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Hi everyone,
I recently purchased an unlocked T-Mobile version of the HD2 and am using it on AT&T.
I had a couple of questions:
1) The phone is registered as a blackberry 7290 so will I be required to get the data plan?
2) Is there any way to avoid the data plan while still using the phone? This really is a deal breaker for me since I don't want to shell out 30 bucks to AT&T. I don't need a data plan but if I would have to get it, I wouldn't use the phone and go back to my old flip phone.
Have any of you guys had any success in avoiding the data plan?
Thanks in advance for any answers.
P.S. I really don't care much for the data features or the social networking. Mainly wanted this phone for the beautiful screen and the great camera.
Call them up and tell them you changed phones and want the data plan dropped. Give them the IMEI of a dumbphone when they ask for it (Google for one if you have to.. people give them away on message boards all the time when they want to unlock their phones). Ask them to drop your data plan and add a data block on the line so you don't get billed for WinMo accessing the network on your behalf. From there, you're set.
I've done this and I can get away with AT&T's $10 data plan. I still get full 3G service.
I'll try that tomorrow. That sounds much better. I didn't tell them I have a smartphone obviously. But I did ask them if they can do such a block but they said that its dualband so their system registers it as a sort of "smartphone". Did your AT&T rep tell you that?
On a side note, isn't there a way for them to verify the IMEI? I mean I can give them my IMEI for an old Nokia Phone, but wouldn't they know that isn't the case since they can see the HD2 IMEI?
Thanks for the reply!
[email protected] said:
I'll try that tomorrow. That sounds much better. I didn't tell them I have a smartphone obviously. But I did ask them if they can do such a block but they said that its dualband so their system registers it as a sort of "smartphone". Did your AT&T rep tell you that?
On a side note, isn't there a way for them to verify the IMEI? I mean I can give them my IMEI for an old Nokia Phone, but wouldn't they know that isn't the case since they can see the HD2 IMEI?
Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they didn't tell me that. Call and try again because that CS rep is an idiot or trying to get you some data charges.
At present they can't verify the IMEIs, not over the phone at least.
ATT royally screwed me, they said I had a black berry, I told them I did not. They said if I used any "smart phone" off contract I had to pay for data.
They forced me onto a black berry plan, and told me I had to take my phone to the store and prove it was not a black berry, and if it was in fact a smart phone they would "back" bill me
So then I asked to block the data plan, since I am off contract, they told me that they could not do it, so I told them I was changing carriers.
I will just sell my HD2 and be done with att, go to verizon and hope for better service.
I have been an ATT customer for over 8 years
friend'scatdied said:
No they didn't tell me that. Call and try again because that CS rep is an idiot or trying to get you some data charges.
At present they can't verify the IMEIs, not over the phone at least.
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Click to collapse
The AT&T system does a scan every so often and updates the IMEI that is being used with the sim, that is how they can tell what phone you are using, The system can can only recognize ATT phones that is why it sees it as an old BB.
zelendel said:
The AT&T system does a scan every so often and updates the IMEI that is being used with the sim, that is how they can tell what phone you are using, The system can can only recognize ATT phones that is why it sees it as an old BB.
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Click to collapse
Yes, my OLAM shows that I have a BlackBerry Bold 9700. Yet I am on $30 unlimited data/text for dumbphones since they have a different IMEI on file. AFAIK the only IMEIs AT&T can recognize ATM besides their own is that of HTC Google Nexus Ones of the T-Mobile variety.
I'll call today and see what they will do. AT&T sucks though and their CS in my experience are jerks soooo...yeah.
Thanks for all the help you guys.
@friend'scatdied: Are you using the Australian version to get AT&T 3G? aren't those different and perhaps totally unrecognizable by AT&T?
[email protected] said:
@friend'scatdied: Are you using the Australian version to get AT&T 3G? aren't those different and perhaps totally unrecognizable by AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm using the Australian Telstra T9193 version. It's more complicated than that but suffice to say I will be among the last to be caught by them, if ever.
Called in today but it looks like they want proof of the phone since their system reads my phone as different. The CS was very polite but said there is nothing she could do since the system automatically scans for IMEI and the scan will change it to the BB 7290...guess I can't really keep the phone then without the lame data plan
Oh well thanks for all the help you guys, I guess I'm doomed to mediocre phones until I find one that I like which won't require a ridiculously expensive data-plan.
