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My wife and I are going to Europe for a month this summer and we would like to bring our phones to use as portable wifi devices. What is the best way to guarantee that we get no data/text messaging/phone charges?
Ideally we could just remove the sim card but I heard you can't use the device when you do this (even for wifi). Is this true even if we have sim unlocked the device? Do we have to install ADP1 for this trip to do this?
I also read that we could change the APN to something invalid and that would prevent data charges but what if someone text messages us?
Thanks
As long as your device is activated, as in you are not prompted to sign into your Google account when you turn on the phone, you will be fine. Just take the SIM out of the phone when you arrive.
you could always disable the radios. There are ways to turn off cell radios and leave wifi or even turn of data all together but leave the cell radio on.
Rekna said:
My wife and I are going to Europe for a month this summer and we would like to bring our phones to use as portable wifi devices. What is the best way to guarantee that we get no data/text messaging/phone charges?
Ideally we could just remove the sim card but I heard you can't use the device when you do this (even for wifi). Is this true even if we have sim unlocked the device? Do we have to install ADP1 for this trip to do this?
I also read that we could change the APN to something invalid and that would prevent data charges but what if someone text messages us?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an app on the market that lets you disable/enable your APN settings with a simple tap or two. Search for APN.
it is called APNDroid, its brilliant! Really easy to use. One click to disable APN's, click again to re-enable them!
I'm on prepaid right now so I'm trying to not use data at all. However, even with apndroid and turning off all 3g/data, I was still losing money in my prepaid account. The only thing that I could do to stop the random charges is to uninstall any apps that require internet access (last.fm, skype, etc).
Just a warning for anyone travelling - it looks like 3rd party apps can access data even if you disable it on the g1. You can google reports of people getting charged crazy amounts of roaming data charges even after turning off their data.
I had problem last month where i unlocked my g1 to use with the 3 network, worked great and i was very happy. I did not realise however that the g1 was for whatever reason using the 3g internet rather than my wifi, for some reason or another it continuously was charging me for data i thought i was getting form my wifi! over £100 the g1 cost me in that little incident.
My advice to you is either take out your sim or use the apn blocker. I would not even put your sim in when in another country!
Does anyone see any fault in this plan of mine to avoid data charges after buying the phone (I'm going to get it today or tomorrow).
The phone is already unlocked.
1) Borrow my friend's sim with a data plan. and register phone
2) Do not fill in correct APN info upon setup (so I can't be charged data)
3) Put in my sim
4) Spend 10 hours reading these forums and trying to install custom firmware/tinkering with the phone etc.
5) Download APNdroid, run it 24/7, then enjoy my dataless phone while I browse wifi all night downloading cool apps and tweaking my phone.
Sorry this is a bit later but for anyone who is looking for an asnwere to this i found one -
Here is how you turn off data service on your G1:
------------------------------------------------
1. Use Anycut to create a shortcut to "Testing"
2. Click on Testing.
3. Click on Phone Information
4. Hit Menu button
5. Click on More
6. Click on Disable data connection
This turns off all data access. Note that GPRS service switches to "disconnected".
Now you should have a phone that does voice calls, but no data access.
Wi-fi still works which is great.
try txtFeeder.com to avoid data charges
I am not sure what your planning doing with your phone, but you should try txtFeeder.com - a free mobile feed aggregator to avoid data charges. It'll let you keep up with news, weather, or whatever site you normally read, on your mobile, without paying data charges. it works really well.
try txtFeeder.com to avoid data charges
I am not sure what your planning doing with your phone, but you should try txtFeeder.com - a free mobile feed aggregator to avoid data charges. It'll let you keep up with news, weather, or whatever site you normally read, on your mobile, without paying data charges. it works really well.
Hey guys! Just got my vibrant today, it is a beautiful phone. Going to root it and remove all the bloatware in a second here
Quick question for you guys-my current plan with T-Mobile does not include data. In the few hours I've owned the Vibrant, it has already sucked down several MBs of data...what is the best way to disable the data connection altogether? I only want to use data over wifi, nothing else.
Some googling revealed the app 'APNdroid'-is this still the best way to disable data, or is there a more current solution for the Vibrant?
Thanks!
That's odd. What plan are you on that allows you to access data without having a data plan?
To access data, I assume you'd need T-Zones at the very least (unless there's something even older that I'm forgetting). In which case, you will be nagged to upgrade to the 'Android Data Plan' after about 6-12 hours.
So confused.
I have a grandfathered myfaves plan. I definitely don't have data, was pretty confused when my phone started using data on the drive home. It completed a Google search for me and the 3g icon popped up in the notification bar. Hmmm....
