Not sure if this correct forum to post this and did a quick search, but didn't see anything that correlated. I'm a otr truck driver and 75% of the time I'm on edge network. Currently I have data roam turned off. Was wondering if anybody had a solution to "trick " network into thinking I was in a 3G area. I have unlimited data plan and my thinking was, if tethering was free with rooted dev.how come I have to pay extra to data roam when I'm not on atnt's signal?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
there is no way to "trick" a cell tower to broadcast farther.
Roostercruiser said:
Not sure if this correct forum to post this and did a quick search, but didn't see anything that correlated. I'm a otr truck driver and 75% of the time I'm on edge network. Currently I have data roam turned off. Was wondering if anybody had a solution to "trick " network into thinking I was in a 3G area. I have unlimited data plan and my thinking was, if tethering was free with rooted dev.how come I have to pay extra to data roam when I'm not on atnt's signal?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly sure what you're trying to do here, but let me take a stab at it:
There is very little reason while within the continental united states to have "data roaming" turned off. So yes, technically, on an AT&T phone, you can "roam" to other data networks, but so long as you're not using excessive amounts of data, and not spending long periods of time only on the roaming network, it won't be a problem. All AT&T plans are "nationwide access" so except for one teensy tiny condition that I'll explain in a second, there's no need to manually restrict your phone. Basically let your phone "roam" to whatever networks it wants, be but warned, if there is any AT&T tower in sight, your phone will take that over any other GSM network, even if it's only an EDGE connection. Only way to get around that is to lock your phone to WCDMA (3G), but that may have undesirable effects if you're travelling over long distances where cell coverage is poor.
So here's the exception, if you are both:
- Spending multiple consecutive days on an AT&T partner "roaming" network
- Using large amounts of data (like from tethering, which you shouldn't be doing anyway w/o a tethering plan)
Then you will get in trouble. AT&T will call you first, and tell you to stop. If you don't stop, then they will terminate your contract. No ETF or other fees will be charged, but you probably won't be able to get another plan with AT&T under the same name again. The reason is that AT&T has to pay lots of money to those roaming partners to let you (the customer) use their networks. Due to FCC regs, spectrum allocations, anti-trust, etc... AT&T can only offer service in certain areas, and not in others, hence why they have to partner with other cell networks. But apparently, those agreements really r*pe AT&T up the butt, which is why they'll let it go for a while, but if you start costing them too much money, they'll just drop you as a customer.
This happened to me once in Arizona, in an area only covered by T-Mobile. I was tethering through my 3G phone at the time (an HTC Kaiser/Tilt actually) and used something like 500 MB over a week. This was back in the old days of unlimited plans, and before AT&T could enforce tethering/non-tethering plans. I got a phone call from a special department within AT&T, and they politely said, "turn the data functions of your phone off immediately, or your contract will be terminated". Apparently, through roaming agreements, they had paid out (or were contractually obliged to eventually pay out) something like $300-$400 to T-Mobile over the course of a week, and we're none too pleased about it. I stopped, and it was all good.
Long story short, don't abuse the roaming agreements, and you won't have a problem.
The reason tether can be free is because it SHOULD be free. You are using an inbuilt feature of the phone to route internet requests.... its a simple feature which has been available on dumb phones since year 1995. It was not mainstream until recently and ATT realized they could simply disable it and charge. Its free in Europe because that's how it should be...
Tethering just sends internet requests to your device and your device returns the results of the request to your computer. Its very shadey of ATT to charge for it. Any internet enabled device has the inbuilt capability to route data from one device to another... even the simplest dumb phone.
Shammyh said:
Not exactly sure what you're trying to do here, but let me take a stab at it:
There is very little reason while within the continental united states to have "data roaming" turned off. So yes, technically, on an AT&T phone, you can "roam" to other data networks, but so long as you're not using excessive amounts of data, and not spending long periods of time only on the roaming network, it won't be a problem. All AT&T plans are "nationwide access" so except for one teensy tiny condition that I'll explain in a second, there's no need to manually restrict your phone. Basically let your phone "roam" to whatever networks it wants, be but warned, if there is any AT&T tower in sight, your phone will take that over any other GSM network, even if it's only an EDGE connection. Only way to get around that is to lock your phone to WCDMA (3G), but that may have undesirable effects if you're travelling over long distances where cell coverage is poor.
