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I was happily using my Nexus One on AT&T without a data plan (and with data blocked) since it was released, but I made the mistake of giving AT&T the IMEI number of my Nexus today. Now they tell me that I am required to get a $30 data plan because it is a "PDA", despite the fact that it cannot use 3G on AT&T's network.
Does anyone know of a way to ditch the data plan? Is it possible that I could give AT&T the IMEI of an old phone, then switch my SIM to the Nexus?
as a user who uses the nexus one on att, heating something like this is
infuriating.how is it their business to make you buy a data plan? I can understand if they subsidized the phone but obviously in this case it was not. thanks for the heads up. i would never disclose this kind of information to att unless I absolutely had to do so.
use this as a way to break your contract and come to tmobile and enjoy the way a real provider is sposed to treat you... pretty much if you have ATT and dont have an iphone, they dont care about you
Postal76 said:
I was happily using my Nexus One on AT&T without a data plan (and with data blocked) since it was released, but I made the mistake of giving AT&T the IMEI number of my Nexus today. Now they tell me that I am required to get a $30 data plan because it is a "PDA", despite the fact that it cannot use 3G on AT&T's network.
Does anyone know of a way to ditch the data plan? Is it possible that I could give AT&T the IMEI of an old phone, then switch my SIM to the Nexus?
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I am kinda surprised they are doing this... Then again, times are "tough"...
I would ask them where in the contract you signed it says you have to have a data plan? Let them know that if they start charging you for a service you didn't sign up for or agree to, they will be hearing from an attorney.
When AT&T began mandating the smartphone dataplans (September?) people that already had a smartphone on their account without a smartphone data plan were given a feature called "smartphone exclusion". If you had this and they took it off when you gave them the nexus one imei, you may be able to call customer service and get them to put it back on. That's the only way I can think of. They're implementing a system which automatically adds a smartphone data plan onto your account when you put your sim card into a smartphone and it reports a recognized smartphone imei to AT&T unless you have the smartphone exclusion feature.
http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618214
maxh said:
When AT&T began mandating the smartphone dataplans (September?) people that already had a smartphone on their account without a smartphone data plan were given a feature called "smartphone exclusion". If you had this and they took it off when you gave them the nexus one imei, you may be able to call customer service and get them to put it back on. That's the only way I can think of. They're implementing a system which automatically adds a smartphone data plan onto your account when you put your sim card into a smartphone and it reports a recognized smartphone imei to AT&T unless you have the smartphone exclusion feature.
http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618214
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Very interesting. This make sense, since AT&T should be able to find out what kind of phone you're using even if you don't give them your IMEI. I suppose I might have had a "smartphone exclusion" put on my account back when I was using a myTouch 3G on AT&T without a data plan.
However, I doubt AT&T is going to work with me on this, given the extremely unsatisfactory customer service I received today after speaking to 3 representatives.
What happens when your using just a normal phone with att, and your buddy has a nexus one. and so you go over to his house and put your sim on it just to see how it works, cause your interested in it and all. so you borrow it for a day to test it out. and att starts charging you for data? Sounds bull**** to me that they can do that if your not using 3g data service... period
I've had these issues with ATT as well. In September they "discovered" my Touch HD on their network and zapped it from working. I was on the "pay as you go" plan. I switched the SIM to my old HTC Trinity and my service was useable again. Since the Trinity was one of the first full featured phones, they must not have had it in their "kill" database.
I dumped ATT like a hot rock, then went to T-mobile and I've never looked back. ATT has nothing over T-mobile.
Matterhorn said:
I've had these issues with ATT as well. In September they "discovered" my Touch HD on their network and zapped it from working. I was on the "pay as you go" plan. I switched the SIM to my old HTC Trinity and my service was useable again. Since the Trinity was one of the first full featured phones, they must not have had it in their "kill" database.
I dumped ATT like a hot rock, then went to T-mobile and I've never looked back. ATT has nothing over T-mobile.
