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I was happily using my Nexus One on AT&T without a data plan (and with data blocked) since it was released, but I made the mistake of giving AT&T the IMEI number of my Nexus today. Now they tell me that I am required to get a $30 data plan because it is a "PDA", despite the fact that it cannot use 3G on AT&T's network.
Does anyone know of a way to ditch the data plan? Is it possible that I could give AT&T the IMEI of an old phone, then switch my SIM to the Nexus?
as a user who uses the nexus one on att, heating something like this is
infuriating.how is it their business to make you buy a data plan? I can understand if they subsidized the phone but obviously in this case it was not. thanks for the heads up. i would never disclose this kind of information to att unless I absolutely had to do so.
use this as a way to break your contract and come to tmobile and enjoy the way a real provider is sposed to treat you... pretty much if you have ATT and dont have an iphone, they dont care about you
Postal76 said:
I was happily using my Nexus One on AT&T without a data plan (and with data blocked) since it was released, but I made the mistake of giving AT&T the IMEI number of my Nexus today. Now they tell me that I am required to get a $30 data plan because it is a "PDA", despite the fact that it cannot use 3G on AT&T's network.
Does anyone know of a way to ditch the data plan? Is it possible that I could give AT&T the IMEI of an old phone, then switch my SIM to the Nexus?
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I am kinda surprised they are doing this... Then again, times are "tough"...
I would ask them where in the contract you signed it says you have to have a data plan? Let them know that if they start charging you for a service you didn't sign up for or agree to, they will be hearing from an attorney.
When AT&T began mandating the smartphone dataplans (September?) people that already had a smartphone on their account without a smartphone data plan were given a feature called "smartphone exclusion". If you had this and they took it off when you gave them the nexus one imei, you may be able to call customer service and get them to put it back on. That's the only way I can think of. They're implementing a system which automatically adds a smartphone data plan onto your account when you put your sim card into a smartphone and it reports a recognized smartphone imei to AT&T unless you have the smartphone exclusion feature.
http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618214
maxh said:
When AT&T began mandating the smartphone dataplans (September?) people that already had a smartphone on their account without a smartphone data plan were given a feature called "smartphone exclusion". If you had this and they took it off when you gave them the nexus one imei, you may be able to call customer service and get them to put it back on. That's the only way I can think of. They're implementing a system which automatically adds a smartphone data plan onto your account when you put your sim card into a smartphone and it reports a recognized smartphone imei to AT&T unless you have the smartphone exclusion feature.
http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618214
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Very interesting. This make sense, since AT&T should be able to find out what kind of phone you're using even if you don't give them your IMEI. I suppose I might have had a "smartphone exclusion" put on my account back when I was using a myTouch 3G on AT&T without a data plan.
However, I doubt AT&T is going to work with me on this, given the extremely unsatisfactory customer service I received today after speaking to 3 representatives.
What happens when your using just a normal phone with att, and your buddy has a nexus one. and so you go over to his house and put your sim on it just to see how it works, cause your interested in it and all. so you borrow it for a day to test it out. and att starts charging you for data? Sounds bull**** to me that they can do that if your not using 3g data service... period
I've had these issues with ATT as well. In September they "discovered" my Touch HD on their network and zapped it from working. I was on the "pay as you go" plan. I switched the SIM to my old HTC Trinity and my service was useable again. Since the Trinity was one of the first full featured phones, they must not have had it in their "kill" database.
I dumped ATT like a hot rock, then went to T-mobile and I've never looked back. ATT has nothing over T-mobile.
Matterhorn said:
I've had these issues with ATT as well. In September they "discovered" my Touch HD on their network and zapped it from working. I was on the "pay as you go" plan. I switched the SIM to my old HTC Trinity and my service was useable again. Since the Trinity was one of the first full featured phones, they must not have had it in their "kill" database.
I dumped ATT like a hot rock, then went to T-mobile and I've never looked back. ATT has nothing over T-mobile.
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Trust me, I'd love to do the same. But A&T is much cheaper for me (it would be $120 for a 2 line family plan with data vs. $155 on T-Mobile) even when I don't include my AT&T premier discount. I was pretty sad to learn that T-Mobile's pricing isn't very competitive, at least when it comes to Nexus One plans.
