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If I buy an HTC Aria and unlock it, would I be able to use my existing GSM card (on AT&T "Blue" network (older GSM)) to make phone calls and connect via wifi without upgrading my plan or buying data plan? I don't need 3G support but would welcome a new phone that would allow me to jump on wifi and get on the web now and then.
Possible?
I would think other folks would be interested in this same scenario and I tried searching, but couldn't find anything.
Thanks
I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't be able to do that. I would think that any phone that obeys GSM standards that you stick a SIM in, should make calls on the network provided you have an active account. You don't need a data plan in order to do anything*, as I'm sure you know; however, that does mean you need to ensure you turn mobile networking off so you don't accidentally end up racking charges up for network access.
*YMMV, this has worked for me with different phones in the past.
because ATT scans the system for imei numbers occasionally you will ahve a data plan forcefully added at some point. If you call att and have a data block applied to your line you can supposedly lessen your chance of getting caught but its no guaruntee.
i find this business practice to be questionable at best but there is no sure fire way around it. They'll even add the plan to ouut of network phones that can't use their 3g band like the t-mobile version of N1.
Even if you call and convince them to remove you from the plan (an arduous process from what i understand) they'll add you back on in the next sweep.
i know a problem with this that occured on the iPhone was the EDGE network that the phone would randomly communicate with, idk how our phones work exactly with the whole edge/3g thing but its something that was a known issue with iphones
dasspunk said:
If I buy an HTC Aria and unlock it, would I be able to use my existing GSM card (on AT&T "Blue" network (older GSM)) to make phone calls and connect via wifi without upgrading my plan or buying data plan? I don't need 3G support but would welcome a new phone that would allow me to jump on wifi and get on the web now and then.
Possible?
I would think other folks would be interested in this same scenario and I tried searching, but couldn't find anything.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will be fine. When you activate the phone it asks if you have a data plan and gives you a option to say you don't have a data plan and to use WiFi only. And if your still worried you can download a HTC widget that turns off 3g completely. I have the 2gb data plan and I still disable 3g and WiFi unless I'm using it. So ya go get on because its a really great phone. Ps: about what another chap said about the iPhone using data with out his consent. Don't worry this is Android You have control over everything. One of the reasons we love android so much.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
Thanks everyone for the info. I'll be giving this a go and will update this thread with the results.
Now I just have to make a final decision between the Aria and the Nexus One... I like the smaller size of the Aria but it seems like the Nexus is a better phone, and will have less AT&T issues... If anyone has a strong opinion one way or the other, feel free to share.
Thanks again!
Aria or Nexus One
My wife and son both have Nexus One's. I have the Aria and think it is great. It was also a money issue. The Nexus One was $500 more. But I am not disappointed with my decision.
I have the Aria rooted and removed AT&T'S stuff. Put on Google Voice, Gizmo5, and Sippdroid and now have a VOIP phone. It works great and no problems with dropped calls yet.
ryan92084 said:
because ATT scans the system for imei numbers occasionally you will ahve a data plan forcefully added at some point. If you call att and have a data block applied to your line you can supposedly lessen your chance of getting caught but its no guaruntee.
i find this business practice to be questionable at best but there is no sure fire way around it. They'll even add the plan to ouut of network phones that can't use their 3g band like the t-mobile version of N1.
Even if you call and convince them to remove you from the plan (an arduous process from what i understand) they'll add you back on in the next sweep.
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Click to collapse
If that was true, ATT wouldn't allow me to still have the unlimited $15/mo data plan from my original RAZR on every smartphone I've owned since getting rid of the RAZR. They still list me as a RAZR owner even though I've gone through 6 smartphones (3 were iPhones, Moto Q9C, Verizon Imagio Worldphone, Moto Backflip) now over the last two years and I still only pay $15/mo for unlimited internet.
bogatyr said:
If that was true, ATT wouldn't allow me to still have the unlimited $15/mo data plan from my original RAZR on every smartphone I've owned since getting rid of the RAZR. They still list me as a RAZR owner even though I've gone through 6 smartphones (3 were iPhones, Moto Q9C, Verizon Imagio Worldphone, Moto Backflip) now over the last two years and I still only pay $15/mo for unlimited internet.
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Click to collapse
yeah, and ive been using an unlocked blackberry storm on att for quite some time and used a blackjack and htc touch pro before that. they would have caught me a while ago if that was true.
its a newer policy that started late last year. for every person i've heard of still getting away with it there are dozens that haven't. there have even been people that switched from their smartphone w/o data to a dumbphone and then back to their original smartphone and have been nabbed by the scan. If you had a smartphone with no data before the policy change there is likely the feature "Smartphone Exclusion" on that line exempting you from the data plan (unless they notice that you switch phones that is).
they only scan for certain model's imei numbers( but good luck finding the list of which they scan for). For a while n1 users were getting away with it but have are now being nailed quite quickly.
Its right in the contract (that you sign automatically just by not canceling your service) that if they notice you using whatever they deem a "smartphone" they'll smack you with a data plan. The customer service reps are supposedly under the threat of suspension/firing if they remove the data plan as long as your sim is in said smartphone. People who have gotten them to remove the plan by switching phones got nabbed faster if they switched back.
I'm not here defending their position, as i find the whole situation to be a shadey money grab, just telling the OP how it is.
my only real tip is to call and have a data block applied to your line before ever putting a sim in your aria. The only fool proof way to avaoid data on a smartphone is to jump to t-mobile's no ctract plan unforutunately
I gotta agree here and tell you that the scanning process is real.
The key is that they have to care to put your IMEI number in their database (or rather, a range of IMEI's that includes your phone). When your IMEI comes up in one of their scans, it's done.
I had a Rogers Magic on my account for 5-6 months, never had a problem. When the Nexus One became available for AT&T, I immediately gave the magic to my mom and got myself an N1.
For a while I had no issue, must have been 3 months on the cheapy data plan. Then, sometime last month (I think) my phone was moved to the smartphone plan. Before I called AT&T, I checked the forums and sure enough, everyone with an AT&T N1 was being switched to the smartphone plan forcefully.
So, it's a matter of chance really. If you have a phone that shouldn't be on their network and is unlikely anyone would pay the expense and use it on their network, well... there's a chance they won't have your IMEI in their database. However, if it's one of their phones and it's a smartphone, you have little choice.
Fortunately though, they now have a better "tiered" data structure that can ultimately be cheaper... but it still sucks.
Unlock Code
I finally got the phone but AT&T will definitely NOT unlock the Aria. Support said it's probably because it's an exclusive phone. They were kind enough to mention that it "may be possible" to get a code somewhere else
Can anyone recommend a reputable unlocker? I tried one on Ebay already but they were unable to find a code for the Aria. They offered to try another server for an additional $5 but I figured I'd go another route. They refunded the money though...
Thanks in advance for any help.
Returning the Aria
So after spending most of the day trying to sort this out, here's the deal. The phone I received from Amazon (and paid full price without a phone plan) can/will NOT be unlocked by AT&T or HTC or the unlockers on ebay.
AT&T couldn't tell me which phones might have this problem. The ONLY solution to be sure is to not buy anything from AT&T... which is what I plan on doing from here on out.
Too bad really... it's a nice little phone.
The scanning is real but i have been using a smartphone on my regular account for a few years now and didnt get caught yet. Seems people get caught easily when their account becomes delinquent. I let my mom use my old smart phone because hers were damaged and within 24 hours i received and email and a text message was sent to the phone saying that they placed the $15 200MB dataplan on her account.
I had to call them up and give them the IMEI number for her old phone in order for them to take it off which they didnt want to do right away because the account was past due, but was done eventually. But if you have the medianet bundle and they put the data plan on it removes the medianet bundle from your phone which they cannot add back on because the option no longer exists. I fought tooth and nail for them to put it back on but got nowhere.
I still have my Medianet bundle 5MB + 1500 texts for $15 a month that u use on my Aria and i dont even use the data part because i have WIFI at home, WIFI at work and Optimum Online WIFI most places outside so since the phone automatically switches to a WIFI signal when its in range its useless to pay for data i will not use.
What i have noticed and users have to be careful about is that if you send or receive a MMS while out of WIFI range the phone will not automatically disconnect from the 3G data until your back in range of a connectible WIFI sourcel. During this time if its syncing with your Mail, facebook, news, feeds, and other data things you can easily rack up 20MB
its possible. Ive done it on an old ATT blue account from 6+ years ago. The trick is just getting them to unlock it for you by telling them you need to use it overseas. This needs to be done over 611 or other customer service number. They will need the IMEI number and will either email you unlock information after a few days or give it to you immediately. My ATT blue account blocked the customer service from knowing which phone I was currently using. They THOUGHT I was using my first phone that I signed with(nokia 3300).
Also note that ATT Blue accounts for the most part cannot be touched (feature wise). Ive called them multiple times and asked for a data plan and other features but they were never able to do it.
This is my experience, it may or may not work for you. Note that I have a FAN account, but that shouldnt matter.
flipf0nt said:
its possible. Ive done it on an old ATT blue account from 6+ years ago. The trick is just getting them to unlock it for you by telling them you need to use it overseas. This needs to be done over 611 or other customer service number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the question is where/how did you get your phone? Has anyone bought a phone from Amazon that could be unlocked? I seem to be missing something.
