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MyTouch 3G from Craigslist: what about OTA updates?

If I purchased a MyTouch 3G from Craigslist and then used it on ATT, how would OTA updates work when released (from TMo)?
Are OTA updates possible via WiFi or do you have to be using TMo SIM to get it to work?
Can't get out of ATT contrac for a good while but keen to try Android phone.
Can I buy a $10 prepaid SIM from TMo (if that is indeed a possibilty) and use the MyTouch that way? I don't want to buy an extra monthly paid SIM or anything like that cause that would be a waste of $ as I currently have coverage. Hope someone in he know can help. Thank you.

If you purchased a MyTouch 3G from Craigslist and then used it on AT&T, you would NOT get any OTA update from T-Mobile because the updates are pushed through T-Mobile data connection, not WiFi. So even if you were using the phone on T-Mobile (say via a $10 prepaid SIM card) without a data plan, you wouldn't get the update either.
But I don't see why not getting OTA updates is such a big deal, as any official T-Mobile update will appear on XDA 10 minutes after it becomes available. Also, the joy of using Android is flash custom ROMs onto the phone, and custom ROMs are often WAY ahead of T-Mobile's.
Just so you know, AT&T will detect that you're using a smartphone and automatically sign up for a data plan (if you don't already have one) without telling you.
The myTouch is really crippled without a data plan though. For instance, the deal breaker for me is that you can't send or receive MMS (picture/video messages) without a data plan.

I know when I had my G1, I received the cupcake OTA over wifi.
I'm on AT&T and don't have a data plan.

kindrich said:
Just so you know, AT&T will detect that you're using a smartphone and automatically sign up for a data plan (if you don't already have one) without telling you.
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How would ATT know I had a smartphone if the phone is a TMo phone that is unlocked? I thought they only knew about smartphones from "their" arsenal of devices?
Can anyone confirm for sure if you would need a data plan using a non-ATT (smart)phone?
I already have a data plan (GRRR!) that I "had" to have, so hopefully I could do all the "nice" things the MyTouch can do.
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
Thanks for the help.

IconBoy said:
How would ATT know I had a smartphone if the phone is a TMo phone that is unlocked? I thought they only knew about smartphones from "their" arsenal of devices?
Can anyone confirm for sure if you would need a data plan using a non-ATT (smart)phone?
I already have a data plan (GRRR!) that I "had" to have, so hopefully I could do all the "nice" things the MyTouch can do.
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
Thanks for the help.
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Click to collapse
They do automatically tack on the data plan for people who buy the Nexus 1. They are only able to tell it is a Nexus One however because Google gave them a list of all of their phones IMEIs.
If you are using a T-Mo phone or from any other carrier, their is no way for AT&T to beable to tell what kind of phone it is unless the carrier the phone oringinally belonged too decides to share their IMEI listing with AT&T. Which they don't do.
but you already have a data plan anyways so it doesn't even really matter. What sucks tho is that you are paying for the data plan and you will be stuck with EDGE. You will not beable to use AT&Ts 3G network. You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
[Edited-mainly for spelling]
WTH happened to my post count? I kno It's been awhile since I've been on but damn.........
lmao

msgnyc said:
You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
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Click to collapse
That would be a good idea, but being in the middle of USA, I am guessing there won't be too many people who have Canadian phones to sell on my local Craigslist.
Twice, I nearly was able to trade for a MyTouch 3G and each time, the person pulled out at the last minute
Will keep trying though.

msgnyc said:
They do automatically tack on the data plan for people who buy the Nexus 1. They are only able to tell it is a Nexus One however because Google gave them a list of all of their phones IMEIs.
If you are using a T-Mo phone or from any other carrier, their is no way for AT&T to beable to tell what kind of phone it is unless the carrier the phone oringinally belonged too decides to share their IMEI listing with AT&T. Which they don't do.
but you already have a data plan anyways so it doesn't even really matter. What sucks tho is that you are paying for the data plan and you will be stuck with EDGE. You will not beable to use AT&Ts 3G network. You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
[Edited-mainly for spelling]
WTH happened to my post count? I kno It's been awhile since I've been on but damn.........
lmao
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure how but AT&T WILL detect that you're using a smartphone, regardless what kind of smartphone it is. I'm currently using a Sony Ericsson Xperia X1i, which is not supported by any of the US carriers. One day, I popped my friend's AT&T SIM card (he had been using a RAZR without a data plan) in and voila, I was surfin' the net after less than a second over EDGE (the X1i can't use 3G in the US). The next day, my friend checked online and a data plan was enabled for his line. Luckily, he was able to turn it off but only after an hour of explaining. He was reprimanded by the AT&T rep for putting their SIM card into an unsupported device which could potentially cause damage to their network (WTF?!!!).
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
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Click to collapse
And yes, the Tmo CSR was just trying to sell you the data plan. When I had my myTouch, I was using it with a prepaid SIM card without data plan and it was fine. But, ON A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: you will need a SIM card with data plan to activate the phone. There is simply no other way around it. When I bought mine from Craiglist, I wiped the phone right on the spot and borrowed the seller's SIM card to activate it (your AT&T SIM card would work provided you have already unlocked the phone - which can be done on eBay for about $12). Luckily, back then the myTouch was still running Android 1.5 which allowed for rooting. You should do the same or don't wipe the phone until you have root it. However, if the phone is running Android 1.6 or higher, well, you're out of luck. The process is a bit more tedious. Check theunlockr.com for how-to.