i've had the N1 on ATT for about a month now and i don't have data plan and never signed up for one; i am near wifi 80-90% of the time and don't need the data plan; never got any texts from them forcing me to get data;
btw, i am on a family plan
jblazea50 said:
i've had the N1 on ATT for about a month now and i don't have data plan and never signed up for one; i am near wifi 80-90% of the time and don't need the data plan; never got any texts from them forcing me to get data;
btw, i am on a family plan
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Supposedly they are turning on their new system for automatically adding data plans market by market. Some people's areas don't have it yet, but I know for a fact they're doing it in Austin, TX because I got hit by it. I had 2 lines with smartphones and put my SIM card into a dumbphone for a few minutes then back into my smartphone. That triggered it, but I have the "smartphone exclusion" on my main line (which happens to be the phone I did the SIM switch in) so only the other line got a $30 data plan added. I ported that line out within a couple of days.
maxh said:
Supposedly they are turning on their new system for automatically adding data plans market by market. Some people's areas don't have it yet, but I know for a fact they're doing it in Austin, TX because I got hit by it. I had 2 lines with smartphones and put my SIM card into a dumbphone for a few minutes then back into my smartphone. That triggered it, but I have the "smartphone exclusion" on my main line (which happens to be the phone I did the SIM switch in) so only the other line got a $30 data plan added. I ported that line out within a couple of days.
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how do you add smartphone exclusion to your phone
It's really simple to ditch the data plans on ATT...
I have a total of 6 phones with ATT. 4 ATT PDAs, 1 ATT non-PDA and mine - which is usually UNLOCKED/UNBRANDED WinMo phone.
I wait a few months after buying any ATT branded phone and call them to let them know I've switched phones. They ask for the IMEI. I run my trusted IMEI Generator (Google it) and start spewing phoney IMEIs to them. When they don't show in their systems as an ATT phone, I can then change all their $30 unlim PDA unlim data plans to the $10 unlim data plan version.
Of course, every rep I every spoke to swears there's a difference between the $30 vs the $10 plan...but WE know better. They work exactly the same!
Come on ATT!!!
My way of stickin it to the MAN!!!
technillion said:
They ask for the IMEI. I run my trusted IMEI Generator (Google it) and start spewing phoney IMEIs to them. When they don't show in their systems as an ATT phone, I can then change all their $30 unlim PDA unlim data plans to the $10 unlim data plan version.
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Click to collapse
But won't AT&T recognize your phone as a PDA if you ever actually use it? For instance, you couldn't do the same thing with an iPhone -- if you give them a bogus IMEI then put your SIM in an iPhone, AT&T will find out and they will force you into a data plan.
In some areas of the country they've implemented the system for automatically detecting when you're using a smartphone and adding the data plan. It seems that not all areas are doing it yet, but I have no doubt they eventually will. My area already does it.
jblazea50 said:
how do you add smartphone exclusion to your phone
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It was added automatically to people's accounts back when they first started requiring data plans. If you had a smartphone but no smartphone data they simply put that exclusion feature on your account. I've heard of people that had it removed from their account calling in and arguing until they put it back on, but if you never had it on your account, you're probably out of luck. It's worth a try, though. Maybe if you get a nice rep and use the term "smartphone exclusion feature" they'll give it to you.
maxh said:
In some areas of the country they've implemented the system for automatically detecting when you're using a smartphone and adding the data plan. It seems that not all areas are doing it yet, but I have no doubt they eventually will. My area already does it.
It was added automatically to people's accounts back when they first started requiring data plans. If you had a smartphone but no smartphone data they simply put that exclusion feature on your account. I've heard of people that had it removed from their account calling in and arguing until they put it back on, but if you never had it on your account, you're probably out of luck. It's worth a try, though. Maybe if you get a nice rep and use the term "smartphone exclusion feature" they'll give it to you.
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i had the blackberry curve 8310 with ATT without data plan as i paid the 2 year upgrade price (no rebates, that required the $30 data plan) so would that mean that i have the exclusion feature?
How come you have to *tell* them your IMEI for them to figure this out? Surely they can see exactly what the IMEI of your phone is the minute it connects to their network?
In other news, I hear that Comcast are going to charge more for your internet connection if you have an XBOX connected to it. Their rationale is that with Netflix support and XBOX Live capability, you're capable of using more of their bandwidth.
OK, I'm (obviously) kidding on that last point. But that's effectively what AT&T are doing here.
Postal76 said:
Trust me, I'd love to do the same. But A&T is much cheaper for me (it would be $120 for a 2 line family plan with data vs. $155 on T-Mobile) even when I don't include my AT&T premier discount. I was pretty sad to learn that T-Mobile's pricing isn't very competitive, at least when it comes to Nexus One plans.
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How is that possible? I'm on Even More Plus with my N1, my Dad's G1, and my Bro's G1 and we're paying $145 a month for 1500 mins + unlimited web (no need for text plan since we all use Google Voice), and we aren't bound to 2-year terms. @[email protected]
jblazea50 said:
i had the blackberry curve 8310 with ATT without data plan as i paid the 2 year upgrade price (no rebates, that required the $30 data plan) so would that mean that i have the exclusion feature?
