Anyone Else on the Alltel Network? - Xperia Play General

I recently went and renewed my unlimited data plan with Alltel and upgraded to an Xperia Play R800x w/ GB 2.3 for $15. The Reps told me they've gotten nothing but complaints about the phone and shortly after I bought it I found they removed the phone off the shelves. I'm not even remotely disappointed at my choice(my wife's Samsung Galaxy SII has been giving her nothing but problems) as it doesn't have the Verizon bloatware. I am discouraged that it will never get an official update to GB 2.4 let alone ICS if it was even offered and of course the usual headaches . Before I even attempt to root/unlock this phone, I'm curious if anyone is on the Alltel Network and can offer any sound advice or differences compared to the Verizon counterpart?

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Sprint hero on VZW

Hi I am wondering if I can activate a sprint hero on a vzw network and if so would they force me to get a dataplan. I really would like and android phone but don't want a dataplan. I am near wifi most of the time. I thought about cloning esns with the new eris but since it would be to avoid fees I think it would land me in some trouble.
What do you guys think? I thought about the vx6900 but no wifi and the bluetooth doesn't work in their build.
Thanks,
Isaac.S
why not just get the eris ....its the same thing as the hero but with out sprints crapware on it???
I don't think they would allow the handset to be activated. Plus, you'd have to start a sprint contract, cancel it, get charged for the device in order to get the thing in the first place.
As 702 said, just get an Eris, it's the same device and meant for VZW. Personally, I don't see why you would want to pay the much higher plan costs for VZW anyway.
Well I wouldn't mind switching but friends are all on verizon and it has the best coverage where I am. I would be purchasing a full price device from sprint to activate on verizon and selling my upgrade device ie droid or eris. What I am trying to avoid is shelling out an additional 30 a month for data.
Having a phone that relies so much on the internet might be kind of pointless without a data plan.
Also, with Sprint's "any mobile" it won't cost you a cent (or minutes) to call them Sprint to VZW. Nor will it cost you if they call you.
The device cost thing isn't a hurdle if you can afford it, which you seem to be able to.
The big hurdle is getting VZW to add the MEID to their database and allowing the handset onto the network. I don't think they will from prior attempts of my own.
thanks for the meid info ekinnee. I thought I had heard that verizon is pretty good about adding devices but maybe I was wrong about that.
Thanks,
Isaac.S
isaacws said:
thanks for the meid info ekinnee. I thought I had heard that verizon is pretty good about adding devices but maybe I was wrong about that.
Thanks,
Isaac.S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some are, some aren't...you're kindof at the mercy of whatever store reps you get (Verizon has a big thing a while back about being willing to put any device on their network). Best bet is to ask the VZ Rep.
EDIT: I do believe they will still force you into a dataplan. The store I went to used to do datablocks and they claimed they couldn't (either through technology or policy) do that on newer smartphones. Just about every provider requires a data plan for smartphones these days.
In my opinion, as like many of the others that posted here, I would just get it on Sprint. With Sprint, you now get unlimited free calling to ANY cell phone, even if it is on Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, you name it. Also, I have a feeling eventually someone is going to come out with a way to enable "Roaming Only" in the Hero... which basically means if you enable it, you will ALWAYS be using Verizon's service instead of Sprint. Also, Sprint is cheaper, so I'd just go with Sprint if I were you.