Well if it helps any, I know for Bell Canada at least, even if you don't have a plan with a data addition, you can still access data (except at a really ludicrous rate).
(Or actually, this might be the case only because bell always put's it's browsers and junk on phones, even its feature phones)
Call T-Mobile and ask for a data block.
My wife fone does not subscribe to data plan. But sometimes, she got 3G/E signal display on the phone. Will Tmobile automatically add data plan to her phone? is she getting charged to browse the internet? Is there a way to disable this? Thanks.
nguyenmd said:
My wife fone does not subscribe to data plan. But sometimes, she got 3G/E signal display on the phone. Will Tmobile automatically add data plan to her phone? is she getting charged to browse the internet? Is there a way to disable this? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did she get a plan without data? Its a requirement for the android devices.
I'm sure tmobile will automatically add it.
Yes they will charge. Either 30 bucks a month for per meg. I had someone that tried to do this with Verizon and he got a bill for 300 bucks.
You can turn sync off which will prevent it from going online to get info. (sometimes)
Those 3G/E are normal even if you dont have data plan
Disable with "APNdroid" from the market. After you disable 3G/Edge/Gprs data connection make sure you reboot so it actually disables it...you will no longer see 3G/E BTW Expect even better battery life after doing so.
laristech said:
You can turn sync off which will prevent it from going online to get info. (sometimes)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't touch sync its still very useful even if just using Wifi
Not sure what you will get charged but a data plan is NOT required on this phone. On other android devices it has been but for some reason this one can be used as a "dumb" phone. Store employees may tell you otherwise so they can get the commission.
joshthewaster said:
Not sure what you will get charged but a data plan is NOT required on this phone. On other android devices it has been but for some reason this one can be used as a "dumb" phone. Store employees may tell you otherwise so they can get the commission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen people INSIST up and down that you can't run smartphones without a data plan or the carrier will add them. They told me the same thing about AT&T and guess what? My wife runs her iphone 2g without one (edge disabled) and nary a problem.
mk262 said:
I've seen people INSIST up and down that you can't run smartphones without a data plan or the carrier will add them. They told me the same thing about AT&T and guess what? My wife runs her iphone 2g without one (edge disabled) and nary a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used my nexus and then my vibrant as prepaid with no problems...I went into the store and paid full price for vibrant and told them i had a tmobile prepaid sim card i was going to use...they dont care.
But now i have a $60 month plan so i can use my smart phone for what its intended for
yep, no problem with my even more + plan sans data. been using it that way since i got my g1, and they have not said anything.
laristech said:
How did she get a plan without data? Its a requirement for the android devices.
I'm sure tmobile will automatically add it.
Yes they will charge. Either 30 bucks a month for per meg. I had someone that tried to do this with Verizon and he got a bill for 300 bucks.
You can turn sync off which will prevent it from going online to get info. (sometimes)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats not true. its not required to have a data plan with an android phone. I talked to a tmobile rep and he said if you buy the android from them by either upgrading or starting a service then you do. but if you bring a tmobile android to them to start up service you dont have to have a data plan. although its really pointless to have an android phone without a data plan.
thanks for the replies guys. I download APN Droid and that took care of the concern. Thanks.
nguyenmd said:
thanks for the replies guys. I download APN Droid and that took care of the concern. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont need to download any apps. just go to mobile network, select APN setting and change the epc.tmobile.com to some arbitrary characters like "24532lk34j23l45ju204213" and hit the "menu" button and save. then turn off background sync at all time (unless you turn on wifi for android market donwload apps and gmail or apps that requires internet) and then reboot the phone.
the phone will will still shows 3G/E but u wont be able to get on internet as the APN setting has changed. T-mobile wont charge you data plan for this even though they got the IMEI detected. Ciao!
njfpolyr6 said:
you dont need to download any apps. just go to mobile network, select APN setting and change the epc.tmobile.com to some arbitrary characters like "24532lk34j23l45ju204213" and hit the "menu" button and save. then turn off background sync at all time (unless you turn on wifi for android market donwload apps and gmail or apps that requires internet) and then reboot the phone.
the phone will will still shows 3G/E but u wont be able to get on internet as the APN setting has changed. T-mobile wont charge you data plan for this even though they got the IMEI detected. Ciao!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea remove epc.tmobile.com and for some reason you want it back but you forgot what it was so you go searching online because your forgot to write it down...you get the point
You really think that's easier than just getting APNdroid click to disable, click to enable. And why would he want to and disable background sync im sure he will use wifi.
