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PPC6700 and Alltel

Any of you guys using Alltel in the states with this phone?
My 8125 is well loved but Tmobile in my area sucks and I switching to alltel.
I'm wondering if they make you buy a data plan when they find out you have this phone.. I don't need the data just like the features I'm used too..
Thanks
Brad

Reply
Alltel does not make you buy data plan. I use the WIFI at home and in WIFI hotspots to check and send e-mail. I use slingbox mobile to view my TV cable over the phone and on the road.

Alltel made me buy the data plan ($30 month) in Virginia. They told me any smartphone would be disabled on their network if you did not have the plan. This was about 6 months ago. Things might have changed.

bubbagee said:
Alltel made me buy the data plan ($30 month) in Virginia. They told me any smartphone would be disabled on their network if you did not have the plan. This was about 6 months ago. Things might have changed.
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Click to collapse
Damn, glad Alltel doesn't work around here cause I was thinking of them a while ago. Verizon has the unlimted data plan and the pay by kilabytes/bits (sp?) what ever.

I activated my 6700 with alltel and did not have any data plan. I have since added one for $25 a mth unlimited

I'm on the 500 minute Smart Choice pack; unlimited data & text, night and weekends start at 7 and the My Circle... I do quite a bit of text messaging, and calls to people not on Alltel, so even at $90 a month it was the cheapest route than adding stuff on separately.
I think the rep I had talked to when I activated the phone did mention that the 6700 requires the data plan, but I guess if you actually do it over the phone, you might be able to get around it.

VA Alltel
I got one and was told I had to have the data plan.
I signed up and kept it for a couple of weeks.
Got on alltel dot com and set up an account and removed the data plan.
Phone has worked normally ever since and no data plan.

Prepaid Alltel
I have a ppc6700 running HelmiC WM6. I have the alltel prepaid plan for the phone and no data service in NW Ohio. This is exactly what I wanted, but I was told that if I had wanted anything but prepaid I would have had to add a data plan.

I have Alltel..and switched my service from my prior phone to the ppc-6700. There was no mention of data plans, or anything else. I just pay my $40 a month and love using the phone.
A quick workaround for internet access...you get 1 mycircle number with the $39 pplan. If your have an internet provider that gives you a dial-up account..make that your mycircle number and then you can use your phone to check emails and such, and not use -up any of your minutes

hecatomb said:
I'm on the 500 minute Smart Choice pack; unlimited data & text, night and weekends start at 7 and the My Circle... I do quite a bit of text messaging, and calls to people not on Alltel, so even at $90 a month it was the cheapest route than adding stuff on separately.
I think the rep I had talked to when I activated the phone did mention that the 6700 requires the data plan, but I guess if you actually do it over the phone, you might be able to get around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't listen to them reps. Half of them don't know what they're talking about. They also try to tell you that you that WiFi uses data. They never give straight answers.

HTC Fuze Data Plan

Quick question...
I currently have the $20 iPhone data plan and was wondering if I was to install my sim card into the Fuze would att know and how?
I want to keep the visual voice mail option in case some software comes along but if not then I can just use my old razor.
Thanks in advance..

You could do it for now but they will probally find out eventually as it appears att is able to read ur imei over the network and know what phone you use..

My wife has the Tilt with the $20 data plan and had it for a year already with no issues. My concern, is the iPhone $20 data plan differnt the the $20 Multimedia bundle plan?
I think I would have to change anyways since I am unable to send MMS, right?

Theoretically they can find out but I am sure they don't check each and every IMEI to make sure everyone is compliant. You can use the MediaNet unlimited(MNU) or any other unlimited data plan(iPhone) with the Fuze without any issues, I have used MNU on the Fuze from GoPhone plan that I had before I signed a contract to get the Fuze. The MMS will work as well because it's the iPhone that does not have MMS functionality, Fuze has it.

unlimited data plan
the sales lady at the ATT store here in houston said that they will detect the type of phone you are using, at if it is a FUZE, they will AUTOMATICALLY upgrade your data plan to the $50/month pda data plan.
She told me in order to the get the discount that comes with a two year agreement, i had to sign up for this plan. Currently i pay $35/month for unlimited data, so i just bought the phone straight up without the discount.
I had a nokia e70 and now i am using the fuze for about a week now. I logged into my att wireless website to pay my bill and look at data usage, and noticed that ATT had changed my phone/device to the ATT fuze.
So the definitely know what type of device you are using, but i am waiting to see if they start charging me $50/month for my unlimited data.

ngravatt said:
the sales lady at the ATT store here in houston said that they will detect the type of phone you are using, at if it is a FUZE, they will AUTOMATICALLY upgrade your data plan to the $50/month pda data plan.
She told me in order to the get the discount that comes with a two year agreement, i had to sign up for this plan. Currently i pay $35/month for unlimited data, so i just bought the phone straight up without the discount.
I had a nokia e70 and now i am using the fuze for about a week now. I logged into my att wireless website to pay my bill and look at data usage, and noticed that ATT had changed my phone/device to the ATT fuze.
So the definitely know what type of device you are using, but i am waiting to see if they start charging me $50/month for my unlimited data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i recently changed from the Tilt to the Fuze and sure enough my type of device changed as well. However, i still have media net enabled.