Thinking of getting HD2, Anyone has it for ATT? Help me make up my mind

Hello guys I have been a HTC guy since I got my very first TIlt, then my FUZE, and my PURE. All of these phone were ATT branded, and I used the 10/month medianet plan.
They are now catching on and have changed my plan to the 30/month one. I do not like this since I do not really use the web. So I did some research and need your help.
I know if I get a T-Mobile branded one I wont get 3G, butt what if I get a non branded HD2, would I get 3G then?
If I were to get a T-Mobile or a non branded HD2 would ATT still change my medianet plan to a PDA plan? I know they are doing this with non branded Nexus 1 phones but I am unsure about HD2.
If you have this with ATT tell me how you use it, do you have 3G, what web plan do you or if you do not.
Thanks, I hope on buying one of these soon.
well i'm a att guy... but.. i'm going over to t-mobile.. due to this phone... cheers
ProjektFuze said:
well i'm a att guy... but.. i'm going over to t-mobile.. due to this phone... cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you mean dawg but T-mobile has poor service in my area, they only offer edge.
I am switching to T-Mobile for the HD2, and the cheaper prices, Las Vegas has a big blanket of 3G from all carriers, at&t has been sucky lately due to the iPhone.
Even though they where my first carrier(Original at&t), they wont be my last. I cant wait to go Magenta.
As for your situation, you might have to settle for the retail price then just unlock it, since the service on edge for at&t rather than on T-Mobile.
i have it on AT&T i get 3G speeds in san diego just fine works great. my version is the australian version from telstra.
been using the european version with at&t and edge speeds are fine (have access to wifi at work and home). i have been paying for the $10 data plan since October/November with no problems. At&t website lists the phone i am using as other after i had selected an old motorola razor i was using previously. So i am not sure how they detected and switched you over to their smartphone plan.
You'll need the Australian Telstra version to get ATT 3g. It costs like $800 for imported versions though.
I have been using my Euro version HD2 since Dec with ATT. Have been paying $10/month for data. Just signed another 2 yr contract with the Nazi's (yea, I know) and got a free Blackberry. When I registered the Blackberry.....or activated it with the new sim ATT had in it, I got a text saying I needed to pay for the $30 data plan. Long story short......I told them I wont be using the new phone, I will be using my HD2 that I have been using. Gave them the IMEI and they said that it was not considered a smart phone. They are such geniuses! Even though it is EDGE, I am quite happy with it.
I also called the next day and explained how I travel international a lot, and asked to get the unlock code for the new Blackberry. Had the code the next day, unlocked it, so I guess I will sell it and try to recoup what I am going pay over the next 2 years!
Been using my European HD2 since they first came out, on AT&T.
Works just fine.
​
They found out because, chances are, your phone is not SIM unlock...or you somehow stupidly give them your IMEI number. If you want to get back on the old $10/$15 medianet plan, call them up and tell them that you're using some old phone (like a razr) and would like to get out of the PDA/smartphone data plan.
I'm on AT&T ($15 medianet) and I would never think about jumping to a worser carrier/service over a phone. That's retarded.
^^ how about for a free phone bill??
as i said i'm att right now.. but i spend about 130 a month which is frickin insane... as a student.. my father offered me one of his lines that he has open anyways (kept open in case one of his clients needed a temp phone or service) and because he's already paying for it regardless.. i get it free of charge.. which in my opinion totally rocks... PLUS i get the HD2 which makes the situation even better....
but no, personally i rather keep att... the call quality and reception is just so good everywhere... i never drop calls.. nor does my antenna recieve less then full bars... and i have done my fair share of research.. and t-mobile's reception is kinda bad... and in my apartment complex.. (my sis has tmobile) i'll probably manage about 2-3 bars... yea.. totally sucks.... but as i said before.. free phone bill...cheers
lude219 said:
They found out because, chances are, your phone is not SIM unlock...or you somehow stupidly give them your IMEI number. If you want to get back on the old $10/$15 medianet plan, call them up and tell them that you're using some old phone (like a razr) and would like to get out of the PDA/smartphone data plan.
I'm on AT&T ($15 medianet) and I would never think about jumping to a worser carrier/service over a phone. That's retarded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called them up and gave them a IMEI from a LG shine I had. I never told them I had a pda. The reason they knew I was on a pure was because the pure I had was branded by ATT.
TheChemist187 said:
I called them up and gave them a IMEI from a LG shine I had. I never told them I had a pda. The reason they knew I was on a pure was because the pure I had was branded by ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like i said, it's probably because the pure wasn't sim unlocked since it's AT&T branded (meaning that they already have the IMEI for that particular phone). I always keep a few unlocked dumbphones around (samsung x820 and samsung u600) just in case I run into situation like this...
AT&T service in Northern Chicagoland area simply sucks. I have AT&T phone from work and use T-Mobile as my personal phone service carrier - cannot compare at all. AT&T 3G appears to be somehwat faster (in miliseconds) but no drastic speed difference between the two.
Where do people recommend buying a Telstra HD2 and having it shipped to the U.S.?
Thx
I tried the TMO HD2 today and Tmo's signal sucks in my area.
I have a telsa hd2 and i use it on att and i get 3g coverage. it works fine. the only i dont like is i cant access the media mall that att users use to download games and apps.