BTW when you use your "method" and still see 3G/E your phone might not be able to connect to tmobile but it is still searching for those signals ultimately wasting battery
I don't have a data plan and I haven't disabled the APN settings. Whenever I go onto the browser without WiFi it shows me a T-Mobile page that just says that I need a data plan use the internet. It has never charged me. But I do have an unlimited text message plan and I can send picture messages just fine. Just an FYI.
I have used several android phones with out a data plan. We have a family plan, and so all I needed to do was use the sim card for a line that did not have a plan. It actually works well, and were I not waiting for the ota for froyo, I would be tempted to drop my data plan and I use my phone extensively.
If I recall correctly, the only applications that I could not use when out and about were the browser based apps. Initially, the thought of not being able to user google maps would have been enough of a reason not to drop the data plan, but with my trip to canada, that was cured with a $20 download of Co pilot. I am generally using my phone where I have wifi access. Nonetheless, I still was able to get email updates with out a data plan.
In essence, with out a data plan you can still access email, messaging, and use many if not most of your downloaded applications. If you need constant access to FB, you tube, twitter and the likes, you will not easily be able to drop you data line.
Note that I was able to get my wife's phone upgraded to a my touch slide on t-mobile and was not required to add a data plan. I did, but it was weeks after I already had it up and running which was possible because it provided an option to configure wifi before having to have the google account configured (unlike the G1).
Just fyi those those interested.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
T-Mobile will NEVER add a data plan to your line, especially without your knowledge.
I've been using a smartphone with my plan without data for years now.
got a text at 12:08am saying it may be shut off and then at 12:19am they did.
thanks T-Mobile for nothing i got this phone just for that reason (hd2 leo)
If your contract states tethering is allowed then point that out to them and demand they reinstate it.
Similarly if it doesn't mention it at all, or doesn't say they can withdraw unlisted services.
If it states it is not allowed then go sit on the naughty step you bad boy. Then call them and sign up for their tethering tarrif which other members in your position have mentioned.
I know I have unlimited with them and have tethered a good bit. I even had a rep say something to the effect " wow looks like you use your data plan !" and no other word was said. Usually when you get those texts it's because you haven't paid the bill.
Not saying you haven't payed it but you might want to make sure they see it as up to date. You may have exceeded your plans limit? You might want to check into that.
I have not checked my T&C, but am pretty sure that with T-Mobile in the UK, using your data connection for tethering is an extra cost and is thus not allowed on the normal data connction. I have a friend (what do you mean imaginary?) who uses their phone as their main connection to the internet for their computer for the last 4+ years and T-Mobile haven't written to her.
Curious, how can they stop tethering? This is a legit question from the technical side of things. I was under the impression that tethering is a local phone function which ports data to and from the attached computer. Other than your service provider noting data usage, how can they determine what you have attached to your phone?
Experienced XDA Guru's, please enlighten me!
are you sure that you are not past due?
GulDucat said:
Curious, how can they stop tethering? This is a legit question from the technical side of things. I was under the impression that tethering is a local phone function which ports data to and from the attached computer. Other than your service provider noting data usage, how can they determine what you have attached to your phone?
Experienced XDA Guru's, please enlighten me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhmm because when you are browsing the web you are sending information about what type of system you are using. If you are browsing with your phone the information being sent and requested is for a phone's OS or mobile web site. When you are tethering you are sending and requesting information for a PC. It's that simple.
OP here
My bill is up to date and paid, have yet to call and chew them out, but I got this phone just for that reason so it should be in my agreement (no contract just bought the phone outright)
but fyi when I try to tether with either the usb or wifi it comes up with a page on my browser(on my comp) of a t-mobile website saying that its no supported and to call for a the +$14.99
heres a pic of it
QazQaz3 said:
OP here
My bill is up to date and paid, have yet to call and chew them out, but I got this phone just for that reason so it should be in my agreement (no contract just bought the phone outright)
but fyi when I try to tether with either the usb or wifi it comes up with a page on my browser(on my comp) of a t-mobile website saying that its no supported and to call for a the +$14.99
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so are you using a stock rom? I am very curious as to weather they are only picking up the usage data from stock roms or custom roms as well.
Thanks,
Jeff
innovator8 said:
so are you using a stock rom? I am very curious as to weather they are only picking up the usage data from stock roms or custom roms as well.