kindrich said:
I'm not sure how but AT&T WILL detect that you're using a smartphone, regardless what kind of smartphone it is. I'm currently using a Sony Ericsson Xperia X1i, which is not supported by any of the US carriers. One day, I popped my friend's AT&T SIM card (he had been using a RAZR without a data plan) in and voila, I was surfin' the net after less than a second over EDGE (the X1i can't use 3G in the US). The next day, my friend checked online and a data plan was enabled for his line. Luckily, he was able to turn it off but only after an hour of explaining. He was reprimanded by the AT&T rep for putting their SIM card into an unsupported device which could potentially cause damage to their network (WTF?!!!).
And yes, the Tmo CSR was just trying to sell you the data plan. When I had my myTouch, I was using it with a prepaid SIM card without data plan and it was fine. But, ON A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: you will need a SIM card with data plan to activate the phone. There is simply no other way around it. When I bought mine from Craiglist, I wiped the phone right on the spot and borrowed the seller's SIM card to activate it (your AT&T SIM card would work provided you have already unlocked the phone - which can be done on eBay for about $12). Luckily, back then the myTouch was still running Android 1.5 which allowed for rooting. You should do the same or don't wipe the phone until you have root it. However, if the phone is running Android 1.6 or higher, well, you're out of luck. The process is a bit more tedious. Check theunlockr.com for how-to.
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They activated a data plan on your buddies account because you put his sim into your smartphone and started browsing the web with it over edge.
Did you think they weren't going to charge you for that?
They didnt know you had a smartphone. They knew you were browing the web using data.
If you hadn't begun browsing the web, they wouldn't have tacked on the data plan. They tacked on the data plan because you began using it.

4G Plan Email from AT&T

Any one get this email?
When I got my Atrix from AT&T in the mail it did come with a new SIM card, but it wouldn't activate, so I just used my old one from my iPhone 3GS days and then used it for a whole year in my Nexus One without issues.
A. I didn't think you needed a different SIM to get [fake] 4G service.
B. What plan are they talking about...I thought I could continue to use my iPhone UNLIMITED plan.
I smell BS. Thoughts? Should I go into the local store and see what this is all about??
Dear *****,
We hope you are enjoying your 4G Smartphone!
We value your business and want to ensure you're set up with the right data plan for your Smartphone. If you have recently swapped a SIM card from your 3G handset into your 4G Smartphone, your data service may not work properly. Please call us at 1-800-331-0500 (or 611 from your wireless phone) and our team can help you establish service with an AT&T 4G Data Plan.
Our team is ready to help you activate data service with the right plan. We look forward to your call.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer.
Sincerely,
AT&T

You don't need a 4g sim, the 3g is the same thing. Now they do have an unlimited 4g plan if you were on another 3g unlimited plan. I had to go to a corporate store to switch it over, I tried online but it errored out. This obviously didn't give me any faster speeds but I might as well have it.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

You will be able to continue your grandfathered unlimited plan. But the iphone has a different plan in regards of voicemail etc.
It's no BS. Just make sure they catch it that u have the unlimited data already, which they have to activate.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App

spielnicht said:
Any one get this email?
When I got my Atrix from AT&T in the mail it did come with a new SIM card, but it wouldn't activate, so I just used my old one from my iPhone 3GS days and then used it for a whole year in my Nexus One without issues.
A. I didn't think you needed a different SIM to get [fake] 4G service.
B. What plan are they talking about...I thought I could continue to use my iPhone UNLIMITED plan.
I smell BS. Thoughts? Should I go into the local store and see what this is all about??
Dear *****,
We hope you are enjoying your 4G Smartphone!
We value your business and want to ensure you're set up with the right data plan for your Smartphone. If you have recently swapped a SIM card from your 3G handset into your 4G Smartphone, your data service may not work properly. Please call us at 1-800-331-0500 (or 611 from your wireless phone) and our team can help you establish service with an AT&T 4G Data Plan.
Our team is ready to help you activate data service with the right plan. We look forward to your call.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer.
Sincerely,
AT&T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No bs you can get the unlimited 4g plan nothings gonna change in terms of speed but your phone will be ready for when they turn it on
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App

