also....since we both got AT&T.....you happen to have her rep number? i wanna call and try to get her so i can try my luck with her

Oh everyone, I guess I spoke too soon. This morning I found out they changed my plan to $25 again. I guess it's the system automation.
I called them again and this time the Guy there apparently know I'm using a HTC phone. But still he couldn't change my plan as he needed me to call from another phone to get the IMEI number. I guess I'll try to call again then.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Yeah that's what has been happening to everyone else. The system automatically sweeps accounts and puts the correct data plan. Oh well.

RogerPodacter said:
Yeah that's what has been happening to everyone else. The system automatically sweeps accounts and puts the correct data plan. Oh well.
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Not if you're on an old att "blue" plan
* Orig att wireless, pre cingular

best of luck in getting it changed, I was tempted to jump to iphone 4 but would like to have the unlimited data. On local carrier I have the nexus one with a $14.99 unlimited data & unlimited text, tough to find another carrier that can do that.

No Activation

I bought my Xoom on VerizonWireless.com, with a month-to-month plan which I intended to cancel, and just use wifi (or tether). When I turned it on for the first time, it tried to activate, and it failed (I received instructions with it on how to activate but I haven't done them yet). After failing it told me to go somewhere in Settings to activate as well.
Since then it has asked me only one time upon turning on if I wanted to activate, and I said no. If I never activate my line will I ever be billed for it? So far it's not on my statement at all. My friend did something similar with a phone where he bought a phone for contract price by adding an additional line, but never activated it and they eventually just took the unactivated line off his plan and he kept the phone lol
Just wondering if anyone else was also in this situation or if they've contacted Verizon for it yet, thanks!

Alpha Axl said:
I bought my Xoom on VerizonWireless.com, with a month-to-month plan which I intended to cancel, and just use wifi (or tether). When I turned it on for the first time, it tried to activate, and it failed (I received instructions with it on how to activate but I haven't done them yet). After failing it told me to go somewhere in Settings to activate as well.
Since then it has asked me only one time upon turning on if I wanted to activate, and I said no. If I never activate my line will I ever be billed for it? So far it's not on my statement at all. My friend did something similar with a phone where he bought a phone for contract price by adding an additional line, but never activated it and they eventually just took the unactivated line off his plan and he kept the phone lol
Just wondering if anyone else was also in this situation or if they've contacted Verizon for it yet, thanks!
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You should get billed because you basically signed a month to month contract. If you plan to use the data, you should call them for help. If not, you should call them and tell them to refund your money because verizon service is not required anymore (they changed this requirement last minute).

You have to cancel this month-to-month service within 72 hours or they charge you the $35 activation fee and the amount of $ for your first month of service. If you cancel in the first 3 day window, you will get the $35 activation taken off your bill, and be charged once for whatever few mb of data you used up to this point.

Im sorry would you mind sharing, on how to activate the device. I have been trying to activate this thing for a while now but it keeps saying Activation failed. Am i supposed to do something in the process of activation??

sunnyd119 said:
Im sorry would you mind sharing, on how to activate the device. I have been trying to activate this thing for a while now but it keeps saying Activation failed. Am i supposed to do something in the process of activation??
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You can skip/cancel activation completely as it is not required. You should be able to use your personal WiFi for internet. If you want to use Verizon data, you should contact them for assistance as I did not sign up for Verizon service so I do not know why it would be failing activation.

keitht said:
You can skip/cancel activation completely as it is not required. You should be able to use your personal WiFi for internet. If you want to use Verizon data, you should contact them for assistance as I did not sign up for Verizon service so I do not know why it would be failing activation.
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I got the Wifi part, Its just that I will start traveling tomo for work so I was trying to activate my Xoom on verizon, but it keeps failing on me, I was just wondering if there was something I had to do in this process. I got it from best buy without activation, thinking that I would activate it myself later, but I guess that was a bad idea. Anyone have a solution?