If I could have just gotten the Aria unlocked, it'd work just as I wanted.
Thanks
dasspunk said:
So the question is where/how did you get your phone? Has anyone bought a phone from Amazon that could be unlocked? I seem to be missing something.
If I could have just gotten the Aria unlocked, it'd work just as I wanted.
Thanks
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Click to collapse
I dont know what dasspunk is talking about, there are people with the Aria unlocked on T-mobile!
dynamics_blue said:
I dont know what dasspunk is talking about, there are people with the Aria unlocked on T-mobile!
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Click to collapse
Exactly my point... some Arias can be unlocked and some can't. I bought mine from Amazon full price/no contract; it can't be unlocked. Which ones can?
I'll ask again... where/how did you get your Aria?
my friend got the Aria on amazon and unlocked it. so maybe you didnt go to the right place to Unlock it.
dynamics_blue said:
my friend got the Aria on amazon and unlocked it. so maybe you didnt go to the right place to Unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did he buy it outright ($330) or via a plan/upgrade ($0)?
I got a nice SMS on March 18th from AT&T saying "An eligible data plan is required for Laptop, Tablet or MiFi devices. Call 611 as soon as possible for details and to avoid service interruption"
We are on 20th and I have no dtaa connection anymore
I happen to be paying the most expensive plan for my device (Coming from TP2), with an extra to have Exchange emails (Yeah can you believe you are charged extra for Exchange emails) and now.... I would have to pay even more because I use my SIUM in my tablet. WTF...
Maybe it's just me but if some of you have the same issue and found a workaround... Or maybe I should just step away from AT&T... F them...
Edit: Just got an SMS "Your data service has been restricted due to SIM swapping with a data Connect device". I pay 150$ a month for my data plan, calsl, etc... How much is not enough ????
I got the same thing. AT&T is now doing the same thing T-Mobile is doing. You cannot put a T-Mobile phone SIM in a T-Mobile tab, and, now, you cannot put an AT&T phone SIM (for example one with an unlimited data plan attached to it) into an AT&T tab.
It's all robbery.
My reaction to the text I got from AT&T was to erase, wipe, and flash my AT&T Galaxy Tab to Overcome 1.3.0, and then put my T-Mobile phone SIM into my AT&T Tab. Ha! THAT at least still works, since the two companies are separate.
And now, AT&T just bought T-Mobile! HA
Looks like after all the effort, I lose.
I am SO DONE with tablets and smartphones. Back to laptops and WiFi. The monopolies here in the U.S. are unbearable. And our government does nothing. No wonder the rest of the world hates us - we hate ourselves!
I got AT&T on the phone
The guy first explained me that technically tablets and phone cannot connect teh same way, etc, etc... So I asked him to stop the Bs#it because technically it was possible for 3 months... The guy I had on the phone was polite and pretty embarrassed...
I was straight forward explaining I don't mind paying for an extra tethering plan if that's what they want but I just want to carry around only ONE device, etc, etc... In the end he was very clear: they want us to use our tablet with a different plant and different SIM card. period
Now... for me it's clear they saw the IMEI of my device was different from the one I used to have so this + the fact I used a lot of Data may have triggered the detection... Or it is in the access point we use... But anyway/anyhow there is no way we cannot make our tablets appear as a Galaxy S or whatever other phone. Aside from the screen too much of the Hardware is similar to a phone not to be able to do something about it...
Meanwhile my data plan is frozen
I am SO pissed off. I can't believe I leave these guys 150$ a month and they can't even provide a decent service...
The worst: if I take a specific plan for my tab and trim down my phone plan it will cost me less
They are just F&*%#@ dumb and a terrible pain in the ass
Now let's work to "disguise" our Tab as a phone for AT&T connection...
I still think it has a lot to do with the Acces point setup... Or just the tethering... They guy on the phone was (maybe deliberately or not...) confusing about what was allowed and what was not... he was kind of implying that even if I get a tethering plan, tethering from my phone to my Tab would still be an issue if I don't use some kind of AT&T official tethering Software... (Weird...)
I am SO pissed off
I am thinking and if I go for the tethering plan I really don't see under which stupid claim they can block me... Sue it will cost more, but whatever...
Still this is justa shame
More AT&T fun I see.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
I Am Marino said:
More AT&T fun I see.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
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Click to collapse
Yes... Teh problem is since they try to avoid users going around their stuff it is not even easy to understand what is allowed or not. Initially i brought a phone from abroad and was told I could use it on an illimited data plan... Fine. But now the guy on the phoen didnt even wnated to be clear whether I could use a non AT&T phone for my plan (So we're not even talking about the tab)
I think they may be targeting heavy users that dont show the same IMEIR as the one they registered. Or soemthign else.. probably can detect by the protocols used that we are not technically ona phone (But hey technically, aside teh screen tehre is no major difference betweena Galaxy tab and a Galaxy phone...)
They are targeting unlimited data plan users who are sim swapping. If you're on the 2gb or tethering 4gb plan you shouldn't see anything. People were putting their sims into laptops/netbooks and going nuts. It breaches the agreement with AT&T and they have the right to change your plan if you don't reply to them or stop sim swapping.
waltah! said:
They are targeting unlimited data plan users who are sim swapping. If you're on the 2gb or tethering 4gb plan you shouldn't see anything. People were putting their sims into laptops/netbooks and going nuts. It breaches the agreement with AT&T and they have the right to change your plan if you don't reply to them or stop sim swapping.
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Click to collapse
I am not using it in a laptop but in my Tab. I use my Tab as my main phone and I ma pretty pissed off that AT&T decides which phone they like and don't like. It's not EVEN about the money: I proposed them to pay for a tethering plan (which would be stealing from me but whatever) and they do not even care
I would not even mind going for the 4Gb plan but that would mean giving up on voice services on my tab, ie would have to carry around two devices which i definitely do not want
Going the 4Gb plan + stripping down my phone to the cheapest plan AT&T has, would cost me less than I pay now... So it's not even a money issue. I am completely pissed off since I a ready to pay whatever they want but they do not seem to care
Anyway it's fine. They managed to kill the GTab and all other 7" tablets to come
They nearly succeeded by originally forbidding calls on it. They succeeded with this last measure
It was for me the perfect size between a phone and an iPad. If I cannot have Voice + illimited data on it I will just go for a large 4.3" phone
Thank you AT&T for killing progress and congratulation for displeasing customers who were actually ready to pay (Because in actual facts I was ready to pay more if it is what they wanted from me)
Alcibiade said:
Anyway it's fine. They managed to kill the GTab and all other 7" tablets to come
They nearly succeeded by originally forbidding calls on it. They succeeded with this last measure
It was for me the perfect size between a phone and an iPad. If I cannot have Voice + illimited data on it I will just go for a large 4.3" phone
Thank you AT&T for killing progress and congratulation for displeasing customers who were actually ready to pay (Because in actual facts I was ready to pay more if it is what they wanted from me)
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Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat, Alcibiade. Never tether, just like the phone and tablet in one device.
Just got off the phone with our friends at AT&T and got the same message. Unfortunately, there is no 4GB plan for data devices like the Tab, just "phones". So I'm stuck with carrying a phone and a Tab until we figure out a way around this issue.
I got the same message from at&t too. I think the only workaround to this is to get the telstra or the other canadian tab that uses the 850 band. Anyone with the telstra tab want to do a trade for a like new at&t tab?
Believe me it pisses me off too, and I work there. lol
I'm planning on getting a GTab and was going to use it for voice occasionally so it kinda throws a kink in the works. I have the 4gb tethering plan. I really just want to be able to jump right on the Tab and use it without kicking the hotspot on so I'll just end up going down to the 2gb plan for my Atrix and the 2gb plan for the Tab. I wanted to carry one device when I wanted to, but I love my Atrix so I'm not sure how often I would do it anyway.
I believe AT&T doing the same as T-mobile by look up the IMEI. The IMEI database will match the phone you use. The only workaround is change the IMEI on the tab.
You will see the TAB Icon under your att account but I did not see that months ago....
Currently on the phone with att about the same issue...thing is im using an htc desire from telus...im not swapping my simcard with anything at all. They are saying my device is coming up as a telemetry unit which is therefore making the assumption of sim swapping. On the phone for an hour now and the geniuses still cant figure out how to fix the issue.
small9 said:
I believe AT&T doing the same as T-mobile by look up the IMEI. The IMEI database will match the phone you use. The only workaround is change the IMEI on the tab.
You will see the TAB Icon under your att account but I did not see that months ago....
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Click to collapse
Not sure it's through the IMEI. How do they do if I use a foreign phone ? If it is that simple, we all know how to find a solution...
I hope they do not make me PAY for my data plan while I they block it, I would be even more pissed off
One point I do not get: if I pay for a Tethering plan (Which I don't but am considering if it can help), why the hell would they block me from using my plan the way I want. Illimited + tethering --> I use it on my tab or anything else doesn't matter (Could be my phone tethered to my laptop it would be the same)
jstdontgiva said:
Currently on the phone with att about the same issue...thing is im using an htc desire from telus...im not swapping my simcard with anything at all. They are saying my device is coming up as a telemetry unit which is therefore making the assumption of sim swapping. On the phone for an hour now and the geniuses still cant figure out how to fix the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny cause it's exactly what I told them: I have a foreign phone as well (On top of my Tab) and I bet them that my foreign phone would have the same issue
MMh so they either detect what we do with the IMEI or potentially the radio (Or a combination of both)
I feel really bad trying to find a workaround while what I ma doing is perfectly legit when it is on my TP2, or I am even ready to pay for their Tethering plan........