Nexus One AT&T Data Plan Question

Currently, people with a G1/Dream, Magic, Hero etc. on AT&T are able to get the $10 Family Data or $15 Unlimited Data option on their phone, because AT&T does not recognize it as a smartphone since they do not sell it (I know this is true because we have one in the house).
Can anyone tell me how AT&T recognizes the Nexus One? Does it show up as a smarphone on your online account, forcing you to use the $30 PDA Data plan? Or does it show up as "unidentified," meaning you are free to choose one of the cheaper plans?
Before I switched to T-Mobile it showed up as unidentified in the account on the web page. They must got have gotten the maker IMEI codes to the phones to figure out who's using a N1 on their network. I had the option to change it back, but I don't know if it would have reverted it or not.
chambo622 said:
Currently, people with a G1/Dream, Magic, Hero etc. on AT&T are able to get the $10 Family Data or $15 Unlimited Data option on their phone, because AT&T does not recognize it as a smartphone since they do not sell it (I know this is true because we have one in the house).
Can anyone tell me how AT&T recognizes the Nexus One? Does it show up as a smarphone on your online account, forcing you to use the $30 PDA Data plan? Or does it show up as "unidentified," meaning you are free to choose one of the cheaper plans?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
clarification:
the tmo g1 will show 'unknown' or whatever, and you'll be stuck with edge. afaik the tmo nexus will be the same way.
now, the ATT nexus, i'll bet they hit you with the "OMGZ YOU HAZ SMARTZPHONE ON OUR NETWORKZ !!! PAY ME PWEEZ !" rediculousness. $30 sounds about right for them.
please, do update the thread if you find concrete. i'm only going on the bs they spouted about a 5 year old palm treo. yes, a treo supposedly burned $30 worth of data. please.
Good point, although if they don't identify one version of the Nexus, I don't see why they would the other. Hopefully someone who has the new one right now on AT&T can answer.
And while the G1 does get restricted to EDGE, if it was a Rogers Dream, it would get 3G and as far as I know AT&T would still see it as "unidentified."
chambo622 said:
Good point, although if they don't identify one version of the Nexus, I don't see why they would the other. Hopefully someone who has the new one right now on AT&T can answer.
And while the G1 does get restricted to EDGE, if it was a Rogers Dream, it would get 3G and as far as I know AT&T would still see it as "unidentified."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct. I had a Rogers HTC Magic before getting the N1 and I was on AT&T, the device was not identified but I still got 3G @ the $15 price point for data. It wasn't until I put in my SIM in the N1 to check it for defects that I got the texts and emails saying my phone was on the wrong data plan.
chambo622 said:
Good point, although if they don't identify one version of the Nexus, I don't see why they would the other. Hopefully someone who has the new one right now on AT&T can answer.
And while the G1 does get restricted to EDGE, if it was a Rogers Dream, it would get 3G and as far as I know AT&T would still see it as "unidentified."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the IMEI includes data that identifies the phone make/model and at&t must have access to that info, lol. pop in that N1 SIM and it's just a matter of time before you're conveniently upgraded to the Smartphone data plan. there are a couple of threads on the N1 forum that provide more detail about the data plan changes.
Well that should answer my question then...if the Rogers Magic was unidentified but the Nexus One triggered it right away, then AT&T is obviously recognizing it as a smarphone and triggering the Smartphone data plan.
ohgood said:
clarification:
the tmo g1 will show 'unknown' or whatever, and you'll be stuck with edge. afaik the tmo nexus will be the same way.
now, the ATT nexus, i'll bet they hit you with the "OMGZ YOU HAZ SMARTZPHONE ON OUR NETWORKZ !!! PAY ME PWEEZ !" rediculousness. $30 sounds about right for them.
please, do update the thread if you find concrete. i'm only going on the bs they spouted about a 5 year old palm treo. yes, a treo supposedly burned $30 worth of data. please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My experience was that AT&T knew when even the T-Mobile Nexus One was being used as my account triggered the $30 data with it as well. Currently seeking a kind AT&T rep who can add a smartphone exclusion to my account on both lines for the AT&T Nexus One's I picked up yesterday.
Logged into my ATT account and all I see for my Nexus One that operates on the ATT fequency is a gray outline of a flip phone.
So in my case it has not been recognized as Google N1.
I got my T-mobile n1 for use on AT&T on 2-18. 8 hours into ownership I got the text saying I need to upgrade my data plan, which at that point had been unlimited text/[email protected]$30 for use with my Nokia N85. That threw me into a rage, as I'd be GD'd if I was going to pay 30+ a month for edge.
On 2-22 I switched to T-Mobile.
18 hours later, came back to AT&T. Grass isn't greener on the other side.
From 2-23 until 3-18, no nasty text from AFee&Fee asking to upgrade. 3-18 and ongoing, no upgrade text sent for the 850mhz N1 (I hate calling it the "AT&T Nexus One").
I'm back on the $30 unlimted text and data plan, and i've been with it steady for one month now. YMMV, as may mine, good luck
I ordered the At&t N1 the day it was released and have been using it ever since I got it the next day. So far they haven't changed my data plan.
possibly its region based
ive had tmo band n1 and att band n1, tmo band one for about 3 weeks and now att band n1 for a week or two, no texts to update plan, yet...ive been streaming music on last fm all day long in high quality so we'll see
The grass is totally greener on the T-Mobile side in Seattle. That's all I can say.
maxawesome said:
