Database Users

Cheap Data Service with AT&T

Thought I'd share a story to anyone else in my situation or anyone thinking about picking up an Xperia.
I bought a X1i and I use AT&T here in the USA. Since they don't have cheaper plans when you are out of contract I thought I'd go ahead and get a subsidized phone (Iphone 3G) and then sell it to make back some money to discount the service.
Turns out if you get the Iphone plan whenever you check your voicemail or get a new message your phone is spammed SMS messages from AT&T. Also they block your account from using MMS even if you paid for the messaging packages.
I was able to call and get them to lift the block after an hour or so on the line and also had them disable the visual voicemail. Also AT&T has this system to track what type of phone you are using which you can check at wireless.att.com if you sign in. When I gave AT&T the IMEI of my new number they said it belonged to a Motorola V180 (some old color flip phone from 2005). Because of this the unlimited data for that phone is only $15 a month versus $30 for a PDA, yet there is no difference I still have the full 3G data connection.
Just thought I'd share my story in case anyone is in a similar situation as you might save $180 a year based on the cheaper data plan.
tl;dr version
AT&T's system thinks the Xperia X1 is an old P.O.S. phone which lets you get their cheaper unlimited data plan for P.O.S. phones but still works like the data plan for PDA phones.

I did the same, I went with the $35 everything unlimited data plan. My phone also showed up as the V180, however, you didnt have to get the iphone to get this to work, one of the free phones would of worked just fine. All you have to do once you swapped the SIM card is change the plan online and the changes are instant.

Can you disable data, and use a voice plan only?

Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?

KevinStraight said:
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re: Disabling GPRS - try NoData from Modaco - its a freeware, just google for it and disable all your data plans.

O2 will work with just voice plan
A. Omnia 2 will work with just a voice plan, I used mine in the Cook Islands last week with just a voice plan SIM.
B.The problem is that Bell offers data with the phone setting so you would have to make sure you disable the data, not just with Opera or the GPS, or you will incur data charges and they will roll up quickly. Most likely they offer the bundle (I have it and fine it a very reasonable plan for my phone use) because people regularly use data by mistake.
C. GPS Worked just fine. I couldn't use google maps but no problem, there's only one real road
D. As long as you are not using push email or any application that accesses the internet automatically you should not incur charges.
E.You don't have to unlock the phone unless you want to go with a different provider than Bell.
Are you set on having an Omnia 2? Perhaps a better option would be to purchase an unlocked Omnia 2 and a pay as you go SIM from a provider that does not have data.
Good luck.

post deleted

That rep was full of ****. Buy the phone outright, and call Bell and ask them to disable the data for you so you never have to second guess or accidentally use data on your phone. Be careful, you must disable data on every sim card you decide to use.

KevinStraight said:
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just signed a three year contract with Bell, a few weeks ago i was surfing on their site and like you said , impossible to get a Omnia 2 without a data plan, last week i went back on, and I dont know if its a bug, but you can order one with a regular voice plan, i took the 30$ plan ( cheapest) got the phone by mail , free.
If i click on my connections on top you can disable all data, and only use wifi. If it does want to use data it warns you before activating it.
Hope this helps

Ulimited Data -Amazon Purchase

I just received my Focus from the Amazon $49 deal and was able to transfer my iPhone's unlimited data plan to it. This is only possible if you have a "grandfathered" device which already has unlimited data on it, as AT&T has dropped the unlimited plan.
Heres How:
Order your phone on Amazon. Choose any data plan, doesn't matter.
When your phone arrives, charge it, but, DO NOT PUT IN THE SIM CARD.
Have your SIM Card and Box out and available as you will need them.
DO NOT ACTIVATE THE PHONE AS PER AT&T'S INSTRUCTIONS on their web-site.
Call AT&T Wireless [1-800-331-0500]
DO NOT ACTIVATE YOUR PHONE USING THE AT&T MENU
Press "0" to speak to an agent.
Ask to migrate your existing plan over to your new Samsung Focus. This will move your Unlimited Data Plan to your new phone.
Provide the numbers from the phone box
Provide the SIM number from your new SIM.
Have the Agent activate the phone and call your phone to make sure it is working.
There, you should now have a fully activated phone with Unlimited Data.
This is how I was told to do it from Amazon and it works.
If you miss your Visual Voicemail from the iPhone, sign up for Google Voice (www.google.com/voice). You will never miss it!
Enjoy

should this work for any phone purchased through amazon wireless?

yes, I had activated with the $15 plan but then I called them to put back my old unlimited data plan.

my billing cycle is up today so tomorrow i have to see if its still unlimited if its not then im going to call them because on my plan now it still says unlimited.

I wonder if there is anyone out there who could shed some light on this?
I was not able to apply my $15 unlimited data plan that I was on before upgrading to the new Focus because my old device was not a smart phone? I upgraded from the Pantec Matrix.
Thanks,

konkie said:
I wonder if there is anyone out there who could shed some light on this?
I was not able to apply my $15 unlimited data plan that I was on before upgrading to the new Focus because my old device was not a smart phone? I upgraded from the Pantec Matrix.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smartphone and Non Smartphones are 2 different data plans. Since the Focus is a smartphone the only way for you to get unlimited data for a smartphone, you have to have had a smartphone and that data plan.