Unlimited data for $50 bucks????
Don't they have an unlimited data plan for $30? $50 is absurd?
This begs the question then, can they find out if you use your phone for tethering even though you haven't paid for tethering?

ngravatt said:
She told me in order to the get the discount that comes with a two year agreement, i had to sign up for this plan. Currently i pay $35/month for unlimited data, so i just bought the phone straight up without the discount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're totally full of it or terribly ill informed. I had nearly the same conversation in two ATT stores, except they were trying to push the $30 data plan on me. Net result was that if I wasn't prepared to sign up for data they'd give me $50 off for signing up for two years!
Anyway, I ended up checking my account online and upgrading through their website. $349, no data plan required. (note: I believe the $50 mail in rebate does require you have both a voice and data plan).

It's not just that the iPhone won't send or receive MMS, but you don't get the MMs service with the iPhone plan. I just recently changed to the Fuze from the iPhone and had to change my data and texting plan. However when I had the iPhone I called and told them that I used other phones for work(with the iphone sim) and they added MMS to my plan, after alot of arguing.

CalifornIyay said:
Quick question...
I currently have the $20 iPhone data plan and was wondering if I was to install my sim card into the Fuze would att know and how?
I want to keep the visual voice mail option in case some software comes along but if not then I can just use my old razor.
Thanks in advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wouldnt work.
I had the iPhone also right before i just got my fuze.
If you just put the SIM card in the fuze, u will be able to make phone calls, and text. But once you try to use the Internet, it will fail. You will be able to use WIFI, but not Edge or 3G connections.
When i went to by my fuze, they gave me a new Sim Card. And even WITH THAT...once i got home i wasnt able to connect to the internet using 3G, i had to call AT&T support and they said that they still had the "iPhone" information in their systems...so they were sending an iPhone Signal to my FUZE, which apprently was incompatable.
So, I guess the iPhone receives a different signal than "regular phones."
I also had $20 data plan. But now i have the $30 data plan for my fuze. Since the $20 iPhone doesnt exist anymore, since the the 3G iPhone came out.

Can you please explain what do you mean when you say iPhone uses a different signal? I still think you should try your SIM card with the Fuze before signing up for a more expensive plan.

Jelster said:
They're totally full of it or terribly ill informed. I had nearly the same conversation in two ATT stores, except they were trying to push the $30 data plan on me. Net result was that if I wasn't prepared to sign up for data they'd give me $50 off for signing up for two years!
Anyway, I ended up checking my account online and upgrading through their website. $349, no data plan required. (note: I believe the $50 mail in rebate does require you have both a voice and data plan).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, it sounded like a load of crap to me too. unlimited data is unlimited data, i read as much as i could on the ATT website about my data plan and it does not mention what type of device you can use with each plan.
i am pretty sure she was just using some sales tactics to get me to upgrade my plan
this unlimited data plan ($35/month) also includes the unlimited text and sms. I know they used to offer all that for $20 a month, so if you were smart enough to sign up for it when they offered it you, you should be able to keep it and use it with any phone.

I was also told I had to upgrade from the $20 to $35 plan (unlimited data, 200 messages).
And they are able to detect your phone, I got the 8125 from ATT but when I upgraded to the 8525 I wasn't eligible for the discount and it was cheaper to get one on Ebay and move my SIM card over. When I got the Fuze they checked their computer and saw I had the 8525 even though it was off and the SIM card was now out of it (they must have checked and updated sometime in the last 2 years).
If you want unlimited data just own up to the fact you've going to pay more.

what i've been doing with cingular/att since the wizard days was place my sim card in a non-pda device, like say a motorola razr or something simple like that. Call them up and tell them you are no longer using the PDA (be it fuze, tilt, 8125, 8528 etc). They'll see what phone your using, actually they'll ask for that phones imie, put it in there system and allow you to switch to the $15 unlimitted medianet plan for non-pdas. Then switch your sim back into your pda.
I'm currently using my tilt with the $15 unlimitted media net plan and have been using this plan with my past 3/4 winmo ppcs. I even tether quite a bit and, knock on wood, haven't been "caught" yet.

dude64 said:
Can you please explain what do you mean when you say iPhone uses a different signal? I still think you should try your SIM card with the Fuze before signing up for a more expensive plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im not really sure of details, but that is wat i understood when i called the Customer Support and thats what the tech guy told me
But yea, i guess u should try it and figure it out

also if u use the iphone plan on another device and you get a voice mail, you will recieve a jibbirish text message which is what communicates with the visual voicemail on the iphone.