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Trust me, I'd love to do the same. But A&T is much cheaper for me (it would be $120 for a 2 line family plan with data vs. $155 on T-Mobile) even when I don't include my AT&T premier discount. I was pretty sad to learn that T-Mobile's pricing isn't very competitive, at least when it comes to Nexus One plans.
i've had the N1 on ATT for about a month now and i don't have data plan and never signed up for one; i am near wifi 80-90% of the time and don't need the data plan; never got any texts from them forcing me to get data;
btw, i am on a family plan
jblazea50 said:
i've had the N1 on ATT for about a month now and i don't have data plan and never signed up for one; i am near wifi 80-90% of the time and don't need the data plan; never got any texts from them forcing me to get data;
btw, i am on a family plan
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Supposedly they are turning on their new system for automatically adding data plans market by market. Some people's areas don't have it yet, but I know for a fact they're doing it in Austin, TX because I got hit by it. I had 2 lines with smartphones and put my SIM card into a dumbphone for a few minutes then back into my smartphone. That triggered it, but I have the "smartphone exclusion" on my main line (which happens to be the phone I did the SIM switch in) so only the other line got a $30 data plan added. I ported that line out within a couple of days.
maxh said:
Supposedly they are turning on their new system for automatically adding data plans market by market. Some people's areas don't have it yet, but I know for a fact they're doing it in Austin, TX because I got hit by it. I had 2 lines with smartphones and put my SIM card into a dumbphone for a few minutes then back into my smartphone. That triggered it, but I have the "smartphone exclusion" on my main line (which happens to be the phone I did the SIM switch in) so only the other line got a $30 data plan added. I ported that line out within a couple of days.
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how do you add smartphone exclusion to your phone
It's really simple to ditch the data plans on ATT...
I have a total of 6 phones with ATT. 4 ATT PDAs, 1 ATT non-PDA and mine - which is usually UNLOCKED/UNBRANDED WinMo phone.
I wait a few months after buying any ATT branded phone and call them to let them know I've switched phones. They ask for the IMEI. I run my trusted IMEI Generator (Google it) and start spewing phoney IMEIs to them. When they don't show in their systems as an ATT phone, I can then change all their $30 unlim PDA unlim data plans to the $10 unlim data plan version.
Of course, every rep I every spoke to swears there's a difference between the $30 vs the $10 plan...but WE know better. They work exactly the same!
Come on ATT!!!
My way of stickin it to the MAN!!!
technillion said:
They ask for the IMEI. I run my trusted IMEI Generator (Google it) and start spewing phoney IMEIs to them. When they don't show in their systems as an ATT phone, I can then change all their $30 unlim PDA unlim data plans to the $10 unlim data plan version.
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But won't AT&T recognize your phone as a PDA if you ever actually use it? For instance, you couldn't do the same thing with an iPhone -- if you give them a bogus IMEI then put your SIM in an iPhone, AT&T will find out and they will force you into a data plan.
In some areas of the country they've implemented the system for automatically detecting when you're using a smartphone and adding the data plan. It seems that not all areas are doing it yet, but I have no doubt they eventually will. My area already does it.
jblazea50 said:
how do you add smartphone exclusion to your phone
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It was added automatically to people's accounts back when they first started requiring data plans. If you had a smartphone but no smartphone data they simply put that exclusion feature on your account. I've heard of people that had it removed from their account calling in and arguing until they put it back on, but if you never had it on your account, you're probably out of luck. It's worth a try, though. Maybe if you get a nice rep and use the term "smartphone exclusion feature" they'll give it to you.
maxh said:
In some areas of the country they've implemented the system for automatically detecting when you're using a smartphone and adding the data plan. It seems that not all areas are doing it yet, but I have no doubt they eventually will. My area already does it.
It was added automatically to people's accounts back when they first started requiring data plans. If you had a smartphone but no smartphone data they simply put that exclusion feature on your account. I've heard of people that had it removed from their account calling in and arguing until they put it back on, but if you never had it on your account, you're probably out of luck. It's worth a try, though. Maybe if you get a nice rep and use the term "smartphone exclusion feature" they'll give it to you.
