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Considering an upgrade from my 8125/Wizard (no AT&T data plan) to a Tilt/ Fuse/? (something cheap, in good-great condition, 400MHz+, GPS, ???).
Will AT&T require me to upgrade to a data plan if I just stick my SIM card in a phone I buy here? Does "unlocked" really matter any more? I've heard they are detecting device ID's and forcing data plans based on that.
Thanks!
Data Usage is sneaky!
Well, here's what I think about that. They won't force you to get a data plan, but I highly advise it, as your phone will use the data whether you physically go on the internet or not. At least that is my experience with it. I let my niece use my Tilt with her sim card which had no data plan, only texting and my next phone bill was an extra $100. It was still accessing the net for stuff, even though I turned off the auto update for weather. So, my advice would be, if you are going to get a smart phone, get a plan with it. It's worth it in the end I think. Oh yeah, MMS also uses data...
tmroper22 said:
Well, here's what I think about that. They won't force you to get a data plan, but I highly advise it, as your phone will use the data whether you physically go on the internet or not. At least that is my experience with it. I let my niece use my Tilt with her sim card which had no data plan, only texting and my next phone bill was an extra $100. It was still accessing the net for stuff, even though I turned off the auto update for weather. So, my advice would be, if you are going to get a smart phone, get a plan with it. It's worth it in the end I think. Oh yeah, MMS also uses data...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people have internet (wifi) wherever they're at so there's no need for a data plan. Also, MMS is free if you have a texting plan so it uses data, but doesn't charge you for it.
To the OP, if you get ANY phone outside of ATT (Marketplace, Craigslist, etc.), you don't have to get a data plan.
Thanks for the feedback. I have had an 8125/Wizard for several years with no data plan. As also pointed out, MMS does work without data plan. Well sort of... I can rarely get them to go through, but we don't get charged for it since we have the AT&T messaging plan. $30 /mo for data is just outrageous to me, I pay less than that for reliable/fast internet access at home.
Hey guys, I need to cancel my data plan on my account with AT&T, and the rep told me b/c it's a smart phone it requires a data plan with it.
I installed that one program that disables network connections so no data is transferred at all, but I'd still be paying the $30/month.
Does anyone know of a program to blind the IDMI or w/e number so that AT&T doesn't know what phone I'm using? I mean, yea I can just put my SIM in another phone and use that and cancel the plan just fine. I'd LIKE to continue using the fuze as a normal phone b/c it has wifi and is an all-around better phone than say a moto razor. This way I can call from a razor, cancel the plan, and put the SIM back in the Fuze and according to my account online it won't know I've switched back to the Fuze.
Ideas? Thanks.
tell the rep that he/she is a liar and a jerk. You can remove your dataplan. the only phone out there that requires you to have a dataplan is the iphone. get yourself a rep that actually knows what they're talking about.
Last time they told my gf that her only option for txt mssging is to pay for the unlimited and i kept telling her you can get 200 for $5 and the rep says no, I told her to get another rep and that rep set it up for her.
You actually do need a data plan for any smartphone, if you upgrade to another smart phone theres no way to get out of paying $30 for data
Broman400 said:
You actually do need a data plan for any smartphone, if you upgrade to another smart phone theres no way to get out of paying $30 for data
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Click to collapse
I have to agree with mputtr. Keep trying until you get a rep that will do it for you. By the way, I've upgraded twice over the past 3 1/2 years with ATT smartphones, and I was never required to get a data plan. I still don't have one to this day.
LBCta said:
I have to agree with mputtr. Keep trying until you get a rep that will do it for you. By the way, I've upgraded twice over the past 3 1/2 years with ATT smartphones, and I was never required to get a data plan. I still don't have one to this day.
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Click to collapse
mputtr said:
tell the rep that he/she is a liar and a jerk. You can remove your dataplan. the only phone out there that requires you to have a dataplan is the iphone. get yourself a rep that actually knows what they're talking about.