ShadowLegion said:
Smartphone and Non Smartphones are 2 different data plans. Since the Focus is a smartphone the only way for you to get unlimited data for a smartphone, you have to have had a smartphone and that data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, I've have a HTC Hermes since '07 with a UL Data plan. Ordered 2 Focus's today through ATT Premier (buy one get one free) and was able to apply the UL plan to it, 2GB plan to my Wife's.

psills said:
I just received my Focus from the Amazon $49 deal and was able to transfer my iPhone's unlimited data plan to it. This is only possible if you have a "grandfathered" device which already has unlimited data on it, as AT&T has dropped the unlimited plan.
Heres How:
Order your phone on Amazon. Choose any data plan, doesn't matter.
When your phone arrives, charge it, but, DO NOT PUT IN THE SIM CARD.
Have your SIM Card and Box out and available as you will need them.
DO NOT ACTIVATE THE PHONE AS PER AT&T'S INSTRUCTIONS on their web-site.
Call AT&T Wireless [1-800-331-0500]
DO NOT ACTIVATE YOUR PHONE USING THE AT&T MENU
Press "0" to speak to an agent.
Ask to migrate your existing plan over to your new Samsung Focus. This will move your Unlimited Data Plan to your new phone.
Provide the numbers from the phone box
Provide the SIM number from your new SIM.
Have the Agent activate the phone and call your phone to make sure it is working.
There, you should now have a fully activated phone with Unlimited Data.
This is how I was told to do it from Amazon and it works.
If you miss your Visual Voicemail from the iPhone, sign up for Google Voice (www.google.com/voice). You will never miss it!
Enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
forgot to mention this only works for people already using the unlimited data plan!

Thanks everyone. Now I feel sad for not taking any upgrade offers to smartphones in the past

I did exactly what is said in the first post. Ordered from Amazon with 2gb and 1500 message plan. I called att to transfer my plan but the rep said I could not. The rep said that I could Not transfer my existing plan (media net 200 bundle with unlimited data) because my previous phone was not a smart phone. I told her I had htc fuze and she was puzzled. She talked to supervisor and still said I could not keep my old plan.

[Q] Can I avoid having a forced data plan on AT&T?

My sister got an iPhone and gave her old blackjack II to my mom. My mom has never needed internet for her phone much less knows how to use it, yet AT&T has forcefully added a data plan and refuses to remove it. Is there any way around this?
The blackjack II is running windows mobile 6.1 standard, CE OS 5.2.19208. The phone was unlocked from when we traveled internationally. Is there any way to change the IMEI or regedit to change the identity of the phone? Or change the plan to a pay-as-you-go like what I have on my blackberry?

If you have a contract with AT&T, there is noway to remove data plan. It doesn't depend on the cell phone unit but your contract with At&T. If the 2-yr contract ended, u can definitely remove the data plan.

This phone has been off contract for a long time, so no worries there. AT&T, however, recently started identifying smartphones and automatically tagging on a data plan.
I talked to AT&T, turns out it is possible to change the IMEI and replace it with a dummy code, but my rep said it has the potential to wreak havoc on the phone (no calls, no data, etc.) and he has had some people corrupt their sim and need to get it replaced.
Are there any devs that can give me more info on IMEI swapping?

luckymichael said:
If you have a contract with AT&T, there is noway to remove data plan. It doesn't depend on the cell phone unit but your contract with At&T. If the 2-yr contract ended, u can definitely remove the data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh, I don't think so. Even though your contract with AT&T has expired, features (such as data, texting, and even the minute plan you're on) are not part of the terms of your contract and the data, specifically, is required on any phone designated as a "smartphone" whether you're in or out of contract.
What I mean by that is you can change your rate plan at any time, add or remove texting plans, change the amount of data you have on your plan, etc, but the contract itself only means that you're agreeing to stay with AT&T for a minimum of two years, phone, features, and everything else notwithstanding.
If you have a smartphone, you have to have data now, period.
(AT&T indirect dealer).
aardvarkr said:
This phone has been off contract for a long time, so no worries there. AT&T, however, recently started identifying smartphones and automatically tagging on a data plan.
I talked to AT&T, turns out it is possible to change the IMEI and replace it with a dummy code, but my rep said it has the potential to wreak havoc on the phone (no calls, no data, etc.) and he has had some people corrupt their sim and need to get it replaced.
Are there any devs that can give me more info on IMEI swapping?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On topic:
I'm not a dev by any means, but I do know my way around AT&T's system (and everyone else's, for that matter), so IMEI swapping is relatively easy. However, flashing the IMEI won't do you too much good, because as soon as the phone boots and is connected to AT&Ts system, they know you're using a Blackjack. The OS broadcasts that info itself over the wireless network, and a flag pops up at AT&T if you don't have a data plan on that phone.
Best thing you could do for your mom would be to get her an AT&T PayGo phone similar in looks to a Blackjack (they exist), pop her SIM card in it, and just use that and sell the Blackjack. Avoid that hassle of fighting with AT&T over data. They won't budge.
EDIT: Your REP told you about using a dummy IMEI? That's rather interesting, because even if you put a false IMEI into AT&Ts system, and it takes it, AT&T will still recognize the phone as a Blackjack as soon as it's connected to their network.

International Roaming

I was just curious if anyone knew how I could use text, data, and voice in another country without having to pay for the extremely high charges for international roaming. Someone mentioned buying a prepaid SIM card once I get in the country from one of the local carriers and switch it out with my SIM card. I'm also curious if something like Google Voice would work, if I set it to use Google Voice for all of my voice calls and texts if I set it to use VOIP instead of the standard network. I know this will only work if I'm connected to WiFi, but I can deal with this Instead of paying so much for data & minutes if I buy a plan. Has anyone figured out the best way, or cheapest I should say, to be able to use the phone internationally without having to pay for a plan and have to pay $1 USD per minute for overage.
If anyone has suggestions, I would love to hear them.
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