Database Users

[Q] A question for the T-mobile data plan.

I am considering getting a Samsung Vibrant these days. There is one thing that bother me a lot.
I am a student from China. And I am getting a prepaid SIM from T-mobile without any kind of plan right now for the price reason.
I was wondering if I got a unlocked Samsung Vibrant from eBay and use it on the T-mobile network, do I have to pay for the data plan?
The thing is I owned a AT&T Fuze before and everything works fine on the T-mobile network except for the 3G. That's okay for me cuz I don't use 3G anyway. But there is one time that my friend who is on AT&T network borrow my Fuze for couple days, and AT&T just added the data plan for it automatically. My friend try to call the staff in AT&T and they said that since HTC Fuze is a smart phone from AT&T, it require a data plan so he cannot cancel it. And they can tell when he insert the SIM card and AT&T will get the IMEI from him automatically.
I just wondering will the same thing happen in T-mobile? 30$/month is way to much for me.
BTW, there is another question for you guys. There is a lot of unlocked Galaxy S on eBay, which is nice. I was wondering how they get it unlocked? Can I get them unlocked right in the "carrier shop"? Or there is other ways that I can get the unlocked code?
Thx you guys anyway for answering these questions. BIG HAPPY FACE

You might have to spoof the IMEI, you're in the same boat as my friend. He wants to use his old Sidekick plan with the phone but since's it's not a Sidekick he can't use the data at all because they know he's using a smart phone. Discussing IMEI's is not usually allowed on xda because it's illegal in some countries. I think that's your only solution though.
Wait a few months until the phone is more popular and you'll be able to easily find ways to spoof the IMEI. So far I have found none.

you have to have the android web spoofed or not. Without it TMO will lock you out of the market and mms
Sent from the best phone from TMO... Vibrant

as long as you use t mobile prepaid, you won't be charged for a data plan.
Why do you want to buy those expensive vibrants from ebay? I'd rather buy it from tmobile with 2 year contract, then cancel the plan and pay the ETF.
You can try to ask a t mobile online csr for the unlock code. Just tell him you will travel outside of us.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

neasoon said:
as long as you use t mobile prepaid, you won't be charged for a data plan.
Why do you want to buy those expensive vibrants from ebay? I'd rather buy it from tmobile with 2 year contract, then cancel the plan and pay the ETF.
You can try to ask a t mobile online csr for the unlock code. Just tell him you will travel outside of us.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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He said he is a student from china so I assume he does not have a SS# and without one he cannot sign up for a contract.
The best thing you can do OP is buy a Galaxy S i9000 off ebay. Tmobile only has the IMEI for the vibrants. That way you can pop your sim into the international version and they wont know.

Or get a sim card from mysimplemobile.com $60 a month for unlimited everything and it uses tmobile service. That is what I switched to and it works with my vibrant without an unlock.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

PathogenX said:
He said he is a student from china so I assume he does not have a SS# and without one he cannot sign up for a contract.
The best thing you can do OP is buy a Galaxy S i9000 off ebay. Tmobile only has the IMEI for the vibrants. That way you can pop your sim into the international version and they wont know.
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Yup. You are right. I don't have the SSN right now so it's difficult for me to sign a contract.
The international version which is the i9000 is not bad. But I notice the price for the international version are significantly more expensive than the vibrant, for like 100-200$.
Anyway, thx for the suggestions.

j0eyred said:
Or get a sim card from mysimplemobile.com $60 a month for unlimited everything and it uses tmobile service. That is what I switched to and it works with my vibrant without an unlock.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Thank you for the suggestions. But 60$ still seems to be a lot for me.
So I might try to figure out another way to make it happen. lol

Im using the vibrant on tmo after upgrade. you can go online and remove the service. I paid for one month and canceled. you just change the type of phone to one not requiring android data plan ie a non android phone and it will let you remove it. I'm using it purely on wifi. just remember you will need it unlocked or w/ 3g to activate it initially or after wipe.

vnamee said:
Im using the vibrant on tmo after upgrade. you can go online and remove the service. I paid for one month and canceled. you just change the type of phone to one not requiring android data plan ie a non android phone and it will let you remove it. I'm using it purely on wifi. just remember you will need it unlocked or w/ 3g to activate it initially or after wipe.
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Ahh, Hmmm I paid the full 500 and today is the last day I can return mine. How much was the termination fee out of curiosity?
Another question, I have been using mine prepaid for almost a month now and TMO hasn't given me any trouble with it. (Aside from the reps in the store when I went to buy it).
Do you think I should bother to spoof my IMEI? Is that something that can get a fellow into trouble in this paranoid new world?
From what I've read everywhere else, it seems that TMO needs your business and won't give you any trouble using a prepaid sim in the phone. Whose to say that won't change in the future though.