So here's the exception, if you are both:
- Spending multiple consecutive days on an AT&T partner "roaming" network
- Using large amounts of data (like from tethering, which you shouldn't be doing anyway w/o a tethering plan)
Then you will get in trouble. AT&T will call you first, and tell you to stop. If you don't stop, then they will terminate your contract. No ETF or other fees will be charged, but you probably won't be able to get another plan with AT&T under the same name again. The reason is that AT&T has to pay lots of money to those roaming partners to let you (the customer) use their networks. Due to FCC regs, spectrum allocations, anti-trust, etc... AT&T can only offer service in certain areas, and not in others, hence why they have to partner with other cell networks. But apparently, those agreements really r*pe AT&T up the butt, which is why they'll let it go for a while, but if you start costing them too much money, they'll just drop you as a customer.
This happened to me once in Arizona, in an area only covered by T-Mobile. I was tethering through my 3G phone at the time (an HTC Kaiser/Tilt actually) and used something like 500 MB over a week. This was back in the old days of unlimited plans, and before AT&T could enforce tethering/non-tethering plans. I got a phone call from a special department within AT&T, and they politely said, "turn the data functions of your phone off immediately, or your contract will be terminated". Apparently, through roaming agreements, they had paid out (or were contractually obliged to eventually pay out) something like $300-$400 to T-Mobile over the course of a week, and we're none too pleased about it. I stopped, and it was all good.
Long story short, don't abuse the roaming agreements, and you won't have a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moral of the story: If you don't want to pay an ETF find a remote area of Arizona.
AdamOutler said:
The reason tether can be free is because it SHOULD be free. You are using an inbuilt feature of the phone to route internet requests.... its a simple feature which has been available on dumb phones since year 1995. It was not mainstream until recently and ATT realized they could simply disable it and charge. Its free in Europe because that's how it should be...
Tethering just sends internet requests to your device and your device returns the results of the request to your computer. Its very shadey of ATT to charge for it. Any internet enabled device has the inbuilt capability to route data from one device to another... even the simplest dumb phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree. I'm just explaining the way it works, not the way it *should* work.
In fact, I figure that as long as I don't go over my 2 GB/month allocation, I can tether as much as I want, and I do.
Shammyh said:
Not exactly sure what you're trying to do here, but let me take a stab at it:
There is very little reason while within the continental united states to have "data roaming" turned off... and it was all good.
Long story short, don't abuse the roaming agreements, and you won't have a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon me for redacting, but I wished to get to the heart of the matter.
A four-year member with 204 posts. I applaud both your insight and restraint, sir.
The point was, you can't access network features because they are on your network. You can access phone features because they are on your phone. Roaming is roaming no matter what. Its tracked by the network by your SIM. Change the SIM and you change your service type. Im not sure if its legal to mess with that.
Is it possible to purchase a 'data sim'? Whereby you could access a regional data network on an unlocked phone? i.e. I'm in Nowhereland but they locally sell me a pay as you go data sim to use in my unlocked phone for data, but not network telephone service.
A Unicorn? Or real?
Shammyh said:
Totally agree. I'm just explaining the way it works, not the way it *should* work.
In fact, I figure that as long as I don't go over my 2 GB/month allocation, I can tether as much as I want, and I do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP's question boils down to this...
if tethering was free with rooted dev.how come I have to pay extra to data roam when I'm not on atnt's signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The simple answer is because tethering is a device function and AT&T's shadey business practices make you pay to use your own device. Roaming is a network function and there's nothing that can be done about it except
1. update towers
2. change modems (sometimes yeilds better results on different AT&T towers, but wont' change roming)
3. change carriers
4. modify your SIM card to be more compatible with your current network.
AdamOutler said:
4. modify your SIM card to be more compatible with your current network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how does one modify one's SIM card to be more compatible with one's current network?
clemmie said:
So how does one modify one's SIM card to be more compatible with one's current network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't... you would change the identifiers so it thought you were another customer..... illegally.
I'm not sure exactly, but I may have an answer soon. I'm looking at methods of communicating with the call processor in order to device bricked phones. It might be the best way to inject code into the ram. . Ill get back to you on that.