Thanks,
Jeff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does not matter what rom you use as they can analyze the data packets sent along from the phone via packet sniffing. As noted above your browers sends all sorts of information such as OS and browser in use
see more here
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/security/pki/psm/help_21/privacy_help.html#privacy_visit
innovator8 said:
so are you using a stock rom? I am very curious as to weather they are only picking up the usage data from stock roms or custom roms as well.
Thanks,
Jeff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, stock but a few cabs on top (cookies and similar)
called T-Mobile and all they said was that they have "never" supported tethering but yet when asked then why was it on my phone when i bought it they quickly changed the subject.
2. Protective Measures
To provide a good experience for the majority of our customers and minimize capacity issues and degradation in network performance, we may take measures including temporarily reducing data throughput for a subset of customers who use a disproportionate amount of bandwidth; if your total usage exceeds 5GB (amount is subject to change; please periodically check T-Mobile.com for updates) during a billing cycle, we may reduce your data speed for the remainder of that billing cycle. We may also suspend, terminate, or restrict your data session, Plan, or service if you use your Data Plan in a manner that interferes with other customers’ service, our ability to allocate network capacity among customers, or that otherwise may degrade service quality for other customers.
http://www.t-mobile.com/Templates/Popup.aspx?PAsset=Pln_Lst_DataPlan
Try changing the apn to internet2.voicestream.com
Some users from the vibrant section seem to get it working again
The internet2 apn does work, but is not as good as the epc apn in terms of quality. Speed is fine. I keep getting time outs and all my IM programs go haywire sometimes. wap apn is affected. Have not tried the internet3 apn (vpn)
I'm on Energy ROM and decided to try turning off my LAN and turn on USB Tethering from my HD2 just to see what would happen (TMOUS), working fine as usual, no problems and no errors. Streaming Jim Rome, checking my email, and posting this reply all tethered.
Maybe try flashing NRG and see what happens?
Maybe t-mobile did this manually maybe you kept tethering and passing 3gb led them to believe your tethering. I use alot of data on my phone and I only gotten close to 2.5gb max so maybe their checking people who are using more than certain amount of data to get them to pay for the tethering plan but who knows I'm just wondering.
I have a really good plan (grandfathered unlimited data, enough said?), thus i'm sticking with bell. I originally got the LG quantum when it came out, however since October i had my eyes set on the Focus.
Other then being heavy and small screen, i had no issue with the quantum. I ordered the Samsung Focus from rogers site.Once i got it, i stuck in my bell SIM and got a screen asking for a code. Took the phone to a local independent cell phone store in Downtown london, ont. the guy took my IMEI and gave me back the phone, a few hours later he e-mailed me the a code. Once entered, the phone went to start screen, everything seemed good.
Could text, and make calls. NO data, NO MMS!!
I found that adding the bells APN (pda.bell.ca), sort of gets data working.
However, It feels as if i would I have to make multiple attempts to force the phone to connect via HSPA+ network (i.e. get 3G+ icon to appear). If on 3G not data works!
and even there it doesn't stay connected. (disconnect between surfing sites, making transactions is a pain) On top of this phone sometimes, looses it's ability to make call or send texts, even with full bars, until soft reset (i.e. power down and up).( only happened once, after i swapped SIM card, hasn't re-occured since hard reset)
Ultimately , the issue is the network profile has been manual programed in the phone to use ROGERS addresses for DATA and MMS. Thus far i can't find a way and the community hasn't helped figuring out how to change the profile, by either manually changing it or changing to a Bell preset.
I can't believe that the phone does not get data in 3G mode. I have a theory, either because the bell network is new it doesn't support 3g data mode, which i doubt as my Quantum seemed fine, or bell doesn't have my IMEI which is how they provided data access on old network. I'm going to a bell store today and giving them my phones IMEI i'm hoping this might provide a break through. (will update afterword)
Samsung offers a network profile app via marketplace, however, once launched it provide the following msg "The application can't be launched with your mobile operator".
I will be contacting Samsung tech support this afternoon, hopefully they'll help with a solution. Although i suspect they say some BS about exclusive to roger, we can't help.
Ultimately, i've played with all WP7 device available in canada. The Samsung focus is the one i enjoy they most. My only let downs are the 16 bit screen which doesn't show gradients, and the OS lacking of essential features (hidden Wi-Fi access, multiple calendars, etc.). When data works i am absolutely in love. hopefully this issue can be fix soon.
UPDATE:
Having provided bell with the IMEI (rep at stored scanned it in from behind battery), nothing has changed still having issues.
I still think it's Network Profile, however in post #3 someone mentions an alternative APN, going to investigate and see what the LG quantum uses then might try.
I wonder if this is due to the Bell network, or if it's due to the Focus coming from Rogers?