If the issue is just the IMEI, that can be easily solved... But I dont like to have to be sneaky when again I pay honetsly my stuff every month
If you find a solution for your telus please tell us
Yeah I got that text last night around 9 pm I nearly craped my self. I was like wtf. I have the unlimited data. it shouldn't matter what device my Sim is in.. I guess I'll see what the tab does with the Sim that it came with. my Nexus still works fine though. I checked the website today and they are doing Maintenance to the data section. figures.
hybred-nexus said:
Yeah I got that text last night around 9 pm I nearly craped my self. I was like wtf. I have the unlimited data. it shouldn't matter what device my Sim is in.. I guess I'll see what the tab does with the Sim that it came with. my Nexus still works fine though. I checked the website today and they are doing Maintenance to the data section. figures.
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Click to collapse
I am pretty sure my Tab fits ok within a 4Gb plan (I don't tether anyway). BUT I just dont wnat to carry aound 2 devices. My phone + teh Tab. And if I ahve to use their stupid plan / SIM card I will have to
I am surprised we don't see many more reactions. I thought a lot of us were doing Data + voice using their phone plans... Maybe not everybody was blocked yet. Or I just overestimate the number of US users using their tab like this. What's unbelievable is how other countries are managing the Tab vs the US (real pain here...)
Alcibiade said:
Funny cause it's exactly what I told them: I have a foreign phone as well (On top of my Tab) and I bet them that my foreign phone would have the same issue
MMh so they either detect what we do with the IMEI or potentially the radio (Or a combination of both)
I feel really bad trying to find a workaround while what I ma doing is perfectly legit when it is on my TP2, or I am even ready to pay for their Tethering plan........
If the issue is just the IMEI, that can be easily solved... But I dont like to have to be sneaky when again I pay honetsly my stuff every month
If you find a solution for your telus please tell us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After getting off the phone here was the scenario:
The guy admitted to me that he was not very familiar with what was going on, however I could tell he was still trying pretty hard to find out how to resolve the issue by calling other departments and he didnt have a bias towards me having an unlocked phone like I know ATT personel tend to have.
Basically there were 3 options
1. return the phone which I laughed in his face ( this was recommended not by him but by another person in a diff dept
2. Turn the internet back on with the risk of shutting off again ( which I did not do because he told my my account was now flagged for disuse of internet and could result in plenty of charges I wouldn't want.)
3. Wait until Tuesday for a call back from him since some1 has to manually put in my IMEI # and override the system, (which was apparently down)
I took option 3 with the hopes that this will be resolved by the time the rep gets back to me on Tues. If it doesn't go well my phone is basically useless and I will probably push for a free phone somehow. Best of luck to everybody else, I will update ASAP
Ok, so here’s my story:
Not too long ago, I bought myself a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7”. Ever since the device was announced by Samsung, I thought this was one of the coolest ideas since sliced bread. I could have a device roughly the size of a small book that pretty much did everything the iPad could do, and then some (like take pictures and run flash). On top of that, it was capable of making and receiving phone calls and text messages. Finally, a device that literally would do EVERYTHING I needed; no more need to lug around a netbook, a phone, a GPS in my car, or an iPod.
Not all was as peachy as I would have hoped however. Initially, it didn’t look as though this wonderful piece of technology would make it to American soil at all. Then, when it did, it was deliberately crippled for the North American market so that its native ability to make or receive regular phone calls and text messages was disabled at the software level. What a terrible thing to do! I was so disappointed by this news that I nearly abandoned any desire to head down to my local AT&T store to buy it. To add insult to injury, the only way AT&T offered the Tab was on a no-contract pay-as-you-go data plan, which is ludicrously expensive, particularly when compared with the fact that I’m one of the lucky customers who is grandfathered in to an unlimited data plan.
Eventually, however, my desire to own this device got the better of me, so I finally dished out the cash (and it was not cheap either!) for an unlocked and unbranded Tab which had the phone calling and texting abilities right out of the box. I popped the SIM card from my AT&T smartphone into my new Tab, fired it up, and started enjoying what was, up until recently, the best mobile user experience I have ever known.
I started referring to my Tab as my “Do-Everything-Device,” because it literally DID do everything I needed right from one device! It replaced my netbook, my phone, my GPS, my iPod, my Kindle, and the CD player/Radio in my car! It was so liberating not to have a phone attached to my hip and a bag on my shoulder for everything else I used to have to lug around with me. Sure there were occasions where carrying around a phone the size of a small book would have been ridiculous, but that’s what swapping SIM cards is for right? I’d simply switch back to my smartphone when the situation called for it.
Then things took a turn for the worse when AT&T started getting involved… Apparently this kind of quality user experience was not meant to be. I had received an automated text message one day telling me that I needed to be on the “proper data plan,” and that if I weren’t my service could be changed or suspended. Being a loyal paying customer to AT&T in its various previous incarnations for about 11 years now, and having an unlimited data plan on my line (which I should note I was NOT abusing; I generally used about 4 – 5GB or so per billing cycle), I was perplexed as to why I would have been receiving that message. So I called into customer service to inquire.
Upon some minor investigation on the customer service rep’s part, I was informed that the issue was that I was swapping back and forth between my Galaxy Tab and my smartphone (which it may be noted is a Samsung Captivate), and that I should stop doing that. Stop swapping out my SIM card between two of my most used devices? Really? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having a SIM card in the first place? Still perplexed as to why this was an issue, I brought the matter to the attention of AT&T’s Office of the President to hopefully find some resolution to the problem. The gentleman I spoke with said he would investigate further and get back to me with his findings. A week later, get back to me he did! At first I thought, “Great! The highest level of customer service has come to bring me good news of a fair and reasonable compromise or resolution!” Little did I know he came to bear me bad news indeed…
The representative informed me that the issue wasn’t that I was swapping my SIM card per se, but rather the issue was with my Galaxy Tab specifically. Basically, I was told that AT&T’s intended use for the Galaxy Tab, regardless of where it was purchased, and regardless of whether it was carrier locked or unlocked or any of that, was that it was to be used as a data-only device, and furthermore as a pay-as-you-go data only device! I was basically given the option to get a pay-as-you-go SIM and use my Tab as AT&T intended it to be used (not as Samsung intended), or not use it at all, sorry. I was directed to the service agreement for “Specified Device Session-Based Plans.”
Excuse me? Sorry, but I don’t want to pay-as-I-go for data! I’m already paying for unlimited data, and there is nothing in those terms of service that say I can’t put my SIM card in whatever device I want, provided I’m not violating those terms! The representative proceeded to tell me that a user such as myself only accounted for a minority of the people subscribed, and that the current data plans AT&T offers caters to the majority. Ok, fine, cater to the majority. I get that. However, even as a lucky customer who has an unlimited data package, and even as a minority who chooses to stay informed about the latest technology, I should still be catered to as well. I mean, that’s what customer service is right? Making sure your customers’ needs are catered to? He said that the reason AT&T doesn’t still offer unlimited data is that “The average user only consumes about 2 or less GB a month.” Sure, that may be true for the average user currently, and it may be true furthermore for the average user who cares more about phones calls, text messages and Facebook updates more than frequently browsing rich web content and going to Youtube on their phone etc. However, with the much faster networks that are being deployed, and with more data intensive and media rich web content available today and tomorrow, that 2GB is going to be a bite-sized portion to the “average user” very shortly…
In my frustration, I argued that I am paying for the service to the SIM, not service to the device itself (otherwise what’s the point of the SIM in the first place?). As such, there shouldn’t be any issue with my circumventing AT&T’s artificial limitations on their branded Galaxy Tab’s hardware by buying directly from the manufacturer at a premium. I should be able to use my SIM in any device of my choosing, so long as I’m not violating the terms of service to that line, which I’m not (as I mentioned earlier, there was nothing in the Terms of Service that explicitly said I couldn’t use my SIM card in a tablet device.) Furthermore, I argued that the only real differences between the hardware in my Tab and the hardware in my Captivate were screen size, battery size, and the presence or absence of a front camera. For all the times I was told “Yes sir, I understand,” it really didn’t seem like he really understood…
It seems AT&T (and indeed any other US carrier which supplies a crippled Tab, or any other device) doesn’t want you to have a “Do Everything Device.” It’s bad for business! Why would they support a device that does everything your tablet or netbook does and everything your smartphone does, all on your single line subscription? Of course they’re going to cripple the Tab, because they want you to buy separate devices with separate line subscriptions and more money in their pockets! Not to mention, AT&T probably doesn’t want something that would have, up until recently, directly competed with the iPad, and frankly outdone it in some ways (when’s the last time you could make carrier phone calls, not SIP or VoIP, and text message on your iPad right out of the box?). I suppose that’s corporate America for you… What ever happened to providing superior service at the best value though?