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There's probably a good chance you do have it. Supposedly you can find it listed somewhere on OLAM, but I don't know where people are looking.
Postal76 said:
Trust me, I'd love to do the same. But A&T is much cheaper for me (it would be $120 for a 2 line family plan with data vs. $155 on T-Mobile) even when I don't include my AT&T premier discount. I was pretty sad to learn that T-Mobile's pricing isn't very competitive, at least when it comes to Nexus One plans.
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You can get a discount easily with T-Mobile there are tons of discounts. My 20% discount with T-Mobile right now is because I'm in college. My previous one was for working at Wal-Mart 5 years ago [lol they never took it off].
I work for AT&T and I have T-Mobile and I don't plan on switching. Even though AT&T would give me my 20% discount it would still cost more. You can get on T-Mobile without a contract. T-Mobile is the cheapest cell company and they're advertising that a lot right now. The prices for non contract services are great. I can't wait till mine expires because I'll be saving even more money. The Non-contract services aren't "pay as you go" either, they're just monthly usage plans as normal but you're not under contract. The only reason why prices are so high is because you're paying for the phone in your monthly bill.
I love working for AT&T [best company I've ever worked for] but I don't agree with a lot of our ways of doing things. Like how we're the only ones raising prices right now in this economy. There are multiple things I disagree with but it's all business
Oh and the "if you don't have an iPhone they don't care" statement is kind of ridiculous. Sounds a little biased and senseless.
There has been a lot of talk about ATT bull**** N1 people into data plan.
However, if I buy a normal phone from them, 2 years contract with DATA BLOCK.
Insert the sim onto the New Nexus ATT version
Can they force me into a data plan? (I mean, I am not using their data service at all, not trying to cheat them for a $15 data plan vs $30)
So can they still force me?
I hope they don't, but if they do, I am going straight to ABC News and have a field day with the media.
NexusX said:
There has been a lot of talk about ATT bull**** N1 people into data plan.
However, if I buy a normal phone from them, 2 years contract with DATA BLOCK.
Insert the sim onto the New Nexus ATT version
Can they force me into a data plan? (I mean, I am not using their data service at all, not trying to cheat them for a $15 data plan vs $30)
So can they still force me?
I hope they don't, but if they do, I am going straight to ABC News and have a field day with the media.
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Click to collapse
no how would they know you have a Nexus ? if you don't tell them ? just swap you phone and it should work fine
shwan_3 said:
no how would they know you have a Nexus ? if you don't tell them ? just swap you phone and it should work fine
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I beg to differ... the IMEI of every phone is different. It identifies the manufacturer, model and other characteristics of the phone (Smartphone or Dumbphone). Based on this information, AT&T has recently sent notifications to "unlocked Smartphone" users telling them that they are required to get a Data Plan. The AT&T support forum is full of folks complaining that they have received this warning and have subsequently been put on data plans. Below is the URL to a typical thread on this issue.
http://forums.wireless.att.com/cng/board/message?board.id=gsmgprs&thread.id=28657
They can see the IMEI of the device on the network. The first 8 digits (the TAC) give the Make/Model info. So, that said, they always know what device you're using.
Yes they can... I have had an iphone since the second month they were out. I purchased an iphone 3g off of craigslist and then a 3gs and just kept moving the Sim card to each phone. Over the last few months I have texts and emails from them saying I have to upgrade my data plan... My contracted ended over a year ago lol.
Was waiting for the supersonic but I just bought this ATT Nexus. will switch the Sim and see how they react. LOL
My plan expired 3 years ago and I move my sim all the time. It so great not to be on a plan. I used a G1 for over a year and an N1 since the first day they came out. I never received any notifications about anything. I do have a PDA plan so maybe that's the difference.
i've got two smart phones(nokia n95 and htc polaris) on att's family data plan for $10 each, and have for over 2 years now. will att change it to the $30 data plan once i get my nexus 1?
Good chance. I'm not going to say 'likely' but, good chance.
If ATT carries the phone - they will likely scan for it on the network at some point. It's just a matter of time.
Folks like mlott who already have an expanded dataplan (not the $10 one) should be fine.
Fake IMEI app in 3...2...
Illegal in 2... 1...
--edit--
Ah yes:
US
The Commission considers any knowing use of cellular telephone with an altered ESN to be a violation of the Communications Act (Section 301) and alteration of the ESN in a cellular telephone to be assisting in such violation. The Wireless Telephone Protection Act (Public Law 105-172) was signed into law on April 24, 1998, expanding the prior law to criminalize the use, possession, manufacture or sale of cloning hardware or software
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UK
3. The Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act creates a number of offences relating to the electronic identifiers of mobile wireless communications devices. In particular it becomes an offence to reprogramme the unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number which identifies a mobile telephone handset. It is also possible to interfere with the operation of the IMEI by the addition of a small electronic chip to the handset and this too is made illegal.
