[Q] Data plan on unlocked phone - HTC Inspire 4G

I just bought an Inspire 4G from ATT and was going to unlock it (probably going to buy an unlock code from htcimeiunlock).
My problem is, I dont want to pay for a data plan (I live in the city so there is wifi everywhere). Under our family plan, the phone is currently being used by my dad (who's paying for a data plan), but he realised he doesn't need all that and was going to downgrade to a non-smart phone (and cancel his data). I will then put my SIM card (which has no data plan attached to it) in his Inspire.
After I unlock the phone (but still use an ATT SIM), will ATT still be able to tell I'm now using a smart phone and instantly add a data plan onto my line? Or can I use it without having to pay for that and just go on the internet through wifi alone?

33pac said:
I just bought an Inspire 4G from ATT and was going to unlock it (probably going to buy an unlock code from htcimeiunlock).
My problem is, I dont want to pay for a data plan (I live in the city so there is wifi everywhere). Under our family plan, the phone is currently being used by my dad (who's paying for a data plan), but he realised he doesn't need all that and was going to downgrade to a non-smart phone (and cancel his data). I will then put my SIM card (which has no data plan attached to it) in his Inspire.
After I unlock the phone (but still use an ATT SIM), will ATT still be able to tell I'm now using a smart phone and instantly add a data plan onto my line? Or can I use it without having to pay for that and just go on the internet through wifi alone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, AT&T will automatically add it as the IMEI, which cannot be changed, is in their system.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App

Yes they can. My data plan is still from the iphone. I get a txt once a day saying a 4g data plan is required. If you have no data plan you will get a txt saying a data is required. They will eventually add it to your plan.

You may want to add the dumbphone data plan before installing your sim. I got 2gb/month for $10 when I gave my wife my Incite because her dumbphone had the data plan.

Related

Att data plans

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 mr with the same speeds?
Thanks!
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Are you a new customer? Or are you conming from a previous smartphone like an iPhone?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
I have the same question.
I just bought an Inspire for a dumphone line that didn't have the $10 unltd data. So I guess there's no way around this line since I already bought it? I bought it at full retail no commitment. We still have the original device.
But we also have 2 other dumbphone's in the family plan that are ready for smartphones. They don't have $10 unltd data. If I got the $10 unltd on each now and in about a month(when we are ready to buy smartphones) can we get untld data on the 2 new smartphones?
you can try, but it wont work because as soon as the IMEI of the inspire registers with the network, the auto sweep tool bumps your line to the proper smartphone data plan.
but i would definitely give it a shot. however note that you dont want to lsoe your grandfathered unlimited data plan if that is what you have, and once you get bumped it might be impossible to get it back.
the best choice, which is how people avoid this, is to only use non-ATT phones that they dont know or consider smartphones. but the inspire will get detected guaranteed immediately.
RogerPodacter said:
you can try, but it wont work because as soon as the IMEI of the inspire registers with the network, the auto sweep tool bumps your line to the proper smartphone data plan.
but i would definitely give it a shot. however note that you dont want to lsoe your grandfathered unlimited data plan if that is what you have, and once you get bumped it might be impossible to get it back.
the best choice, which is how people avoid this, is to only use non-ATT phones that they dont know or consider smartphones. but the inspire will get detected guaranteed immediately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my situation;
1 iPhone unltd data(grandfathered)
2 dumbphones with no data(messaging phones)
1 recently bought Inspire with 2gb data plan
My question is about the 2 messaging dumbphones. They currently have no data. The 2 want smartphones in about a month. If I get the $10 unltd data now on the 2 messaging dumbphones can I buy 2 unbranded smartphones and be able to get unltd 3G data? Do I need to get a $10 plan for each messaging phone prior to buying an unbranded phone?
I'm not going to mess with the iPhone 4 with grandfathered unltd data.
I have a Captivate with IP3G unltd. data and 2 regular lines on a family plan. I can't upgrade Captivate but use upgrade on 2 other lines. Can I order Inspire as an upgrade for a regular line and use it with my IP3G SIM from Captivate?
My experience with this:
I had a theory about iPhone 2G data plan trick and did my own spin on it. With my Inspire 4G activated and powered on, I put an old SIM card into an iPhone 2G and activated the iphone through iTunes. It let me switch to the iPhone 2G unlimited plan + 200 txt for $20, but the actual voice/data did not switch over to the iPhone because the SIM card is old/unprovisioned.
I don't know exactly why, but I've been on the unlimited 2g + 200 txt (no MMS of course) plan for three weeks now with no data plan bump. The AT&T account website recognizes the Inspire IMEI (displays the Inspire on my account). However, it will not let me remove the 2G plan and upgrade to the smartphone personal unlimited.
ATT has been really sketchy about this... all you have to do is call customer support or go into the store and say that your unlimited was removed without authorization.
I got mine back on. You will need it.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
JWGWulff said:
ATT has been really sketchy about this... all you have to do is call customer support or go into the store and say that your unlimited was removed without authorization.
I got mine back on. You will need it.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never had unltd data on the messaging phones. I know which unbranded phones I'm going to purchase in about a month.
What should I do to take adsvsndage of unltd data on the new unbranded smart phones I'm asking. Get the messaging phones on unltd data now or it doesn't matter?