So, if you are on AT&T, and you own a Galaxy Tab or are interested in getting one (or any other tablet on AT&T for that matter), here are some things to watch out for and speak out to:
AT&T is sweeping their network for devices by their IMEI, and if your device does not match up to whatever plan they want you to be on based on that device, your service could be changed or suspended.
If you have a grandfathered unlimited data plan, AT&T is doing the best they can to get you OFF of that plan by being very specific about what devices can be used with those plans.
I am only one person, and as one person, my voice has fallen upon the deaf ears of a very large company. As such, I urge you to speak out as a collective to AT&T, tell them about this situation, and others which likewise are upsetting to you as a customer. AT&T can ignore one person, but not a crowd…
Don’t contact customer service. Go straight to the source! Call AT&T’s office of the president at 866-751-5784 (option 1). Also, speak out on their Facebook page. Talk to your friends and family, spread the word!
EDIT: Here's a petition to sign.
honestly what is the point? i feel sorry for you americans - if the tmobile at&t merge goes through then there will only be 1 GSM carrier (i may be wrong) in the US and the rest will be CDMA - and that means that all the foreign visitors will be on 1 bad network.
The problem with any network "merger" is that you always get the lowest common denominator.
Up to the end of last year, I was on T-Mobile UK, but when my contract came up I left and went to Three. Retentions called and asked why I was leaving, and I explained that Three had a truly unlimited data plan and TMo UK had a 3GB FUP (which was pretty good to be fair).
The CS Rep swore blind that TMo UK would never do anything to uphold the FUP, but I stood my ground and left anyway because I *knew* that the merger with Orange could only ever end up with their plans becoming roughly analogous.
True to form, less than 1 month later, TMo UK reduced their "download" allowance to 500MB bringing them roughly in line with their sister brand, Orange.
Regards,
Dave
There are others, see this thread (if you haven't already).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000921 (I have a post in there.)
FTR, I'm using AT&T SGT as a phone and data device, just not using 3G (or mythical 4G for that matter) data. You can't swing a dead cat w/out hitting a wireless AP so why hassle with AT&T over their expensive, slow 3G (if you're lucky) connections/data.
I hated AT&T so bad I dumped them years back and went Cingular. Well, I guess they wanted me back so bad...they went and bought Cingular
Thanks for the contact info. I'll rattle the cage.
Thanks for sharing, you have taken this a great leap farther then I have.
I love your justifications, definately will call tomorrow, more people that call, better chance of a change ( I can dream).
Again, I say what about some kind of class action for this, Maybe we should get a bounty going. I would give $100.00 towards the suit. And if more is needed, I would contribute.
Timtown said:
There are others, see this thread (if you haven't already).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000921 (I have a post in there.)
FTR, I'm using AT&T SGT as a phone and data device, just not using 3G (or mythical 4G for that matter) data. You can't swing a dead cat w/out hitting a wireless AP so why hassle with AT&T over their expensive, slow 3G (if you're lucky) connections/data.
I hated AT&T so bad I dumped them years back and went Cingular. Well, I guess they wanted me back so bad...they went and bought Cingular
Thanks for the contact info. I'll rattle the cage.
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Att 3g data is slow? LOLWUT. Have a look at Verizon's 3g speeds.
-Sent from my Galaxy Tab
And to the OP, I just ordered a new phone today from att. They did not once attempt to get me off of my unlimited data plan.
-Sent from my Galaxy Tab
lockheedload said:
And to the OP, I just ordered a new phone today from att. They did not once attempt to get me off of my unlimited data plan.
-Sent from my Galaxy Tab
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The issue (at least for the moment) isn't so much that AT&T will take away your unlimited data plan or not (although that WOULD be an annoyance), the issue is that AT&T doesn't want us using our Galaxy Tab's as phone devices, because that's not how THEY intended it to be used. AT&T would rather we have two SIM cards. One for a tablet device, and one for a phone device; not one SIM card for one device that just "does it all."
If they're artificially crippling the native capabilities of a device in order to force consumers into buying multiple devices to make up for those limitations, then they're price gouging, plain and simple.
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Ok, so here’s my story:
Not too long ago, I bought myself a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7”. Ever since the device was announced by Samsung, I thought this was one of the coolest ideas since sliced bread. I could have a device roughly the size of a small book that pretty much did everything the iPad could do, and then some (like take pictures and run flash). On top of that, it was capable of making and receiving phone calls and text messages. Finally, a device that literally would do EVERYTHING I needed; no more need to lug around a netbook, a phone, a GPS in my car, or an iPod.
Not all was as peachy as I would have hoped however. Initially, it didn’t look as though this wonderful piece of technology would make it to American soil at all. Then, when it did, it was deliberately crippled for the North American market so that its native ability to make or receive regular phone calls and text messages was disabled at the software level. What a terrible thing to do! I was so disappointed by this news that I nearly abandoned any desire to head down to my local AT&T store to buy it. To add insult to injury, the only way AT&T offered the Tab was on a no-contract pay-as-you-go data plan, which is ludicrously expensive, particularly when compared with the fact that I’m one of the lucky customers who is grandfathered in to an unlimited data plan.
Eventually, however, my desire to own this device got the better of me, so I finally dished out the cash (and it was not cheap either!) for an unlocked and unbranded Tab which had the phone calling and texting abilities right out of the box. I popped the SIM card from my AT&T smartphone into my new Tab, fired it up, and started enjoying what was, up until recently, the best mobile user experience I have ever known.
I started referring to my Tab as my “Do-Everything-Device,” because it literally DID do everything I needed right from one device! It replaced my netbook, my phone, my GPS, my iPod, my Kindle, and the CD player/Radio in my car! It was so liberating not to have a phone attached to my hip and a bag on my shoulder for everything else I used to have to lug around with me. Sure there were occasions where carrying around a phone the size of a small book would have been ridiculous, but that’s what swapping SIM cards is for right? I’d simply switch back to my smartphone when the situation called for it.
Then things took a turn for the worse when AT&T started getting involved… Apparently this kind of quality user experience was not meant to be. I had received an automated text message one day telling me that I needed to be on the “proper data plan,” and that if I weren’t my service could be changed or suspended. Being a loyal paying customer to AT&T in its various previous incarnations for about 11 years now, and having an unlimited data plan on my line (which I should note I was NOT abusing; I generally used about 4 – 5GB or so per billing cycle), I was perplexed as to why I would have been receiving that message. So I called into customer service to inquire.
Upon some minor investigation on the customer service rep’s part, I was informed that the issue was that I was swapping back and forth between my Galaxy Tab and my smartphone (which it may be noted is a Samsung Captivate), and that I should stop doing that. Stop swapping out my SIM card between two of my most used devices? Really? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having a SIM card in the first place? Still perplexed as to why this was an issue, I brought the matter to the attention of AT&T’s Office of the President to hopefully find some resolution to the problem. The gentleman I spoke with said he would investigate further and get back to me with his findings. A week later, get back to me he did! At first I thought, “Great! The highest level of customer service has come to bring me good news of a fair and reasonable compromise or resolution!” Little did I know he came to bear me bad news indeed…
The representative informed me that the issue wasn’t that I was swapping my SIM card per se, but rather the issue was with my Galaxy Tab specifically. Basically, I was told that AT&T’s intended use for the Galaxy Tab, regardless of where it was purchased, and regardless of whether it was carrier locked or unlocked or any of that, was that it was to be used as a data-only device, and furthermore as a pay-as-you-go data only device! I was basically given the option to get a pay-as-you-go SIM and use my Tab as AT&T intended it to be used (not as Samsung intended), or not use it at all, sorry. I was directed to the service agreement for “Specified Device Session-Based Plans.”
Excuse me? Sorry, but I don’t want to pay-as-I-go for data! I’m already paying for unlimited data, and there is nothing in those terms of service that say I can’t put my SIM card in whatever device I want, provided I’m not violating those terms! The representative proceeded to tell me that a user such as myself only accounted for a minority of the people subscribed, and that the current data plans AT&T offers caters to the majority. Ok, fine, cater to the majority. I get that. However, even as a lucky customer who has an unlimited data package, and even as a minority who chooses to stay informed about the latest technology, I should still be catered to as well. I mean, that’s what customer service is right? Making sure your customers’ needs are catered to? He said that the reason AT&T doesn’t still offer unlimited data is that “The average user only consumes about 2 or less GB a month.” Sure, that may be true for the average user currently, and it may be true furthermore for the average user who cares more about phones calls, text messages and Facebook updates more than frequently browsing rich web content and going to Youtube on their phone etc. However, with the much faster networks that are being deployed, and with more data intensive and media rich web content available today and tomorrow, that 2GB is going to be a bite-sized portion to the “average user” very shortly…
In my frustration, I argued that I am paying for the service to the SIM, not service to the device itself (otherwise what’s the point of the SIM in the first place?). As such, there shouldn’t be any issue with my circumventing AT&T’s artificial limitations on their branded Galaxy Tab’s hardware by buying directly from the manufacturer at a premium. I should be able to use my SIM in any device of my choosing, so long as I’m not violating the terms of service to that line, which I’m not (as I mentioned earlier, there was nothing in the Terms of Service that explicitly said I couldn’t use my SIM card in a tablet device.) Furthermore, I argued that the only real differences between the hardware in my Tab and the hardware in my Captivate were screen size, battery size, and the presence or absence of a front camera. For all the times I was told “Yes sir, I understand,” it really didn’t seem like he really understood…
It seems AT&T (and indeed any other US carrier which supplies a crippled Tab, or any other device) doesn’t want you to have a “Do Everything Device.” It’s bad for business! Why would they support a device that does everything your tablet or netbook does and everything your smartphone does, all on your single line subscription? Of course they’re going to cripple the Tab, because they want you to buy separate devices with separate line subscriptions and more money in their pockets! Not to mention, AT&T probably doesn’t want something that would have, up until recently, directly competed with the iPad, and frankly outdone it in some ways (when’s the last time you could make carrier phone calls, not SIP or VoIP, and text message on your iPad right out of the box?). I suppose that’s corporate America for you… What ever happened to providing superior service at the best value though?
