Database Info

SIM question for the experts.

I am looking to buy either a HTC Fuze or G1. I am leaning toward the Fuze because I am a former Tytn II user.
Here is my scenario.
I will buy a Fuze off of Craigslist and unlock the phone.
My sister has a Motorola phone...not PDA...just a phone...with ATT. The phone has a 3G SIM with a $15.00 per month unlimited data plan. I would like to move this SIM card to my new unlocked Fuze. Any problem doing this? I want the 3G data connection.
I would then take her Motorola phone and add it to her Family plan (with no data)...for just $9.99 per month. Since this phone was active with the 3G SIM card will there be a problem reactivating it with a new SIM card and new phone number?
The reason for the sneakiness is that ATT won't let you add a phone with unlimited data unless you buy the phone from them with a new plan. The options they have are:
1. New Phone with New Plan and Unlimited Data ($30 bucks per month)...not really an option since my sister already has a family plan and my credit is ruined right now thanks to my soon to be ex-wife's stupidity.
2. Used Phone with no plan and no data....not an option for me since I need unlimited data.
3. Used Phone with Pay As You Go for $50 bucks a month plus another $20 bucks per month for 100 megs of data($70 bucks plus fees)....not a good option either since that is WAY TO DAMN MUCH MONEY for data.
I really want to use ATT since they have the best 3G coverage in my area.
If the SIM card switch-a-roo idea I invision would work I would end up with unlimited data on my Fuze and a new number(on the Motorola) and I'm just adding $9.99 per month to her bill. SWEET!
Thanks in advance if you can answer my question about the viability of my proposal!!!!
PS....I would do the exact same things if I chose the G1.

You can always try it, but they can chaeck the imei version of the phone the sim is plugged into (so they WILL know you are using a fuze once you plug it in)
You can put the card in and use the data plan but att is always able to revoke the data because they become suspicious (i which most times you can just claim ignorance.) Like i said though they WILL know once you plug the sim in and you are technically liable for any data charges you may rack up once that sim is in your phone.
And by the way, you can add an unlimited data package, its thirty a month and can be added in store, online, or over the phone.

Thanks!
Found the same question being answered at HowardForums. Definitly works. Even better if the phone is unbranded...aka...Raphael. ATT won't list the number if it's not one of their own. Thanks!

Anyone understand AT&T data plans

I used to have $30 Smartphone data on my Tilt, I removed it last september, had data blocked... fast forward to January, I called AT&T and changed my listed IMEI to a KRZR IMEI and popped my Sim into a unlocked G1, added the unlimited $10 data plan... Now I want to play with my Tilt again for a little while, Will anything happen if I throw my sim card back in my Tilt? will they change my data plan? will they text me or notify me about it? or will I just go unnoticed on my $10 plan?

Once in a great while they might scan for it, but they'll send you a text/notify you before they change your data plan.

On a Tilt, you'll probably go unnoticed.
However, with a Nexus One or iPhone, you are automatically set to a $30 plan.

This happened to me, I had the 10/month medianet plan with a lg shine. The next the att changed me to the 30/month for my pure. I called them and they changed it back but the next day slapped the sim back on the pure. Within 3 hours got a text again and my plan was changed yet again.

My G1 has gone unnoticed... just slapped my sim in, if anything happens, I'll post it up.

jmhalder said:
My G1 has gone unnoticed... just slapped my sim in, if anything happens, I'll post it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your G1 a t-mobile brand or is it unbranded?

TheChemist187 said:
Is your G1 a t-mobile brand or is it unbranded?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile, as far as I know its gone unnoticed, Although I honestly havent looked at the bill (on my folks familytalk plan still, lol) but I havent gotten any sms saying otherwise.

jmhalder said:
I used to have $30 Smartphone data on my Tilt, I removed it last september, had data blocked... fast forward to January, I called AT&T and changed my listed IMEI to a KRZR IMEI and popped my Sim into a unlocked G1, added the unlimited $10 data plan... Now I want to play with my Tilt again for a little while, Will anything happen if I throw my sim card back in my Tilt? will they change my data plan? will they text me or notify me about it? or will I just go unnoticed on my $10 plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will notice it right away and change your data plan to the $30 plan without even telling you.
It is in your AT$T agreement that all smart phones now require a data plan.
My son broke his LG Vu which was still under contract so I could not cancel the service without early termination fees. The contract on my Tilt was up so I cancelled the service on the Tilt and put my son's sim from his Vu in my Tilt, did not tell AT$T anything. Within a week my son's account showed his phone as being a Tilt and a $30 data plan was added.
They can and will find out and change it.
http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618214