lianglqufo said:
Thank you for the suggestions. But 60$ still seems to be a lot for me.
So I might try to figure out another way to make it happen. lol
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You can usually get a contract from T-mob with your passport and your F1 student visa (assuming you're on a F1). You'll have to wait for about an hour in order for them to get approval from headquarters, but it works fine. Got my Vibrant that way, and while the charges are high at least you get unlimited data (as in really unlimited), so watching videos, listening to pandora and all that is a non-brainer..

djupp said:
You can usually get a contract from T-mob with your passport and your F1 student visa (assuming you're on a F1). You'll have to wait for about an hour in order for them to get approval from headquarters, but it works fine. Got my Vibrant that way, and while the charges are high at least you get unlimited data (as in really unlimited), so watching videos, listening to pandora and all that is a non-brainer..
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Oh. I do have the F1 VISA with me. But I think I need to pay the deposit for don't have the SS#. At least my friend told me so.

SquareBare said:
Ahh, Hmmm I paid the full 500 and today is the last day I can return mine. How much was the termination fee out of curiosity?
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That's the thing I don't understand. I paid $199 for my Vibrant on a 2-year contract. I have a $200 ETF, which means that I can cancel, and get the phone for $400. For a non-contract, I would have paid the full $500.
So what one can do is use the Even More for one month (which is +$10 from the Even More Plus). Then cancel, pay the ETF, and move to the same Even More Plus plan. Which would mean you would get no contract for $400.
Am I missing something?

cparekh said:
So what one can do is use the Even More for one month (which is +$10 from the Even More Plus). Then cancel, pay the ETF, and move to the same Even More Plus plan. Which would mean you would get no contract for $400.
Am I missing something?
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is this really possible? amazon currently has the vibrant for $0.01 with a new contract. so in theory, one could sign a new contract, cancel and pay the ETF of $200, and get the phone for $200.01?? then sign up for an even more plus plan with no contract? (i also thought EM was $20/month more than EM+)
any input would be appreciated. this sounds too good to be true

You can buy a Vibrant and use it on prepaid you are just going to pay $500 for the phone. T-Mobile doesn't care they wont and can't charge you extra.
I would recommend checking out flexpay, you can get a monthly plan and get data if you want it. If not go with prepaid $15 a month gives you unlimited SMS and $0.10 a minute and just use wifi when you need data.
One last thing is do not recommend imei spoofing as its illegal here.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

lolcopter said:
is this really possible? amazon currently has the vibrant for $0.01 with a new contract. so in theory, one could sign a new contract, cancel and pay the ETF of $200, and get the phone for $200.01?? then sign up for an even more plus plan with no contract? (i also thought EM was $20/month more than EM+)
any input would be appreciated. this sounds too good to be true
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Click to collapse
If you cancel with amazon within 6 months you pay an added 250$ ETF to them. So it would be 450$ all day.
I got mine from costco for $99 and canceled for 200$ after ETF. So $300 total. You also get a free cheap case car charger and bluetooth from them. Oh and no activation fee.
Texted While Driving

sl0play said:
If you cancel with amazon within 6 months you pay an added 250$ ETF to them. So it would be 450$ all day.
I got mine from costco for $99 and canceled for 200$ after ETF. So $300 total. You also get a free cheap case car charger and bluetooth from them. Oh and no activation fee.
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nice. i'll look into something like this. i wonder if best buy / radioshack / car toys also have ETF fees of their own... (no costco membership for me)

I am kinda confused by this.
So I am in a stick situation here.
My parents have a family plan and I bought a Vibrant adding onto their Even More plan, which requires the $5 add a line and also $30 data plan. But I kinda think I don't really need data plan/3G cuz I am mostly home and don't quite use 3G unless I am not home, which isn't too often. $30 is a little money wasting, so I was thinking of just getting my phone without contract by paying $500 and just adding to my parents' Even More plan without data plan to save money.
But since I got my phone from Costco for $200 (when did this $99 deal start? I got mine a week ago...), does that mean I can just cancel and save money instead?
Important question though: Is it really true that there is no Android Market access without Tmo smartphone data plan? Why is this so? If so, is there any way of my getting away with it in my case?
Thanks,