Alucard_11 said:
It wouldnt work.
I had the iPhone also right before i just got my fuze.
If you just put the SIM card in the fuze, u will be able to make phone calls, and text. But once you try to use the Internet, it will fail. You will be able to use WIFI, but not Edge or 3G connections.
When i went to by my fuze, they gave me a new Sim Card. And even WITH THAT...once i got home i wasnt able to connect to the internet using 3G, i had to call AT&T support and they said that they still had the "iPhone" information in their systems...so they were sending an iPhone Signal to my FUZE, which apprently was incompatable.
So, I guess the iPhone receives a different signal than "regular phones."
I also had $20 data plan. But now i have the $30 data plan for my fuze. Since the $20 iPhone doesnt exist anymore, since the the 3G iPhone came out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure this isn't because of the proxy in the Fuze settings? Because when I swapped my sim from my iphone to a n82 or a tilt when I test drove one, the connection worked perfectly though I still couldn't receive any MMS....

$19.99 a month
I have an old 19.99 plan. It works with my iphone, tilt, and fuse.
When getting another phone, they liketo change you plan around but after a couple of call ins, they can put it back on. I also have an older phone (like 5 years old) that I give the imei number, they change my internet back to the old plan, ...
Everything works fine.

I know it works for a fact!
Now if you just bought the HTC Fuze and want a data plan of course they are going to tell you its $30/month because its a PDA. They already have your IMEI number from your purchase when you walked in that store or called att to buy this phone.
Also, each time when you call the sales/customer support please be advise your conversations are monitored in their notes so if you try to be slick and thinking you are going to pull one over them they already have your previouse conversation in their systems.
This is how its done if you want to save $15 a month then listen up!
1) Wait until you get your mail-in rebate check becuase they will check.
2) Call ATT and tell them something funky is going on with the phone and you cant use it until you can get a replacement
3) Tell them you are going on a business trip so you cant wait until they ship the phone and you are going to have to use your old Motorola V300 or anything old laying around.
4) They will ask for your IMEI number and give it to them
5) Tell them you dont want to get charged $30 or $35 for this and give you the $20 Multimedia plan until you get back a month later. (They may say we will pro-rate your bill. Tell them NO! because you had issues before with being pro-rated, just change it until I get back)
6) Dont send your phone in because you have to leave in two days and dont have the time now, you will exchange it when you get back. If they send you another phone then dont accept it when its mailed or just exchange your phone and dont call back.
7) Change is done in their system and there you go..
REMEBER: You are the customer, so when they start to tell you they cant do that or push you away then tell them..THEN GIVE ME SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP ME!! Show your frustration from waiting and different information from their sales reps. Stick to your guns and dont back down. You may need to find someone who actually cares about their job and you can tell who they are..
Good Luck
This is what I noticed between the the iPhone and Media Net data plans.
*iPhone:
Pros:
-Unlimited Data, Visual Voice Mail, 200 text messages
Cons:
-MMS Disabled
*Multimedia Net
Pros:
- Unlimited Data, 200 Text Messages, MMS Enabled
Cons:
- No Visual Voice Mail, Not for PDA's

I had the MediaMax200 plan on a few phones and it worked fine on all of them including the 8525 PDA. I was going over my 200 text limit so I tried to switch to the MediaMax Unlimited text plan for $35. Everything seemed fine, but I got an email that stated I was using a PDA and the MediaMax Unlimited wasn't eligible for my phone. They removed all plans from my phone and said they were gonna charge me for each text and internet pay per use. I just said screw it and got the $50 PDA unlimited plan, (My work discount gives me a 22% discount on this though, so its under $40)
Anyways as long as you don't change data plans, they don't care or check.
Also I was very upset about what they did, so now I abuse the crap out of my data plan. I send thousands of texts and use a crapload of data just to get my money worth.

Data Plan Differences?

I'm currently using an unlocked G1 on AT&T. I went way over my data usage ($1200 over) and AT&T said they would backtrack it if I signed up for a data plan. I said ok and they gave me the Data Unlimited plan ($15). What is the difference between the Data Unlimited Plan ($15) and the PDA Personal Plan ($30)? Will I be charged more since I have a smartphone and am using the internet as much as I want or will the Data Unlimited cover that?