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Click to collapse
Not true anymore, since September 6, it's now AT&T policy that every smartphone requires the $30 data plan, not just the iphone (BBs included). The only way to get out of this is if you had a smartphone BEFORE that date and either didn't have a data plan or had a cheaper one and therefore you're grandfathered in. You could try to find a rep to do it for you, and even in the rare case you do find one, once AT&T matches your IMEI, they're gonna put the data plan back on and possibly charge you for trying to circumvent the policy.
rccola159 said:
Not true anymore, since September 6, it's now AT&T policy that every smartphone requires the $30 data plan, not just the iphone (BBs included). The only way to get out of this is if you had a smartphone BEFORE that date and either didn't have a data plan or had a cheaper one and therefore you're grandfathered in. You could try to find a rep to do it for you, and even in the rare case you do find one, once AT&T matches your IMEI, they're gonna put the data plan back on and possibly charge you for trying to circumvent the policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's right. Though, how long do you think it will take for them to match up the IMEI's? Because I've switched my SIM through several Winmo phones (shh, off the record) and never been asked about it.
I'm hoping AT&T will be lazy because I really don't like this idea
Jaxbot said:
He's right. Though, how long do you think it will take for them to match up the IMEI's? Because I've switched my SIM through several Winmo phones (shh, off the record) and never been asked about it.
I'm hoping AT&T will be lazy because I really don't like this idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's either hit or miss I guess. At times my Fuze will go unnoticed after using a dumbphone, and then all of a sudden it will show up in OLAM, but I've had the Medianet plan on the Fuze forever, so no worries
But from what I hear AT&T is more aggressive in searching for people, so all I can say is good luck!
I've got three phones on family data & family texting... $60 total for all three. Fuze, BJII and Samsung Eternity. I want to upgrade fuze to Tilt2 & BJII to better smartphone, but I don't want to get jacked by AT&T forcing a move to data plans. Anyone know if you can switch back thought the website once you've signed up for data plan?
I've had a Tilt forever. I need to uprade, hopefully to a HTC Pure, however already having a family plan with 5 phones, I don't need or want a data plan o top of that expense. Is there a way of using an unlocked phone to avoid the ATT Nazis? Thanks for any help. Hoping that I won't have to go back to an iPaq Pocket PC.
the only real way of doing it is after upgrading the phone wait a month or so while paying for data then put the sim in a old razr or something and go online change your IMEI and then call and say u lost the new one and have them take data off.
then just swap sims later and hope they dont notice
Here's a quick fix that always works: (I've done this many, many times)
1. Get yourself a dumbphone, i.e. non-winmo/BB/iPhone devices like those Nokia's or SE's
2. Get the IMEI# of the dumbphone ready because the rep would want to register that with your account.
3. Call the rep from the dumbphone, and tell him/her that you're NOT gonna use your smartphone anymore and that you would want the data plan to be removed.
OR
This would also be the chance for you to downgrade your data plan to the cheaper $15/mo MediaNET, most dumbphones will be eligible for that.
4. Hang up and put back the SIM card into the smartphone again, voila.
The trick is to NEVER call the rep from the smartphone as they're able to detect your IMEI from the network.
Good luck.
Hello all, I'm a total noob here, sorry for that. I'm about to buy a used G1 off a friend, and all I want to do is make calls, text message, and use the internet over wi-fi. I don't have a data plan and don't care to get one, I spend 99% of my time in range of a wi-fi network that I have access to, but I want to know, what exactly do I have to do to make it work? Or can I just take the sim out of my working t-mobile phone and put it in?
As its a used phone it is already activated, I understand that can cause issues with no data plan, but is there anything else I will need to do?
I would be comfortable rooting it if needed as I may be new to android but know a little about computers (windows and linux).
Also, after I get it working, and this is my main concern, is there any way I can be charged for internet access? Meaning if I hit the internet button on accident or something and I'm not on a wi-fi network, will I incur data charges? I don't have a data plan because I don't want to pay for it, so additional charges would kinda completely nullify the whole reason I'm doing this.