The grass is totally greener on the T-Mobile side in Seattle. That's all I can say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably. I only had 3g in a few parts of metro Tulsa, Edge everywhere else. My mindset was if i'm gonna be stuck with edge, I might as well keep my 6k rollover minutes and m2m, since everyone I know is on AT&T. I did run a speed test after getting the 8fiddy, and here's what I got:
Please stop asking about AT&T forcing you into data plan or not. Here's why:
1. Their definition of smartphones are smartphones that they sell. If you buy unlocked phone, that shoild be fine.
2. If you've been forced to upgrade, most likely, you've used A LOT of data. When I say A LOT, I mean like a few GB worth. They will most likely flag yout account.
If you keep asking, either BGR or Engadget will write an article about this and inquire AT&T. And they will have to respond. What if DeLaga just goes: Gee, maybe we should force N1 user to upgrade, let's go hunt them all.
Just FYI, I have the AT&T N1 on AT&T family data plan for 10 and it's fine. So hush hush and keep this btw ourselves.
Question for you guys who got texts from AT&T. Did you ever tlel them you were switching to an N1? Many threads I read people going from $30 => $15 and saying they had an N1. Sometimes the rep would let them and then a few days later they get a nasty text... What should I expect with the ATT N1?
vnphantom said:
Please stop asking about AT&T forcing you into data plan or not. Here's why:
1. Their definition of smartphones are smartphones that they sell. If you buy unlocked phone, that shoild be fine.
2. If you've been forced to upgrade, most likely, you've used A LOT of data. When I say A LOT, I mean like a few GB worth. They will most likely flag yout account.
If you keep asking, either BGR or Engadget will write an article about this and inquire AT&T. And they will have to respond. What if DeLaga just goes: Gee, maybe we should force N1 user to upgrade, let's go hunt them all.
Just FYI, I have the AT&T N1 on AT&T family data plan for 10 and it's fine. So hush hush and keep this btw ourselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me clear up some of the misconceptions you seem to have from what I've experienced thus far.
1. Even with an unlocked Nexus One, AT&T can still change your plan as this is exactly what they did to me. I bought an unlocked AWS Nexus One and less than a month after popping my SIM into it, I got the message and my data plan was changed, even though I was only using EDGE.
2. AT&T knows which phone you're using. It may not seem as such with your online account showing an unknown device, but the device still registers on their network and there are ways for them to see which device it is. The CSR's and Customer "Solutions" rep didn't know what phone I was using when I called to complain about the data plan change, but the woman from AT&T's corporate response team had no problem finding out that I was using a Nexus One when she was responding to my BBB complaint.
3. The amount of data may play into all this, but I will tell you that I used over 4gb of data with my i8910 months before I had the Nexus One and didn't hear a word from AT&T.
4. You are most likely to receive the text message to change your data plan on the day your billing cycle ends, so if you haven't gotten the text yet, wait til your next bill comes before you start celebrating.
I hope that helps.
in response to both your statements i believe its both. because all the friends i know working at ATT swear up and down that its incredibly rare to get flagged. Might be almost random if anything. Doesnt meant it wont happen for either reason.
tribalmunky said:
That's correct. I had a Rogers HTC Magic before getting the N1 and I was on AT&T, the device was not identified but I still got 3G @ the $15 price point for data. It wasn't until I put in my SIM in the N1 to check it for defects that I got the texts and emails saying my phone was on the wrong data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how long between putting in the SIM and getting the "convenience" texts?
I've had my N1 since the day after it was released and haven't gotten anything yet. In fact, all the phones in my sig have been on this account in the past year at some point - including the Fuze which I've had on there since the day it came out. Still on the MediaMax200.
Notes: My billing cycle starts on the 27th and I rarely go over 100MB a month.
dmo580 said:
Question for you guys who got texts from AT&T. Did you ever tlel them you were switching to an N1? Many threads I read people going from $30 => $15 and saying they had an N1. Sometimes the rep would let them and then a few days later they get a nasty text... What should I expect with the ATT N1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didnt tell them. I went from a phone they didn't sell/support (nokia n85 unlocked) to a phone they don't sell/support (N1). Didn't tell anyone, just swapped my sim out. 8 hours into ownership, at 3AM no less, the nastygram showed up via text and Gmail. Granted, the N85 is a 3g phone, but I doubt my data use was over a gig last month. I'm always under 2 gigs even on my heavy flow months. I doubt seriously that it had anything to do with data consumption.
All of their smartphones being sold must now be on an unlimited data plan, i know that much, but they didn't sell me my N1, and i'm still in contract for my iphone 3g.. breaking their terms of the contract by forcing me into an unnecessary data plan upgrade can emancipate me from it. I know they force the upgrade to try to recoup some of their subsidy for the other phones, but that doesnt apply here!
And to the poster telling us to stop asking about it-its happening to people, it's happening irregularly and without reason, and that is cause for discussion. BGR and the other tech sites can ask AT&T all they want, but a material change to the service, such as cramming (i miss that term) an unwanted/unwarranted plan upgrade, is still a contract violation and is cause for emancipation. Not that I'd jump ship now, because I just got the 850mhz N1, but it's certainly a bargaining chip to get your plan switched back relatively hassle free.