No more unlimited
They want you to sign up for a capped plan. I want to know how they can tell. I would happily accept 3G data plan performance. I am just occasionally using the phone with SIM for testing, so I really don't want that...
Maybe the default APN is different for 4G phones from ATT. I wish I had an old Android that I could check settings from.
I see AT&T US and AT&T HSDPA as options. I am think of switching it to AT&T US, I think this might put us in "stealth" so to speak.

Like you, I swapped my sim rom an older 3g phone, namely the vibrant unlocked, to the attic and my data didn't work at all. What's worse is that when I go to the at&t store, they told me that they could put data back on it but it wouldn't be unlimited ( I grandfathered in ) . I told them that I don need their *fake* 4G . I just need my regular good o' 3g . What I had to do was file a request to them and waited about a week before someone called and finally gave me the unlimited plan that was promised in my contract. Quite an experienc eh?

I still have my old Cingular SIM card, and it works fine for me.

A 4G sim is not needed for the Atrix. It is for when they have LTE later this year. Do not let the reps lie to you about anything. The HSDPA+ that the Atrix uses is just a better 3G, that's all.

Clienterror said:
You don't need a 4g sim, the 3g is the same thing. Now they do have an unlimited 4g plan if you were on another 3g unlimited plan. I had to go to a corporate store to switch it over, I tried online but it errored out. This obviously didn't give me any faster speeds but I might as well have it.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you *do* have to use a newer 4G SIM. Either way the phone usually comes with one.
If you need one you can literally walk into any AT&T store and get one for free in like 2 minutes without a hassle.

hotleadsingerguy said:
I think you *do* have to use a newer 4G SIM. Either way the phone usually comes with one.
If you need one you can literally walk into any AT&T store and get one for free in like 2 minutes without a hassle.
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Click to collapse
The new sim cards they are giving out are just 3G sim cards with a 4G printed on it. Trust me, that's the only difference.

They just need your new IMEI
Turns out that there is nothing sneaky going on at all. I bought the phone without them knowing about it, so their system doesn't have my new IMEI number recorded. I'm in an area with HSPA+, so I guess they see that there is an unknown IMEI on there logged in with my SIM, so they texted/email me. In any case, I called them up and they just asked for the IMEI and updated my plan to work with it. I had an iPhone 3G w/Unlimited before, and I still do now. The customer service rep was really nice and just figured out how to get me the exact same features (unlimited, messaging, etc) without me even asking.

[Q] Question about AT&T data plans.

So I'm on a 3g android smartphone with AT&T right now and if i got a 4g off contract would i have to pay for the 4g service which is really expensive or could i just stay on my good Ole 3g service i am currently using?

I think you can keep your current plan, but don't hold me to that. It may have changed since I've asked about it.
Source
This is the latest thing I've found regarding you question. I asked a little while after that. xD

Since when did they start offering a 4g plan?

I know with my AT&T Sony Ericsson Xperia X10a that when I unbranded and updated to 2.1, my mobile data automatically increased from 3G to "H" or HSPA which is like 3.5G without any rate changes.
I am guessing with AT&T that 4G will be more money, so I am happy with HSPA at 3G rates. Especially since the competition is limiting the speeds of their unlimited data plans.

i thnk the 4g prices will be the same as 3g then 3g prices will drop down.

But will using "4G" route you through a different WAP? If not and it's all a matter of wording and phrasing, I say root/rom and use unlimited data as if you were on a non-smartphone. They don't have to know, you don't have to throw your $ away.

Skv012a said:
But will using "4G" route you through a different WAP? If not and it's all a matter of wording and phrasing, I say root/rom and use unlimited data as if you were on a non-smartphone. They don't have to know, you don't have to throw your $ away.
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Click to collapse
The fact is that with AT&T data is measured in MB or GB, not speed or time. Regardless of how fast or slow you download or use data, it is metered.
However, I do agree that it could be as easy as changing your settings to access 4G, but it won't save you any money.