Thanks everybody.
Not sure about the other questions but I don't have a data plan and I never get charged for it if I hit the browser. If you're not connected via wifi then it will just go to a page saying you need to upgrade your plan.
well I think you answered my other questions indirectly, you said if you have wifi you get the internet, which is exactly what I needed to know, and thanks for letting me know it just tells you to upgrade your plan, I was worried it would somehow connect anyway and charge me.
Well, I pick up the phone tomorrow, hopefully it works out.
I was in the same situation as you are, and I never got charged for data, but if you do a factory reset on the G1, it would be easier if you had a sim with some sort of data plan, so you can sign to your gmail account. I just borrowed a friends and signed in, it only takes a minute or two.
ok, so after I get this thing, I will not be able to factory reset it without a data plan? thats good to know.
what about if i update the software, or root it?
Without a data plan on the stock rom (after a factory reset), you will not be able to sign into your Google account. You will receive a message somewhere along the lines of "your sim card isn't provisioned for data" and a "try again" button, thus locking you out of the phone.
On many custom ROMs[requires root], there's a "skip" option (not an option on stock ROM) when prompted to sign into your Google account, so if you do root it, you can flash away and sign into your account after you turn on WiFi.
I personally put a "data block" on my phone line as I am in a similar situation as you, but might be a little more paranoid about unwanted charges.
Good luck, and always read instructions three times, from top to bottom. Unless its the Haykuro/Danger/Death SPL, then make sure you read the instructions at least 7 times
I thought the way around the little green buddy was to tap all 4 corners in a clockwise motion to get into the phone? it worked on my moto droid when i had it.
I think t-mo just blocks data if you don't have a data plan, at last thats what they do now, I just haven't gotten my G1 yet and have never had any sort of smart/internet enabled phone and didn't know if it would access the internet anyways.
As for rooting it as I said I have worked out a deal but don't have the phone yet and this is my first android experience, so I have a bit of reading to do.
Thanks everybody for your replies.
thetacowarrior said:
ok, so after I get this thing, I will not be able to factory reset it without a data plan? thats good to know.
what about if i update the software, or root it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never had a data plan and have reset my phone before. You can root/activate the phone without a data plan. There's a guide on here that I followed. Good luck!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=452316
ok one last thing, I'm supposed to get the phone today, (very excited) I read on somewhere that you can get the really cheap non-3g data plan and most things will still work, just slower. has anybody tried this? its only 9.99 compared to 29.99. I could live with 9.99.
thanks everybody for your help, i'm learning alot.
They offer an edge data plan? I don't know if it will work (though it should). It may possibly require some APN setting changes.
Hi,
I got a Captivate for my wife from AT&T (second line). Due to some reason, AT&T did not force me to add the data plan during check out.
Can I use the phone just on Wifi and avoid the $15 monthly fee? I checked APNDroid, but found it flaky. Then I found the *#*#4636#*#* command to disable data connections, which worked. But I noticed that once the wifi was disabled, the phone automatically enabled the data connection!!
I am not trying to be cheap.. its just that my wife will be at home for the next 5 months (new baby) and I will add the $15 data plan once she get back to work.
Any tips?
PS: I just got the below e-mail from AT&T.. is it too late?
******
For whatever reason, our records indicate your Smartphone does not have an eligible data plan. We have added an appropriate Smartphone data plan for your device.
******
if you got your captivate under 2yr contact you need to keep the data plan or they can charge you ~ if not you can just cancel it from AT&T
No way around it. Don't want a Data Plan, don't buy a smart phone
ok..ok.. no need to diss. As I had said, I was just looking for a temporary solution. In any case, AT&T took the "liberty" to add the $25 data plan on that line. I called and changed it to the $15 plan for now.