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i had the blackberry curve 8310 with ATT without data plan as i paid the 2 year upgrade price (no rebates, that required the $30 data plan) so would that mean that i have the exclusion feature?
How come you have to *tell* them your IMEI for them to figure this out? Surely they can see exactly what the IMEI of your phone is the minute it connects to their network?
In other news, I hear that Comcast are going to charge more for your internet connection if you have an XBOX connected to it. Their rationale is that with Netflix support and XBOX Live capability, you're capable of using more of their bandwidth.
OK, I'm (obviously) kidding on that last point. But that's effectively what AT&T are doing here.
Postal76 said:
Trust me, I'd love to do the same. But A&T is much cheaper for me (it would be $120 for a 2 line family plan with data vs. $155 on T-Mobile) even when I don't include my AT&T premier discount. I was pretty sad to learn that T-Mobile's pricing isn't very competitive, at least when it comes to Nexus One plans.
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How is that possible? I'm on Even More Plus with my N1, my Dad's G1, and my Bro's G1 and we're paying $145 a month for 1500 mins + unlimited web (no need for text plan since we all use Google Voice), and we aren't bound to 2-year terms. @[email protected]
jblazea50 said:
i had the blackberry curve 8310 with ATT without data plan as i paid the 2 year upgrade price (no rebates, that required the $30 data plan) so would that mean that i have the exclusion feature?
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There's probably a good chance you do have it. Supposedly you can find it listed somewhere on OLAM, but I don't know where people are looking.
Postal76 said:
Trust me, I'd love to do the same. But A&T is much cheaper for me (it would be $120 for a 2 line family plan with data vs. $155 on T-Mobile) even when I don't include my AT&T premier discount. I was pretty sad to learn that T-Mobile's pricing isn't very competitive, at least when it comes to Nexus One plans.
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You can get a discount easily with T-Mobile there are tons of discounts. My 20% discount with T-Mobile right now is because I'm in college. My previous one was for working at Wal-Mart 5 years ago [lol they never took it off].
I work for AT&T and I have T-Mobile and I don't plan on switching. Even though AT&T would give me my 20% discount it would still cost more. You can get on T-Mobile without a contract. T-Mobile is the cheapest cell company and they're advertising that a lot right now. The prices for non contract services are great. I can't wait till mine expires because I'll be saving even more money. The Non-contract services aren't "pay as you go" either, they're just monthly usage plans as normal but you're not under contract. The only reason why prices are so high is because you're paying for the phone in your monthly bill.
I love working for AT&T [best company I've ever worked for] but I don't agree with a lot of our ways of doing things. Like how we're the only ones raising prices right now in this economy. There are multiple things I disagree with but it's all business
Oh and the "if you don't have an iPhone they don't care" statement is kind of ridiculous. Sounds a little biased and senseless.
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?
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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."
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
Ive had a $10/month unlimited data plan for a long time (3-4 years). If I buy a phone without contract from amazon will they catch on and change me to the new data plans ($15/200mb, $25/2gb)? If its very likely i might as well buy it from them at a discounted price.
AFAIK, AT&T knows the IMEI numbers of every smartphone that is designed to run on AT&T.
cmstlist said:
AFAIK, AT&T knows the IMEI numbers of every smartphone that is designed to run on AT&T.
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I have an ATT Tilt right now
It's very possible that your Tilt predates AT&T's smartphone data plan requirements. Usually when a carrier instates a new requirement it is only enforced after you upgrade or add a new line. Technically, by buying the Atrix outright you aren't "upgrading" your phone (i.e. extending your contract in exchange for a device subsidy). This could (key word) mean that AT&T won't change your data plan, but really only AT&T could answer this question with certainty.
Room7 said:
I have an ATT Tilt right now
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That is not how the only way AT&T is bumping people to the smartphone data plans.
I have empirically verified my hypothesis.
Even if I use a feature phone on 3G and download more than a certain amount of data, AT&T assumes it's a smartphone and bumps up the plan to $25.
On the other hand, I have kept my Nexus One without sync enabled and managed 7-8 days on the $10 unlimited data plan before being bumped up.