denco7 said:
They will notice it right away and change your data plan to the $30 plan without even telling you.
It is in your AT$T agreement that all smart phones now require a data plan.
My son broke his LG Vu which was still under contract so I could not cancel the service without early termination fees. The contract on my Tilt was up so I cancelled the service on the Tilt and put my son's sim from his Vu in my Tilt, did not tell AT$T anything. Within a week my son's account showed his phone as being a Tilt and a $30 data plan was added.
They can and will find out and change it.
http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618214
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to know what you think about a Tmobile smart phone or a unbranded. Will they still find out? There are people who say they have not auto changed their accounts yet. I had a LG Shine, and slapped my sim in a ATT PURE and they noticed right away.

AT&T data plan question

Hello all, I have a question I hope someone has an answer to.
I bought the original iPhone a few months after release and got the $20 data +200 text messages plan. I have gotten rid of that phone and over the last year and a half have used the Lg Incite, Tmobile G1 and the Mytouch 3g all using my original SIM card and never changing my data plan. These phones all used 2g service only, T-mobile 3g is not compatible with ATT 3g.
My question is, if I were to purchase the Samsung Captivate at full price, could I still use my original iphone plan? My SIM card says 3g, and I have no doubt it would work on 2g, I just wonder if it would actually use 3g and if so would ATT notice this and switch plans for me? I don't mind paying a few bucks more for data if I have too, I'm just not cool with extending my contract another 2 years, hence I want to pay full price for phone.
Thanks

bobbylx said:
Hello all, I have a question I hope someone has an answer to.
I bought the original iPhone a few months after release and got the $20 data +200 text messages plan. I have gotten rid of that phone and over the last year and a half have used the Lg Incite, Tmobile G1 and the Mytouch 3g all using my original SIM card and never changing my data plan. These phones all used 2g service only, T-mobile 3g is not compatible with ATT 3g.
My question is, if I were to purchase the Samsung Captivate at full price, could I still use my original iphone plan? My SIM card says 3g, and I have no doubt it would work on 2g, I just wonder if it would actually use 3g and if so would ATT notice this and switch plans for me? I don't mind paying a few bucks more for data if I have too, I'm just not cool with extending my contract another 2 years, hence I want to pay full price for phone.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By purchasing the phone at full price, you won't be forced into a contract. Therefore, your plan will stay the same. The reason you sign a contract with the subsidized phones is because the carrier payes $200-300 of the phone for you. In return, your plan most likely raises in price because AT&T usually does something to jack the price up every year. You will still get 3G and AT&T does not have authorization to change your plan since, you didn't sign a contract with them. So, all will still be the same except for your new phone

you should be fine. You may just need to change your plan to $15 data and $5 text plan. I am not sure if you have any contract with ATT but their current data plan is 15 data of 2GB max and 5 for texting. So you virtually are not paying more (unelss you have unlimited data plna).
Captive should work with 3G network so my guess is that you may be able to use 3G.

Anyone convince the death star to let them keep their mediamax plan?

As the title says, has anyone had success in getting AT&T to let them keep their mediamax plan? I have been using the mediamax 200 plan, unlimited data and 200 messages, since 2005 through several smartphones and have been using my captivate out of contract for over three months. Last night they decided to switch me to datapro and 200 messages, a $10/month increase and less service. I've already spoken to cs and one supervisor, another is supposed to call me. So far they're sticking to "it's AT&T policy...." even though I'm maintaining a family plan of five and have been a customer since the days of bell south and cingular.

Up until I got my Captivate, I was also a MediaMax customer. Absolutely loved it. But, I was forced to "upgrade" when I got the Captivate at the discounted rate. However, they don't have the authority to just change your plan unless you authorize it, AFAIK. Keep at it and force them to reinstate your original plan.

I have been two years now with the MediaMax plan with 200 msg's, whitout any problems!! I just upgrade my phone to a Captivate last month!! and I just leave the plan as It was! Thy don't touch it!! And for they touch the plan they need to be autorized by you first.