store
sunnyd119 said:
I got the Wifi part, Its just that I will start traveling tomo for work so I was trying to activate my Xoom on verizon, but it keeps failing on me, I was just wondering if there was something I had to do in this process. I got it from best buy without activation, thinking that I would activate it myself later, but I guess that was a bad idea. Anyone have a solution?
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Click to collapse
You are not required to do anything other than click activate in the wireless settings under mobile network, if it will not activate by doing that then you must take it into verizon because the problem is on their end. This process however should not take long.
I would recommend going to a larger verizon store rather than smaller local stores. The Xoom is still new and a few stores I went into trying to find out some information had not even seen one yet.
EDIT: since you bought it at best buy and had not activated it there, in order to activate the device you must go into verizon. The reason being that they require a credit check (even on the month to month plan) and if it returns with bad credit, you will be required to put a deposit of up to 400$ (again even without signing the 2 year contract) but with that said activation will be quick and your first month bill will get about 65$ added to it in activation fees and sur harges.

sunnyd119 said:
Im sorry would you mind sharing, on how to activate the device. I have been trying to activate this thing for a while now but it keeps saying Activation failed. Am i supposed to do something in the process of activation??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings -> Wireless & Networks -> Mobile Networks -> Activate Device
Let me know if that works!

RadDudeTommy said:
You are not required to do anything other than click activate in the wireless settings under mobile network, if it will not activate by doing that then you must take it into verizon because the problem is on their end. This process however should not take long.
I would recommend going to a larger verizon store rather than smaller local stores. The Xoom is still new and a few stores I went into trying to find out some information had not even seen one yet.
EDIT: since you bought it at best buy and had not activated it there, in order to activate the device you must go into verizon. The reason being that they require a credit check (even on the month to month plan) and if it returns with bad credit, you will be required to put a deposit of up to 400$ (again even without signing the 2 year contract) but with that said activation will be quick and your first month bill will get about 65$ added to it in activation fees and sur harges.
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Well then it seems that I will be making a trip to the verizon store tomorrow. Thank you for letting me know, I wouldn't have to worry about my credit, I am in good shape. I just can't understand why it couldn't be as simple as the ipad att activation, where it required me to just enter my credit card, and nothing else. Well a great tablet I guess is always haunted with different problems, but thank you kind sir for your response.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

Alpha Axl said:
Settings -> Wireless & Networks -> Mobile Networks -> Activate Device
Let me know if that works!
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Haha, this is what I have been trying and no luck, its funny the area I live in is great for verizon coverage too. Oo well I go to verizon tomorrow and try.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

You're Welcome
sunnyd119 said:
Well then it seems that I will be making a trip to the verizon store tomorrow. Thank you for letting me know, I wouldn't have to worry about my credit, I am in good shape. I just can't understand why it couldn't be as simple as the ipad att activation, where it required me to just enter my credit card, and nothing else. Well a great tablet I guess is always haunted with different problems, but thank you kind sir for your response.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
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You're Welcome, and I agree completely with you. The ability to activate right off your ipad is a great feature that avoids extra charges.
Even without signing a 2 year contract and going with the month to month plan, you won't be charged for canceling (You will be paying the month after, not pre-paid, so you don't pay the month ahead and get allotted data, you pay after, and if you go over your allotted data, you get charged) but you will have a 15$ re-activation fee when you want to start back up.
Not quite desirable, I'm hoping verizon will be making a true pre-paid account for tablets soon (apparently they have it for smart phones)
Glad to have helped, I hope you get your Xoom activated before you leave!

[Q] Walmart Family Mobile

I was at my local Wally-World (WalMart) last night and noticed that they are now offering another pre-paid cellular option called WalMart Family Mobile (using T-Mobiles' Network).
I currently have a G1 and an HD2 (Both T-Mobile branded as T-Mobile USA). Will I need to call T-Mobile to acquire unlock codes for this phones to use on the WFM services?
I have searched the Internet, and the responses are 50/50. About half saying yes I will need unlock codes, the other half saying that I won't need them.
So, I took the next logical step and contacted the WFM Customer Support line. I called 6 times...3 of the representatives said I will not need to unlock them, 2 said I will, and one was unsure if I need to or not.
Does anyone here have any experience regarding WFM and T-Mobile branded phones that are still sim-locked?