So, if you are on AT&T, and you own a Galaxy Tab or are interested in getting one (or any other tablet on AT&T for that matter), here are some things to watch out for and speak out to:
AT&T is sweeping their network for devices by their IMEI, and if your device does not match up to whatever plan they want you to be on based on that device, your service could be changed or suspended.
If you have a grandfathered unlimited data plan, AT&T is doing the best they can to get you OFF of that plan by being very specific about what devices can be used with those plans.
I am only one person, and as one person, my voice has fallen upon the deaf ears of a very large company. As such, I urge you to speak out as a collective to AT&T, tell them about this situation, and others which likewise are upsetting to you as a customer. AT&T can ignore one person, but not a crowd…
Don’t contact customer service. Go straight to the source! Call AT&T’s office of the president at 866-751-5784 (option 1). Also, speak out on their Facebook page. Talk to your friends and family, spread the word!
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Click to collapse
I am not on AT&T network any more I moved to sprint a few months before the Iphone came out its been that long, However AT&T is well with in there right to limit what device is allowed to do what on there network. Its sad that they would do that but in there contract agreement it is listed there.
Since this has completely ticked you off I would suggest you move carriers if you truly want to show them how unhappy you are with there service. Calling and complaining really isnt going to do you any good since you are in the minority of users that do what you described.
just my 2 cents
In europe the wireless operators are selling services - like phone calls and data. In US they are selling devices capable of calling or having data.
This diffrenece means that in eu if I don't like something I can move to difirenet operator and keep devices. In us you can't. that is why are people complaing that at&t is messing with them. Cause if they go to other provider they need to pay again for every device. In my home country hspa+ is still caled 3g, dataplan 12Gig for 19eur/month included all taxes
icreepin said:
Since this has completely ticked you off I would suggest you move carriers if you truly want to show them how unhappy you are with there service. Calling and complaining really isnt going to do you any good since you are in the minority of users that do what you described.
just my 2 cents
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I would gladly switch carriers if it weren't for the fact that I do a lot of international traveling, and Sprint/Verizon both being CDMA carriers is a deal-breaker for me. I'm with AT&T because of the GSM bands it supports, and that's it. If it weren't for that, if Sprint and Verizon were GSM carriers too, just like most of the rest of the world, I'd have switched a long time ago without a doubt.
The other thing is, for the most part I'm not entirely unhappy with the service AT&T provides, when it's providing service to the equipment I use as that equipment was designed. I only have an issue when it's clear that they are imposing artificial schemes which force customers into a price gouging situation.
Crippling the native features of one device (i.e. phone calling on the Tab) in order to force the consumer into buying ANOTHER device and ANOTHER line subscription in order to fulfill that function, which was artificially crippled on the other device, THAT to me is price gouging.
AT&T absolutely has the right to lay out their own criteria for HOW their network is used. Likewise, the customers have the right to make enough of a fuss to AT&T about WHAT they can use on their network, particularly when they're not violating the HOW part of the ToS.
If we all as consumers are complacent and passive enough to just lay down and go with the attitude of "Oh well, it's their network, and they can treat us however they want with it..." then AT&T (and any company for that matter) will take advantage of that and gouge us for as much money as they can get.
I'm arguing that we've reached an "Enough is enough" point from the customer's perspective, and I am urging as many people as I can to speak out in a common voice to say "This is what we want. Please deliver."
If you don't like something, don't just say "Oh well..." and keep it to yourself. Express yourself, and make your issues known, and band together with people who share the same concerns, otherwise nothing will ever change for the betterment of the user.
Ok I think you need a better example what is fundamentally wrong with your wireless providers. Lets say the you would buy and electric drill and you use it as screwdriver as well. The power company would you charge $ more for that. And if you say no I go to someone else they say you need new drill cause it does not work on our grid. And cause of that some has made a standard power gird. Or am I wrong? If you solve this problem you get better service.
monoko said:
In europe the wireless operators are selling services - like phone calls and data. In US they are selling devices capable of calling or having data.
This diffrenece means that in eu if I don't like something I can move to difirenet operator and keep devices. In us you can't. that is why are people complaing that at&t is messing with them. Cause if they go to other provider they need to pay again for every device. In my home country hspa+ is still caled 3g, dataplan 12Gig for 19eur/month included all taxes
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Click to collapse
Exactly! And that's the thing, in America, we're in a largely CDMA network environment, where you can't just so easily keep on piece of hardware and jump from one carrier to another like you can with GSM using a SIM card. I mean you can still jump from one CDMA carrier to another using the same hardware, but it's a big hassle... Nowhere near as simple as popping in a different SIM card.
monoko said:
Ok I think you need a better example what is fundamentally wrong with your wireless providers. Lets say the you would buy and electric drill and you use it as screwdriver as well. The power company would you charge $ more for that. And if you say no I go to someone else they say you need new drill cause it does not work on our grid. And cause of that some has made a standard power gird. Or am I wrong? If you solve this problem you get better service.
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Click to collapse
No, the issue it this:
The Galaxy Tab, directly from Samsung and in virtually every other market throughout the world, makes and receives phone calls and text messages just the same as any other smartphone can.
AT&T (and pretty much all other US carriers) have artificially (that is, on the software level, not hardware) disabled those native capabilities. In essence, they've crippled the functionality of the device.
The consumer is therefore forced to buy and carry two devices with them (a phone AND a tablet) in order to fulfill the complete functionality and user experience desired, in addition to paying for TWO separate lines.
My point is that if there is an option to use ONE device, which when unhindered can fulfill the duties of BOTH phone AND tablet, and AT&T FORCES you out of that option, and therefore FORCES you into paying more money, when you really don't have to, then THAT is price gouging.
icreepin said:
Since this has completely ticked you off I would suggest you move carriers if you truly want to show them how unhappy you are with there service. Calling and complaining really isnt going to do you any good since you are in the minority of users that do what you described.
just my 2 cents
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Or we could get a http://www.groubal.com/ petition going and see just how many people are considered minority. I be it is not a minority,
Whos to say the SGT users are a minority.
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Exactly! And that's the thing, in America, we're in a largely CDMA network environment, where you can't just so easily keep on piece of hardware and jump from one carrier to another like you can with GSM using a SIM card. I mean you can still jump from one CDMA carrier to another using the same hardware, but it's a big hassle... Nowhere near as simple as popping in a different SIM card.
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Click to collapse
check ur PM
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
No, the issue it this:
...
AT&T (and pretty much all other US carriers) have artificially (that is, on the software level, not hardware) disabled those native capabilities. In essence, they've crippled the functionality of the device.
....
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Click to collapse
You don't understand the point. They can do it cause you have no other easy choise. (anti competitivie)
You should have standard, I am not saying GSM or SIM etc.
But to understand look at europe. (I am european, but that is not the point)
SIM - is external (that is the point of it)!!!... it's easy to change (dead phone... just borrow frends old and you fixed till you get new),
Protocol (GSM etc) is defined for allowed spectrum.
Defined Spectrum and no other. (they still need to buy the spectrum)
This gives you posibility of selling GSM phones without carriers cripple them.
So your US problem is free market. Sorry to say it that way I know you mostly proud of that. (Lest leave this alone... ).
Just I can see competition in this market as a bit virtual. (at least to me)
(check your history about power gird you will find that standards are sometimes needed for better consumer protection.)
Please no flame war.
mine just got blocked.
i got the email yesterday telling me to change it back to my phone or call in to discuss options for the tab. so i did at my first opportunity...
i just got blocked and then an email sent to me saying to call in and that it may be blocked on both devices...
awesome, just awesome...
This is a perfect example as to why i am dreading the att/tmo merger. I am a current tmo customer and i am currently using my tab as a phone like many tmo/att customers. I have called a few times to tmo customer service regarding different minor issues and they know that i am using the tab as my phone, because i have told them, and they have not said anything they just mention how good of a devise it is and all that stuff, no issues.
Basically i am on an unlimited android plan $24.99 and of course the voice is extra. Now since this is supposed to last a year before it goes through (i really hope not) i will probably be at the end of my contract if the merger goes through and i am sure i will be forced to make changes to my plan: first i would need to chose one of their plans (god know what they will be then and how much) and second, forget about even using my tab as i am currently using it. If they do this to their own customers they i dread to think what they will do to the tmo customers that decide to stay with them once their contracts are up.