FYI, if you have an F1 visa or any student visa you can do a contact with T-Mobile with no deposit and no ss#. This is something relatively new to t-mo. Just go to any corporate store location and they should be able to set it up for you. It takes about 45 minutes to process. That is the only down side.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

seojuhwan said:
Important question though: Is it really true that there is no Android Market access without Tmo smartphone data plan? Why is this so? If so, is there any way of my getting away with it in my case?
Click to expand...
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I don't have a data plan, and I can access the Android Market just fine via WiFi. With Wifi at home and at work and most every place in between, the data plan is really pointless for me

DVP AT&T and medianet data plan

Can i keep the medianet data plan if i buy the phone unlocked from dell? I currently using it on my Bell Desire Z. If i buy the at&t DVP unlocked, will i be able to keep the plan? Did anyone try this?
Thanks

On my wife's DVP, I bought it subsidized from Dell for AT&T and they switched her $10 dumbphone plan she was using on her Pixi to the Smartphone plan since I had to pick the plan when buying the phone. Once AT&T switched it in their system, I called and switched the IMEI on the billing system from the DVP to a dumbphone IMEI. Then I logged into OLAM and picked the $10 unlimited family data plan again and it has been on that for a month with no issues. The OLAM system still shows the phone on her line as a SE z520a instead of the DVP, so it would seem that they do not pick up the phone type automatically on the DVP like they do with other phones.
Because of the above, I would assume that buying unlocked and using the old MediaNet plan would work without issue...

peeps said:
On my wife's DVP, I bought it subsidized from Dell for AT&T and they switched her $10 dumbphone plan she was using on her Pixi to the Smartphone plan since I had to pick the plan when buying the phone. Once AT&T switched it in their system, I called and switched the IMEI on the billing system from the DVP to a dumbphone IMEI. Then I logged into OLAM and picked the $10 unlimited family data plan again and it has been on that for a month with no issues. The OLAM system still shows the phone on her line as a SE z520a instead of the DVP, so it would seem that they do not pick up the phone type automatically on the DVP like they do with other phones.
Because of the above, I would assume that buying unlocked and using the old MediaNet plan would work without issue...
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thanks for the input!

Has anyone else tried this? I too have a Bell Desire Z that I use on AT&T but this phone has had my interest ever since I saw it in the Microsoft Store last November.
There is a great sale on eBay: Unlocked 16GB brand new for $299 either version (AT&T or T-Mobile) and I'm really considering getting it if I can keep my cheap data plan...
Edit: Looks like it is this price on Dell.com, too.

petard said:
Has anyone else tried this? I too have a Bell Desire Z that I use on AT&T but this phone has had my interest ever since I saw it in the Microsoft Store last November.
There is a great sale on eBay: Unlocked 16GB brand new for $299 either version (AT&T or T-Mobile) and I'm really considering getting it if I can keep my cheap data plan...
Edit: Looks like it is this price on Dell.com, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on the same boat! I have a dell gift card which expire soon and I am still waiting for an answer!
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

I'm not sure if this answers your question but I purchased a DVP locked to T-Mobile and unlocked it through dells unlock code request email service. I have been using the phone since the beginning of April on AT&T. AT&T does not recognize my DVP's IMEI # as a smartphone number and allowed me to purchase the unlimited *EDGE* data plan for $10 a month. If you don't mind slightly longer load times for youtube videos and longer download times for apps, I would recommend it. As for reception and call quality, I can't tell the difference and I've never had issues. Not a bad deal!
Heres a thread about it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1012040&highlight=smart+OR+dumb
Hope I helped!

idliketoknow said:
I'm not sure if this answers your question but I purchased a DVP locked to T-Mobile and unlocked it through dells unlock code request email service. I have been using the phone since the beginning of April on AT&T. AT&T does not recognize my DVP's IMEI # as a smartphone number and allowed me to purchase the unlimited *EDGE* data plan for $10 a month. If you don't mind slightly longer load times for youtube videos and longer download times for apps, I would recommend it. As for reception and call quality, I can't tell the difference and I've never had issues. Not a bad deal!
Heres a thread about it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1012040&highlight=smart+OR+dumb
Hope I helped!
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Click to collapse
Thank you, I will give it a shot then!
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

fsrkewd said:
thanks for the input!
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Click to collapse
UPDATE: Yesterday, AT&T sent a sms and email saying they were changing my wife's line back to the $25 plan....oh well.