[email protected] said:
Called in today but it looks like they want proof of the phone since their system reads my phone as different. The CS was very polite but said there is nothing she could do since the system automatically scans for IMEI and the scan will change it to the BB 7290...guess I can't really keep the phone then without the lame data plan
Oh well thanks for all the help you guys, I guess I'm doomed to mediocre phones until I find one that I like which won't require a ridiculously expensive data-plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's just plain stupid. I never get abysmal customer service like that though I am on a FAN plan (so I get Premier Business CS). There should be no reason for them to disallow you from downgrading or removing your data plan.
Its just AT&T wanting to mooch off people. Its ok...I guess I can still use the HD2 as a super duper expensive PDA with a lot of cool features and a *****in' camera right?
[email protected] said:
Called in today but it looks like they want proof of the phone since their system reads my phone as different. The CS was very polite but said there is nothing she could do since the system automatically scans for IMEI and the scan will change it to the BB 7290...guess I can't really keep the phone then without the lame data plan
Oh well thanks for all the help you guys, I guess I'm doomed to mediocre phones until I find one that I like which won't require a ridiculously expensive data-plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah its a major downer considering that the HD2 is on edge only and has very few apps that pull much data.
Its reason enough for me to sell mine, I can't use tmobile as they dont have service where I live, so verizon here I come!
digitallysick said:
ATT royally screwed me, they said I had a black berry, I told them I did not. They said if I used any "smart phone" off contract I had to pay for data.
They forced me onto a black berry plan, and told me I had to take my phone to the store and prove it was not a black berry, and if it was in fact a smart phone they would "back" bill me
So then I asked to block the data plan, since I am off contract, they told me that they could not do it, so I told them I was changing carriers.
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Click to collapse
That is absolute crap. I can understand requiring a data plan if they subsidize a smart phone, but if you are off contract and bring your own phone there is absolutely no reason they should do this. If I were you I would file a complaint with the FCC.
BAMF said:
That is absolute crap. I can understand requiring a data plan if they subsidize a smart phone, but if you are off contract and bring your own phone there is absolutely no reason they should do this. If I were you I would file a complaint with the FCC.
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Click to collapse
Or go through retentions. I understand their retentions department wouldn't try to pull moves like this.
I was in the EXACT same predicament, att tried making me get the mandatory data plan which in fact I kicked and screamed about..What I found out is, that once you unlock the phone it doesnt register to att, basically it reads as the same phone you had currently registered with att. You WONT be required to but you will have wifi
chochard said:
I was in the EXACT same predicament, att tried making me get the mandatory data plan which in fact I kicked and screamed about..What I found out is, that once you unlock the phone it doesnt register to att, basically it reads as the same phone you had currently registered with att. You WONT be required to but you will have wifi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Do explain more please..
[email protected] said:
Hi everyone,
I recently purchased an unlocked T-Mobile version of the HD2 and am using it on AT&T.
I had a couple of questions:
1) The phone is registered as a blackberry 7290 so will I be required to get the data plan?
2) Is there any way to avoid the data plan while still using the phone? This really is a deal breaker for me since I don't want to shell out 30 bucks to AT&T. I don't need a data plan but if I would have to get it, I wouldn't use the phone and go back to my old flip phone.
Have any of you guys had any success in avoiding the data plan?
Thanks in advance for any answers.
P.S. I really don't care much for the data features or the social networking. Mainly wanted this phone for the beautiful screen and the great camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm paying $15 / 200MB data plan with att. I once had no data plan, pay per use. I might just switch to tmo.
Just curious, if i install a custom rom on my hd2 do i still have to unlock it to use it on at&t?
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
chip0 said:
Just curious, if i install a custom rom on my hd2 do i still have to unlock it to use it on at&t?
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea you do, the ROMs don't unlock the device.
I have an TMobile unlocked touch pro2 with att. Just got myself the HD2, and put in my sim card--got a text message (2 actually) from att stating:
"Did you know a data plan is required for your Smartphone?"
and then
"your Smartphone requires a data plan. We have added the appropriate plan for you smartphone"
I went to the account online, and it states that I suddenly am the proud owner of a Blackberry RIM!!!!
This whole time (since the Tilt days) I have been using unlocked phones, and as soon as I try my sim in it, ATT tells me this!!!