So my question is what would be the chances of me keeping my original plan on a month to month basis and not sign a new contract? (don't want to sign a new contract as i am planning to move to the UK around 2013 if everything goes as planned), who knows the answer to this but all i can say that it is not looking good for us tmo customers that are used to good customer service.
A sad, sad day for us all!!!!!
honggee said:
mine just got blocked.
i got the email yesterday telling me to change it back to my phone or call in to discuss options for the tab. so i did at my first opportunity...
i just got blocked and then an email sent to me saying to call in and that it may be blocked on both devices...
awesome, just awesome...
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and i am sure there is nothing anyone can do about this, either comply or move to sprint/verizon. i feel your pain even though i am not an att customer.
I didn't know where else to post this question...
I'm about to buy a NEW Galaxy S4 Active from a guy on Craigslist that's going to get one new from the ATT store today. The selling price to me? $400.
That's a great price, so I'm wondering...
Is there anything that I need to be aware of? Can I lose out on this deal? I'm assuming that he's going to get an upgrade and extend his contract, because that's the only way he can make money on this deal. But what if he cancels his contract or doesn't pay his bill, won't the phone get blacklisted and I'll end up with a brick in a few months?
No blacklisting on att phones. The only way you can lose out is if the guy has insurance on his phone, sell it to you, then calls att reports it stolen. Then the phone becomes a glorified paperweight.
Alot of people run this Craigslist scam, because the insurance deductible is cheap, and they make a large profit selling it, then reporting stolen and get a brand new device, meanwhile you get scammed.
To prevent that from happening you can meet the guy at an att store and let them know you are purchasing the phone from him, and they will transfer ownership to you and he can't file a stolen device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
I would be very careful when buying an expensive phone from Craigslist. Tell him you only want to meet at an at&t store so they can make a note on his account that he sold you the phone. Then I would have them activate the phone there and then for you. If it's legit then he'll have no issue doing what you suggest. $400 is a good price for an active. But sometimes if it seems too good to be true, well you get the point.
Great advice you guys! That's what I'll do is meet him at the store and make sure I'm notated and the ownership is transferred to me. I didn't realize ATT would do that for me!
That is two good pieces of advice. Benefit of Craigslist over EBay is one-on-one contact. I would add, and you probably already decided, is if he doesn't want to meet with some excuse--don't buy it--
I just bought an iPhone for a family member. I met the seller at the AT&T store and I went in and had AT&t run the IMEI. they said it was not reported stolen but that is all they could do. According to the sales person there is no way to transfer an IMEI and that an original purchaser could theoretically still report the phone stolen.
I am not sure if I believe the second part but it could be. I can't see att trying to track every IMEI as phones change hands.
alphadog00 said:
I just bought an iPhone for a family member. I met the seller at the AT&T store and I went in and had AT&t run the IMEI. they said it was not reported stolen but that is all they could do. According to the sales person there is no way to transfer an IMEI and that an original purchaser could theoretically still report the phone stolen.
I am not sure if I believe the second part but it could be. I can't see att trying to track every IMEI as phones change hands.
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Yeah that's wrong. Basically an imei cannot be on two accounts at the same time. So going in to a store with the seller they could remove it from their account and it would be put on yours. With ATT however, there is very little ways for them to "blacklist" a phone. Sure it may not be able to be placed on your account but a sim will still work just fine in it. Verizon is different due to the way their activations work.
sent from just the tip
imitenotbecrazy said:
Yeah that's wrong. Basically an imei cannot be on two accounts at the same time. So going in to a store with the seller they could remove it from their account and it would be put on yours. With ATT however, there is very little ways for them to "blacklist" a phone. Sure it may not be able to be placed on your account but a sim will still work just fine in it. Verizon is different due to the way their activations work.
sent from just the tip
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I am not sure why you say they can't blacklist. They can and are now doing so. EU has done it for years. No one in the USA did it in the past but the carriers are doing it now, and they are working on a shared database. So once a phone is blacklisted it will be unusable on any carrier.
Today a blocked AT&T phone could still be used on t-mobile.
The phone sends its IMEI when it connects to the network and AT&T can easily block it if it is reported stolen. There are other threads about people buying notes and s4 that are blocked.
alphadog00 said:
I am not sure why you say they can't blacklist. They can and are now doing so. EU has done it for years. No one in the USA did it in the past but the carriers are doing it now, and they are working on a shared database. So once a phone is blacklisted it will be unusable on any carrier.
Today a blocked AT&T phone could still be used on t-mobile.
The phone sends its IMEI when it connects to the network and AT&T can easily block it if it is reported stolen. There are other threads about people buying notes and s4 that are blocked.
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Click to collapse
Weird. I've never seen a phone not connect to the network like that. I haven't told ATT I've switched phones since my OG Note a year and a half ago. That phone has long since been gone. The only thing that seems to be reporting to ATT is the sim. What happens when you use an imei from outside their database? How does it access their network then?
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imitenotbecrazy said:
Weird. I've never seen a phone not connect to the network like that. I haven't told ATT I've switched phones since my OG Note a year and a half ago. That phone has long since been gone. The only thing that seems to be reporting to ATT is the sim. What happens when you use an imei from outside their database? How does it access their network then?
sent from just the tip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I switch phones all the time and I don't "tell" AT&T - this works fine without issue, but they do see the IMEI - this is easy to verify. Log into your AT&T account and look at your devices - it shows the actual phone that is being used on that number. I am not sure how often they update this, but it shows the system automatically sees the IMEI.
They only keep a database of Blocked or blacklisted IMEI. It is impossible for them to keep a database of approved phones, it just wouldn't work and it would piss people off. It is easier to keep a short block list.
On my account, I have 2 other family lines for dumb phones and they have data blocks. But these lines are using other smart phones, and they listed by brand and model when i log into my account. The IMEI can be used to detect brand and model. I still don't know why the CSRs ask for IMEI when this info shows up automatically, but i never give it to them.
And like I said, when i bought the last phone, I walked in the store and the guy knew what i wanted and looked it up to see if it was reported stolen. When it was not, he said everything was good. A few years ago, they would not have cared either way.
alphadog00 said:
I switch phones all the time and I don't "tell" AT&T - this works fine without issue, but they do see the IMEI - this is easy to verify. Log into your AT&T account and look at your devices - it shows the actual phone that is being used on that number. I am not sure how often they update this, but it shows the system automatically sees the IMEI.
They only keep a database of Blocked or blacklisted IMEI. It is impossible for them to keep a database of approved phones, it just wouldn't work and it would piss people off. It is easier to keep a short block list.
On my account, I have 2 other family lines for dumb phones and they have data blocks. But these lines are using other smart phones, and they listed by brand and model when i log into my account. The IMEI can be used to detect brand and model. I still don't know why the CSRs ask for IMEI when this info shows up automatically, but i never give it to them.
And like I said, when i bought the last phone, I walked in the store and the guy knew what i wanted and looked it up to see if it was reported stolen. When it was not, he said everything was good. A few years ago, they would not have cared either way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See that's where I'm having this issue. I log into my ATT dealer site and it still shows me on the OG Note. When I log into my account it shows OG Note. My account doesn't update with what phone I'm using currently. Not sure if mine is an anomoly or not. AFAIK though ATT told us there was nothing that could be done when one of our ATT display phones was stolen. That's part of where my assumption that blacklisting was not a real thing with ATT.
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imitenotbecrazy said:
See that's where I'm having this issue. I log into my ATT dealer site and it still shows me on the OG Note. When I log into my account it shows OG Note. My account doesn't update with what phone I'm using currently. Not sure if mine is an anomoly or not. AFAIK though ATT told us there was nothing that could be done when one of our ATT display phones was stolen. That's part of where my assumption that blacklisting was not a real thing with ATT.
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Click to collapse
I admit I never blocked a phone. But there is thread that has lots of details of a few users experience:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2315935
According to AT&T only the original owner can report a phone stolen - so maybe only new activations get treated this way. The AT&T rep said i could not add the IMEI of the used phone to my account to prevent someone from reporting it stolen, so their system has lots of limits.
I wish I knew more, but AT&T is not the most forthcoming with how things work.
alphadog00 said:
Today a blocked AT&T phone could still be used on t-mobile.
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Click to collapse
I read just the other day that Tmo and ATT are sharing their blacklists. And once a phone has been blacklisted on one carrier, the other will follow suit.
Too much chatter across multiple threads...
I found a temporary solution. I ported my number to AT&T. Thus far, coverage is fine, data speeds are disappointing only in the sense that where I am right now, I am getting less than the 8 Mbps Cricket would cap me at.* Cricket is apparently now owned by AT&T and now offers unlimited talk, text, and 20 GBs of LTE for $60.
My data worked upon activation.* It seemed my AT&T rep had to alter the IMEI associated with my prepaid account to get phone calls working.* Don't know if there will be any implications, but in the hour I have been with AT&T, some root apps (including Ultimate Dynamic Navbar, without which I have no Navbar) have force closed for the first time. Seems like coincidence but I guess not? This is happening regularly now, X many minutes after boot, and bluetooth is being disabled as well.
I hope that T-Mo gets this straightened out, unless AT&T really impresses me, I look forward to hopefully switching back to the $30 Wal-Mart 5 GB plan.