AT&T's "4G" technology is technically 3G according to the standards committee that oversees these technologies. However, when AT&T starts deploying real 4G, LTE, the prices have a good chance of changing. For now, "4G" plans cost the same as any other.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

jonandkym said:
AT&T's "4G" technology is technically 3G according to the standards committee that oversees these technologies. However, when AT&T starts deploying real 4G, LTE, the prices have a good chance of changing. For now, "4G" plans cost the same as any other.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Click to collapse
Exactly, it is based on volume of data used, not on speed of use.

I personally plan to switch to verizon once they allow data roll over and family-plan sharing.

wcdolphin said:
I personally plan to switch to verizon once they allow data roll over and family-plan sharing.
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Click to collapse
Verizon also limits data speeds on unlimited plans. Either way you are going to pay for data in time or money.

I have a very similar question. Hopefully someone can shed some light.
HERES WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW:
I am currently using a Rogers HTC Dream, unlocked rooted and running Gingeryoshi on AT&T. On my line, "Line A," I have the $10 unlimited dumbphone data plan and AT&T thinks I have a Samsung A737 (ancient slider phone). When I bought the phone on ebay, I just put in the APN settings and off I went.
Thanks to a contract renewal discount on "Line B" on my account, whose user does not need a new phone, I recently purchased an HTC Inspire 4G.
HERE IS THE QUESTION:
When I receive the phone, AT&T told me that I can use it on Line A, even though it was purchased through Line B. However, they said I need to call in to activate it. They said that until I do the upgrade will be listed as "incomplete" on their end. Further, they said that I will have to bump up to at least the $15 200MB data plan.
I told them I just want to sell the phone and not use it. They told me I still have to call and activate it, but that I can then "remove" it from the account and "reactivate" my dumbphone, at which point I will be reverted to the $10 a month dumbphone plan.
The $1,000,000 question: when I receive the new AT&T branded HTC Inspire, can I just pop my existing sim that I'm using in my Rogers Dream into the Inspire, and use it without calling to activate?
**to be clear, I'm not talking about bypassing the Android activation screen. Seeing as how there was no "activation" process for my Rogers Dream, I'm unfamiliar with the process as to AT&T branded phones. So, I guess the questions is if it is any different. I am comfortable rooting and roming, so if either of those processes will get me an Inspire working with my $10 data plan I'm ready to pull the trigger.
ALSO: THANK YOU XDA FORUMS. I think this is my first real post here, but I have browsed the forums for hours and you all helped me along from tethering my A737 to rooting my first T-Mobile G1, to installing roms and the DangerSPL on my Rogers Dream, so hopefully you can help me with this!