Happy holidays..
gunnyman said:
No way around it. Don't want a Data Plan, don't buy a smart phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can change your IMEI but other then that the system knows what phone you are using.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Lol yes there is a way. Call at&t n have them change the imei number on the line with the data plan u dont want to a non-smartphone imei number. Once that's done have them block data on that line, then put the sim back in your captivate and enjoy
Edit: its easy to work with at&t, just gotta give them a realistic scenario that doesn't make them suspect you're trying to do anything tricky lol
Samsung Captivate - Assonance 5.2
Seriously?? Is this really possible? My wife's old phone is NOT a smart phone. Can I use that phone's imei? How do I even go about convincing AT&T to switch the imei number?
Even if I am able to do this, how do I block the phone from using data when not on wifi reliably?
Regards
Nick
ninjuh said:
Lol yes there is a way. Call at&t n have them change the imei number on the line with the data plan u dont want to a non-smartphone imei number. Once that's done have them block data on that line, then put the sim back in your captivate and enjoy
Edit: its easy to work with at&t, just gotta give them a realistic scenario that doesn't make them suspect you're trying to do anything tricky lol
Samsung Captivate - Assonance 5.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
defriend said:
Seriously?? Is this really possible? My wife's old phone is NOT a smart phone. Can I use that phone's imei? How do I even go about convincing AT&T to switch the imei number?
Even if I am able to do this, how do I block the phone from using data when not on wifi reliably?
Regards
Nick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy to do, but against the ToS and illegal... Unfortunately, as much as we all get taken advantage of by the carriers, it's still not OK to commit fraud against them. When you signed the contract, it designates that you are responsible for a data plan for X amount of months as a condition of the discount you received on your smart phone when you purchased it. The only grey area here is if you bought the phone 3rd party and don't want to pay for a data plan which is obviously not the case here.
defriend said:
Seriously?? Is this really possible? My wife's old phone is NOT a smart phone. Can I use that phone's imei? How do I even go about convincing AT&T to switch the imei number?
Even if I am able to do this, how do I block the phone from using data when not on wifi reliably?
Regards
Nick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tell them you won't be using the cappy anymore. DO NOT mention anything about the data plan until after the imei is changed. Tell them your kid is going to be using the phone and u dont want them on the internet on your "non-smartphone". I promise it'll work.
Samsung Captivate - Assonance 5.2
So do I tell them that I will be sending the captivate back? Also, if I am successful in doing what you said, how do I make sure that the phone does not use data (gmail etc..) when not on wifi?? or will their "data block" take care of this??
Regards
Nick
ninjuh said:
Just tell them you won't be using the cappy anymore. DO NOT mention anything about the data plan until after the imei is changed. Tell them your kid is going to be using the phone and u dont want them on the internet on your "non-smartphone". I promise it'll work.
Samsung Captivate - Assonance 5.2
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Click to collapse
Their data block will keep that from happening. It's like their purchase block, it will allow you to request a purchase, or in your case data, but their network will deny the request.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
defriend said:
Seriously?? Is this really possible? My wife's old phone is NOT a smart phone. Can I use that phone's imei? How do I even go about convincing AT&T to switch the imei number?
Even if I am able to do this, how do I block the phone from using data when not on wifi reliably?
Regards
Nick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this with my girlfriends phone. It lasted a while and then she received a text saying a data plan is required for her phone and thays it had been added. Your SIM tells them what phone you're using regardless of what IMEI you give them. You can do this but its only a matter of time before they catch you and do the same thing. Best of luck.
I worked tech for att and yea you can just have them put a non-smartphone imei on the account and use the captivate ...on my other line im using a blackberry like that with just wifi ...been doing it for 2yrs now..and to be on the safe side disable data so theres no chance it does use the network cause you will be charged .1c/kb ..
Sent from my Captivate
defriend said:
So do I tell them that I will be sending the captivate back? Also, if I am successful in doing what you said, how do I make sure that the phone does not use data (gmail etc..) when not on wifi?? or will their "data block" take care of this??
Regards
Nick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, don't tell them you're sending it back. That'll just complicate things. There's thousands of reasons you'd be switching phones. And as long as data is blocked on that line, data will not flow.