I suspect ATT doesn't know what phone your actually using, and won't try to find out if you buy something off contract -- then again since the Atrix is a '4G' phone, its possible the dumbphone data plan might not work for it or trigger a flag in their system. My Dad upgraded his phone once through a Walmart, and it was a year or more before our account showed the new phone model, though that was a feature phone.
If you ask ATT, they definitely will force you to change data plans. If you don't, my guess is that you'll stay in limbo a while longer at the mercy of ATT's sporadic policy enforcement/changes.
As for the data plan requirements, I also have the ATT Tilt (original), and it did require the $30/mo unlimited plan when I purchased it on contract. At the time though, the data plan was only required for a few months until your rebate cleared, and not as part of the contract.
You will eventually get caught
darkkterror said:
It's very possible that your Tilt predates AT&T's smartphone data plan requirements. Usually when a carrier instates a new requirement it is only enforced after you upgrade or add a new line. Technically, by buying the Atrix outright you aren't "upgrading" your phone (i.e. extending your contract in exchange for a device subsidy). This could (key word) mean that AT&T won't change your data plan, but really only AT&T could answer this question with certainty.
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They will.
I went from using a Motorola Razr to an 8525 back in the day and they immediately started billing me for smartphone data. I bought the phone outright with no contract from a third party. They check IMEI numbers fairly often.
Since switching to ATT after a buy out of the company I was with, I've had the $30/month unlimited data/texting. For the last year plus I have been using my HTC magic I got from rogers. I've used on average about 2.5GB a month, and part of that as a tether for my netbook. I have never gotten any calls or had my bill change.
because you are using a magic from rogers and they will not get you
use the atrix and they will "upgrade" you within 48 hrs
ask me how i know
How dou you know?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
I have been told by at&t reps as well as seen it on my account that any time you power on your phone it sends the imei information to the service for verification, and in doing that gets flagged as the class of phone (smartphone, messaging phone etc.)
I got around this issue with my galaxy 3 as it was not a phone they offered and as such had no record of the type of service it fell under in the system, but when I renewed the contract had to upgrade the plan to get the discount on the atrix.
Yes, they'll get you. I had the $10 media unlimited for a few years, I used have unlocked Nokias which had 3G (as well as 3.5G) and got by. Then, this past summer, within minutes of turning on a phone sold by AT&T, I got a text telling me I was switched data plans. So if they sell it, you'll get busted, if not, you won't
What about...let's say....the Atrix from Bell Mobility???? If we buy and unlock it from Canada.......anyone think At&t will have those IMEI numbers????
I plan on trying this but it would be worthless if they have all the Atrix IMEI numbers
Sounds like a crap shoot to me. I have a family plan with 4 smart phones, 3 Fuzes and a tilt 2 (soon to be atrix ).
Two of the fuze lines have no data plans on them even though they tried to add data to one (a couple phone calls cleared that up). The third Fuze line has been running on a $10 feature phone unlimited plan for over a year and a half. The funny thing is when I added data to that line I told them it was a smart phone and they told me that their system still listed a razr on the line and the only option was the $10 plan. I wasn't going to argue. :-D
The way I see it. If you bought the atrix outright you would have to get away with the cheaper data plan for around 2 years (if not more) to make up for the added cost of the device.
cheerup38 said:
What about...let's say....the Atrix from Bell Mobility???? If we buy and unlock it from Canada.......anyone think At&t will have those IMEI numbers????
I plan on trying this but it would be worthless if they have all the Atrix IMEI numbers
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AT&T doesn't need all the specific IMEI numbers to know which phone you are using. They only need to know the identifying string of the IMEI which are the first few numbers. These numbers indicate manufacturer, model, production date, etc. You will get caught even if you bought it from another country as long as AT&T carries the same model. It's just like how iPhones bought from other countries automatically get the data plan added when you put in the AT&T SIM. I believe the only device that AT&T does not sell, but still gets the added data plan is the NexusOne, which is what happened to me.
Remind me nevet to get AT&T even as prepaid. They sound like damned nazi's really. Changing your plan on you even if you dont buy a phone through them doesnt exactly sound legal.