okachowwa said:
So I'm on a 3g android smartphone with AT&T right now and if i got a 4g off contract would i have to pay for the 4g service which is really expensive or could i just stay on my good Ole 3g service i am currently using?
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Click to collapse
jessehclark said:
I have a very similar question. Hopefully someone can shed some light.
HERES WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW:
I am currently using a Rogers HTC Dream, unlocked rooted and running Gingeryoshi on AT&T. On my line, "Line A," I have the $10 unlimited dumbphone data plan and AT&T thinks I have a Samsung A737 (ancient slider phone). When I bought the phone on ebay, I just put in the APN settings and off I went.
Thanks to a contract renewal discount on "Line B" on my account, whose user does not need a new phone, I recently purchased an HTC Inspire 4G.
HERE IS THE QUESTION:
When I receive the phone, AT&T told me that I can use it on Line A, even though it was purchased through Line B. However, they said I need to call in to activate it. They said that until I do the upgrade will be listed as "incomplete" on their end. Further, they said that I will have to bump up to at least the $15 200MB data plan.
I told them I just want to sell the phone and not use it. They told me I still have to call and activate it, but that I can then "remove" it from the account and "reactivate" my dumbphone, at which point I will be reverted to the $10 a month dumbphone plan.
The $1,000,000 question: when I receive the new AT&T branded HTC Inspire, can I just pop my existing sim that I'm using in my Rogers Dream into the Inspire, and use it without calling to activate?
**to be clear, I'm not talking about bypassing the Android activation screen. Seeing as how there was no "activation" process for my Rogers Dream, I'm unfamiliar with the process as to AT&T branded phones. So, I guess the questions is if it is any different. I am comfortable rooting and roming, so if either of those processes will get me an Inspire working with my $10 data plan I'm ready to pull the trigger.
ALSO: THANK YOU XDA FORUMS. I think this is my first real post here, but I have browsed the forums for hours and you all helped me along from tethering my A737 to rooting my first T-Mobile G1, to installing roms and the DangerSPL on my Rogers Dream, so hopefully you can help me with this!
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Click to collapse
Ok, I work for AT&T and saw this thread and thought maybe I'd help clear some of this stuff up.
First, the 3G and the 4G plans are pretty much the same thing. You should be good using a 4g phone off contract. they are labeled different in my system at AT&T but I believe them to be the same plan because AT&T does not have a full 4G plan yet. But to be safe you can switch because the 4G plan smartphone plan costs the same as the 3G smartphone plan.
Unless you are saying you have a 3G "QMD" (Quick Messaging Device), or in lamest terms, a Non-Smartphone or "DumbPhone" haha. And that leads me to my next point. Pay attention here haha. As far as I've seen, if you have an ATT phone, the system will automatically detect if you've switched phones. Like if you went from a QMD to a ATT Smartphone, the system will auto-detect that you have a smartphone and will switch your data plan and notify you of it.
BUT, from what I've seen a few times, if you get a NON ATT Smartphone, the system doesnt seem to recognize you have a smartphone because it doesnt recognize the IMEI as a smartphone but instead as a Third-Party Device. Therefore it doesnt change your plan.
Now this does not happen to ALL non-ATT smarphones. Like my buddy who went from a QMD to an unlocked Tmo HD2 on his ATT plan. the system some how recognized his phone as a smartphone and switched him. He might have one of the phones that ATT has been able to recognize I guess.
As for getting the Inspire 4G and not activating it but using it on your other line, I would have to say that is a bad idea. If you dont activate it then after 30 days that additional line is cancelled and removed off your acct and ATT will then request the phone back. and if you dont return it, then ATT will charge the price of the phone to your acct. So no, dont do that.
As far as I know, the best way to go about getting a smartphone and not be forced to change your plan from the $10 QMD unlimited data plan to the smartphone plans is to get a non-ATT smartphone and hope they cannot recognize it as a smartphone.
My guess would be if you use 2 gb of data on that though, ATT might start asking questions as to why you are using 2gb of data on a non-smartphone though, haha. so be careful.
wrote a book but atleast I cleared some stuff up for you guys

thanks for the input chris-
you got at something that i had been wondering, mainly, whats the difference (in terms of detecting whether i have a smart phone) between my G1 or my Dream and the Inspire I just ordered. Is it that AT&T has the IMEI? I thought carriers could detect the IMEI of my Dream and discover that it was a smartphone, but they haven't...
As for the data, what's funny is that I've been using the Dream on that line with the $10 plan for 2 years, averaging 1 to 3 GB of data a month. I even had the rep pull up my account and, in the same conversation, verify that I had an A737 dumbphone (its just easier to say) and that I was using over 2GB of data. =) hahah
so, I guess I will need to activate the phone, tell them im selling it and using a razr, give them the razr imei (i have an old one) then switch the sim to the inspire and hope they dont catch it.
i wonder if anyone has tried this (maybe using an AT&T phone that they purchased on craigslist or ebay on AT&T) and how it went for them.
I guess this is sort of the even cheaper form of the UNLIM DATA 4 EVERYONE iPhone 2G trick!
PS chris I lold when you said you worked for AT&T but your info shows you're a Tmo customer. =) Maybe soon they'll be one in the same...

jessehclark said:
thanks for the input chris-
you got at something that i had been wondering, mainly, whats the difference (in terms of detecting whether i have a smart phone) between my G1 or my Dream and the Inspire I just ordered. Is it that AT&T has the IMEI? I thought carriers could detect the IMEI of my Dream and discover that it was a smartphone, but they haven't...
As for the data, what's funny is that I've been using the Dream on that line with the $10 plan for 2 years, averaging 1 to 3 GB of data a month. I even had the rep pull up my account and, in the same conversation, verify that I had an A737 dumbphone (its just easier to say) and that I was using over 2GB of data. =) hahah
so, I guess I will need to activate the phone, tell them im selling it and using a razr, give them the razr imei (i have an old one) then switch the sim to the inspire and hope they dont catch it.
i wonder if anyone has tried this (maybe using an AT&T phone that they purchased on craigslist or ebay on AT&T) and how it went for them.
I guess this is sort of the even cheaper form of the UNLIM DATA 4 EVERYONE iPhone 2G trick!
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I could help
But again I would strongly advise not actually using the Inspire because even if you give them the imei of a Moto Razr, if you put that sim in the Inspire, since it's an AT&T phone, They will probably recognize it automatically and sign you up on the smartphone data plan. The only way that I know of to get around it is to use a NON-ATT smartphone, therefore they dont know what the phone is.
Know what I mean?
and as for this..
jessehclark said:
PS chris I lold when you said you worked for AT&T but your info shows you're a Tmo customer. =) Maybe soon they'll be one in the same...
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Click to collapse
Yea, I love being a customer with Tmo. And I swear I'll be so mad if this merger goes thru