[Q] NO data plan?

If i was to buy an Inspire from craigslist and pop my sim card in that has no data plan, would i stil be ablke to use the phone just without a data plan? thanks!
Probably, until att emails you and tells you they are going to upgrade you to a data plan when they do and imei check.
haha o man that will get me in trouble with the rents! haha, is there anyway i can be like no, you cannot do that, i didnt buy it from yall
Can't do that
ATT will detect which phone you are using and automatically add the data plan on.
i am currently using an iphone 3g for about a year now and they havent done that to me yet...before using the iphone however, my dad told them to cut off any access or ability for me to use data. is that why they havent made me add on a plan?
ThroughHymn said:
i am currently using an iphone 3g for about a year now and they havent done that to me yet...before using the iphone however, my dad told them to cut off any access or ability for me to use data. is that why they havent made me add on a plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its possible you have a old smartphone opt out feature on your account. This was added for people that had a smartphone b4 data was a requirement and had to be grandfathered in.
I was under the impression that the iPhone overrode this but i could be wrong
Drew
ThroughHymn said:
If i was to buy an Inspire from craigslist and pop my sim card in that has no data plan, would i stil be ablke to use the phone just without a data plan? thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've recently updated to the inspire from an original unlocked iphone 2g. I've been using it without a data plan for the past 3 years. At the start, they used to send me text messages about not having a data plan. That lasted about a month or two when I originally bought the phone. And I never heard another thing about it since then.
One little note I found in the contract of the new agreement. It states that "You realize that your smartphone requires a data plan, and if detected you allow AT&T to add the according data plan to your contract." I'm not really happy about that because I did infact not want to keep the data plan. To me it's a waste of money as I live in Philly and wi-fi is everywhere which is faster.
Anyways. I say that if you buy the phone from craigslist and pop in your old sim card, there is nothing AT&T can do. You didn't sign a new contract that has those agreements within. Therefore that can't just turn a data plan on for you if you didn't sign that contract/agreement.
So my answer from experience is that without a doubt you can use the phone bought from craigslist without a data plan. And provided that agreement isn't in your contract, AT&T cannot just turn on the data plan without you knowing.
I bought a capitvate off of ebay 6 months ago and put my sim card in without a data plan, and a month ago I bought an inspire and att has never sent me a message or nothing.
ooo ok i see, thakns guys! now ill just need to generate some money to go buy one! haha
If you unlock it, AT&T can't tell what phone you are using.....
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App

Am I able to use Atrix 4G in AT&T network without any data plan?

I am a AT&T prepaid user. Can I use the Atrix 4G in it without data plan? I only use Wi-Fi which is much faster.
The AT&T shop assistant man told me that I will not be able to use it if I do not open any date plan. If I am a prepaid user I can not use the phone; If I am a postpaid user I will be notified to add a data plan after I insert the SIM card into the Atrix 4G which is a smartphone.
Currently I also use a smartphone in AT&T network and does not commit any data plan. The phone works great. The shop assistant said the reason is that Atrix 4G is a AT&T phone and will be recognized by AT&T and force to open a data plan.
I do not know whether I should believe him for may be he is just trying to sell me more expensive plans. Is it technically possible to ban prepaid users? Is there any way to avoid this restriction? Since the Atrix 4G smartphone is bought in full price and unlocked, I do not owe AT&T anything. It works in T-Mobile, but does not works in AT&T prepaid, which seems very rediculous.
You may use any phone smartphone that its not ATT branded.
But if the phone is a ATT branded they do detect it using the imei and force you to add the expensive data plan. You may run a few months without been detected, but sooner or later they find out and force you to change plan.
I know this for fact because a used to use a Xperia X1 that came unlock from other carrier on ATT, and they never force me to change plan, but as soon as I started using an Iphone on the network a few weeks later I got a txt msg telling me they detected a smartphone without data plan, and automatically added the data plan.
You can modify in Setting-->Wireless&network-->mobile network-->Access point name. After that, you can set user name, add, pass follow your mobile's network service. Good luck.
have beeen using a atrix since march and have had a iphone since 2g on att using my sim with no data plan. just put the sim in and off you go almost 5 yrs now, and no forced data plan.

[Q] Sidekick on AT&T

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

Not paying for data plan on AT&T?