No, you get charged for the plan you have. Your device is considered a PDA (according to them that is) since it has a QWERTY keyboard. There's absolutely no difference but ATT just wants us PDA users more since we apparently get more out of the internet. If you don't need it, i'd call and cancel it.
I got the iPhone yesterday and 3 minutes later, I sold it. Called them up and she removed it for me.

Well I want to keep the internet plan so I can use the internet without being charged per usage. So just to clarify, because AT&T assigned the Data Unlimited plan (on the website since my phone is from T-Mobile it's just represented by a generic phone and not a smartphone) to me it will cover all my internet usage?

Fuze*Freak said:
Well I want to keep the internet plan so I can use the internet without being charged per usage. So just to clarify, because AT&T assigned the Data Unlimited plan (on the website since my phone is from T-Mobile it's just represented by a generic phone and not a smartphone) to me it will cover all my internet usage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes (except tether which you need a separate plan for).

I believe the data unlimited just includes internet access, while the more expensive PDA Personal plan includes unlimited messaging ( sms, mms ) too. I think there in lies the cost difference.

denco7 said:
I believe the data unlimited just includes internet access, while the more expensive PDA Personal plan includes unlimited messaging ( sms, mms ) too. I think there in lies the cost difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SMS/MMS are a different package.

kareeem said:
SMS/MMS are a different package.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the data unlimited package, on the pda personal package they are included.
I have the pda personal package with no separate sms package and get unlimited texts.
Which is why, even though his phone is considered a pda, he is still getting the cheaper plan.

That's the 50 dollar plan, right?

That's the $30.00 dollar PDA personal plan.
that is on top of the $39.99 phone plan.

$15 unlimited plan!??!?!
what state do you get this plan in? i'm moving . . . i pay either $50-$65 for unlimited (5GB)!
5GB = unlimited --------- weird eh
ciao

reperion said:
what state do you get this plan in? i'm moving . . . i pay either $50-$65 for unlimited (5GB)!
5GB = unlimited --------- weird ehciao[ /QUOTE]
$20 unlimited data plan with tmobile usa! I would go broke with your plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Plan dilemma

Posting this here since it's specific to the Inspire, but it applies to AT&T's smart phone policy in general. I'm looking for input from those of you who have managed to somehow get your data plans grandfathered successfully.
Here's the deal.
After some 6 years with Cingular/AT&T, four years of which were off contract while using a Kaiser (not a Tilt) and HD2 (Telstra) I upgraded last month to the Inspire. While I have no beef with the phone, I do have a problem with the data plan.
My problem is this. I'm 'Goldilocks'. I need a plan that's "juuuust right" for me, but AT&T is hammering me into one of three cubbyholes, none of which fit my needs.
I have spent over two hours on the phone over the past couple weeks with line reps and one supervisor to explain to them that for those 4 years I was on a MEdia Net unlimited plan at $20/month, never did I exceed 200MB of data. In fact, there were months when I used no data or text at all, but still paid for the plan. But my concern is that I can see exceeding 200MB/month on occasion with the new phone, therefore my point to them is that they should let me use the MEdia Net plan, or risk losing my account entirely.
So after all that time on the phone and almost two weeks of waiting for them to see what they were going to do, they 'Grandfathered' me into a $30/month unlimited data plan with no text.
Now, I don't mind paying another $5/month more than I used to, to cover myself for up to 2Gig of data, though I doubt I'd ever use that much. For my usage pattern, 2Gig is virtually unlimited to me. But I have no messaging units and I resent spending $10 for 1000 messages when I only use about 20 or so per month.
What I'd be perfectly content with is $25/month for 2Gig and 200 (or even just 50!) messages. But none of the rocket scientists there can figure out how to make it happen. Interestingly enough, Tmobile is offering $80/month with unlimited data, unlimited voice and unlimited texting.
So, here I am with these choices:
1) Take the $25/month plan and just tell my friends to not text me as much anymore.
2) Take the $30/month unlimited plan and use the crap out of it just for spite.
3) Tell AT&T to go pound salt, return the phone, revert to my MEdia Net plan and use my Kaiser until I go with Tmobile at $80 unlimited for voice/data/text and get the upcoming HTC Sensation
Hoping y'all have some advice for me.
Thanks!

Sign up for the 200mb plan. If you exceed your data, you can retroactively upgrade to the 2gig plan for $25 and not pay any overage.
And then you can lower it down to the 200mb plan for the next billing cycle.
Edit, also, with unlimited data from tmobile, you get 2gigs of full speed data, after which you are throttled until the end of the billing cycle.

I was with Cingular when it started and then AT&T when they bought 'em. I was lucky enough when my wife and I got our first iPhone 3g's we got the unlimited plan. At that time, texting was included. A few years later, while upgrading our phones...they told us that the unlimited data would stay the same, but we would have to pay for the texting...so we got the Unlimited Texting Family Plan. Its a few dollars more, but well worth it.
I say go for it!