Well I have had no personal experience with sim unlocking my HD2, what IO can tell you though is if you will have to get it unlocked to to use the WMF, you will have to get a unlock code. I suggest you do this if you can, call T-Mobile customer service while you are still a T-Mobile costumer (I see under your sig you are on T-Mobile) and tell them you are going out of country some where for business reasons or vacation and want to get a sim card to use a local prepaid local service while you are there so you need a sim unlock code for your HD2 and G1. It is up to you what you tell them but seeing you have two phones you want to sim unlock I would say vacation so you can say you and your wife will be able to use your phones while on vacation. I say contact T-Mobile while you are still a customer because you have to be a customer for them to give you a code, plus T-Mobile will give you the code for free and you will not have to pay for a code from one of the many sites you can buy a code from, plus you will be guaranteed the codes will be valid. Next, after you have the codes in hand, I would go to Wal-Mart and purchase a months worth of the prepaid service for the WMF but tell the Wal-Mart employee you want to use you HD2 or G1, you decide which one as this is a test, as your phone so you just need a sim card for your phone. I have not checked this WMF out myself but hopefully you do noy have to buy a phone to get a sim card. Once you have said sim card put it in your phone and see if you get service, if you do not get service you will have to enter the unlock code to get service.
I am telling you to do this cause if the WMF uses T-Mobiles network then it is a chance you will not need the codes. But then again it is a chance you will need the codes also. So as you said the way I see it you have a 50/50 shot at having to unlock your HD2 and G1. It is better to go at this being prepared than to go into this and not be prepared. Best of luck with your endeavor and please post back here when you have a definitive answer so others can maybe have this question answered.
One more thing if you are doing this because of the impending buy out of T-Mobile by AT&T, thjen it will probable be in vein as you said the WMF uses T-Mobile's network.

I contacted T-Mo to get my unlock code 'just in case'. I did that right after I posted the initial post here. They say I should have it within 24 hours. Here's hoping that I actually get it. (I contacted them a years ago to get an unlock code for one of my Blackberries and never got it).
Anyways, once I get the unlock code, I'll just print the e-mail and take it with me to Walmart when I go get the $25 activation kit (IE: Sim Card).
Walmart says on their site that you can use your existing phone rather than buying one, as long as it is compatible (as long as it is GSM). The website also states that it needs to be unlocked, but as Walmart's main area of focus is not as a cellular provider, I do not put much weight into them saying it needs to be unlocked. It might be referring to non T-Mo phones, lord only knows. I'll find out in a day or two.
As to the reason I am switching....no, it is not due to the AT&T-Mobile merger. I am currently on the T-Mobile FlexPay plan paying $94.34 a month (after taxes) for unlimited everything on my phone. My fiancee's phone is costing $75.67 a month just for unlimited talk and text. That's $170.01 a month for our 2 lines.
With WFM, I can get an unlimited talk/text plan for us that comes out to $70 total for both phones ($45/mo for the first, $25/mo for each additional line). Data is sold in bulk, with the best rate being $40 for 1 gig (or $4 per 100meg). That 1 gig of mobile data should last us quite a while, as the unused portion will roll over each month. Even if we used the entire gig every month, that is still only $110 a month ($70 for the voice/text and $40 for the data). The $110/mo is still $60.00 cheaper. That's a win-win in my book.
The best part is that my phone number (which ends in 4000, perfect for my business) has been ported to Google Voice, so I can keep it and not have to worry if the WFM plans cease to exist if the AT&T-Mobile merger is approved.