Samsung Captivate - Assonance 5.2
Delete this post
Seriously, you can tell AT&T whatever IMEI you want, the second you turn on your captivate, they know you're using teh Captivate and your account will be updated accordingly. Don't believe me? check your account information online. So your option to avoid it is to send your Captivate back.
As for data block on the phone, Froyo will have a setting to turn off cell data connection permanently. But stock 2.1 doesn't.
Its true the system knows what phone u r using .. u have to change the imei number in the phone its self
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Just call AT&T and have them add a "Smart Exclusion" to your line.
Fight for it.
If not, talk to the floor supervisor and have them add it for you.
If all else fails, just ask for the Resolutions desk. Once you ask for them, they'll do one of two things:
1. Transfer you
2. Freak out and give you whatever you want.
Cheers
The trick is to use a phone with an IMEI that AT&T does not sell. They can tell you have a Captivate all day long. If you got a Galaxy S that AT&T does not sell, they will not have that IMEI in their database, so they will not be able to cross reference it and harass you about using a smart phone without a smart phone plan. Their database does a lookup against known IMEIs, which are provided by the vendors that sell them the phones that they brand. If it is not AT&T branded, it will not be in their database.
jdsemler said:
The trick is to use a phone with an IMEI that AT&T does not sell. They can tell you have a Captivate all day long. If you got a Galaxy S that AT&T does not sell, they will not have that IMEI in their database, so they will not be able to cross reference it and harass you about using a smart phone without a smart phone plan. Their database does a lookup against known IMEIs, which are provided by the vendors that sell them the phones that they brand. If it is not AT&T branded, it will not be in their database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How's that help OP who already purchased a Captivate?
If I use a sidekick on ATT, will I be forced to get the att smart phone data plan? I really dont want it. I just want to use it for wifi. Hopefully one of you guys can help me. :x
Bump?
/10 char
I'm gessing ull use aq gophone plan? No u won't have to, but the data that comes on the 50$ plan is unusable for our phone.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using xda premium
No, Im on a family plan, unlimited talk and text, but im asking if data will be forced onto my line.
I used to work at ATT. Yes you will have to pay the price for data. Sorry
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
No you won't be forced into it, just keep your mobile data connection off... One of the big problems though is you wont be able to send or receive MMS messages. If you can find ATT's APN settings for just MMS go ahead and set up your phone with just that APN and not for Data as well... I'm not sure if ATT charges extra for MMS messages or if you even want it, but they cant force you into buying data if you don't want it.
eurohomie said:
No you won't be forced into it, just keep your mobile data connection off... One of the big problems though is you wont be able to send or receive MMS messages. If you can find ATT's APN settings for just MMS go ahead and set up your phone with just that APN and not for Data as well... I'm not sure if ATT charges extra for MMS messages or if you even want it, but they cant force you into buying data if you don't want it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they can. Trust me. If you don't want to believe me thats fine. But trust me, they will.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
I've been on T-Mobile for about 6 Years, never even got a data plan since. using my sidekick now without data. Its not being forced on me, been on android since the g1. Even back then they said your phone was unusable without a data plan ...Att shouldn't force a data plan on you, my sisters on att with an unlocked blackberry tour. She can't access the internet but the phones still fully functional. They haven't forced that ridiculous bb plan on her for 3 years.
insanedrunk said:
I've been on T-Mobile for about 6 Years, never even got a data plan since. using my sidekick now without data. Its not being forced on me, been on android since the g1. Even back then they said your phone was unusable without a data plan ...Att shouldn't force a data plan on you, my sisters on att with an unlocked blackberry tour. She can't access the internet but the phones still fully functional. They haven't forced that ridiculous bb plan on her for 3 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whatever
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
insanedrunk said:
I've been on T-Mobile for about 6 Years, never even got a data plan since. using my sidekick now without data. Its not being forced on me, been on android since the g1. Even back then they said your phone was unusable without a data plan ...Att shouldn't force a data plan on you, my sisters on att with an unlocked blackberry tour. She can't access the internet but the phones still fully functional. They haven't forced that ridiculous bb plan on her for 3 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I believe they can only force you into getting a data plan when signing up for a new contract with them.