If a phonecompany did that here it would cause an outroar like no other.
cheerup38 said:
What about...let's say....the Atrix from Bell Mobility???? If we buy and unlock it from Canada.......anyone think At&t will have those IMEI numbers????
I plan on trying this but it would be worthless if they have all the Atrix IMEI numbers
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If u REALLY want to take ur chance, go for it.
So I'm on a 3g android smartphone with AT&T right now and if i got a 4g off contract would i have to pay for the 4g service which is really expensive or could i just stay on my good Ole 3g service i am currently using?
I think you can keep your current plan, but don't hold me to that. It may have changed since I've asked about it.
Source
This is the latest thing I've found regarding you question. I asked a little while after that. xD
Since when did they start offering a 4g plan?
I know with my AT&T Sony Ericsson Xperia X10a that when I unbranded and updated to 2.1, my mobile data automatically increased from 3G to "H" or HSPA which is like 3.5G without any rate changes.
I am guessing with AT&T that 4G will be more money, so I am happy with HSPA at 3G rates. Especially since the competition is limiting the speeds of their unlimited data plans.
i thnk the 4g prices will be the same as 3g then 3g prices will drop down.
But will using "4G" route you through a different WAP? If not and it's all a matter of wording and phrasing, I say root/rom and use unlimited data as if you were on a non-smartphone. They don't have to know, you don't have to throw your $ away.
Skv012a said:
But will using "4G" route you through a different WAP? If not and it's all a matter of wording and phrasing, I say root/rom and use unlimited data as if you were on a non-smartphone. They don't have to know, you don't have to throw your $ away.
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The fact is that with AT&T data is measured in MB or GB, not speed or time. Regardless of how fast or slow you download or use data, it is metered.
However, I do agree that it could be as easy as changing your settings to access 4G, but it won't save you any money.
AT&T's "4G" technology is technically 3G according to the standards committee that oversees these technologies. However, when AT&T starts deploying real 4G, LTE, the prices have a good chance of changing. For now, "4G" plans cost the same as any other.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
jonandkym said:
AT&T's "4G" technology is technically 3G according to the standards committee that oversees these technologies. However, when AT&T starts deploying real 4G, LTE, the prices have a good chance of changing. For now, "4G" plans cost the same as any other.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Exactly, it is based on volume of data used, not on speed of use.
I personally plan to switch to verizon once they allow data roll over and family-plan sharing.
wcdolphin said:
I personally plan to switch to verizon once they allow data roll over and family-plan sharing.
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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 (;
Brought To You By:
-SystemErrorOne-
I second that notion above me!
I'm thinking about switching to the Nexus One that works with the ATT 850 and 1900 bands but, after reading all these stories of people getting switched over to the $30 smartphone data plan I'm contemplating whether I should or not. It seems as though ATT is starting to recognizing and crackdown on more and more non-att smartphone imeis and switching them to the "appropriate" smartphone data plan.
Is there a list of phones that are still unrecognized by ATTs database?
Currently I have the U.S.A T-mobile service so when I get the Galaxy Note, I will only have Edge speed.
I am willing to switch over the AT&T for 3G service or higher internet speed but only for month to month basis since this Galaxy Note will be an unlocked phone so I will not be require to sign up in a contract.
For those in the U.S.A that has AT&T and also has just received the Galaxy Note, do you like the internet speed of AT&T ?
I have heard bad things about AT&T such as dropped call and poor signal, etc...
so I am just a little bit worry about signing up with AT&T.
My initial intention was to get the Nexus and go with Verizon but the Nexus is not as good as the Galaxy Note.
Also, which AT&T plan should I get?. I don't talk much on the phone but I do a lot of surfing on the internet. I need internet speed that is fast and reliable.
Just get the lowest minute plan and get 2GB internet. I'd get on contract, buy the Nexus or the iPhone and sell them on ebay for $700 and use that towards your note, that's what I did. I can't comment on internet speeds because I'm always on wifi.