I got them to let me keep my plan -- Unlimited data with 1500 texts. And I think that my mms is unlimited through data plan.
Anyway, I got my Cappy through the AT&T website -- which may make a difference. I wanted to make sure I purchased it at the $150 rate, where I was comfortable enough that I'd be able to keep my plan, which was hugely important to me -- at the expense of the $100 I could have save through Amazon deal offered by AT&T. I did NOT pull the trigger at Amazon after going almost fully through the signup process, just to see what data plans and terms were offered. Amazon only offered a few "new" data plan choices -- all limited. NO unlimited data plan offer at all, and NO offer of keeping current data plan. So, over to AT&T I went, because I was just too anxious to get my new Cappy. Or course, it's all xda's fault.
AT&T website did have a keep your current plan option, but I couldn't select it for some reason -- software glitch on their end. In any case, it gave me a firm footing from which to make my demand to keep my unlimited data plan.
I bought the phone went through the entire process with AT&T checkout . . . Then made the call to AT&T almost immediately after getting my confirmation on the Cappuccino order and new 2 year contract setup. I came from the annoyed/angry angle, polite but with clear worry in my voice -- but always coming with assurance (never dropped the Lawyer Bomb, but acted like it).
No resistance at all. In fact, the guy could not accommodate me fast enough. He wad really nice, too, but I even made him stutter twice while adressing my specific annoyance with the AT&T website contract renewal process, and how alarmed I was that I could not select the lost valuable option to me in terms of my new Cappy purchase -- keeping my unlimited data plan.
Maybe it was partly due to the fact that their own website had the keep your current data plan option. But whatever. I got fairly lucky, though. Bottom line is that it's a new contract with new terms and a new 2 year term. The terms of the contract are all contained within the four corners of the document, and it is a take it or leave omit situation. It's essentially a contract of adhesion, where one party unilaterally sets the terms and no amendments from the purchasing party will be accepted.
They can and will force you to accept the limited data plan, IF IF IF it's in the contract. Not sure I kept mine.
Anyone got a link to the current fork contract, so I can give it the attorney review. I can then post a definitive answer and possibly more advice on a successful approach to AT&T.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VICTORIA CONCORDIA CRESCIT
------------> Sent from my Froyolicious Cognitious Cappy . . . Smooth like Arsenal Football Club.

i have my unlimited data plan from when i rewnewed a 2 year contact for the captivate. unlimited text and data. on the family share plan too so its all good. so far no issues.

that sucks you had to go through that. The "unlimited" internet option was still available for me when I got my cappy from the AT&T site when it came out.
I still cringe at the thought that I almost got an iPhone 4.
Ew.

Well at least I know some still have it. I was polite but firm and told them exactly what I wanted. Not even a nibble or a let me see what I can do though. The front line person tried to tell me that the plan wasn't compatible and I didn't even let her finish with that excuse. The second level stuck to "it's policy" and "the system won't let us" even after I pointed out that I could take my line and leave immediately with no penalty. I even asked what I would have to pay to take my other four lines as well. The only thing the supervisor offered was to have another supervisor call me back in 24 - 72 hours. I guess I'll wait for my callback. I'm just surprised that they didn't offer anything to keep a long time customer happy.
I don't even want to leave because I got the captivate working perfectly and customized for me but I can't stand the limits and price bumps that AT&T keeps pushing when other carriers are still offering "unlimited" packages.

I had my full unlimited everything plan for my old phone. I found walmart onlime had the cappy for $89 so I went for it. They called me 4 days later saying i had to change to ome of the lower plans. So I canceled.through the walmart online. Went down to walmart and payed $139 but I was able to keep my everything plan with with unlimited data, unlimited internet, unlimited text and mms. So Everything... I called ATT before doing so to confirm with them. Not sure I would have switched up without it
Sent my Cog'd 2.4.1 FroYo, Darkness Themed, Full of Speed yet Stable as can be Rom that is Snazzy

Uhg. I did this same dance a few months ago. I was promised by several AT&T reps that I could keep my old plan (unlimited data, unlimited text, 200 mms), but someone 'accidentally' deleted it from my account in the process of doing the upgrade. And nobody was able to get it back. After going back and forth for 3 months, they ended up offering to put me on a data unlimited plan and give me a $200 credit for my difficulties.
The _only_ reasons that I stayed with AT&T are that a) most of my friends and family (as well as my company) are on AT&T, and b) it wouldn't end up being any cheaper elsewhere.
If the Droid 2 world phone had been out, I might have very well jumped ship regardless.