Darn. I was really considering the phone, now that I know I'll be switched to the $25 data plan, I won't be getting it. $300 is a steal for it, though. The only thing I wish it had was 512MB RAM. I can't believe they skimped on such a cheap component.

The ram bug was fixed in newer firmware. It does have 512 ram. I ordered one anyway, since I don't use over 2gb anyway.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

I just bought an unlocked Dell Venue with AT&T bands, and AT&T replaced my $15 medianet unlimited plan with a 2gb smartphone plan. They must have all the IMEI numbers now. Lesson learned.. don't buy unlocked phones from a mfg that also offer them with a contract.

fsrkewd said:
The ram bug was fixed in newer firmware. It does have 512 ram. I ordered one anyway, since I don't use over 2gb anyway.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
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Oh I thought there physically was only 256MB in the device. I guess not. Still though, I wanted to get one to play with and see how I like WP7, but if it means I'm going to lose my $10 data plan I won't be doing that. Maybe if that new Galaxy S 2 slider comes out on AT&T next month and I'm forced to get the new data plan, I could pick one of these up, too.

drleospaceman said:
I just bought an unlocked Dell Venue with AT&T bands, and AT&T replaced my $15 medianet unlimited plan with a 2gb smartphone plan. They must have all the IMEI numbers now. Lesson learned.. don't buy unlocked phones from a mfg that also offer them with a contract.
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Click to collapse
Its probably an at&t (greedy bastards!) thing. I have a DVP on T-Mobile and still have my GF'ed $19.99 data plan, no trying to get me on the higher priced data plans.

H2O UNLIMITED call,text & data $60/mo

Does anyone know if the new data unlimited plan thw MVNO H2O is offering is able to work on an iphone? Because for $60 it would be a bargain, provided that H2O uses at&t network and it is compatible with its 3G services.
Here is the link to the article I read: http://www.mobileburn.com/chtml/mobile_story.jsp?Id=16457
Please elaborate anyone.

Not a clue, but what's it got to do with Samsung Galaxy S II General?

For the owners in the US that have at&t, it is a cheaper alternative.
Sent from my GT-I9100

I don't see why it wouldn't work on an UNlocked iphone. But who knows these days. Carriers try and get their grimy fingers in everything.
I voided my warranty and your mum.

I just began the 60 plan. Cannot get the data to connect with the HTC Inspire 4g. I tried multiple apn configurations and the market H2o config ..

Follow Up:
OK well it took a few days and some free time on the phone with CS, but I have data now. 60 bucks a month for unlimited everything thats great for me!
I get phone signal just about everywhere as well - I have nothing to complain about from h2o wireless (locus tele)

Haha what about this - straight talk mvno $45 unlimited everything. Att towers
You have to buy an e71 and switch the sim out.. read the thread on Howard forum for more info.. just Google straight talk iPhone. I'm using it now
..........

andrewxu said:
Haha what about this - straight talk mvno $45 unlimited everything. Att towers
You have to buy an e71 and switch the sim out.. read the thread on Howard forum for more info.. just Google straight talk iPhone. I'm using it now
..........
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e71? ...
explain yourself

GravvyTrain said:
e71? ...
explain yourself
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Click to collapse
http://www.google.com/m?hl=en&gl=us...oid-launcher-widget&q=iphone+on+straight+talk
..........
Haha I've been paying 25% less than you guys. Go on eBay and get a straight talk e71 for $70

andrewxu said:
http://www.google.com/m?hl=en&gl=us...oid-launcher-widget&q=iphone+on+straight+talk
..........
Haha I've been paying 25% less than you guys. Go on eBay and get a straight talk e71 for $70
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Click to collapse
You bought another phone you cant use for 200 bucks. Its not worth all the trouble and what if it something doesn't work right? I'm not willing to take that kind of risk- I like what I'm paying for.
thanks for the insight though- I'd probably be more interested if I had an Iphone.

This link that was given above in the thread, the howard forum link, will the method work in Canada?

yet another Straight Talk guy here, paid $200 for unlimited everything for 6 months!!! buying a straight talk card from amazon!!!
i didn't complain and wine, just went and bought the E71 from walla-mart (now $179.99) before Galaxy S2 came out in late April early this year, you will save a-ton of money from buying cards from either amazon or ebay.
H20 unlimited $60 dollar plan is still great and affordable, for At&T based phones.