Get the 2 gig plan for 25...its 10 bux for each gig after...So what...... i pay 5 dollars a month for 200 text messages. I can still see that offer when I hit upgrade.
Perhaps the bigger question is why do you need a smart phone since you don't want to pay for the best features. Internet, email, texting....

harlenm said:
Sign up for the 200mb plan. If you exceed your data, you can retroactively upgrade to the 2gig plan for $25 and not pay any overage.
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Click to collapse
Only partially correct. Here it is, straight from the AT&T website:
On the 200MB plan:
DataPlus 200MB for Smartphone includes 200MB. Once 200MB is exceeded, an additional 200MB is automatically provided at a rate of $15 for each additional 200MB provided. Unused data usage does not carry over. For HSPA+/4G SmartPhones ONLY.
On the 2G Plan:
DataPro 2GB for HSPA+/4G Smartphone includes 2GB. Once 2GB is exceeded, an additional 1GB is automatically provided at a rate of $10 for each additional 1GB provided. Unused data usage does not carry over. For HSPA+/4G SmartPhones ONLY.
So, you're right, but only as it applies to the 2Gig plan at $25/month.
tweaked said:
Perhaps the bigger question is why do you need a smart phone since you don't want to pay for the best features. Internet, email, texting....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you missed my point. I am willing pay for data. In fact, if anything, I have overpaid. My problem is that I'll probably use a bit more than the $15 plan, but not as much as the $25 plan. I wouldn't even mind it so much if they bumped me automatically to the 2G plan and charged me an extra $15 on those months where I go over the 200MB base plan. But it's the little 'scumbaggy' business of giving the modest users the shaft. Does the first byte of data over 200MB cost any more to deliver than the first byte of data over 2 Gig? Of course not. Yet they charge $15/200MB (7.5 cents/meg) for those on the base plan, and $10/GIG (ONE CENT PER MEG!!!) for those on the 2G plan. I'd really like to hear the explanation for how they justify charging nearly EIGHT TIMES the rate per meg for data overages from one plan as opposed to the other.

I work for an AT&T Authorized Reseller. IMHO take the $30 Data package if you are offered it.
As long as you can keep the Unlimited Package use the crap out of it. It really is true from what I see that the overwhelming majority (not on XDA of course) will never approach the 2GB threshold. If, however, you want to use your phone for something other than Facebook and TXTing having the Grandfatherd $30 Unlimited is SOOO worth it!
Even if you returned the phone at this point, you would be in for a hella battle with Customer Service to get your MediaNet Unlimited re-instated. In retrospect I would have purchased the phone outright without anyone touching your account. You may not have had "4G" provisioned on your phone, but thats what WiFi's are for.
Hope this helps a little ...

sraitter said:
I work for an AT&T Authorized Reseller. IMHO take the $30 Data package if you are offered it... As long as you can keep the Unlimited Package use the crap out of it...
In retrospect I would have purchased the phone outright without anyone touching your account...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, an expert authority!
Yes, the unlimited plan at $30 is an option in my 'features' section in the web account manager.
Well, here's the deal. I can still return the phone, revert to my previous plan by using my Kaiser, then next month go with Tmobile and an HTC Sensation for $80 a month for unlimted data/text/talk. And since AT&T will be buying Tmoble shortly, I'll have the benefit of the expanded network when customer accounts are migrated.
Does that make sense in your experience, or am I overthinking this?

I gotta say with your story I would return the phone and wait for the sensation. Don't get me wrong the inspire is the best phone I have ever owned and I love it but if I had the choice to revert to my captivate for a couple months and didn't have a family plan with ATT I would be gone. Tmobile has faster hspa and has way higher customer satisfaction not to mention that the sensation is gonna be the best thing out, and will probably stay that way for a while. And to top it all off this time next year your quad band sensation, that's assuming that's what tmobile is getting, you will have the benefit of two networks combined. Look at this way, no matter what you do u will be with ATT this time next year lol.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

BillTheCat said:
Ah, an expert authority!
Yes, the unlimited plan at $30 is an option in my 'features' section in the web account manager.
Well, here's the deal. I can still return the phone, revert to my previous plan by using my Kaiser, then next month go with Tmobile and an HTC Sensation for $80 a month for unlimted data/text/talk. And since AT&T will be buying Tmoble shortly, I'll have the benefit of the expanded network when customer accounts are migrated.
Does that make sense in your experience, or am I overthinking this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just noticing you live in Milford .... g'luck with TMobile there. Check with a friend who has them how decent the service is for them.
Huge fan of Tmobile and Sprints pricing ... but living the past few years in cities that are sub-metropolitan areas their service is spotty at best.
Also, going with the $30 Unlm Smartphone Data and Rooting your Inspire you will have the ability to WiFi Hotspot your android device w/o AT&T caching on (as long as you are not using it excessively). Don't use to stream Netflix on the old Laptop, but excellent for iPad or Nook use.
Hope this is helpful as this is my 10th post so I may now comment in the Dev Forms.
Happy Rooting!!!