Any ideas on what to do????
Should I go to a store? Will they honor the fact that I don't want a data plan even though I have a Smartphone--but not ATT???
Urgent!
Thank you!!!
telegraph0000 said:
Should I go to a store? Will they honor the fact that I don't want a data plan even though I have a Smartphone--but not ATT???
Urgent!
Thank you!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they won't. They'll laugh in your face if you go in their with a HD2 and ask to drop the data plan.
Get a dumbphone IMEI. Call them with 611 and tell them you want to add a data block to your account because you recently switched phones. Give them the dumbphone IMEI if they ask for it. Bam, you're done. No worries about being charged either -- you'll be blocked off the data network.
Since the phone is not from ATT they can't make you add data.
Okay...and where do I get a dumbphone Imei??
How and why the heck did they go and do this??!!!
Even with your phone IMEI number since it won't show up in there system they can't do that. Thisi is the first time I have heard about this. With my HD2 on ATT I pay $15 since I need the internet but you can just tell them I don't want it.
Never go to the Store. Call is better, especially in this case.
Cheers
Nimche said:
Even with your phone IMEI number since it won't show up in there system they can't do that. Thisi is the first time I have heard about this. With my HD2 on ATT I pay $15 since I need the internet but you can just tell them I don't want it.
Never go to the Store. Call is better, especially in this case.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It makes sense to me since as far as I can tell the OP doesn't have a data plan and the HD2 uses data like a hog unless you set it up very specifically to turn of all data connections. If sense polled even once I imagine AT&T would go straight to the more expensive plan as a recommendation even without knowing what phone it is.
I looked at the usage and within 3 days of use (touch pro 2 $15 plan) and the HD2, I used only 15megs of info. So...I don't have the original phone my plan was under (a cheapo nokia)--what should I say?
Does it matter that the phone was unlocked and used for AT&T by the previous owner?
Obviously I don't have a Blackberry, why the system stated that is beyond my comprehension--what should I say as to what type of phone I have?
ATT made a mistake. Just call customer support and tell them they made a mistake. But what will you answer when they ask you what phone you have? Do you have an older non smartphone lieing around?
I have HD2 on ATT and they still think I am using my samsung impression. Even when I log into my account on the net it says samsung impression. If you go there what phone does it say you have?
Forced and automatically enrolled into DATA Plan? I would cancel my contracts with them in the heart-beat.
eenbox said:
Forced and automatically enrolled into DATA Plan? I would cancel my contracts with them in the heart-beat.
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Click to collapse
That's what i was thinking.
eenbox said:
Forced and automatically enrolled into DATA Plan? I would cancel my contracts with them in the heart-beat.
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Click to collapse
Since November 2009 they have had the prerogative built-into the contract to automatically provision smartphones with smartphone data plans as detected by the system. But that only applies to users that signed a contract after then or upgraded to a different handset from AT&T since then.
You mention that the previous owner used the phone with AT&T.. there is the slight possibility he used it with a smartphone data plan and divulged the fact that it was a HD2 to AT&T. If this is the case and their system has logged it as a type of smartphone (perhaps the BlackBerry is a placeholder, or the old owner's original phone), then you're boned.
Regardless I'd call 611 and try to get a data block added. You can find dumbphone IMEIs very easily (though not very legally). Here's a hint: threads for unlocking services have dozens of people eager to publish their IMEIs for the world to see.
Reading this post made me realize that you Americans are really being screwed by your carriers. No offense meant at all, I'm just really horrified by the fact that the carrier can add extra charges to the customer just because of their choices of phone....
Freedom of choice is evidently very skewed here. I mean, why are you guys going with this kind of treatment?
kenkiller said:
Reading this post made me realize that you Americans are really being screwed by your carriers. No offense meant at all, I'm just really horrified by the fact that the carrier can add extra charges to the customer just because of their choices of phone....
Freedom of choice is evidently very skewed here. I mean, why are you guys going with this kind of treatment?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me about it. That's why I fight the Man.. I get unlimited texting and data for the same price as unlimited data since my network doesn't recognize my phone (and I still get the brilliant HSDPA).