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So, federally
Yeah I am interested in the hiding your IMEI too. I know this was done on Iphone, but anything on android? given how programmable these Android are, is it possible?
I mean faking MAC address was said to be impossible in the beginning, but now you can do it with a flip of a registry on windows.
I don't know if it's possible, but ring up ATT and ask for the "smartphone exclusion" feature on your line. Apparently, the ATT scanner is honoring that and NOT adding plans to those types of lines.
(Please google for more info before you do this.)
i have the N1 (TMobile version) on ATT right now and i have the smartphone exclusion so i never got one of those texts requiring me to get the data plan (others using the N1 on ATT were getting this texts and were forced to add the $30 plan); also, i recently called ATT and added data block on my line; they still think that i have my older phone (blackberry) as that showed up on their system
but i don't know how they will work on this new N1; also, i want to know if i get the AT&T version, will they take off the Data Block feature from my line
They can probably tell very easily what phone you are on. I called T-Mobile (yea yea, not ATT but still) a few days after I got my N1 on launch day to transfer the insurance or whatever, and when I was talking to the rep, he said "so you are calling from your new Nexus One." I didnt say a word about what phone I was on So if T-Mobile can tell what phone is calling them, I can only imagine ATT can too.
They will likely force you into some sort of data plan.
staulkor said:
They can probably tell very easily what phone you are on. I called T-Mobile (yea yea, not ATT but still) a few days after I got my N1 on launch day to transfer the insurance or whatever, and when I was talking to the rep, he said "so you are calling from your new Nexus One." I didnt say a word about what phone I was on So if T-Mobile can tell what phone is calling them, I can only imagine ATT can too.
They will likely force you into some sort of data plan.
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Click to collapse
that may be true, but they can't forced me onto a plan because i have the smartphone exclusion grandfathered into my line and i just added the data block
ATT system doesn't have the TMobile N1 imei; hell, i've been with ATT since 2005 with family plan and they still don't have the right phones for 3 of the numbers in their system
mazzarin said:
Illegal in 2... 1...
--edit--
Ah yes:
So, federally
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Luckily for us in the United States, IMEI is not ESN. I have not been able to find anything showing that changing IMEI #s is illegal here, and nobody else has been able to show me any either. We don't use IMEIs to blacklist phones like they do in other countries, so it's not illegal to change them. We do use ESNs that way so it is illegal to change those.
I think it really all depends on whether or not Google gave AT&T a file with all the IMEIs for the AT&T band N1s.
I do know that AT&T has no idea what phone I'm using currently (see sig), but knows immediately when I put my sim into a branded phone (tried w/iPhone, HTC Pure & Pantech Matrix Pro). Not only have I confirmed this over the phone, but I've confimed it by logging into my account after putting a sim into a branded phone, and seeing the phone pop up. No such thing happens with my unbranded phone and unbranded phones I've used in the past.
mazzarin said:
I don't know if it's possible, but ring up ATT and ask for the "smartphone exclusion" feature on your line. Apparently, the ATT scanner is honoring that and NOT adding plans to those types of lines.
(Please google for more info before you do this.)
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The smartphone exclusion plan is now being phased out internally. They are no longer authorizing reps to add lines into that category as of two months. I think it have something to do with the Nexus One launch?
This I got as 'news' from an AT&T rep direct.
NexusX said:
not trying to cheat them for a $15 data plan vs $30
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Click to collapse
How is this "cheating" them ? They offer unlimited data at 2G speeds and you pay them for it.
NexusX said:
So can they still force me?
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Click to collapse
If they want to they can. Not all companies are anti-evil. Cingular is long dead now.
Ok here the way it works, well for me. I'm on the AT&T network, I'm been out of contract for 10 years. In those 10 years I've always used a smart phone.
When I used an AT&T branded smart phone, within the last few months they will automatically place me on a smart phone data plan. When I used none AT&T smart phones, they don’t know what’s going on.
While using the AT&T smart phone I would call and update my IMEI to a Motorola RAZR IMEI, within two hour or so of use it would switch back. I did this several times, each time it would switch back automatically when I started using the smart phone.
If I use a none AT&T smart phone, there was no problems, they accepted the RAZR IMEI never changed it at all.
I’m not smart enough to tell you how they are getting this info from their phones, I thought it was when I connected via HSDPA/HSUPA but I disabled that and there were still able to tell with I used the AT&T phone.