sraitter said:
Just noticing you live in Milford .... g'luck with TMobile there. Check with a friend who has them how decent the service is for them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point taken, but I have a 10MB cablemodem connection and wifi at home, so I'm pretty much covered in the voice/data department. Already rooted and running RCMix 5.9.x so wifi router is there, though I have to admit I haven't bothered testing it yet.
Anyway, you make sense. Utica, huh? Still got snow up there?

Sadly snowed this morning ... thought about crying.
If/when you get bored with that ROM consider the MIUI ROM. Battery life is recently meh but it so much fun... screams like an eagle and purrs like a kitten ... feels like an iPhone OS without the awful and has widgets and folders!
Enjoy!

Infuse 4G Data Plan Question

Background:
* I have 2 lines on Family Plan, both with "smartphone exclusion"
* On 1st line, I had Samsung Jack with Medianet Unlimited Plan for 2 years without any problems. Loved the unlimited data for $15 bucks w/ light WIFI and USB tethering, never exceeded 2-3 GB/month.
* On 2nd line, I had a dumb phone
Recently, I upgraded the dumb-phone to Infuse 4G at Best Buy, came home and switched the SIM back into a dumb-phone, called ATT, and had them take the data plan off. I understand that at this point I have lost "smartphone exclusion" on this line because I have upgraded.
Now I took the SIM from my 1st phone (Samsung Jack) and inserted in my Infuse. I used it for happy 3 weeks, no sms from ATT, unlimited data plan stayed on just fine. My billing cycle starts on the 4th; so, today I can see that my unlimited medianet data has been removed, but no data plan has been added (I think smartphone exclusion saved me), but when I look under usage, I can see
Data
GPRS MB WAP/BBRY/ISP 2GB DOM $10.00/1GB ADDL - HSSMTD4O
and then for my data usage, I see:
11.62 MB of 2048 MB
My interpretation is that technically if I wanted to, I could just disable data on my phone, and I wouldn't be forced into a data plan, but they are making sure I can't take advantage of the MediaNet plan either. Any thoughts?
I'm thinking of selling the Infuse and getting a non-ATT smartphone.
Any insightful comments would be appreciated. Please don't bother posting if you don't know what 'smartphone exclusion" is. Or, please don't make a reference to ATT TOC. Thanks!

sumeet909 said:
Background:
* I have 2 lines on Family Plan, both with "smartphone exclusion"
* On 1st line, I had Samsung Jack with Medianet Unlimited Plan for 2 years without any problems. Loved the unlimited data for $15 bucks w/ light WIFI and USB tethering, never exceeded 2-3 GB/month.
* On 2nd line, I had a dumb phone
Recently, I upgraded the dumb-phone to Infuse 4G at Best Buy, came home and switched the SIM back into a dumb-phone, called ATT, and had them take the data plan off. I understand that at this point I have lost "smartphone exclusion" on this line because I have upgraded.
Now I took the SIM from my 1st phone (Samsung Jack) and inserted in my Infuse. I used it for happy 3 weeks, no sms from ATT, unlimited data plan stayed on just fine. My billing cycle starts on the 4th; so, today I can see that my unlimited medianet data has been removed, but no data plan has been added (I think smartphone exclusion saved me), but when I look under usage, I can see
Data
GPRS MB WAP/BBRY/ISP 2GB DOM $10.00/1GB ADDL - HSSMTD4O
and then for my data usage, I see:
11.62 MB of 2048 MB
My interpretation is that technically if I wanted to, I could just disable data on my phone, and I wouldn't be forced into a data plan, but they are making sure I can't take advantage of the MediaNet plan either. Any thoughts?
I'm thinking of selling the Infuse and getting a non-ATT smartphone.
Any insightful comments would be appreciated. Please don't bother posting if you don't know what 'smartphone exclusion" is. Or, please don't make a reference to ATT TOC. Thanks!
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More than likely eventually they will get you on the Infuse for the regular Smartphone data plan when the system realized the IMEI is from an Infuse.

MisterEdF said:
More than likely eventually they will get you on the Infuse for the regular Smartphone data plan when the system realized the IMEI is from an Infuse.
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OK, then the remaining option is to get unlimited plan via iPhone 2g route, correct?
I think they could not put me on data plan, but they've put me on some kind of "pay per use" data plan with 2GB/$25 to start of. If I don't use any data, I don't pay anything, but if I use even just 1MB, they charge me $25 that month. Smart move by ATT. So, the medianet option is over.