I still have it.
When I upgraded to the Captivate, I found out they had left my MediaMax plan in place, even though I used a Samsung Impression for about a month. The AT&T sales rep said that since it was still on my account, I could keep it. I guess that's a rare case of their mistake working in my favor. I hope you get it worked out.

I bought from the store soon after it came out. I asked them if I could keep the unlimited plan and the lady who sold me the phone said yeah. After I paid I double checked with her and she told me some smack about the computer had automatically 'upgaded' me the crappier plan. I nicely reminded her that wanted my old plan and she said she needed her boss to okay it and she wasn't in the store. She said she'd fix it and call me.
She didn't call. After 2 days I called the store and they told me I needed to call the mothership to get it fixed. I was pretty pissed by then so I called the main ATT number and screamed at them until they fixed it.
If it wasn't for my wife wanting her iphone and our decent (old) family plan I'd ditch ATT over this tricky crap they tried to pull.

I ordered online, didn't activate and swapped my sim over.
Of course I had the iphone unlimited plan, not the one you are talking about.

just so you know man, you can get anything from ATT if you are persistent enough. BUT they will NEVER call you back. They're just too busy to call back. They only say that to appease you at the moment.
Ever since I got my first cell phone, I've been with ATT and they've NEVER called me back once. They've been accommodating and what not but you have to call them.

Denied for a second time. I suppose I'll give them one more try in a day or so before looking into jumping ship. Too bad as I just got the captivate to what I would call perfect. Oh well. I suppose I'll be jumping to the Droid X or Evo forum as it doesn't look like the facinate has the dev support that we do and I don't need the hardware keyboard on the epic. Anyone want a captivate?

I'm on a premier acct (Business FAN) and i've never once been hassled about my medianet 200 which I originally signed up on with the SE W810i (also on the 550min familytalk with 3 line limit that isn't offered anymore)
Since they started requiring smartphone specific plans i've upgraded to the blackjack, tilt, fuze, pure, tilt2, captivate. All through the premier online store, 1 year contracts (usually allow upgrading 6-8 months into it with a 1 year contract).
AT&T definitely recognizes the IMEIs properly as I sold the Fuze to a buddy of mine and as soon as he booted it up with his SIM inside, his plan got switched to smartphone data.
One of my other lines purchased the pure with a data block on the account (normally that phone would require data and not be allowed with a data block) 1 year contract for $0.01 shipped, no data plan required at purchase time. Captivate (refurb) was $49.99 shipped on 1 year contract, again no data plan requirements at purchase time.
Somewhere in the system there's a flag that turns on/off this automatic IMEI plan switching, i imagine. Something tied to business accounts/grandfathered accounts would be my guess.

Da_G said:
All through the premier online store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crap. I've a premier account as well. I almost went that route, but decided to do it in person instead. Result? I got screwed, and after 7 handoffs to different managers, they "couldn't put my old plan back on" and were "terribly sorry to loose me as a customer, but have no way to readd the plan". I guess I should have just done it on the web like I was first planning to.

yeah, I've done similarly. Also on a large FAN and I've been through a Cingular 3125 -> 8125 -> Tilt -> Fuze -> Captivate and only now has it been a problem. Kind of annoying to be honest as they stick to the party line of "That plan isn't compatible with your phone, no one can put it back." I'm always polite but maybe I shouldn't be. I've mentioned going to a competitor casually to both reps and got no offers either.

Premire here as well. They said I was grandfathered in to the old unlimited data plan

Premier customer for a decade. I've had the mediamax 200 for about 6-7 years. I never had a problem switching phones and keeping my plan (8125, fuze etc). I got the Captivate on Sep 20th. When it was activated (at BB) I got a txt saying a data plan is required with my smartphone and 1 would be added for me if I didn't. I didn't think much of it because the sales rep said I could keep my current plan and the terms for the phone only said that a min $15 data plan was required.
On Nov 9th, I got a txt saying "Did you know a data plan is required for your phone? We have added an appropriate data & msging plan".
Total crap. Currently waiting for my BBB complaint to go through.
Welcome to suck!