On the legality of them changing your plan if you read their terms of use, it clearly states if you have a Smart Phone, Iphone, or Blackberry you must have a smart phone data plan of $30 & up. Under contract or not, if you use their service you must comply with their terms of use. But this is America, and if people make enough noise about this it may cause them to change their ways. But these terms of use is similar to most of the major carrier if not all.
What do you do?
Use an AT&T phone smart phone and get charged for the smart phone data plan. Make lots of noise with AT&T and see what it gets you, gets us.
Use a NONE AT&T smart phone use the cheap unlimited data plan.
The AT&T phones I tested were the Fuze, Pure, & IPhones 3GS, all had the smart phone plan added even when I provide the IMEI or the RAZR.
The phones I’ve tested from T-Mobile are the Touch Pro2, G1, & Dash 3G, plus countless amounts of none branded AT&T phones I’ve used in the past.
I’m currently using the T-Mobile Touch Pro2, $15 data plan, AT&T recognizes my phone on their site under my account as a RAZR V3.
Can i use a GoPhone plan on a samsung focus. When i went to AT&T they said that i would have to sign a contract and have a data plan since its a smartphone. Is AT&T saying crap or can i just pop in a GoPhone sim in use the phone. And can i use the phone on another service like T-Mobile or Sprint
AlastorX50 said:
Can i use a GoPhone plan on a samsung focus. When i went to AT&T they said that i would have to sign a contract and have a data plan since its a smartphone. Is AT&T saying crap or can i just pop in a GoPhone sim in use the phone. And can i use the phone on another service like T-Mobile or Sprint
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well you can buy one outright without contract and put whatever sim in you want... ebay sells them daily... if you accidentally use data your minutes will suffer.... get it carrier unlocked and yes for tmobile...just no 3g.... and no for sprint as its a cdma platform and the phone is gsm...
AlastorX50 said:
Can i use a GoPhone plan on a samsung focus. When i went to AT&T they said that i would have to sign a contract and have a data plan since its a smartphone. Is AT&T saying crap or can i just pop in a GoPhone sim in use the phone. And can i use the phone on another service like T-Mobile or Sprint
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Click to collapse
You can use it. I believe you prepay $20 for 100mb. As you can see... it is very expensive on prepaid, but doable if you keep your downloads to wifi and don't auto-update location or zune or email.
Ive had a $10/month unlimited data plan for a long time (3-4 years). If I buy a phone without contract from amazon will they catch on and change me to the new data plans ($15/200mb, $25/2gb)? If its very likely i might as well buy it from them at a discounted price.
AFAIK, AT&T knows the IMEI numbers of every smartphone that is designed to run on AT&T.
cmstlist said:
AFAIK, AT&T knows the IMEI numbers of every smartphone that is designed to run on AT&T.
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I have an ATT Tilt right now
It's very possible that your Tilt predates AT&T's smartphone data plan requirements. Usually when a carrier instates a new requirement it is only enforced after you upgrade or add a new line. Technically, by buying the Atrix outright you aren't "upgrading" your phone (i.e. extending your contract in exchange for a device subsidy). This could (key word) mean that AT&T won't change your data plan, but really only AT&T could answer this question with certainty.
Room7 said:
I have an ATT Tilt right now
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That is not how the only way AT&T is bumping people to the smartphone data plans.
I have empirically verified my hypothesis.
Even if I use a feature phone on 3G and download more than a certain amount of data, AT&T assumes it's a smartphone and bumps up the plan to $25.
On the other hand, I have kept my Nexus One without sync enabled and managed 7-8 days on the $10 unlimited data plan before being bumped up.
I suspect ATT doesn't know what phone your actually using, and won't try to find out if you buy something off contract -- then again since the Atrix is a '4G' phone, its possible the dumbphone data plan might not work for it or trigger a flag in their system. My Dad upgraded his phone once through a Walmart, and it was a year or more before our account showed the new phone model, though that was a feature phone.
If you ask ATT, they definitely will force you to change data plans. If you don't, my guess is that you'll stay in limbo a while longer at the mercy of ATT's sporadic policy enforcement/changes.
As for the data plan requirements, I also have the ATT Tilt (original), and it did require the $30/mo unlimited plan when I purchased it on contract. At the time though, the data plan was only required for a few months until your rebate cleared, and not as part of the contract.
You will eventually get caught
darkkterror said:
It's very possible that your Tilt predates AT&T's smartphone data plan requirements. Usually when a carrier instates a new requirement it is only enforced after you upgrade or add a new line. Technically, by buying the Atrix outright you aren't "upgrading" your phone (i.e. extending your contract in exchange for a device subsidy). This could (key word) mean that AT&T won't change your data plan, but really only AT&T could answer this question with certainty.