Unlimited Data Grandfathered
AT&Ts Policy is ,"If they squal loud enough,let them keep their data" I have an Inspire & an Iphone 4 both with 30.00 per month Unlimited Data,Rooted for no Additional Cost for Internet Tethering & Hotspot Use, I came from Blackjack and Palm SMartphones ,said I was leaving for another carrier after I was told I could have a 200mb or 2 gig Data Plan with Overage fees after my Limits were reached,Supervisor was questioned by AT&T Operator and Data was Grandfathered,I have since added a 3rd Line with the Infuse and have Unlimited on that and never even had a 3rd line on the old Plan. SQUEAL LIKE A PIG!!

don't know what smartphone exclusion is but i'm still going to post and ask what is it?
and to my knowledge, when you bought the infuse 4g, the data plan is bounded by the contract for 2 years, how did you tell them to take it off?

Want an unreasonable request granted write the oop.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

seeing how i am a sales rep with at&t i will chime in with some thoughts to your question... your old medianet plan isn't compatible with the 4g phone vs wap.cingular apn the new 4G android phones use. So for starters with out modification your internet never would have worked without adding new apn's to the phone.
What happened was, you were correct when your said, your line was grandfathered with smartphone exclusion but that was only for the IMEI of the device that code was added to your account with. The second you changed that data device on that line to another data device, I am willing to bet that code was removed from your line as you lost your grandfather clause by changing device type / IMEI. Thus your plan was changed.
What happened was now since you put your other lines sim card in the phone, it also saw the IMEI didn't match the data plan you had. Removed it, and added the standard 2GB 4G phone data plan to your line. It is not pay per use, you are now most likely being charged $25/month for 2GB of data, the next plan down is $15 for 200MB of data per month, the next plan up is $45 for 4GB of data w/mobile hotspot feature.
Unless you go back to your old phone you can not get your old plan back, that is if you can even get that old plan back as it isn't in the system anymore to my knowledge unless you get a rep with grandfathered plan access over the phone.
You maybe able to call and get a lucky rep to get you on a $30 unlimited plan as you had unlimited before, but they will most likely reject it as it was a different phone/data plan type, otherwise it would have carried over as a $30 unlimited plan automatically when the system changed it.
This is just my 2 cents. I hoped this answered your question without getting in to the TOS as you stated lol
Disclaimer: These thoughts are my own, and don't represent those of at&t.

sumeet909 said:
OK, then the remaining option is to get unlimited plan via iPhone 2g route, correct?
I think they could not put me on data plan, but they've put me on some kind of "pay per use" data plan with 2GB/$25 to start of. If I don't use any data, I don't pay anything, but if I use even just 1MB, they charge me $25 that month. Smart move by ATT. So, the medianet option is over.
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You're not on "pay Per Use" you are on the $25/month 2gig plan unless this is some new secret plan they have. Yes, you probably could do the "iPhone 2G trick
and get unlimited for $30/month.

Hate to be blunt, but you fubared it. The only way to do what you want to is buy an unlocked non att phone with the right gsm radio, and use a feature phone, get the ten dollar unlimited plan, then switch sim to unbranded phone setup apn for att. Not That I've ever done it but a lot of people do. There is also straight talk. 50$a month unlimited everything, but only two of Their phones have the necessary unlocked sim at200$.
CM7, Nightly. Captivate

Vegaslightsss said:
AT&Ts Policy is ,"If they squal loud enough,let them keep their data" I have an Inspire & an Iphone 4 both with 30.00 per month Unlimited Data,Rooted for no Additional Cost for Internet Tethering & Hotspot Use, I came from Blackjack and Palm SMartphones ,said I was leaving for another carrier after I was told I could have a 200mb or 2 gig Data Plan with Overage fees after my Limits were reached,Supervisor was questioned by AT&T Operator and Data was Grandfathered,I have since added a 3rd Line with the Infuse and have Unlimited on that and never even had a 3rd line on the old Plan. SQUEAL LIKE A PIG!!
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Thanks! I can do this since I am well within the return policy and other 2 lines have no contract.

shadow65781 said:
Hate to be blunt, but you fubared it. The only way to do what you want to is buy an unlocked non att phone with the right gsm radio, and use a feature phone, get the ten dollar unlimited plan, then switch sim to unbranded phone setup apn for att. Not That I've ever done it but a lot of people do. There is also straight talk. 50$a month unlimited everything, but only two of Their phones have the necessary unlocked sim at200$.
CM7, Nightly. Captivate
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Agreed. Let me ask you another question then, could I ebay the Infuse, buy an unlocked Galaxy S2 (International version), call them and give them IMEI of dumb phone and get the $15 plan? I did mess it up, but I'm within the 30 day return policy window to fix it; just need to find best way out.