Hey sounds like you and your wife are in the same boat as me and my wife. I pay a total of $225 a month (I think? She always pays the bill so I am not 100% sure that figure is correct) for our service with T-Mobile. The WMF thing sounds interesting to me but I would lose out in the long run if I switched cause I run pretty close to the 5GB soft cap T-Mobile has every month. I use my HD2 has a WiFi hotspot all the time at home cause I am not paying the high prices the internet providers want for set up and monthly service around my area. I only have Edge at in my interior area as well so just regular web browsing is fast enough for me. If I want to download anything or watch Youtube videos or any other vedios I just go to a public WiFi spot. If the WMF sold more than one gig at a time of data I might would switch but seeing as they don't I can not right now. Lord only knows what is going to happen to me using my HD2 as a WiFi hotspot when AT&T takes over.

I'm surprised T-Mo hasn't cut your data off yet...I use my HD2 as a wifi hotspot while I am on the road (gotta love it when my phone shows the H rather than E, hehe). Anyways, one month I hit over 10 gigs and they nailed me and throttled my internet speeds for the rest of the month.
It's sad though...there are times that I get faster internet through T-Mo by tethering my laptop to my HD2 than I do on a time warner cable connection.

jmhecker said:
I'm surprised T-Mo hasn't cut your data off yet...I use my HD2 as a wifi hotspot while I am on the road (gotta love it when my phone shows the H rather than E, hehe). Anyways, one month I hit over 10 gigs and they nailed me and throttled my internet speeds for the rest of the month.
It's sad though...there are times that I get faster internet through T-Mo by tethering my laptop to my HD2 than I do on a time warner cable connection.
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Ha yeah I do worry about getting throttled, but I really try to just use it for basic wed browsing nothing else while I am at home. For basic web browsing the Edge I get at home is cool, I have never had a chance to try it when I have 3G avaliable. I don't think I have ever seen the H on my HD2 lol. What can I say I live in the boonies

You DO NOT have to unlock tmobile phones to use WFM. I use an HD2 (running windows moblie and Android dual boot) and my wife has a HTC dash and neither is unlocked. If you want to use another GSM phone (ATT) then it will need to be unlocked.
This is the best deal out there if you do not use a lot of data. Been using it since last Oct and am very satisfied.

nesta17 said:
You DO NOT have to unlock tmobile phones to use WFM. I use an HD2 (running windows moblie and Android dual boot) and my wife has a HTC dash and neither is unlocked. If you want to use another GSM phone (ATT) then it will need to be unlocked.
This is the best deal out there if you do not use a lot of data. Been using it since last Oct and am very satisfied.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the info there nesta17. this is good to know, I figured you wouldn't have to unlock it seeing as WMF uses the T-Mobile network. But you never know about this mobile carrier companies. LOL

Okay, quick update:
First of all, Walmart sucks! I went to the location here in town late last night to buy 2 of their activation kits (one for me and one for the wifey). I went to the electronics department and told the cashier that I needed to purchase 2 "Walmart Family Mobile Activation Kits"...he said that they can not sell those after 9:00 PM. He stated that was Walmart policy. I explained to him that I only want to buy the kit, I do not want/need him to activate the phones, as I will be doing that at home. He stuck to his story.
As I am a person that rarely believes a word any employee of Walmart (or any other store) says, I immediately went to the customer service desk to inquire. They said that the employee in electronics was correct. Still, I was doubtful. So, I grabbed my HD2 and googled for the walmart that is about 5 miles down the road. I asked for electronics and spoke with an individual named Tom. I asked him if they have the WFM Activation Kits, and he said they do. He then continued on saying that there is no 'activation associate' on staff (the last one leaves at 9PM), so if I wanted to activate in the store I would have to wait until the morning. I told him that I only wish to purchase the activation kit so I could activate it at home. He said that is not a problem, and I rushed on over. at 11:45PM I purchased the kit (well after 9:00PM, proving the first employee wrong).
I get home, activated the SIM Cards without a problem. All I needed was the IMEI of my phones, the activation number for each SIM Card (provided in the Activation Kit) as well as the SIM Card itself (also in the Activation Kit). I popped the SIM card into my HD2 and powered it up. It no longer said T-Mobile on the lockscreen, but read as "Family Mobile". There was no need to unlock the phone, and everything works as expected.
The service is just as it would be with T-Mobile, obviously. I still get the H showing on my notification bar using the same APN settings as T-Mobile. I switch from H/3G/E/G as I drive, so it is correctly changing the network(s) I hit as I drive around (I travel a lot for work).
MMS/Texts/E-Mails/etc all work as expected. I could not be any happier.
I am going to install Windows Mobile 6.5 on it later today just so I can run the Simlock program to unlock the phone, then go right back to Android. (I have the unlock code, I might as well just use it, heh)
I went from nearly $200/mo for 2 phones down to less than $80 (after taxes). I can't complain.