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They will.
I went from using a Motorola Razr to an 8525 back in the day and they immediately started billing me for smartphone data. I bought the phone outright with no contract from a third party. They check IMEI numbers fairly often.
Since switching to ATT after a buy out of the company I was with, I've had the $30/month unlimited data/texting. For the last year plus I have been using my HTC magic I got from rogers. I've used on average about 2.5GB a month, and part of that as a tether for my netbook. I have never gotten any calls or had my bill change.
because you are using a magic from rogers and they will not get you
use the atrix and they will "upgrade" you within 48 hrs
ask me how i know
How dou you know?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
I have been told by at&t reps as well as seen it on my account that any time you power on your phone it sends the imei information to the service for verification, and in doing that gets flagged as the class of phone (smartphone, messaging phone etc.)
I got around this issue with my galaxy 3 as it was not a phone they offered and as such had no record of the type of service it fell under in the system, but when I renewed the contract had to upgrade the plan to get the discount on the atrix.
Yes, they'll get you. I had the $10 media unlimited for a few years, I used have unlocked Nokias which had 3G (as well as 3.5G) and got by. Then, this past summer, within minutes of turning on a phone sold by AT&T, I got a text telling me I was switched data plans. So if they sell it, you'll get busted, if not, you won't
What about...let's say....the Atrix from Bell Mobility???? If we buy and unlock it from Canada.......anyone think At&t will have those IMEI numbers????
I plan on trying this but it would be worthless if they have all the Atrix IMEI numbers
Sounds like a crap shoot to me. I have a family plan with 4 smart phones, 3 Fuzes and a tilt 2 (soon to be atrix ).
Two of the fuze lines have no data plans on them even though they tried to add data to one (a couple phone calls cleared that up). The third Fuze line has been running on a $10 feature phone unlimited plan for over a year and a half. The funny thing is when I added data to that line I told them it was a smart phone and they told me that their system still listed a razr on the line and the only option was the $10 plan. I wasn't going to argue. :-D
The way I see it. If you bought the atrix outright you would have to get away with the cheaper data plan for around 2 years (if not more) to make up for the added cost of the device.
cheerup38 said:
What about...let's say....the Atrix from Bell Mobility???? If we buy and unlock it from Canada.......anyone think At&t will have those IMEI numbers????
I plan on trying this but it would be worthless if they have all the Atrix IMEI numbers
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AT&T doesn't need all the specific IMEI numbers to know which phone you are using. They only need to know the identifying string of the IMEI which are the first few numbers. These numbers indicate manufacturer, model, production date, etc. You will get caught even if you bought it from another country as long as AT&T carries the same model. It's just like how iPhones bought from other countries automatically get the data plan added when you put in the AT&T SIM. I believe the only device that AT&T does not sell, but still gets the added data plan is the NexusOne, which is what happened to me.
Remind me nevet to get AT&T even as prepaid. They sound like damned nazi's really. Changing your plan on you even if you dont buy a phone through them doesnt exactly sound legal.
If a phonecompany did that here it would cause an outroar like no other.
cheerup38 said:
What about...let's say....the Atrix from Bell Mobility???? If we buy and unlock it from Canada.......anyone think At&t will have those IMEI numbers????
I plan on trying this but it would be worthless if they have all the Atrix IMEI numbers
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If u REALLY want to take ur chance, go for it.
I had posted this thread earlier about trying out my phone's SIM in my Tab:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1482515
And yes, after a few minutes the SIM registered the data connection and worked.
But that's not the end of the story. I put my SIM back into my phone a few minutes later, and didn't give any of this another thought. And then, only a few minutes ago, got this text from the AT&T system:
"AT&T Free Msg: An eligible data plan is required for Laptop, Tablet, or MiFi devices. Call 611 as soon as possible for details and to avoid service interruption."
So does this mean those rat bastards saw the brief IMEI switch and won't allow me to use the Tab with my phone's SIM? Seriously WTF AT&T!
So my question to those of you with ROM'd Tabs: Are any of you using them as phones in AT&T USA? Have you ever been pestered for using an "unapproved" device with a normal SIM and plan?
You know, if I'm paying for the phone service, what the hell should AT&T care what device I use it in. What the hell are they gonna do when the Galaxy Note comes out? "Well, any devices over 5 inches are um not allowed to be phones, yeap, yeap that's it."
Seriously, AT&T is gangster.
now what if you actually bought the LEGAL GSM UNLOCKED p1000 tablet/smartphone and put AT&T sim card? could they force you to subscribe to tablet dataplan?