AEDan1977 said:
seeing how i am a sales rep with at&t i will chime in with some thoughts to your question... your old medianet plan isn't compatible with the 4g phone vs wap.cingular apn the new 4G android phones use. So for starters with out modification your internet never would have worked without adding new apn's to the phone.
What happened was, you were correct when your said, your line was grandfathered with smartphone exclusion but that was only for the IMEI of the device that code was added to your account with. The second you changed that data device on that line to another data device, I am willing to bet that code was removed from your line as you lost your grandfather clause by changing device type / IMEI. Thus your plan was changed.
What happened was now since you put your other lines sim card in the phone, it also saw the IMEI didn't match the data plan you had. Removed it, and added the standard 2GB 4G phone data plan to your line. It is not pay per use, you are now most likely being charged $25/month for 2GB of data, the next plan down is $15 for 200MB of data per month, the next plan up is $45 for 4GB of data w/mobile hotspot feature.
Unless you go back to your old phone you can not get your old plan back, that is if you can even get that old plan back as it isn't in the system anymore to my knowledge unless you get a rep with grandfathered plan access over the phone.
You maybe able to call and get a lucky rep to get you on a $30 unlimited plan as you had unlimited before, but they will most likely reject it as it was a different phone/data plan type, otherwise it would have carried over as a $30 unlimited plan automatically when the system changed it.
This is just my 2 cents. I hoped this answered your question without getting in to the TOS as you stated lol
Disclaimer: These thoughts are my own, and don't represent those of at&t.
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Before I started using Infuse, I did Google this APN thingy and I had setup a new APN for Infuse rather than using the default one.
2nd: Actually, "smartphone exclusion" is still there. That is the strange part, but yes, to your point, it doesn't apply after equipment change - this has been mentioned by your co-workers and I understand it now.
I just need to call them and start yelling. Technically I'm within the 30 day return policy (or is it 14?). Plus, other 2 lines are not in contract. Otherwise, T-Mobile, here we come.....

tjy8tim said:
don't know what smartphone exclusion is but i'm still going to post and ask what is it?
and to my knowledge, when you bought the infuse 4g, the data plan is bounded by the contract for 2 years, how did you tell them to take it off?
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Before Sept 2009, AT&T didn't require data plans w/ smartphones. So, After Sept 4, 2009 they required everyone to buy a data plan w/ smartphone. Customers who owned a smartphone prior to that date, were not required to purchase a smartphone and a feature was added to their accounts called "smartphone exclusion". I owned a Samsung Jack prior to that data. After I got "smartphone exclusion", I added $15 media-net and had it for about 2 years. To preserve that feature, I never upgraded my line; I actually upgraded my sister's line to get a new phone and then switched the SIM cards. Alas, that loophole has been shut. AT&T has a crawler in place that checks this and adds data plans unless you have the same equipment IMEI that you got the smartphone with.
I might need to research if IMEI spoofing is possible/legal. Otherwise, might just buy an unlocked non-ATT smartphone.

Do you have a recommendation for non-ATT smartphone that measures up to Infuse?

sumeet909 said:
Do you have a recommendation for non-ATT smartphone that measures up to Infuse?
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Galaxy s2 from Europe. Amazon carries it 600 bones and its yours, or you could get a nexus one with att radio, not sure about it but the nexus s might be unbranded.
Read something last night, after nexus s released on att they caught people who bought it prior to release. Forced them to “rip off" data plan.
CM7, Nightly. Captivate

shadow65781 said:
Galaxy s2 from Europe. Amazon carries it 600 bones and its yours, or you could get a nexus one with att radio, not sure about it but the nexus s might be unbranded.
CM7, Nightly. Captivate
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I'm getting ready to bail out Europe by approx 600. That's quite an amount, but ATT is despicable - the lag and bloatware on Infuse is unacceptable and the data restrictions just kill the experience. God save the Euro, USD are on their way.

sumeet909 said:
I'm getting ready to bail out Europe by approx 600. That's quite an amount, but ATT is despicable - the lag and bloatware on Infuse is unacceptable and the data restrictions just kill the experience. God save the Euro, USD are on their way.
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Any updates on what you did? Did you just buy the GSII and use your old $15 unlimited plan?

Infuse is on sale on Craigslist. As soon as it is sold, I will use those proceeds to order a European GS2. Strange, it is so difficult to get rid off Android products compared to Apple Snapple. If I don't get good price, I might just end up returning it since I am within 30 day return period. I was hoping to subsidize the GSII cost.
oofie said:
Any updates on what you did? Did you just buy the GSII and use your old $15 unlimited plan?
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