In order to get the contract discounts on phones you need to sign up for a certain premium data plan or something stupid.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA App
I buy my phones second hand for that reason, ebays your pal. The op sounds as he already has att. So if he unlocks his sk 4g there wouldn't be a need, just take out the sim card and exchange. I have been changing phones as they come out, no problems... I pay 100$ flat for 5 phones on a family plan. Most importantly, no DATA PLAN...
My sister has used all my android phones that I leave behind on her att plan, never had any problems being forced into a data plan . You only truely needed an internet plan to sign up or sign into google servers, once you're past that, your all gravy, and can survive on wifi. The only phones I've had that didn't allow you to skip the sign in/setup wizard were the g1 and the mytouch 3g. But then root came : ( 0)
I know that Tmo doesnt force data plan, but Att does. Im just really unsure of what phone to get, cause Ive been hearing different things lol.
I've heard att cant detect a g2x, cause its exclusively a tmo phone, and a sidekick is also, so I was gonna get that instead. But now im hearing that they can force you it with a sidekick. I am so lost. Lol
I know that you can use this on ATT without being forced into a data plan. That's precicely what I'm doing right now. Here's what I'm trying to find out though. ATT doesn't know what phone I've got. Their site lists my old non-smartphone. If I choose to add the cheaper unlimited dataplan for non-smartphones (which is the only option available for me to choose online) then will my phone work like that? Or will they then be able to recognize my phone as a smart phone and switch me over to the smartphone data plan?
i know that some carriers will lock down your wifi so you cant use it without a data plan. i dont know if att does or not. the only way around that i know of is to remove the sim card. take out the sim card, and you can use wifi. but who wants to take their sim card out just to use wifi? the only time they can make you get a data plan is for discounts on new phones or when entering a new contract.
my experience with att sucked on this phone, i went with the 25$ go phone plan with 25$ of data (turns out data on the gophone doesnt work with 4g phones from other carriers boo) also if i had 1 bar it would drop said bar if i tried to send a text or make a phone call. the sad fact is here in montana (no local tmobile) i get better service through tmobile monthly then att monthly (who has local coverage)
U don't need a smartphone plan u can get the media net $10 data plan or block the data and only use wifi
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
At&t will force a data plan if you have a 3g or higher phone.
The sidekick cannot run on at&t 3 or 4g, so it will not detect it, it will view it as a non-smartphone.
And to those saying at&t can't force a data plan at all, get a regular phone from ebay that's meant for at&t, pop your sim in, you will get a nice little text message saying you will not be charged $15 a month for data.
Chrimsonfire said:
At&t will force a data plan if you have a 3g or higher phone.
The sidekick cannot run on at&t 3 or 4g, so it will not detect it, it will view it as a non-smartphone.
And to those saying at&t can't force a data plan at all, get a regular phone from ebay that's meant for at&t, pop your sim in, you will get a nice little text message saying you will not be charged $15 a month for data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah and on monthly you cant even access 2g which is BS
insanedrunk said:
I buy my phones second hand for that reason, ebays your pal. The op sounds as he already has att. So if he unlocks his sk 4g there wouldn't be a need, just take out the sim card and exchange. I have been changing phones as they come out, no problems... I pay 100$ flat for 5 phones on a family plan. Most importantly, no DATA PLAN...
My sister has used all my android phones that I leave behind on her att plan, never had any problems being forced into a data plan . You only truely needed an internet plan to sign up or sign into google servers, once you're past that, your all gravy, and can survive on wifi. The only phones I've had that didn't allow you to skip the sign in/setup wizard were the g1 and the mytouch 3g. But then root came : ( 0)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do first boot without the sim card. The phone will turn on wifi so you can connect to Google. I do this all the time when flashing just because the first sync is faster that way.
Sent from my Sensation using xda premium