I hear across the pond is a magical land where data tariffs range into a couple of euro or pounds sterling (something like 6), and messaging and even BlackBerry data plans are similarly priced (you can't use a BlackBerry for anything less than $30 a month here). I also hear they have video calling.
i had the same problem as the OP, I got 2 texts last night from AT&T stating that they added $30 data to my plan, I called them up and they said that this phone shows up as a blackberry and there is no way to cancel it unless I go to a store and show it to them, the problem is that a store will see that this is a smartphone and will not allow me to keep my $10 data plan.
it is strange because I used a lot of smartphones under my account, including a UK HD2 and telstra HD2 (R.I.P) and I never had this problem.
Well, I guess it's time to sell it and get a different one.... Thanks AT&T
I found from my OWN personal experience and having had T-Mobile and at&t that the US GSM carriers share IMEI data on high end phones. Case in point, when I attempted to use my T-Mobile USA branded HD2 on my at&t I got the same message. Whenever I use my Telstra (Australian) model, customer service stated that my IMEI could not be verified so I've been able to keep my $10 data plan with no issues.
k2trill said:
I found from my OWN personal experience and having had T-Mobile and at&t that the US GSM carriers share IMEI data on high end phones. Case in point, when I attempted to use my T-Mobile USA branded HD2 on my at&t I got the same message. Whenever I use my Telstra (Australian) model, customer service stated that my IMEI could not be verified so I've been able to keep my $10 data plan with no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is VERY, VERY interesting. I know for a fact AT&T has ALL of the IMEIs for the T-Mobile version of the Nexus One. Anyone with a T-Mobile Nexus One on AT&T is basically forced to use the $30 plan.
kenkiller said:
Reading this post made me realize that you Americans are really being screwed by your carriers. No offense meant at all, I'm just really horrified by the fact that the carrier can add extra charges to the customer just because of their choices of phone....
Freedom of choice is evidently very skewed here. I mean, why are you guys going with this kind of treatment?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lovely AT&T - that's why I am on T-Mobile and even they may not be perfect they are whole a lot better than ****tty AT&T. Natively from Europe too cannot go with the fact of what AT&T does - built into the contract that they will assign you with the DATA plan if they "smell" you are using a smartphone... Against every possible decency and normal common sense thinking... Against human free will to put it that way...
LOL why are you guys shocked at this? If your phone used to belong to a carrier (meaning that the carrier sold the phone themselves), then they already have the IMEI. Like someone previously said, carriers do share IMEI numbers.
Just because your phone is unlocked to use on any carrier is different from a phone that hasnt been registered at ALL! Unlocked phones that are sold online are generally not registered to anyone or any carrier, therefore, you can get away with use some old/previous data plan that you have.
So in conclusion, DONT BUY CARRIER PHONES (UNLOCKED OR NOT).
lude219 said:
LOL why are you guys shocked at this? If your phone used to belong to a carrier (meaning that the carrier sold the phone themselves), then they already have the IMEI. Like someone previously said, carriers do share IMEI numbers.
Just because your phone is unlocked to use on any carrier is different from a phone that hasnt been registered at ALL! Unlocked phones that are sold online are generally not registered to anyone or any carrier, therefore, you can get away with use some old/previous data plan that you have.
So in conclusion, DONT BUY CARRIER PHONES (UNLOCKED OR NOT).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add a regional proviso. My (then) Telus Motorola Milestone and (now) Telstra HD2 T9193 work perfectly fine under the radar with full HSDPA and dumbphone plans.
Shocking thing about the Nexus Ones is that the people that got caught bought unsubsidized (contract-free, unlocked and unbranded), brand new phones that just had the AWS bands (early adopters). Yet they still got detected.
kenkiller said:
Reading this post made me realize that you Americans are really being screwed by your carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah man... me too!
This is seriously ridiculous... In the UK... YOU decide whether you want a data plan or not. If you dont have one and still use data you get charged per MB.
Forcing your customers to take out a data plan just because they have a smartphone is unbelievable!
This is confirmed as I am using it right now. Got solid H+ with speeds of 7.5 down and 1.5 up. The only thing that I wonder now is if we should call at&t and provide them with the new IMEI. Hot spot feature works right out of the box as I was able to tethered my ASUS Transformer. This phone is a dream come true. 10 out of 10 folks.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
calin75 said:
.. The only thing that I wonder now is if we should call at&t and provide them with the new IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am missing some point here. WHY OH WHY do you feel you need to give ATT your IMEI? They do not care about your IMEI first, and second, they see your IMEI since you are on their network I think.