thanks again chris!
everyone's responses are always appreciated. thought i'd give you all a quick update:
today my inspire arrived. I called the automated activation line, entered some billing info, and accepted the terms and conditions. i did not use the new sim card sent to me at any point.
i called ATT&T just to be safe and confirm, which they did, that i had completed activation properly. my line wouldnt be canceled because i didnt put the new sim in the new phone, and i would not be charged the retail price of the inspire even though it was not registered on the line i used to order it. i told them simply that i wanted to sell the inspire, and they assured me it would work without further AT&T involvement if i put in a compatible sim card. seems like they are most concerned about 1) getting you to accept the contract in exchange for the phone and 2) getting you on a **&%*[email protected] data plan if they catch wind of you using a smartphone.
they also confirmed that NO data charges had been added to the line i used to order the upgrade, and that the 2 year contract was in effect. score.
inspire is charging, ill let you all know how it goes when i turn it on and put in my OLD AT&T sim (on the line with the $10 dumbphone plan). According to chris im rolling the dice here, so OPTIMALLY it will turn on, connect to sweet sweet 4G data, and AT&T will keep thinking I have a dumbphone. if so, chalk one up for shiftiness.

yes is it man

I have an unlocked Tmo HD2 on AT&T rooted to NexusHD Gingerbread. They think I'm still using a dumb phone. My data rate did not change.

AT&T PayBack
Egrier said:
I have an unlocked Tmo HD2 on AT&T rooted to NexusHD Gingerbread. They think I'm still using a dumb phone. My data rate did not change.
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Click to collapse
(Someone) should open a new thread on the whole various factors of unlocking non att phones or actual att smartphones but being able to trick att into thinking were using a crappy dumb phone haha (;
Brought To You By:
-SystemErrorOne-

I second that notion above me!
I'm thinking about switching to the Nexus One that works with the ATT 850 and 1900 bands but, after reading all these stories of people getting switched over to the $30 smartphone data plan I'm contemplating whether I should or not. It seems as though ATT is starting to recognizing and crackdown on more and more non-att smartphone imeis and switching them to the "appropriate" smartphone data plan.
Is there a list of phones that are still unrecognized by ATTs database?

Email From ATT (I need to change to a 4G plan)

I just purchased a Atrix yesterday at the NO Committment price. After playing with it last night I received an email from ATT, telling me that I need to switch to a 4G plan. I was planning to move my iphone sim back and forth between the phones. I do not want to lose my unlimited data. Is this not possible? I have a micro sim to sim adapter so the sim card is not a problem. The data seemed to work find between the phones. If they can't do this I will have to return the Atrix as I want to keep my unlimited data.

before i sold me iphone 4 i used to do this as well. I bought a micro sim adapter from amazon and switched between the atrix and ip4. Not once did i receive an email or txt...hmm... ill keep an eye out now...

yes, you can keep your unlimited plan. many on XDA still have theirs! just go through the process they outline, make sure they keep you on unlimited, and you can still sim swap just fine. (I don't think this will muck up a sim swap from iPhone to Atrix and back)

are you happy with the Atrix?

I work at an ATT retail store just tell them you're doing a smartphone to smartphone exchange and you want to keep your unlimited data. No problems
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App

yes I am. It is a great device! I am awaiting shipment of a Samsung Galaxy S II just to see what all the hype is about. I plan on keeping my Atrix as well, so we will see how it goes. But my ordering the Galaxy S II has no bearing on what kind of phone the Atrix is. I think the Atrix is still phenomenal. If you are coming from an iPhone, there are definitely differences between each OS and you will be doing more learning of Android in general than just the Atrix. Enjoy!

motionUS said:
I just purchased a Atrix yesterday at the NO Committment price. After playing with it last night I received an email from ATT, telling me that I need to switch to a 4G plan. I was planning to move my iphone sim back and forth between the phones. I do not want to lose my unlimited data. Is this not possible? I have a micro sim to sim adapter so the sim card is not a problem. The data seemed to work find between the phones. If they can't do this I will have to return the Atrix as I want to keep my unlimited data.
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If you already have the iphone unlimited data plan, you can just call them and tell them you want to keep your unlimited plan and switching from iphone to atrix. You are entitled to "grandfather" your current unlimited plan to atrix.