Hey jmhecker check your in box I sent you a PM man.

Straight Talk selling SIM cards for BYOP!!

Okay. So this isn't really a question as much as a head's up. But I'd like to hear personal experiences either way. Straight Talk is now selling SIM cards for activation using your own phone! This is a website-only offer. So if anyone happens to try this out, please, do tell!
Sent from my SPH-P100 using xda premium

I guess you're in the us to get this excited? In Europe this has been available for 20 years...
Sent from my superior GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

awesome! now i dont have to buy a $50 phone just to get the sim...this just gets easier and easier!!

In US, can you not buy your mobilephone one place, and the data/sms/voice subscription another? Do you have to get locked in to a long deal with dataplans and so on, only to buy the phone you want? Maybe I understand it wrong. That would be illegal here (in Norway), due to customers right to chose freely where they want to purchase services. Its also the same system all over the country, so all phones can be used in all networks.
I have wondered for a while, how is this in USA and other countries?

No this is just the case with straight talk, a cheap prepaid provider.
Edit: Though carrier phones do come locked to that carrier.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Ok, that is the same here, with prepaid service and locked phones, in order to get it for a lower price if you are willing to buy a provider-locked phone.

My speeds aren't great with AT&T around 2 down and 1 up. Are straight talk speeds comparable?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Missed delivery of my Straight Talk sim card yesterday...have to wait til Monday. My unlocked Note should be here end of next week early following week.
Super excited about this. Granted I'm just doing it to try out the International Note before Verizon's "Journal" comes along, but I'm going to use my RAZR hotspot for data, but I will report back with speeds using Straight Talk, once I get it.

I'd really like to see how that turns out. Please keep us posted!
Sent from my SPH-P100 using xda premium

Mister_Mxyzptlk said:
I'd really like to see how that turns out. Please keep us posted!
Sent from my SPH-P100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do...I may push the data usage a bit and see how much I can get away with. Nothing major mind you.

I'm in Baltimore, Maryland and I used the old sim swapping way to get straight talk service. So far I'm impressed. I'm getting a consistent 3-4+ M down and 1.5 Up. Thats way higher than the 1M down and 100k up I was getting on T-mobile with my sensation 4g and the 150k down 100k up I was getting when I had an Evo on Sprint.

In the mobile phone world, the US seem so far behind! I often see in US movies people using flip open phones with an antenna stub, or even a pull up antenna. Phones we had in the '90s.
"You can get hold of me on my cell..."

Of course! Like a week after I buy a phone for ~$123 (including shipping) from Wal Mart.
I wonder if I can return this one to Wal Mart. I hope so.
I put a thread together here that shows how to set this up. (Or will these SIMs work without having to change all this stuff?)

There are currently three different types of SIM cards Straight Talk is offering; SIM cards for locked AT&T phones, SIM cards for locked T-Mobile phones, and SIM cards for unlocked phones. As long as you buy the appropriate card for your type of phone, you should be able to get full service.
And as for the US's current state of mobile technology, I rarely see anyone other than drug dealers using prepaid flip phones. The main problem with mobile service in the US is the carriers. Carriers don't sell unlocked phones. Most carriers have no truly unlimited data plan to speak of. And plan pricing, for the most part, is outrageous... especially with AT&T. The reason this Straight Talk SIM card business is such a big deal is simple. My AT&T plan is $90/mo. It includes 450 minutes, unlimited text, and 2GB of data. With Straight Talk for $45/mo., I can get unlimited minutes, unlimited text, and unlimited data. I can get unlimited everything for two phones on Straight Talk for the same monthly rate that AT&T charges for one phone. And AT&T doesn't even have an unlimited smartphone data plan... at all!
Sent from my SPH-P100 using xda premium