Thanks for the good news!
It does support 850.
Here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13466935&postcount=482
calin75 said:
This is confirmed as I am using it right now. Got solid H+ with speeds of 7.5 down and 1.5 up. The only thing that I wonder now is if we should call at&t and provide them with the new IMEI. Hot spot feature works right out of the box as I was able to tethered my ASUS Transformer. This phone is a dream come true. 10 out of 10 folks.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to supply them with anything, they don't need your IMEI for anything.
As to tethering, I believe AT&T actually monitors traffic to check if you are using tethering without some kind of special tethering plan, and will send you an SMS to tell you to get one. At least, that's what a USA friend told me.
Luckily no other country is crazy enough to do that...
Great news! Wonder if that's what the announcement will be tomorrow. May I ask where you ordered from and final price?
calin75 said:
The only thing that I wonder now is if we should call at&t and provide them with the new IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to tell them anything. If anything, what you should do is put your SIM in some dumb phone, call them and say you don't need a smartphone plan (if you already are on smartphone plan like me $25 for 2GB data) and want $15 unlimited data plan.
They will ask for IMEI of you dumb phone and model and change your plan. After you hang up, take out the SIM from the dumb phone and enjoy it in S2 with your new $15 unlimited data plan. They will catch you only and when they get S2 on their network and it could be few months before that happens.
Holly Sxxx
Thanks Man, I order mine right after your post, and will get deliver tomorrow (FEDEX Tracking) cause it was before 4:00 PM in GB at that time
Catch you? No they want. International sgs2 will never be in there imei database. Once they carry the sgs2 they still will think your using a dumbphone. Just don't tell them.
Also does the sgs2 work with 4g. The op mentioned H+ working speeds.
kitsVA said:
You don't need to tell them anything. If anything, what you should do is put your SIM in some dumb phone, call them and say you don't need a smartphone plan (if you already are on smartphone plan like me $25 for 2GB data) and want $15 unlimited data plan.
They will ask for IMEI of you dumb phone and model and change your plan. After you hang up, take out the SIM from the dumb phone and enjoy it in S2 with your new $15 unlimited data plan. They will catch you only and when they get S2 on their network and it could be few months before that happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Great news. my phone should be here tommorw after a Delay from fedex . I will be useing it on at&t. Yea but i wouldnt tell At&t anything, I would actually lie if they asked. I say it was a old phone not a smartphone.
Ok guys, fine!!! I won't tell at&t either. Shhh!!!!
where did you guys order from? I'm thinking I may jump on one....
So.. Once you give them the dumphone IMEI won't they see your SGS2 IMEI doesn't match the dumphone IMEI that you gave them? Just because they don't know it's a smartphone doesn't mean they don't know that your IMEI doesn't match.. right?
intruda119 said:
Catch you? No they want. International sgs2 will never be in there imei database. Once they carry the sgs2 they still will think your using a dumbphone. Just don't tell them.
Also does the sgs2 work with 4g. The op mentioned H+ working speeds.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ker0zene said:
So.. Once you give them the dumphone IMEI won't they see your SGS2 IMEI doesn't match the dumphone IMEI that you gave them? Just because they don't know it's a smartphone doesn't mean they don't know that your IMEI doesn't match.. right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't care. They won't recognize the IMEI so will think it is another dumbphone.
Sometimes you get caught anyways even with a phone that was never sold by your carrier. I did with the nexus 1. Some say that was a shot across googles bow and other such things. I did run unlocked phone for many years before that without a problem. My experience though is once the carrier picks up a phone you might be in trouble regardless of it being an unlocked international version. Pretty much a crapshoot then.
intruda119 said:
Catch you? No they want. International sgs2 will never be in there imei database. Once they carry the sgs2 they still will think your using a dumbphone. Just don't tell them.
Also does the sgs2 work with 4g. The op mentioned H+ working speeds.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The speeds the OP is reporting are what ATT calls 4G. So yes it appears to be so.
That's good news. I might have to try this method! I've been extremely reluctant to sign a contract with AT&T due to data caps and poor coverage but an international SGS2 is tempting!
nomisunrider said:
They don't care. They won't recognize the IMEI so will think it is another dumbphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the confirmation with it working on at&t! time to order..