motionUS said:
I was planning to move my iphone sim back and forth between the phones.
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The OP said he/she wants to move the SIM back and forth between phones!
You cannot do this. The iPhone and Atrix are different plans. You can keep your unlimited if you choose to use one or the other, but there is a smartphone plan, iPhone plan, and Blackberry plan. You can't jump between them at will because you have 2 phones! You will have to choose one phone and stick with it. You could do this with for example 2 Android phones, 2 iPhones, or 2 Blackberry phones, but not mixing them up.

I have found that if you have the iPhone data plan you CAN sim swap, but if you have the smartphone data plan on your account data will not work on the iPhone if you swap.

Maybe I shouldn't contact them and just leave use the iphone plan on the atrix. Everything seemed to work fine. Isn't it true that there is no such thing as a 4g sim card?

Tikerz said:
I have found that if you have the iPhone data plan you CAN sim swap, but if you have the smartphone data plan on your account data will not work on the iPhone if you swap.
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That is just not true. You can swap at will with the unlimited "4g" plan.
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What about your voicemail..i was going to do the same thing with the sim adapter but I phone uses visual voicemail and atrix uses regular voicemail system
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

I was able to keep the plan but I did have to get a new SIM card. They said it was for the 4G support. So I'm not sure if it's compatible or not.

Voicemail will be messed up.
There is a SIM card with 4G on it but it's no different from 3G card with fireball on it. If you have card earlier than that you need new one.
Sent from WinBorg 4G via XDA premium app

I don't know if iOS supports google voicemail, but I love it on my Atrix.
Swifted from my Atrix.

When I did my upgrade from the iPhone 3Gs to the Atrix, I was told that I could keep the unlimited data plan as I was "Grandfathered" in.

Greg11784 said:
I was able to keep the plan but I did have to get a new SIM card. They said it was for the 4G support. So I'm not sure if it's compatible or not.
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You did not need a new sim
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Exthero said:
When I did my upgrade from the iPhone 3Gs to the Atrix, I was told that I could keep the unlimited data plan as I was "Grandfathered" in.
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When I changed from my Iphone 3G to my Focus, I was Grandfathered per AT&T. The rep told me "As long as you keep buying smartphones, you will be grandfathered in" IDK if I use my upgrade in June if this will still apply thouigh.

They will do something in two weeks
In my case, ATT did not do anything until 2 weeks later. ATT has different data plan names for iPhone and non-iPone smartphone. I believe iPhone plan is named dataPro and 4G plan is dataPlus. If you do not call them up, they might switch you to the 2GB/month 4G plan in two week.s

Mine was instant. I went from captive to atrix and it just would not work at all
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Swapping Xoom and Thunderbolt SIM

I have Motorola Xoom 4g (just sent it in for the upgrade) and a Thunderbolt (also 4g). I have an unlimited data plan with the phone number on my Thunderbolt.
Does anyone know if I can switch my unlimited data plan to the Xoom? Would I have to switch SIM or can I just call Verizon?

Nope you can't!
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hammer4203 said:
Nope you can't!
Say it ain't so! Do you know why? and willing to explain it?
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hammer4203 said:
Nope you can't!
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
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Are you sure (from experience?). I can pop my thunderbolt sim in my usb lte modem or mifi without any problems.

ScottC said:
Are you sure (from experience?). I can pop my thunderbolt sim in my usb lte modem or mifi without any problems.
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Really! Even though the modem is data only?

Dedren said:
Really! Even though the modem is data only?
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Yeah, not a problem. Even shows the new device in my online account. The LTE user guide specifically says that you can do this:
"You can move the 4G LTE SIM Card from one device to another and your wireless service will work seamlessly as long as you have a compatible device and service plan"
So far, my regular plan has been considered compatible for them...

ScottC said:
Yeah, not a problem. Even shows the new device in my online account. The LTE user guide specifically says that you can do this:
"You can move the 4G LTE SIM Card from one device to another and your wireless service will work seamlessly as long as you have a compatible device and service plan"
So far, my regular plan has been considered compatible for them...
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That would be AWESOME! I use my tablet for school and run to my 3GB limit every month. I could probably easily pull out 5GB if I used it how I wanted to. That unlimited plan is much needed.