Towserspvm2000 said:
In the mobile phone world, the US seem so far behind! I often see in US movies people using flip open phones with an antenna stub, or even a pull up antenna. Phones we had in the '90s.
"You can get hold of me on my cell..."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That used to be the case, but no so much anymore. You do still see 90s style phones on cheap prepaid operators like Tracfone, but the top end phones on the big carriers are pretty much the same as we get in Europe.
Plan costs and data allowances are often dreadful though!
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

This is definitely an awesome deal for people in the US. That's why my Straight Talk SIM should be here today. I've been dealing with using Edge on Simple Mobile because I wasn't going to give in and pay $180 a month for two lines on AT&T.
I'm definitely hoping for some decent data speeds.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

Straight Talk Sim card just showed up...now waiting on my Note ....getting anxious.

Hmm, I was considering adding another line just so I could keep my iphone and the Note, both with data instead of switching between the two, but I didn't want the additional voice plan with At&t. This sound pretty sweet. Since I mainly want the unlimited data, $45 for it is not bad at all. If the data speeds are not that great, I just won't renew after a month. Definitely going to try this.

Had my GN for a week now, rooted and ready for a new rom. My Straight Talk sim will be arriving in 2 days so I can test out the data speeds around my area in the suburbs of NYC. Well worth the $45 30day plan with no contracts. IMO.
I will be driving down to Florida (20 hours) next week so this is also a good opportunity to test the data speeds along Interstate 95. If this works well, I will definitively port my Sprint # to Straight Talk and cut my bill more than half.

No, for the most part, if you don't go prepay, you have to go to a carrier, which LOCKS the phone to their network. Even if you put a different SIM card in the phone, it will not work, unless they unlock it (or you use an online unlock service).
Most of the time, I've had no issues getting the carrier to unlock the SIM card, after you have either been on their service a while, or, are a good standing customer (bills paid on time). I just tell them I'm going out of country, need an international SIM, and the code shows up in my email within 24 hours.
The reason the U.S. market is the way it is, was the business model that the carriers adopted a long time ago. They offer you a "free" or "reduced" price
phone, by showing you the alleged retail price. You "think" you are getting
a huge bargain, but, they lock you into a 2 year contract, which more than
makes up whatever reduced price you are receiving on the phone.
We all know, the "retail" price of the phone isn't what the manufacturer pays,
since they buy in bulk. Heck, the "49.99" phone they sell you, is most likely
what they paid for it in the first place, and the carriers laugh all the way to
the bank! But, the moron consumers in the USA, who never have been taught
economics, think they are getting a bargain, so they come into a carrier store,
and the carrier drones just toss a line, hook em and reel them in.
roxxy said:
In US, can you not buy your mobilephone one place, and the data/sms/voice subscription another? Do you have to get locked in to a long deal with dataplans and so on, only to buy the phone you want?
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Click to collapse

Mobile Hotspot free to Unlimited Data Plans

I just got off the phone with a Verizon representative about adding the hotspot to my unlimited plan. Now yes I'm rooted and already had access to the hotspot, but I'm fixing to go on a trip where I would probably use enough data through it to get noticed. The woman I spoke to asked if I wanted to add a line and use the jetpack or just use the hotspot and let it use my data. Well obviously with a unlimited plan I wanted the latter. I asked two times during the call if this would change my plan and or cost extra and was told no. So I guess I will find out at the end of the month.
Now it was my understanding that the data share plans had the hotspot already but I was unaware of the old unlimited plans having this and Verizon not charging the extra $30. As I said I will find out at the end of this cycle if my plan goes up $30 or not but I though I would put it out there to the others who still have there unlimited plan.