T-Mobile sent me a txt message...

I was sent an automated txt message saying I 'qualified for an upgrade', so, for grins and chuckles I called to kind of inquire. I think the lady was from India or something because I don't think she quite understood what I was asking but, she did inform me that their trying to upgrade all their customers to equipment compatible with At&t. She also informed me that equipment changes must be made before May 2012 when the conversion to At&t is complete. Startling news considering I thought the FCC is still mulling over the legal stuff and here I'm told the deal is already done.....sucks if it's true because I loathe At&t with a passion. Just thought I share this information with all of you.
She's probably just giving you generic whatever and has no idea on what's going on really.
Recently I've noticed a peculiar increase in dropped calls on my and my wife's G2s, as well as two friends... li wonder if we were pushed the same OTA upate, either that or the AT&T network switch may have already happened
Well the odd thing(s) I've noticed is a specific area where I used to get full bars of 3G has now reverted to EDGE service. I say odd because T-Mobile was the only 3G service in said area not even Verizon or Sprint had 3G. Now all of a sudden At&t pops up, which never did before.
I called again because I was curious about the LG G2X and I was told similar information regarding At&t and May 2012. I really am a tad concerned, anyone else have any info regarding this date? I don't mean to come off paranoid but, that's 2 people now that gave the same exact date.

Note 3 on ting

Wanted to know if anyone had there note 3 on ting, an mvno under sprint and if there were any differences than the sprint version. I wanted to bring my sprint note 3 over but they said i wouldn't be able to do that yet so im thinking about ordering theirs.
also how do you like ting?
Note 3 on ting troubles
r2hudson said:
Wanted to know if anyone had there note 3 on ting, an mvno under sprint and if there were any differences than the sprint version. I wanted to bring my sprint note 3 over but they said i wouldn't be able to do that yet so im thinking about ordering theirs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pre-ordered the Note 3 on ting the day it went up on their website and recieved it on 11/6. I love the phone, but unfortunately 4G service has not worked once since I've had it. At first I assumed it was a bad phone so I called for an exchange. The tech support wanted to ensure I was in a 4G area so they asked me to do a side by side with another ting/Sprint phone to verify that it was indeed a bad phone. I knew for sure that I had been in a 4G coverage area with no luck, but I went along with it because overall, given some people's level of tech knowledge, I thought it was a reasonable request. I did the test, and just like I suspected, my wife's ting S4 had 4G just fine, while my Note 3 was stuck on 3G. So I called again a few days later seeking my exchange. This time, I was told that the problem was actually a known issue on Sprint's end. Apparently, because it was a new tri-band phone, Sprint was experiencing some problems on the new frequencies, so all newer phones were having the same problem. That would seem like a reasonable explanation; problem is the Note 3 is not a tri-band device. I kindly explained that to the tech, who then put me on hold. He came back with a new explanation: the problem was on ting's end, a software glitch that was mis-identifying Note 3's to the Sprint Network as 3G only devices. He assured me that they were working on the problem and would contact me when it was fixed. Sure enough, I got an email about a week later asking me to do a factory reset on my phone, and all would be good. I did, and all is not good, still no 4G. The tech than said he would elevate the issue with Sprint technical support. I'm still waiting to here the results. Frankly I'm getting tired of waiting. I'm going to call again tomorrow [12/3] and ask to return the phone.
r2hudson said:
also how do you like ting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Up until this issue I've loved ting. I switched over in March and have saved lots of money on service, $50 to $70 per month! I've recommended them to several friends. As far as I can tell the service quality and coverage is identical to Sprint. There is no data roaming, but I reviewed my Sprint bills prior to switching, and less than 1% of my data was roaming anyway so I could live without that in exchange for the savings.
When you call, a person answers the phone as well, which is nice.
I'm a ting fan, but they need to make me happy fast to me to remain one.
MRH

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