(I'm too lazy to delete all the pasted asterisks)
Possible Solution?
thref23 said:
Too much chatter across multiple threads...
I found a temporary solution. I ported my number to AT&T. Thus far, coverage is fine, data speeds are disappointing only in the sense that where I am right now, I am getting less than the 8 Mbps Cricket would cap me at.* Cricket is apparently now owned by AT&T and now offers unlimited talk, text, and 20 GBs of LTE for $60.
My data worked upon activation.* It seemed my AT&T rep had to alter the IMEI associated with my prepaid account to get phone calls working.* Don't know if there will be any implications, but in the hour I have been with AT&T, some root apps (including Ultimate Dynamic Navbar, without which I have no Navbar) have force closed for the first time. Seems like coincidence but I guess not? This is happening regularly now, X many minutes after boot, and bluetooth is being disabled as well.
I hope that T-Mo gets this straightened out, unless AT&T really impresses me, I look forward to hopefully switching back to the $30 Wal-Mart 5 GB plan.
(I'm too lazy to delete all the pasted asterisks)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work for T-Mobile and have also have the same issues with my Z3tc I, being a store manager, have limited resources available to me but i plan to submit a ticket in hopes of resolving this issue, it would help if i had multiple issues to report however. If you folks are willing to help me out with this (power in numbers as they say) i think we may have a chance of getting a fix, what i need from each of you is your T-mobile telephone number that you've been using your Z3TC on and i can submit this ticket. Email your name and phone# to [email protected] and I'll do my best
Some more info on this can be found here
ipetitions.com/petition/let-us-call-because-our-tablets-are-made-to-call
Ive been using xda for a while now but didn't really have a good enough reason to creat an account but......since im new and can't post links hopefully you can addbthe http stuff
I really hope this can get cleared up soon a 500$ phone with practically the same features as a flip phone........ Smh
Any update?
tysontthompson said:
I work for T-Mobile and have also have the same issues with my Z3tc I, being a store manager, have limited resources available to me but i plan to submit a ticket in hopes of resolving this issue, it would help if i had multiple issues to report however. If you folks are willing to help me out with this (power in numbers as they say) i think we may have a chance of getting a fix, what i need from each of you is your T-mobile telephone number that you've been using your Z3TC on and i can submit this ticket. Email your name and phone# to [email protected] and I'll do my best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any luck with the ticket you opened? You might consider posting the ticket number both here and in the t-mobile support forum so that anyone with the same issue can easily contact t-mobile and reference that ticket. As you said there is power in numbers!
montp said:
Any luck with the ticket you opened? You might consider posting the ticket number both here and in the t-mobile support forum so that anyone with the same issue can easily contact t-mobile and reference that ticket. As you said there is power in numbers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any update on this? My billing cycle started today and I think I got my internet pulled too. Called tech support and they said they don't know what the problem is. They said they elevated my ticket to a engineer and should hear back from them in 3 days. :crying:
just port the number to Metro its' the same network and just $10 more for unlimited you can always port the number back if t-mobile fix this issue.
Tweeted at Legere and Tmobile help and now I'm sitting on the phone with a tech rep. Let's see what happens. Seems like such an easy thing to switch and the irony is the paying customers and getting screwed and are jumping ship to pacify the freeloaders. I'm in love with huge phones and this is the First tablet with phone capabilities that plays nice with us carriers. I'm prepared to jump ship over this.
SO far she keeps insisting that it will work fine its it has the phone capabilities and i have the proper rate plan. She keeps putting me on hold....
There's someone who clocks into work 9-5 at t-mobile who can fix this issue with very little trouble, just have to locate that person.
---------- Post added at 11:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 PM ----------
tysontthompson said:
I work for T-Mobile and have also have the same issues with my Z3tc I, being a store manager, have limited resources available to me but i plan to submit a ticket in hopes of resolving this issue, it would help if i had multiple issues to report however. If you folks are willing to help me out with this (power in numbers as they say) i think we may have a chance of getting a fix, what i need from each of you is your T-mobile telephone number that you've been using your Z3TC on and i can submit this ticket. Email your name and phone# to [email protected] and I'll do my best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, The tech rep I just spoke to says that she can't open a ticket for me to send to the engineers until there's physically a problem. SO, I'm going to pick it up tomorrow and start the process. Anything happen with your ticket? Am I wasting my time?
I'm still waiting on a call back. Day 2 with no Internet. I told them to call me 24/7. I didn't bother calling today, but you can bet I will again tomorrow. Please, also get it elevated so that they realize this is not an isolated incident. I stopped by at&t today to ask about porting over my number. They said it would take 15 mins. About to jump ship and take my 5 lines on the account with me if I can't get the Internet to work again.
Please keep me updated, I'll keep you updated too.
Sent from my SGP621 using XDA Free mobile app
AirBruce said:
I'm still waiting on a call back. Day 2 with no Internet. I told them to call me 24/7. I didn't bother calling today, but you can bet I will again tomorrow. Please, also get it elevated so that they realize this is not an isolated incident. I stopped by at&t today to ask about porting over my number. They said it would take 15 mins. About to jump ship and take my 5 lines on the account with me if I can't get the Internet to work again.
Please keep me updated, I'll keep you updated too.
Sent from my SGP621 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question is, you can't buy this device from a good reputable store with a 14 day no questions asked return policy. Expansys, or Amazon (not fulfilled by amazon) and the place where I'm going to go to in Manhattan are all "you buy it you keep it".
So, should I even go buy this tomorrow... The only way they will submit a ticket is if I actually have the device with the issue but if it turns out no one will fix the problem... I dont want to be stuck with it..
I guess I could always switch carriers but I'm in a family plan where we split the bill each month and the payments on my note 4 are going to come due... Big mess... But maybe that's what I'll do.
Why not just switch to metro though? Why at&t? Metro the exact same coverage. Or so I've heard.
Maybe I'll take the time to check out metros coverage while I wait for the issue to be fixed. Although.. I wonder, people were already working on this 2 months ago,why should I have any impact at all.
Whatever, yeah, let's keep each other updated!
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
AirBruce said:
I'm still waiting on a call back. Day 2 with no Internet. I told them to call me 24/7. I didn't bother calling today, but you can bet I will again tomorrow. Please, also get it elevated so that they realize this is not an isolated incident. I stopped by at&t today to ask about porting over my number. They said it would take 15 mins. About to jump ship and take my 5 lines on the account with me if I can't get the Internet to work again.
Please keep me updated, I'll keep you updated too.
Sent from my SGP621 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They responded on twitter, let's see if they can do anything... Day 2 with no internet you said, did you just get it or have you had it for a while and it just stopped giving you data?
I wonder if walking into a tmobile store would help too...
---------- Post added at 03:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 AM ----------
mottyengel said:
They responded on twitter, let's see if they can do anything... Day 2 with no internet you said, did you just get it or have you had it for a while and it just stopped giving you data?
I wonder if walking into a tmobile store would help too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just read through a pretty depressing thread. I'm posting the OP's final depressing post after finally getting through to a tmo vp. You can read through the whole thread too if you like. Seems like the battle is lost at this point, it's over, i just have to decide in a few hours when the store opens if I want to leave tmo over this and go to metro... I've been really happy with tmo up until now...
https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/86423?start=0&tstart=0
After doing some research I got a hold of a couple of T-Mobile's executive e-mail addresses and typed in detail about what is happening here hoping someone would respond. Today I received a phone call from the office of the Vice president of T-Mobile. I had a detailed conversation about the problem. They said that our device, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Tablet LTE SGP621 should have never worked as phone with a data plan and T-Mobiles network should have recognized the device as a tablet and not allowed it to work as a phone with a data plan for the few months that it did right away. He also stated that T-Mobile up until I told him was unaware our device existed. He actually had to look up the device. He then went on to explain how the network didn't register the IMEI of the device right away that's why it worked on their network for those few months until the IMEI of the device was registered and classified on their network as a tablet. He didn't actually admit it was the free data for life program but if you understand how network protocols work I don't have to state the obvious. So the bottom line is that T-Mobile doesn't offer the service we are asking for on our devices. The way the network is structured it uses the IMEI number to determine the devices classification and then only allows approved services to be used on that particular device. So the rules on T-Mobiles network work says "Smart phones" are allowed to make phone calls, surf the web, send multimedia text messaging ect. and "Tablets" are only allowed to have a mobile data plan and are incapable of making phone calls. Our device is a phablet but there isn't a phablet classification on T-Mobiles network. Even though our devices will work, have worked, and can work the way we want, it is irrelevant due to the way the network protocols have been written. The industry is somewhat at fault here by not having a specific classification for a device like ours. It really should just be classified as a phone. The world I live in, if a device is capable of making phone calls its a phone end of story. Phones make phone calls, this is kid stuff. So there is no solution to our problem and there never will be one as of right now. So the device is useless in the US for what we bought it for. I would have never bought the LTE version if I knew this was the situation. The service I'm willing to pay for is not offered by any US carrier according to T-Mobile. I find the whole situation funny at this point. Look at it in this perspective, the hardware of our device is identical to the Sony Xperia Z3 that T-Mobile currently offers, the only difference is the size of the screen. and the IMEI number that says its a tablet. You can actually flash the Sony Xperia Z3 operating system onto our devices thats how Identical the hardware is. It's just the IMEI number that defines the devices classification. Overseas this isn't an issue. I'm hoping soon there will be a US carrier offering this service, the first company that does I'm switching to. I think I'm just going to cancel the line and use WiFi for now. I can't believe I spent close to $700 for this device and it's now basically the $400 WiFi version. I'm keeping my T-Mobile account because I'm grandfathered into a very good rate and I'm hoping they will eventually offer the service. but I know for a fact our devices will never work the way they did because of our devices classification. They would only be able to work if T-Mobile changed the networks protocols that classifies the device as either a phone or a tablet, as long as they have that protocol in place we are out of luck. I really don't see them ever getting rid of this classification/rule system on their network. So if they ever do offer a "Phablet" device with the service it will be on T-Mobile branded devices only because those devices will have an IMEI that classifies it as a "Smart phone" or by that time they will have added the new classification of "Phablet".. Good luck to everyone that was having the same issue, I really thought we had a chance at solving the problem because our devices "WORK" on T-Mobiles network perfectly. If anyone knows a carrier willing to provide the service to our devices please let us know.
mottyengel said:
They responded on twitter, let's see if they can do anything... Day 2 with no internet you said, did you just get it or have you had it for a while and it just stopped giving you data?