This makes me nervous. I hope you are safe and they don't try any funny business.
I no longer talk to Verizon if possible. They almost had a heart attack last time I was in there. I then realized having over 30GB per month is not normal. So over 59GB this month would be even more crazy.... If that was true... Because I am not really saying that is me..... Just saying....
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

Well they don't have a plan to accommodate my usage. Last month was around 25 gig and so far this cycle I'm at 11 gig. I was ready to pay the $30 so I'll buy have to see what happens. I haven't received a email saying anything has changed so "fingers crossed".

When I upgraded from my Droid X (3G) to a Droid Razr Maxx (4G) the VZW store rep told me that because I have unlimited data, I could add hotspot too, and said it would cost more (don't remember what it was), but it would also be unlimited. I didn't do it, because I didn't need it, and if I did, I could probably root and get it.
I've never had a major need for it, but will be interested to see what happens with this. I seem to remember reading stuff about the FCC ruling that customers should be allowed by the carriers to use their data any way they wish, whether on their phone or tethered (wired or wireless) to other devices as they choose. But there was some strange wording that meant it only applied to people on non-unlimited plans, so Verizon never honored it.
I bought my Moto X outright to keep my unlimited data, and rarely use more than 2-3GB anymore. I used 10-12/mo when I didn't have internet at home for a while watching lots of stuff on Netflix and listening to Pandora a lot.
Keep us posted...

In the past I had the hotspot on my account because where I lived there was no internet but there was cell service then when I was able to get internet I canced it. I would think that it would still show that it had been on my account in the past but who knows. There is a possibility that she didn't know what she was talking about because at one time she said that there wasn't a option for a hotspot in my phone settings. I told here there was and the app was on my phone. Then she saw it. So there are some questions in my head and I will keep a close eye on it and come back with what I find.

My fingers are crossed for you. If that girl was clueless and the change forces you off unlimited there is practically no chance you will get it back unless you know the right someone on the inside. I don't see any way Verizon would allow a user with unlimited data to tether at no extra charge... especially when you consider unlimited data was explicitly disallowed from tethering when then FCC dropped the hammer on their use of band 7.
What if I have an old Verizon unlimited data plan? Can I download an app and avoid the $20 tethering fee too?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. Verizon says that customers under the unlimited plan are required by the company's terms of service to pay an additional fee to tether their device.
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-http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57...ns-fcc-tethering-settlement-means-to-you-faq/
I tether off my unlimited here and there but don't make a habit of it... plus I rarely go over three gigs of usage so whenever I hear all these 30, 40, 50+ gig users brought up I think I have very little to worry about for the foreseeable future. I've heard any changes to the account will force you onto a tiered plan so I only talk to Verizon when absolutely necessary, and only in a store, on the off chance that just having them look at my account would constitute a change.

kbluhm said:
My fingers are crossed for you. If that girl was clueless and the change forces you off unlimited there is practically no chance you will get it back unless you know the right someone on the inside.
I tether off my unlimited as well but I rarely go over three gigs of usage so whenever I hear all these 30, 40, 50+ gig users brought up I think I have very little to worry about for the foreseeable future. I've heard any changes to the account will force you onto a tiered plan so I only talk to Verizon when absolutely necessary, and only in a store, on the off chance that just having them look at my account would constitute a change.
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I agree that I am very wary about any potential changes to my account. When I brought my Moto X in to activate it (bought it from Moto directly, off contract), I asked to speak to the manager and made it very clear that I ONLY wanted to activate the phone if I would absolutely NOT lose unlimited data. He chuckled and told me that they get a lot of people who are super paranoid about it, and there are always shady employees who want to upsell on stuff so they will tell you that you can get XYZ new feature for only $5 more per month, but not tell you that making that change will also take you off of unlimited data. I told him that was EXACTLY what I wanted to avoid and he again chuckled and said I wouldn't lose unlimited, then proceeded to upgrade my device, and then exited out of the computer program and pulled up my account a second time to show me it was still in there as unlimited.
My girlfriend used to work at Radioshack and there were people there (including managers) that did those shady "upgrades" all the time just to get more commission. People at authorized phone stores do that stuff too. Never deal with those people.