mediamax plan?
not sure what the "mediamax" plan is, but I am on the 1200 minutes, unlimited data, and unlimited text/MMS. it was originally the $100 iphone plan back in the day.
I was able to keep it because I was "grandfathered" in from my original iPhone 2G. I kept it through my upgrade to the "pure" (POS WinMo phone) last october. Then when I upgraded to the Cap I had to resign to another "new" contract and shortly realized after the first bill they switched me from the unlimited data to a limited plan. I then proceeded to throw a "****-fit" and called customer service.
I had to talk to quite a few "managers" and gripe at them about cancelling (been a customer for over 5 years) before they gave it back to me. I had the final "best luck" calling at 7am (CST).
When we merged my G/f's account with mine last july she had the plan also but the captivate upgrade actually ended up sticking to her since she didnt originally have the unlimited.
Crappy thing is we are going to probably have to go through it all over again when we upgrade her line...and I really doubt I will be that lucky as when I got it last time they said they are getting EVERYONE off the unlimited- even at&t employees...

AT&T?!

Hey guys, i have an inspire, i was wondering if i activitated an old att basic messaging phone unlimited data plan, would it work with my inspire? And would it provide me with the same speeds?
Thanks!

Yes it should. The only differences between the smartphones and feature phones are the data plans.

Isn't the inspire an AT&T branded phone? You're better off using the unlimited data plan (im assuming its $15/mo) on an unlocked, unbranded phone because AT&T already has the IMEI number for the inspire and when they do their daily sweeping and found out you're using a smartphone with an incompatible plan, you'll get a nice text from them.

when did that start?

had a palm pre+ on at&t with just the unlimtd text plan for 3months and they where aware of it.... nothing ever happened
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

hakuchi18v said:
had a palm pre+ on at&t with just the unlimtd text plan for 3months and they where aware of it.... nothing ever happened
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was it an unlocked/unbranded version? That would be a big reason why. But back to the OP, yes you will have to change your plan...once you pop your SIM in within 24-48 you will automatically be provisioned to one of the tiered data plans.

invalidefexx187 said:
when did that start?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Started back in Nov '09

Noodles5666 said:
Was it an unlocked/unbranded version? That would be a big reason why. But back to the OP, yes you will have to change your plan...once you pop your SIM in within 24-48 you will automatically be provisioned to one of the tiered data plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope.. it was locked to at&t while i was using it with them...

I had a Captivate with unlimited data ($30) and my wife had a TMo N1 on the dumbphone unlimited($10). They never caught on, I assumed because it was an unbranded phone.
When I traded Captivate for Inspire, I gave her my Captivate, fully expecting to get hit with the smartphone dataplan text message.
It has been over a week now, and she is still on the dumbphone unlimited plan. Don't know if I am just lucky, or At&t isn't being as harsh anymore.
EDIT: Running Supernova ROM on the captivate. Not sure if that is the reason it slipped under the radar.

Here is how to get it back it worked for me!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=985869

Yea I had the $25 Unlimited Data/Unlimited Text plan which I've used for YEARS on unlocked phones. When I upgraded to the Inspire it lost my unlimited data and they opened a case to put it back on. Well I got the unlimited data back, but it's the $30 unlimited data plan, and they put the $20 unlimited text on it. So yes I got my umlimited data back, but for an additional $25/month.

Everytime you make a call, your sim transmits an IMSI number that identifies the phone type and the the sim, so that AT$T knows what number you are calling from and that your account is current.
Most of the cell/data plans are priced so that AT$T can make their money back from subsidizing the phones. I paid $49.99 for my Inspire, AT$T doesn't just " eat " the remainder of the $600 that these phones cost unlocked.
So if you bought it subsidized by AT$T, you are stuck with the data contract for 2 years, or you can buy out your contract for the full cost of the phone.
If you bought your phone unlocked AT&T does not require a data plan because they have no money to make up. After my contact expired last Sept, I used my Tilt , with an old sim I had from a " disposable " flip phone that I had. While my online AT$T account and my bills immediately recognized it as a Tilt, they never required a data plan and I just used wifi for all my data usage.

Well i had a pure i bought last march, i got it on att's online site, i got it in the mail, and i still had my razr, i activated a 10 dollar data unlimited for basic messaging phones, since i have a family plan with unlimited messaging for families, then a few hours later i popped the sim into my pure, it worked like a dream until i got a new phone which i needed the blackberry plan!
But it wasnt a problem for me!
Im gonna try it tomorrow, and ill let yall know!
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Not sure if this is what you mean?
I had a ATT Tilt on just a voice only plan for several years until I just bought the Inspire brand new and they never charged me for anything more than just the voice and I only used wifi for internet.