[Q] Nexus 4 on AT&T

I'm sure there are some similar questions in the forum, so I'm sorry if this has already been answered.
I currently have an IPhone 4 on AT&T. I'm on a family plan, but I have an upgrade available. I'd like to stay on the family plan and I don't really mind being on contract. I was thinking of using my upgrade to purchase an iPhone 5 (on contract) and selling it to pay for the nexus 4.
Anyone know if it'd be easy to switch over from the iPhone to the nexus? From what I remember AT&T has different plans for iPhones, but I'm not sure. If that we're the case would I be able to change my plan accordingly, even though I used the iPhone for the update?
Any advice on this process would be appreciated. Thanks!

Yeah you can do that. You would need a new sim since the Iphone 5 uses a nano and the Nexus uses a micro. You would also have to call ATT to put you on the right data plan. Same price, just a different feature code so everything will work properly. Other than that, it'll be fine. They may make you pay for the sim card though

Ok, so AT&T's not gonna care if I switch phones?
And I'm seeing some crazy prices for iPhone 5's on eBay, like 7-800 bucks? Can I really get that much out of it?
Thanks for all the help!

rthorton said:
Ok, so AT&T's not gonna care if I switch phones?
And I'm seeing some crazy prices for iPhone 5's on eBay, like 7-800 bucks? Can I really get that much out of it?
Thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the iPhone 5 prices off contract are insane, so the resale market is insane.
And AT&T won't give you an issue with switching phones. The only thing to keep in mind is you need to go to an actual AT&T store to get the new sim card, not an authorized retailer. If you go to an AT&T store, the new sim wil be free. If you go elsewhere, they'll charge you.

Alright, that sounds awesome. There's a corporate store right down the road from me.
Thanks guys!

The iPhone 5 off contract prices aren't any different from high end Android phones. In some cases they are cheaper.
If you call the Nexus 4 a high end Android phone it is cheaper because Googles sells them at cost like the Nexus 7 and 10.
raptir said:
Yeah, the iPhone 5 prices off contract are insane, so the resale market is insane.
And AT&T won't give you an issue with switching phones. The only thing to keep in mind is you need to go to an actual AT&T store to get the new sim card, not an authorized retailer. If you go to an AT&T store, the new sim wil be free. If you go elsewhere, they'll charge you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

darwinosx said:
The iPhone 5 off contract prices aren't any different from high end Android phones. In some cases they are cheaper.
If you call the Nexus 4 a high end Android phone it is cheaper because Googles sells them at cost like the Nexus 7 and 10.
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Click to collapse
I did not see this response until now (didn't know you could check if people had quoted your posts!).
The 16GB iPhone 5 off-contract from T-Mobile is $650. The 16GB Galaxy S4 is $580. That's over a 10% difference.
The 32GB iPhone 5 is $750. The 32GB HTC One is $580. That's a 30% increase.

Trolling trolling trolling... Pretty much nothing to do with OP's question.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

I want a Note 3

This is for my wife and she will accept no other.
Presently, I am mired in trying to get one from Sprint to work but I am not optimistic, so.
Where can I buy one that would work on one of the inexpensive networks. I am not keen on paying full price and a slightly used model is acceptable.
Say U/L voice and text with 500mb to 1 GB data for $40.00 per month with no contract ?
The Sprint MVNOs like ChitChat, PagePlus, and Ting have the service but they won't support the Note 3.
Any suggestions ?

If you want cheaper why not buy a S4 or Note 2? They are still great phones.
Edit:
I did t read your post properly sorry. Bought mine from Amazon, no contract. Try ebay or cRaiglist. Good luck

xdm9mm said:
If you want cheaper why not buy a S4 or Note 2? They are still great phones.
Edit:
I did t read your post properly sorry. Bought mine from Amazon, no contract. Try ebay or cRaiglist. Good luck
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I did buy one from Ebay and it is impossible to get it to work on anything other than a Sprint family plan at $55 per month.
How did you get yours to work and with what provider ?

Is your wife hot ?
Sent from my N9005

Hextejas said:
I did buy one from Ebay and it is impossible to get it to work on anything other than a Sprint family plan at $55 per month.
How did you get yours to work and with what provider ?
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Click to collapse
The carriers only allow the higher tariff's on Bring Your Own Phone subscription.