Related question.. If I sign a new dumbphone contract with unlimited data and use this plan with an unlocked SGS2, will any of the ports be restricted?
krabman said:
Sometimes you get caught anyways even with a phone that was never sold by your carrier. I did with the nexus 1. Some say that was a shot across googles bow and other such things. I did run unlocked phone for many years before that without a problem. My experience though is once the carrier picks up a phone you might be in trouble regardless of it being an unlocked international version. Pretty much a crapshoot then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the nexus one situation was unique because it was a USA phone sold by google in the USA. an international UK phone has a much higher chance of not being in any IMEI database that ATT gets.
kitsVA said:
You don't need to tell them anything. If anything, what you should do is put your SIM in some dumb phone, call them and say you don't need a smartphone plan (if you already are on smartphone plan like me $25 for 2GB data) and want $15 unlimited data plan.
They will ask for IMEI of you dumb phone and model and change your plan. After you hang up, take out the SIM from the dumb phone and enjoy it in S2 with your new $15 unlimited data plan. They will catch you only and when they get S2 on their network and it could be few months before that happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you do this, will you still get HSPA+ speed with the 15$ dumbphone plan, or just 3g?
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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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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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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!
...
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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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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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(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 (;
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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?
Error
saykin said:
Hi, here is my current situation: I’m using Nexus One on ATT with $10 unlimited data plan (dumb phone data on family plan). Since Nexus One was not sold at ATT they don’t recognize my IMEI number, so my data still remains $10 (for about 2 years already).
Now, if I upgrade to Bell Atrix will ATT find out and upgrade me to smartphone data? Basically does ATT have IMEI for Canadian Atrixes or unbranded Atrixes from Europe?
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How can nobody know the answer to this yet! Has anyone found this out yet?
I would say don't upgrade cause they will DEFINITELY change your plan if you upgrade to a smartphone.
The real answer is nobody knows if att has bell atrix imei numbers in their database, so who knows if they'll catch you or not.
saykin said:
Hi, here is my current situation: I’m using Nexus One on ATT with $10 unlimited data plan (dumb phone data on family plan). Since Nexus One was not sold at ATT they don’t recognize my IMEI number, so my data still remains $10 (for about 2 years already).
Now, if I upgrade to Bell Atrix will ATT find out and upgrade me to smartphone data? Basically does ATT have IMEI for Canadian Atrixes or unbranded Atrixes from Europe?
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You will still be charged $10. I did this with a bell desire z and they still recognized it as a "dumb phone." Its a great loophole.
saykin said:
Hi, here is my current situation: I’m using Nexus One on ATT with $10 unlimited data plan (dumb phone data on family plan). Since Nexus One was not sold at ATT they don’t recognize my IMEI number, so my data still remains $10 (for about 2 years already).
Now, if I upgrade to Bell Atrix will ATT find out and upgrade me to smartphone data? Basically does ATT have IMEI for Canadian Atrixes or unbranded Atrixes from Europe?
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It's extremely funny how that works. If you have a dumb phone on att you can have unlimited data for $10 a month. If they don't know your phone is a smartphone, the same rules apply. However let me share what happened to me. I started beta testing phones for Motorola, Android smartphones like the Motorola Flipout and Motorola Bravo and a couple others. I figured out sense att didn't know what phone it was by the imei I could get away with unlimited for $10 a month. I took advantage of that and used tons of data with tethering and such (over 3GB a month) even though they didn't know my phone was a smartphone later on I got sent the sent me the "did you know smarphones require smartphone data plans..." and than any time after that I tried using an un-att phone, not even a smartphone, it would give me that message.
Decided I'd share. BTW, I wouldn't switch. Unlimited for $10 is an amazing deal, just don't over abuse it like I did.
When I used to work for att, I used to set my friends up on that plan. Back when the tilt(8925) was da shyt.If you going to change phones just make sure u have a dumb phones imei number in case u have to call in for any reason
Sent from Atrix 4g, with att slow azz H+
Yeah, that doesn't work anymore, i installed my simcard (from my Nexus) into iphone and within 25 mins recieved text saying something like "welcome in, your data plan was upgraded to $25/month".
darocsfinest1 said:
When I used to work for att, I used to set my friends up on that plan. Back when the tilt(8925) was da shyt.If you going to change phones just make sure u have a dumb phones imei number in case u have to call in for any reason
Sent from Atrix 4g, with att slow azz H+
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