Buy an unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note. Put it on Straight Talk Mobile prepaid for $45/month which uses AT&T's network. You would have to buy a refurbed Nokia E71 phone for $99 to do it and put the sim card in the Note with some settings changes. You get unlimited talk/text/data with no contract using AT&T's 3G network.
No Sim
adelmundo said:
Buy an unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note. Put it on Straight Talk Mobile prepaid for $45/month which uses AT&T's network. You would have to buy a refurbed Nokia E71 phone for $99 to do it and put the sim card in the Note with some settings changes. You get unlimited talk/text/data with no contract using AT&T's 3G network.
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I went in to a Walmart to check this straight talk out and they said they don't carry sim cards. it's like sprint.
getmouse said:
I went in to a Walmart to check this straight talk out and they said they don't carry sim cards. it's like sprint.
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My understanding is that they employ different network types in different regions.
Get the MediaNet plan which is either $10 or $15 (depending if you have messaging or not) a month for unlimited data.
Earthbrain said:
Currently I have the U.S.A T-mobile service so when I get the Galaxy Note, I will only have Edge speed.
I am willing to switch over the AT&T for 3G service or higher internet speed but only for month to month basis since this Galaxy Note will be an unlocked phone so I will not be require to sign up in a contract.
For those in the U.S.A that has AT&T and also has just received the Galaxy Note, do you like the internet speed of AT&T ?
I have heard bad things about AT&T such as dropped call and poor signal, etc...
so I am just a little bit worry about signing up with AT&T.
My initial intention was to get the Nexus and go with Verizon but the Nexus is not as good as the Galaxy Note.
Also, which AT&T plan should I get?. I don't talk much on the phone but I do a lot of surfing on the internet. I need internet speed that is fast and reliable.
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even I was thinking of doing the same thing, after a lot of discussion here on forum I have learnt that you go for att pay as you go prepaid plan which is $50/month, you get unlimited call/sms/data even sms to some 100 countries! the only thing you have to follow is activate the card using a dumbphone like razr or similar and then put your card in unlocked phone with correct APN and profit!
Only care you have to take is never put that sim in att smartphone or network will detect and you will be charged for smartphone plan..
if anyone else knows a better way, please post here..
So is there any other suggestions on the best AT&T plan?
I am currently using the Note for the last 4 days.
I am still using T-mobile plan since my contract won't be up until next month in December.
However, I am only getting EDGE speed for my $10/month for 200 MB and it is so slow.
I really need to take advantage of Note since it is an expensive phone and I want to get at least 3G speed at AT&T. I have never signed up with AT&T so I am not familiar with its plans or any good tricks to get the best data plan.
waghoba said:
even I was thinking of doing the same thing, after a lot of discussion here on forum I have learnt that you go for att pay as you go prepaid plan which is $50/month, you get unlimited call/sms/data even sms to some 100 countries! the only thing you have to follow is activate the card using a dumbphone like razr or similar and then put your card in unlocked phone with correct APN and profit!
Only care you have to take is never put that sim in att smartphone or network will detect and you will be charged for smartphone plan..
if anyone else knows a better way, please post here..
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Click to collapse
I just went to an AT&T store about 2 hours ago (in San Diego) and spoke with a sale rep and he told me that using a smart phone with the prepaid plan for non-smart phone will not work.
I don't know if he is just want to prevent me from getting a good deal or he just doesn't know any loophole.
Earthbrain said:
I just went to an AT&T store about 2 hours ago (in San Diego) and spoke with a sale rep and he told me that using a smart phone with the prepaid plan for non-smart phone will not work.
I don't know if he is just want to prevent me from getting a good deal or he just doesn't know any loophole.
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that is correct, its a loophole, you should never tell them that you are using a smartphone!
that is why I said 'activate using a dumbphone and then put the card and APN in your note, att can only detect their own subsidized smart phones and not the unlocked ones, so you are safe...
EDIT: and I dont think att representative will tell you this method even if he is using it! as he wants his job, right?
I've heard using prepaid services (gophone, straight talk) with a smart phone only give you around 500Kbps speeds. So even if its unlimited (I've heard straight talk caps you at 70MB per day) its hardly worth it considering how slow the internet is. And yes. Those speeds were with HSPA+ compatible phones on AT&T.