If you buy the factory unlocked model, AT&T won't have the IMEI in their database; in their system, they would simply see "unknown device" and wouldn't be able to enforce DER restrictions. But if your'e on an AT&T Tab flashed with the Euro ROM, the IMEI still registers and a red flag comes up when your SIM is registered on the network while inserted in the device, hence that warning message you received.
I only used my Tab as a phone for half a day, before I decided it was awkward and silly to be using such a big phone (and my BT headset wouldn't pair with it), and I never got the aforementioned message. However, I'm not on a contract; I'm not sure if that makes the difference or not.
Sent from my SGH-I987 using XDA App
Basically, the OG Galaxy Tab identifies itself as a tablet. The Galaxy Note is technically a phone and will report as such. Their digital signatures are completely different, and AT&T's system will monitor for switches like that. I agree that you are paying for the service and shouldn't be seeing messages like that when switching your SIM from one device to another, but that is the sad reality of the situation over at AT&T right now.
I did the same. I've gotten numerous emails and texts. Just waiting to see what they do. I did call the number and found out that I could get a tablet data plan but I would lose my text messaging ability. The Rep just told me to keep my plan as is and couldn't figure out how I was getting data
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
How long have you been using the Tab as a phone device?
I'm on a family plan with AT&T and have been using smartphones without a data plan or a text plan since 2009 and have never had a data plan, or received a message saying I need a data plan. I've used iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S, Galaxy S, Galaxy S II, and Galaxy Tab 7 Tmobile unlocked. I've swaped sims with these devices numerous times and I was never forced by AT&T to get a data plan.
Is your Galaxy Tab an AT&T branded Tab or an unbranded model? Mine is branded AT&T, and I only had my phone's SIM in it for all of 15 minutes.... surfed a couple web pages and sent a couple text messages, that was it... and then put the SIM back into my smartphone (HTC Aria, Froyo)... and a few minutes later got that system text message I quoted above.
I've been using it about a week. Its an att branded one.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
Well you better consider stopping that, because I got an email from AT&T today telling me there were recent changes to my plan. I logged into my account online, downloaded the summary, and saw a change of my phone line from my grandfathered Unlimited data plan to the 30 dollar tablet plan. When I called, the representative told me it hadn't gone through because apparently I had switched the SIM back to my phone soon enough, but if I had left it there, the system would have automatically changed the line over to a Tablet plan, and I wouldn't have been able to return to my current plan ever again. I asked her if I was paying for a service or a device, and she wouldn't answer. The end result is if the system spots the device as one in its database under "Tablet device", they will charge you an *additional* automatic 30 dollars, then eventually drop your previous plan on that line. You would then have to re-add a new line, because it doesn't convert it back automatically once the conversion has taken place.
So maybe this guy above has been ok for now, but it's only a matter of time. Probably when your next billing cycle starts. Who knows.
I really don't know for sure how it is identifying the device... IMEI I would think. I wonder if there is a way to obscure or spoof that. Otherwise I am left with a tablet that I either have to pay an additional 30 bux for, or continue to connect to my rooted Aria's wifi router. Which sux because the Aria's battery drains far quicker than the Tab's does :/
F*ck you, AT&T.
Suleeto said:
I really don't know for sure how it is identifying the device... IMEI I would think. I wonder if there is a way to obscure or spoof that. Otherwise I am left with a tablet that I either have to pay an additional 30 bux for, or continue to connect to my rooted Aria's wifi router. Which sux because the Aria's battery drains far quicker than the Tab's does :/
F*ck you, AT&T.
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You're correct in that it uses the IMEI to identify the device within AT&T's system. Just as a heads up, tampering with the IMEI could have much more drastic consequences than just loosing your unlimited plan. Changing a cellular device's serial number, (ESN, IMEI, MEID) is a federal offense in the US and is illegal in the UK under the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act, so I'd steer clear of that.
That, and it presents technical issues as well. I was mostly venting.
So AT&T wants $30 for a 2GB/month "Tablet" plan that doesn't allow SMS, MMS, or phone calling. Just data.
T-Mobile has a prepaid $30 plan (so no credit check, no contract, month-to-month) that offers "Unlimited Web" (I read that as: unlimited data), unlimited text, and 100 phone talk minutes. Basically a fully-functional phone if I so choose.
You tell me.
SIM unlock, Overcome, T-Mobile, Tab as a convenient third line and independent unlimited data plan.
Suleeto said:
That, and it presents technical issues as well. I was mostly venting.
So AT&T wants $30 for a 2GB/month "Tablet" plan that doesn't allow SMS, MMS, or phone calling. Just data.