Wait til they see you doing it! Then your hit with huge date charges for it. It may work but remember you got warned ahead of time.
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hammer4203 said:
Wait til they see you doing it! Then your hit with huge date charges for it. It may work but remember you got warned ahead of time.
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Are you posting this from experience, or just something you think may happen? I've not heard from anyone that saw extra charges. As long as you don't go over you data bundle limit, you shouldn't see anything.

hammer4203 said:
Wait til they see you doing it! Then your hit with huge date charges for it. It may work but remember you got warned ahead of time.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
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Thats the whole point of a Sim card is to be able to move it from device to device... Even their own documentation says that. But who knows with VZW. When I had T-mobile and At&t I used to swap Sims all the time.

All I'm saying is the sim is not just for data. They may not care. I would just be cautious because the xoom is a 3g/4g device. The 3g is not on an unlimited data. The sim should work no problem though. I wish they would offer an unlimited plan for the xoom.
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hammer4203 said:
All I'm saying is the sim is not just for data. They may not care. I would just be cautious because the xoom is a 3g/4g device. The 3g is not on an unlimited data. The sim should work no problem though. I wish they would offer an unlimited plan for the xoom.
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OK, no offense here, but it really benefits everyone if you don't just make crap up. Your initial post simply said it would not work, and you had nothing to back it up with. Then you said they'd charge more, once again with nothing to back it up with. Unless you have experience in being billed for LTE data usage on a sim-swapped device, just ignore the question, or post "I'd like to know this too, because I don't actually know anything about it".
Thunderbolt sim moves to my UML290 to my Samsung LTE hotspot without a single problem, and as long as I don't bump past the 5GB, nothing in my plan entitles Verizon to any extra revenue from me. If I ever see any charges, I'll be sure to post about it.

Will 3g also work through the sim? This is without having any type of data plan on the XOOM.
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I was wrong it will work, but if you have a data plan on your xoom you risk the 3g switching on. If you have no data then your actually good, that is if you can get the xoom to activate with the sim. Turns out they added a second number to the xoom during the upgrade. And it links the sim, serial number, and imei together. Did I leave anything out this time?
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium

hammer4203 said:
I was wrong it will work, but if you have a data plan on your xoom you risk the 3g switching on. If you have no data then your actually good, that is if you can get the xoom to activate with the sim. Turns out they added a second number to the xoom during the upgrade. And it links the sim, serial number, and imei together. Did I leave anything out this time?
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium
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Uhhhh... Unlimited 4G includes unlimited 3G. If it didnt, people would be paying for a mostly useless data plan, as 4G coverage is very limited in most areas. And yes, I know this from experience.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

The 3G data chip doesn't use the SIM card though, it's activated separately through the phone. A Xoom without that 3G activation won't be able to use the 3G network even if you put an active 4G SIM card in it.
Also, there are people here saying the 4G SIM is more than just data on a phone. That is not true. Current Verizon devices use 3G for voice, and 4G for data.

Why do people not get that? I have unlimited on my TB too ya know! If I pull the sim I still have unlimited 3g, put the sim in my xoom I have 1gb 3g and unlimited 4g. Now unless mister know it all has figured out how to shut the cdma side of the xoom down, we can't do it without getting caught! Tell me you have plz! Yes my meds have made me moody! And yes I am arguing! But at the same time, I love a good argument. If I'm wrong I will admit it too!
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Actually if you pull the sim out of your Tbolt you cant do anything but make emergency calls

Damn!!! See I was wrong on that one.
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hammer4203,
Just to clarify some things to help your understanding...
I have the TB, Bionic, and Xoom.
When I first got the TB, I went from my Incredible to the TB by using the "activate phone" option on the Verizon My Account web site. It did ask for the SIM and IMEI of the TB, then I had to power the phone on and all was good. Verizon's web site saw my phone as the TB.
When I got the Bionic, activation was as easy as... power off both phones, take the SIM out of the TB, put it in the Bionic, and power the Bionic on. After that, VZW's web page automatically recognized my phone as the Bionic now (without my doing anything but moving the SIM). Switching back to the TB is just as easy... and I can switch between the 4G/LTE phones at will, just by powering off and moving the SIM.
The TB or the Bionic will NOT work for anything but emergency calls with the SIM removed. i.e. 1x, evdo, 3G, 4G do not work without SIM.
My Xoom just got back from its 4g update, and I haven't tried using the SIM from my 4G phones in the XOOM yet. But I'd be willing to guess that if the data plan is "compatible" between the phones and xoom, it will work just fine.