I wonder if walking into a tmobile store would help too...
---------- Post added at 03:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 AM ----------
I just read through a pretty depressing thread. I'm posting the OP's final depressing post after finally getting through to a tmo vp. You can read through the whole thread too if you like. Seems like the battle is lost at this point, it's over, i just have to decide in a few hours when the store opens if I want to leave tmo over this and go to metro... I've been really happy with tmo up until now...
https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/86423?start=0&tstart=0
After doing some research I got a hold of a couple of T-Mobile's executive e-mail addresses and typed in detail about what is happening here hoping someone would respond. Today I received a phone call from the office of the Vice president of T-Mobile. I had a detailed conversation about the problem. They said that our device, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Tablet LTE SGP621 should have never worked as phone with a data plan and T-Mobiles network should have recognized the device as a tablet and not allowed it to work as a phone with a data plan for the few months that it did right away. He also stated that T-Mobile up until I told him was unaware our device existed. He actually had to look up the device. He then went on to explain how the network didn't register the IMEI of the device right away that's why it worked on their network for those few months until the IMEI of the device was registered and classified on their network as a tablet. He didn't actually admit it was the free data for life program but if you understand how network protocols work I don't have to state the obvious. So the bottom line is that T-Mobile doesn't offer the service we are asking for on our devices. The way the network is structured it uses the IMEI number to determine the devices classification and then only allows approved services to be used on that particular device. So the rules on T-Mobiles network work says "Smart phones" are allowed to make phone calls, surf the web, send multimedia text messaging ect. and "Tablets" are only allowed to have a mobile data plan and are incapable of making phone calls. Our device is a phablet but there isn't a phablet classification on T-Mobiles network. Even though our devices will work, have worked, and can work the way we want, it is irrelevant due to the way the network protocols have been written. The industry is somewhat at fault here by not having a specific classification for a device like ours. It really should just be classified as a phone. The world I live in, if a device is capable of making phone calls its a phone end of story. Phones make phone calls, this is kid stuff. So there is no solution to our problem and there never will be one as of right now. So the device is useless in the US for what we bought it for. I would have never bought the LTE version if I knew this was the situation. The service I'm willing to pay for is not offered by any US carrier according to T-Mobile. I find the whole situation funny at this point. Look at it in this perspective, the hardware of our device is identical to the Sony Xperia Z3 that T-Mobile currently offers, the only difference is the size of the screen. and the IMEI number that says its a tablet. You can actually flash the Sony Xperia Z3 operating system onto our devices thats how Identical the hardware is. It's just the IMEI number that defines the devices classification. Overseas this isn't an issue. I'm hoping soon there will be a US carrier offering this service, the first company that does I'm switching to. I think I'm just going to cancel the line and use WiFi for now. I can't believe I spent close to $700 for this device and it's now basically the $400 WiFi version. I'm keeping my T-Mobile account because I'm grandfathered into a very good rate and I'm hoping they will eventually offer the service. but I know for a fact our devices will never work the way they did because of our devices classification. They would only be able to work if T-Mobile changed the networks protocols that classifies the device as either a phone or a tablet, as long as they have that protocol in place we are out of luck. I really don't see them ever getting rid of this classification/rule system on their network. So if they ever do offer a "Phablet" device with the service it will be on T-Mobile branded devices only because those devices will have an IMEI that classifies it as a "Smart phone" or by that time they will have added the new classification of "Phablet".. Good luck to everyone that was having the same issue, I really thought we had a chance at solving the problem because our devices "WORK" on T-Mobiles network perfectly. If anyone knows a carrier willing to provide the service to our devices please let us know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is some F#* King BULL SH!T!!!!!
I'm going to port my number out.
I just called back tech support and they didn't even know what was happening. No one ever seems to know. I'm going to Metro PCS. EFF these s0n's of b!tch3s.
Yup... Yup... I just had a very long conversation with a tech support guy (i gave him all a bunch of different forum thread links to read through) he read everything I showed him and he understood fully. He transferred me w8th details to someone else who again took plenty of time to read through everything including internal T-mobile discussion. He's gonna call me back on Sunday. I left off with him that everyone is jumping ship because of this, including me, all to pacify some freeloaders.
Of course, I'm not delusional. after reading the above thread I realize he's probably gonna get back to me with a sorry, nothing we can do. That's why I'm going to a metro pcs store today to sign up. I'm not porting my number just yet, first I want to test metro and give tmo a little more time. Plus, I have a new note 4 (warranty issue replacing my current note 4) coming which I will then have to pay off when I port my number out so I'm gonna sell. And actually, I'm going to finally port my number to Google voice so I can always jump around and back to our tmo family plan if they ever fix this.
So, to recap, joining metro today with the tablet and if/when he comes back Sunday with nothing, I'm porting out to Google voice.
I'm so disappointed with tmo. I joined them in 2012 right before everything started getting exciting in 2013 and on and I have been increasingly more happy with them ever since...
What a shame
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
mottyengel said:
Yup... Yup... I just had a very long conversation with a tech support guy (i gave him all a bunch of different forum thread links to read through) he read everything I showed him and he understood fully. He transferred me w8th details to someone else who again took plenty of time to read through everything including internal T-mobile discussion. He's gonna call me back on Sunday. I left off with him that everyone is jumping ship because of this, including me, all to pacify some freeloaders.
Of course, I'm not delusional. after reading the above thread I realize he's probably gonna get back to me with a sorry, nothing we can do. That's why I'm going to a metro pcs store today to sign up. I'm not porting my number just yet, first I want to test metro and give tmo a little more time. Plus, I have a new note 4 (warranty issue replacing my current note 4) coming which I will then have to pay off when I port my number out so I'm gonna sell. And actually, I'm going to finally port my number to Google voice so I can always jump around and back to our tmo family plan if they ever fix this.
So, to recap, joining metro today with the tablet and if/when he comes back Sunday with nothing, I'm porting out to Google voice.
I'm so disappointed with tmo. I joined them in 2012 right before everything started getting exciting in 2013 and on and I have been increasingly more happy with them ever since...
What a shame
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just came back from the cricket store. After writing my last post, I put my jacket on, and walked out, walked 6 blocks down, and had them port my number. So far so good. LTE speed is decent, and now I'm actually paying less! $35 a month. 2.5GB (which is enough for me, they had $45 for 5GB, maybe I'll upgrade next month) and unlimited talk and text. Not too shabby.
Dear T-Mobile. See how easy it was to "Un-carrier" you? I did it in less time, than it takes to do one load of laundry.
Nice hope it works for you. I need the unlimited data because I use North of 30gb a month... With I could go to cricket, but metros probably where I'll end up
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
AirBruce said:
I just came back from the cricket store. After writing my last post, I put my jacket on, and walked out, walked 6 blocks down, and had them port my number. So far so good. LTE speed is decent, and now I'm actually paying less! $35 a month. 2.5GB (which is enough for me, they had $45 for 5GB, maybe I'll upgrade next month) and unlimited talk and text. Not too shabby.
Dear T-Mobile. See how easy it was to "Un-carrier" you? I did it in less time, than it takes to do one load of laundry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm now a happy metro pcs customer. Just started porting my tmo number to google voice and it'll work through the new metro number. Turns out, my eip on my note 4 doesnt come due at all. As long as there are still more lines on the account, i can just keep paying it off month by month. Of course I'm gonna sell it soon but still.
BTW, to anyone who had this issue with tmo, you can get through to the engineering department for technical support, forward them to the following link so they can read up on the problem and then you can get them to credit your bill for the data portion since february. The credited my account 60 bucks.. Not bad. I wish I could have stayed with t-mobile but what can ya do.
Again, to all you people holding out for this to change. Not gonna happen. Not a chance in hell. really. It's a tablet now and it's final. you're gonna all have to move on
Metro is working fine for me is $10 more for the unlimited data but I am happy at least to have this working don't hesitate guys