T-Mobile has a prepaid $30 plan (so no credit check, no contract, month-to-month) that offers "Unlimited Web" (I read that as: unlimited data), unlimited text, and 100 phone talk minutes. Basically a fully-functional phone if I so choose.
You tell me.
SIM unlock, Overcome, T-Mobile, Tab as a convenient third line and independent unlimited data plan.
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I understand, I was just putting it out there for others. You'd be surprised how many threads start like this and end with a Moderator banning someone because they start posting links about how to change an IMEI/ESN/MEID.
I would go with the T-Mobile plan, if they're willing to put your tablet on there. Although I'm not sure if they will. They'd probably end up offering the plan with a phone and you could run into the same issue as with AT&T. If they are willing to offer it for your tablet, that is a great option provided that the "Unlimited" is; 1. Truly unlimited and not capped at some arbitrary and low number
or2. The cap is lower than the amount of data you would use in a month.
Hopefully this was helpful instead of just being a re-statement of the obvious. Good Luck!
I don't see how T-Mobile could know that I have a tablet, because this device is branded as an AT&T device (thus the IMEI would probably be unknown to T-mo). That, and the AT&T plan is $30 for a capped plan (2GB).
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans
Suleeto-
Here is my history with this, it may be enlightening:
1) I had an unlimited data plan with AT&T through my employer that I have had for years. I was able to switch and use any phone that worked on the network no problem at all.
2) About six month's ago I loaded the euro ROM onto an AT&T branded GT and put the SIM card that I had been using forever into it and everything worked like a charm for the next three months. No hassles, no nasty messages, and all services were working.
3) I then decided to bail from my company but they were willing to let me keep my phone number, all I had to do was call AT&T and take financial responsibility for it, etc. Remember the data plan was an unlimited phone data plan.
4) I called and AT&T was happy to port the phone number and the grandfathered unlimited data plan ($30/month) over to my family plan I had for everyone else, so far so good. At this point I had been using the GT as my daily driver for three months.
5) Within fifteen minutes of the phone call I got the dreaded text message as you describe.
6) I immediately called the person back and told her I wanted to save $5 a month could she please change the plan to a $25/month 2GB plan (I routinely use between 600MB and 800MB a month as I don't stream anything large). After warning me I could never go back to an unlimited plan as they are no longer offered, she made the change.
7) That was in October and I haven't heard a peep from them since and phone/text/data all work.
I will say that it is a good thing I am self-supporting because the service people would have no idea how to deal with the phone if I had any kind of problem. Also, I think they are sorry they ever had unlimited data plans.
Hope that helps,
Fred
So let me see if I am making sense of what you're suggesting here... the system recognized the AT&T branded Tab 7, warned you, and you called and switched from the unlimited plan to the more current tiered 2GB plan which is indeed $5 less like you said. In doing so, it seems to have circumvented whatever automatic process was starting to happen.
Yes?
I'm not sure that will help me tho... see, I wanted to be able to switch back and forth between the phone and the Tab. I go to school full time, and some of the classes are 3 hours long. I want to be able to send text messages and surf while in class. But I want to be able to use my phone once I'm out of class for the day (like evenings, weekends, etc.).
My concern is that switching back and forth might keep triggering the situation in the system, and your trick might only work one time. Eventually a human being is going to figure it out, if not immediately the second time. That's assuming that since you did it, they haven't figured out the loophole in the system's process and fixed it to recheck periodically. Who knows, they may even catch up with you, too.
Suleeto said:
I don't see how T-Mobile could know that I have a tablet, because this device is branded as an AT&T device (thus the IMEI would probably be unknown to T-mo). That, and the AT&T plan is $30 for a capped plan (2GB).
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans
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The IMEI is an international identifier. It is like a car's VIN. They are industry standard numbers that any system can decode. If you had the right information, you could tell exactly what type of device someone was using just from the IMEI. TMobile will be able to read it as a tablet just as easily as AT&T. Unfortunately, IMEI's and their data are not carrier-specific. Sorry.
So the real question is... do they care?
So what happens to my 9.99 per month additional phone line charge (still under contract by the way) if they switch that line to a "tablet" line with the $15 or $30 dollar tablet data plan? Wonder if they will still charge me the 9.99?
Suleeto said:
So the real question is... do they care?
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I don't think so, but it's more of a question of how their system is set up. If their network controllers are set up to trigger the message and auto-adjust your account based on a change in device type in the IMEI. You could try going to a T-mobile store and asking if there are restrictions on which type of devices can go on a prepaid plan. If they say no, then you're probably in the clear. If they have a "sim-only" prepaid option, you're probably in the clear. Hope this helps. Good luck!