Can anyone confirm/deny/elaborate? At 500kbps I should just stay on Tmo since Edge speeds are not much slower.
There is a whole thread here of people's speeds on Straight Talk. Seems like it is not capped at 500kbps.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1737642-Post-Your-Straight-Talk-Speedtests
Earthbrain said:
I just went to an AT&T store about 2 hours ago (in San Diego) and spoke with a sale rep and he told me that using a smart phone with the prepaid plan for non-smart phone will not work.
I don't know if he is just want to prevent me from getting a good deal or he just doesn't know any loophole.
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I experienced this last month while on hols in New York. Im a Brit and took along my Galaxy Tab 7". Dropped by an AT&T shop and said I wanted to buy a pre-paid SIM to use in it. He refused to sell me one. No technical reasons why it wouldn't work. Just seemed like a policy decision. I was shocked!
Tried a T-Mobile shop nearby and picked up a PAYG SIM for around $30, which did the job, but it was slooow. Think I was on Edge network at best. Good enough for Places and navigation, but a bit crap for browsing. Lesson learned - don't tell them the device is a smartphone/tablet .
You were on EDGE on T-Mobile because ATT and T-Mobile use different freqs for 3g in US. The GTab probably doesn't support T-Mobile s 3g freqs.
Next time go to a Walmart and get a Straight Talk prepaid package. You have to buy a 99 dollar dumbphone to activate the SIM then you should get 3g data once you move that SIM to the GTab and set the APN.
The howardforum link in earlier post is good info.
I am running my Note on AT&T with a $10/mo unlimited data for non-smartphones plan (family plan) and I get 4.5mbps down and 1.06mbps up in H+ areas. Freakin sweet.
Earthbrain said:
I just went to an AT&T store about 2 hours ago (in San Diego) and spoke with a sale rep and he told me that using a smart phone with the prepaid plan for non-smart phone will not work.
I don't know if he is just want to prevent me from getting a good deal or he just doesn't know any loophole.
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Click to collapse
Ya that was a wrong move to go in and talk to an ATT rep about it. There are many that have this plan who use the international SGS2. Check in their XDA forum. It works.
waghoba said:
Only care you have to take is never put that sim in att smartphone or network will detect and you will be charged for smartphone plan..
if anyone else knows a better way, please post here..
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Click to collapse
I think i f'd this up just now. Got my note today and ordered the sim from at&t after porting number over from verizon. I originally signed up online for the $40 450 mins + $30 dumbphone unlimited sms/data. But when calling to activate the phone i used the galaxy note's imei to activate the sim and they were able to detect that it was a smartphone (i thought they weren't able to do that with an international unlocked phone??); so the rep signed me up for $20 sms and $25 2gb plan. so now is there any way to go back to the dumbphone unlimited plan or will my Note's imei always be detected as a smartphone now??
leaverus said:
I think i f'd this up just now. Got my note today and ordered the sim from at&t after porting number over from verizon. I originally signed up online for the $40 450 mins + $30 dumbphone unlimited sms/data. But when calling to activate the phone i used the galaxy note's imei to activate the sim and they were able to detect that it was a smartphone (i thought they weren't able to do that with an international unlocked phone??); so the rep signed me up for $20 sms and $25 2gb plan. so now is there any way to go back to the dumbphone unlimited plan or will my Note's imei always be detected as a smartphone now??
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you're screwed, you needed to give the imei of a dumbphone or just put the sim into a dumbphone first. maybe have a friend do it for you as you are likely flagged forever.
I'm currently still on contract with 2 GB data and a captivate. If I get the international note can I bump it down to the medianet plan?
I've got a note on ATT in the US. I have a 4g plan (used the note's imei) and the best speeds I've seen with speedtest are in the 5m down 1m up range. Some places it's been 1m/1m or worse, and the phone's bounced between 3g and H+.
I found some link the other day that showed ATT H+ coverage area, and I guess it shouldn't come as a big surprise.