I have an AT&T ordered, and it should be here within the week. Let's hope I don't have the same problems as you :S
reaver_shadow said:
I found that adding the bells APN (pda.bell.ca), sort of gets data working.
I can't believe that the phone does not get data in 3G mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There have been some cases reported with new phones on HSPA not being able to connect on pda.bell.ca and that APN setting having to be changed to inet.bell.ca.
Note, however, that under the inet.bell.ca setting, you will incur charges, unless you have a true data plan (150MB/500MB/1-6GB) and not the Unlimited Mobile Browser, which many have historically (and wrongly) referred to as "unlimited data". It's just that pda.bell.ca has never charged people correctly, even now. Expect that free puppy to go the way of the dinosaur, though.
zing said:
There have been some cases reported with new phones on HSPA not being able to connect on pda.bell.ca and that APN setting having to be changed to inet.bell.ca.
Note, however, that under the inet.bell.ca setting, you will incur charges, unless you have a true data plan (150MB/500MB/1-6GB) and not the Unlimited Mobile Browser, which many have historically (and wrongly) referred to as "unlimited data". It's just that pda.bell.ca has never charged people correctly, even now. Expect that free puppy to go the way of the dinosaur, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my plsn it lists "unl Email-Internet Windows 30". Is this consider a "true data plan", and not the historically wrong one?
reaver_shadow said:
On my plsn it lists "unl Email-Internet Windows 30". Is this consider a "true data plan", and not the historically wrong one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither the UMB, nor the email-internet 30 (often referred to as UNPDA 30, or simply UNPDA), nor the email-IM 15 are true data plans. People everywhere have been calling their UNPDA and UMB plans as unlimited data, only because Bell has not been properly metering and charging through pda.bell.ca portal. The metering of the sessions through pda.bell is actually capped at some ridiculously small amount, whereby you can essentially use "data" well beyond that point and presumably with no limit and the meter still shows stuck at that silly low figure (that figure being in kilobytes and not even reaching megabytes).
It's all good and well to take advantage of this wonky metering. I had the UMB for three years and loved it. "Unlimited data" for 7 bucks! Who would say NO to that? The problem arises when metering actually does function properly. If and when they do correct it, they *can* charge you retroactively for at least that one month of usage not in accordance to your initially agreed to contract. When you first signed up, you agreed to use the UNPDA for emails and internet browsing (and sometimes IM); not for downloading movies, listening to radio and podcasts or tethering to your laptop.
Rather than play hookie with the likes of Bell and go to bed every night praying that today was not the day they fixed the metering, because you just watched "How to Train a Dragon" on your phone, I would suggest to renegotiate a true data plan. This way, you can browse, stream, listen and tether all you want - within reasonable limits.
I switched from the $7 UMB to the 6GB data with tethering plan and I don't lose any sleep. Even with tethering and watching a couple of movies a month, I don't come close to the limit. Oh, and I actually pay about $5 more than I did before for this peace of mind. Some people have even negotiated plans lower than mine.
For some related reading, google "Pda.bell.ca and Tcare Data Usage Meter". A thread from HowarForums should come up at the top. See especially post #14.
I unlocked my Rogers Focus and using it on Telus no problem.
Do you have a friend with a Telus sim?
Maybe the phone is faulty.
geological1 said:
I unlocked my Rogers Focus and using it on Telus no problem.
Do you have a friend with a Telus sim?
Maybe the phone is faulty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW
This sucks, I have questions:
1) How did you unlock you device
2) does network profile app give you error msg when try to launch it?
3) can you MMS?
4) when the phone is in 3G can you use data
5) can you access the root menu using #634# -> *#197328640# ?
Thanks for your reply
reaver_shadow said:
WOW
This sucks, I have questions:
1) How did you unlock you device
2) does network profile app give you error msg when try to launch it?
3) can you MMS?
4) when the phone is in 3G can you use data
5) can you access the root menu using #634# -> *#197328640# ?
Thanks for your reply
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may want to change the title of the trhead as it is a bit alarmist.
1. I unlocked it from a code supplied from a seller on Ebay.
Great service but the listing is gone now for some reason.
MobileXpress Canada (just one "e")
2. I did install it and yes it gave me an error message so I just uninstalled it.
3. I haven't tried yet
4. Oh ya...big time 3G+ icon at times.
5. I don't want to muck with the root menus until other guinea pigs want to.
I am enjoying the phone too much to mess it up.
I'll let you know if the MMS works after I try it.
You did set up the APN correctly right?
Try another sim??