I have checked my online account twice today and its still showing unlimited. And she said it would not change or make me lose the unlimited. I did let her know that I didn't want to lose that.

I remember when I had an unlimited data plan and got a new cell + new "subscription" that meant that it wasn't unlimited anymore, lol.
Anyway, I forgot all about it and downloaded a few movies during that weekend.
The following monday they blocked all outgoing calls from my phone and directed me to their customer service (I was furious because i didn't know why) and told me that my subscription fee was around 2600usd (one MB was like 3usd at that time when you reached your limit).
I totally **** my pants and told them the story (acted kind of dumb, pretended to be technically handicapped) and they erased the whole amount.:laugh:
I'm still faithful to that carrier

canezila said:
This makes me nervous. I hope you are safe and they don't try any funny business.
I no longer talk to Verizon if possible. They almost had a heart attack last time I was in there. I then realized having over 30GB per month is not normal. So over 59GB this month would be even more crazy.... If that was true... Because I am not really saying that is me..... Just saying....
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You can relax sir I use the least 40 gigs per month and Verizon is very well aware of this any **** to do with anything about it other than they think its quite funny
Moto X

ghostt021 said:
You can relax sir I use the least 40 gigs per month and Verizon is very well aware of this any **** to do with anything about it other than they think its quite funny
Moto X
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This. I routinely use between 80GB & 200GB a month and no problems as of yet. The last time I was in a Verizon store the guy asked me what the heck I was doing, I told him I watch a lot of Netflix. (Which isn't a lie, my last phone had HDMI out and I would Stream Netflix/GPM&TV/HBOGO/HULU through my phone) What I DIDN'T tell him was that about 20-30 of those gigs were through hotspot to other devices.

Yea that doesn't sound right. Where I work there is no "unlimited hotspot" option at all. If anything you'll probably see the 5 GB hotspot option for $50
Sent from my Lumia 928

Ok I got my bill the other day and there is no extra charge for the hotspot. So I figured that I would go ahead and update to 4.4.2 and when I tried to turn on the hotspot I got the familiar sign that I needed to contact verizon. But after rerooting and unlocking the wifi tether it worked. So obviously the rep that I talked with just didnt know what she was talking about and figured that it was on my plan or something as she didnt activate the hotspot. So scratch the free hotspot on unlimited plans.

I just updated my two computers at work and have to teather them. I also have an enormous music library because I am an elementary school music teacher and occasional DJ. This month I am at 109+ GB. I need to add my fiancée to my family plan by creating a data plan on her current number (not my unlimited plan) and just worry they might pull something. Maybe I should wait until the 13th when billing cycle resets current usage?
Also, my old phone (the one she will use) is x912 Droid RAZR Maxx. Will putting my old sim card that is used with that phone be able to get switched to her info? Just curious because I would rather hear information on this thread then at the Verizon store. Thanks!
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canezila said:
I just updated my two computers at work and have to teather them. I also have an enormous music library because I am an elementary school music teacher and occasional DJ. This month I am at 109+ GB. I need to add my fiancée to my family plan by creating a data plan on her current number (not my unlimited plan) and just worry they might pull something. Maybe I should wait until the 13th when billing cycle resets current usage?
Also, my old phone (the one she will use) is x912 Droid RAZR Maxx. Will putting my old sim card that is used with that phone be able to get switched to her info? Just curious because I would rather hear information on this thread then at the Verizon store. Thanks!
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I think you should be able to add her to your family plan for an extra 10 bucks a month plus the data plan. She will only be able to get a capped plan, but I'm sure you know this already. Even still she should be able to get 2gb for 30 bucks I think. They will probably try and get you to switch to their Share Everything plan.
As far as the Sim card is concerned, just trash it. They will give her a new one for the RAZR and assign it to her account. They're free anyways.
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