I just re-purchased a Inspire again, after 1 year I needed a 2nd phone and I kind of missed my inspire. But I don't want to pay for the data plan. AT&T. Is there anyway to hide my IMEI from AT&T so I don't get slapped with a data plan?
Joe momma said:
I just re-purchased a Inspire again, after 1 year I needed a 2nd phone and I kind of missed my inspire. But I don't want to pay for the data plan. AT&T. Is there anyway to hide my IMEI from AT&T so I don't get slapped with a data plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't turn on mobile data. You're good to go.
Sent from my LT28i using Tapatalk 2
It didn't work. I had mobile data off from day one, and hours later I got a text saying they added a data plan. It seems like they know my phone's IMEI right when I put my sim card in. Gah.
Joe momma said:
It didn't work. I had mobile data off from day one, and hours later I got a text saying they added a data plan. It seems like they know my phone's IMEI right when I put my sim card in. Gah.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You also need to remove ICQ (it's a build in software that communicate with att). Your best bet is root the phone install custom romvand keep your data off.
After all that - To fix your account, gave them an non-smart phone IMEI and insist you don't need data plan.
Good luck.
Sent from my LT28i using Tapatalk 2
There is no way to hide your IMEI from the network. The only way not to pay is to have an IMEI that is not on their network like an unlocked T-mobile phone or something of that nature.
I purchased a Galaxy for my son from CL and his account never changed from the non data plan his is listed as.., Just call At &t
as long as your current contact does not require data plan you should be good to go.
F2504x4 said:
I purchased a Galaxy for my son from CL and his account never changed from the non data plan his is listed as.., Just call At &t
as long as your current contact does not require data plan you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget if the device is a none of Att devices or beeing rooted. ATT will make you add data plan if it is a smartphone regardless of your contract.
The ICQ is the bug on all ATT devices that reported to ATT you need a data plan. Read other thread how to take it off or easiest is use the tool to root your device. Install a custom rom just to make sure you don't have the ICQ installed.
Sent from my LT28i using Tapatalk 2
Guys ICQ is not gonna matter if it is removed or not. Each carrier can and for along time has been able to scan their network and see the IMEI numbers that are being used on it. The only way out is to have an IMEI that is not linked to an AT&T smartphone. This has been the case for many years now.
accts said:
ATT will make you add data plan if it is a smartphone regardless of your contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong!! if you are not under contract for having a data plan , then AT& T will not care what phone you use...
If you are under a Data plan via a contract , till that contract expires, you will have pay for Data services regardless of what phone you have...
You can also get At&T services with out a contract with no data plan , and not be charged for using a data capable phone.
BTW it is labeled as Data OPT- out, and as you can see, my old phone is shown (Tilt II) on the account which is what is currently being used since he busted the screen on his Galaxy S.
WM is a lot different than android. Is that your main line or secondary line?
ai6908 said:
WM is a lot different than android. Is that your main line or secondary line?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you see the Galaxy S that was listed ? it has been swapped back and forth between both phones..
OK there was a time when you could block out data even if you have a smartphone and were not on contract. This is no longer the case. About a year ago ATT changed the policy on smart phones. Now you are forced into a data plan if a. You have a contract that is not grandfathered in. B. If you have a smartphone that att has in its records. When WM was around you had the option to opt out of a data plan. Now it is no longer an option unless you are not on contract or you have a phone that shows up as unknown in the data base when ATT does its IMEI sweeps.
Sent from the BatCave
Okay i did more research on this, and things have changed , ( yes i concede Almight Zen) i was wrong about that, but I do still a have a no data lock on my sons phone, and regardless of the phone he uses , i still have not had a data plan added even though they are At&T branded phones. But there still are ways around this issue.
Some very good info in this thread...
http://androidforums.com/t/455064-t-wifi-only-no-dataplan.html
AN ANDROID SMARTPHONE WITHOUT A DATA PLAN IS POSSIBLE! In fact im doing it right now! I am on At&t using a Samsung Galaxy ACE. Awesome phone, and att does not recognize its IMEI so its all good! I have been data free for almost 2 months (recently bought the phone from amazon). Weather it will work with any carrier that uses GSM im not sure, although it does work flawlessly on ATT. So it is a perfect option for anyone looking for an awesome android smartphone with full features (wifi, bluetooth, gps, full android market, full hacking capability's) with no data plan. Also, if in the future when you want a data plan, all you need to do is enable att's non smartphone $10 data plan on your line and now you have unlimited data for only $10 a month, i have not tried this yet but plan too. I am also pretty sure any GSM phone with a model number not starting with an "i" for example the Samsung galaxy s2 which is "i9100" will be required to have a data plan by att because they recognize its IMEI number, where as the Galaxy Ace starts with an "s" (s5830) it works. Hope this helps, and remember anything is possible with A LOT of Google searching!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's true that Carrier has the ability to scan for IMEI, however if you don't have mobile data on. IT will not raise a red flag for data plan. This has happened for one of my line in my account - Had my mobile data off and still get a message from ATT that automated add data plan. After research I known what caused it because ICQ required data to communicate with ATT, that's why I got hit with data plan. After root, give ATT an non-smartphone IMEI. I was good to go. Even when i login to my account online I do see my device is Inspire 4G - however the main registration IMEI is a non-smartphone. Weird but it worked.
Also you can just buy the prepaid minutes that reup off your credit card it comes out to be the same as most monthly bills if not cheaper for some and at&t don't care at all what phone you use on those
If you aren't sure then do it twice!

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