AdamOutler said:
The reason tether can be free is because it SHOULD be free. You are using an inbuilt feature of the phone to route internet requests.... its a simple feature which has been available on dumb phones since year 1995. It was not mainstream until recently and ATT realized they could simply disable it and charge. Its free in Europe because that's how it should be...
Tethering just sends internet requests to your device and your device returns the results of the request to your computer. Its very shadey of ATT to charge for it. Any internet enabled device has the inbuilt capability to route data from one device to another... even the simplest dumb phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uncle does it on dumb kyocera and Samsung phones on metro pcs all day long
clemmie said:
Is it possible to purchase a 'data sim'? Whereby you could access a regional data network on an unlocked phone? i.e. I'm in Nowhereland but they locally sell me a pay as you go data sim to use in my unlocked phone for data, but not network telephone service.
A Unicorn? Or real?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but it's not straightforward, and not exactly kosher.
You'll have to get/calculate/steal/borrow a "data connect" IMEI. Basically you need the IMEI off of a built in data card, or a purchased data card, (like one of these).
You may also need to go to an AT&T store and buy a new SIM card (usually $35 one time fee) because usually if you re-use your existing cell SIM card, they won't allow you to sign up. So with your new SIM card in hand, and an IMEI of any data connect device, you go and sign up for one of these data plans. Rates for Domestic DataConnect Pass Plans are:
DataConnect Day Pass - 100 MB for $15
DataConnect Week Pass - 300 MB for $30
DataConnect Month Pass - 1 GB for $50
Assuming no terrible problems, you should now have a "data only" AT&T SIM card. Problem is, they'll see pretty quickly that you're not using the SIM card with the device IMEI you signed up with. That may or may not cause problems. Hasn't for me in the past, but I make no guarantees.
AdamOutler said:
You wouldn't... you would change the identifiers so it thought you were another customer..... illegally.
I'm not sure exactly, but I may have an answer soon. I'm looking at methods of communicating with the call processor in order to device bricked phones. It might be the best way to inject code into the ram. . Ill get back to you on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubt that's possible, not the injecting into the CP, but rather the changing what the phone "identifies" as. Injecting into the CP opens up all sorts of cool possibilities, but I believe actual network identification and communication is reliant upon the SIM card. In particular the Authentication Key (Ki) which I believe never leaves the internal memory of the smart card (aka SIM). Without messing with that, there's no way a phone could "pretend" to be anyone other than itself. Even when I fake out my IMEI on my Captivate (by deleting the EFS data and using the "default IMEI"), my phone still happily connects and works with AT&T. Basically, the cell network doesn't really care as long as your ICCID and crypto package are valid.
PS, been following your work closely w/ regard to the un-bricking business. Best of luck figuring out an "external" way of getting us booted w/ a corrupted PBL/SBL.
Shammyh said:
Doubt that's possible, not the injecting into the CP, but rather the changing what the phone "identifies" as. Injecting into the CP opens up all sorts of cool possibilities, but I believe actual network identification and communication is reliant upon the SIM card. In particular the Authentication Key (Ki) which I believe never leaves the internal memory of the smart card (aka SIM). Without messing with that, there's no way a phone could "pretend" to be anyone other than itself. Even when I fake out my IMEI on my Captivate (by deleting the EFS data and using the "default IMEI"), my phone still happily connects and works with AT&T. Basically, the cell network doesn't really care as long as your ICCID and crypto package are valid.
PS, been following your work closely w/ regard to the un-bricking business. Best of luck figuring out an "external" way of getting us booted w/ a corrupted PBL/SBL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks...
Like I said, I've not done any investigation into the modification of the SIM card, but I know it DOES have a programming pin on it. I'm thinking that may be for programming the SIM card.
I just received a cool communication toy in the mail. It's a Bus Pirate. so this weekend may be fun and turn up something.
MikeyMike01 said:
Moral of the story: If you don't want to pay an ETF find a remote area of Arizona.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or anywhere where AT&T coverage is through a partner network. Brand new iPhone 4? Go find a nice spot somewhere, use lots of data, wait for AT&T to call, and get out of your contract scott free.
Nifty trick, eh? Just don't expect to get AT&T service again...
AdamOutler said:
Thanks...
Like I said, I've not done any investigation into the modification of the SIM card, but I know it DOES have a programming pin on it. I'm thinking that may be for programming the SIM card.
I just received a cool communication toy in the mail. It's a Bus Pirate. so this weekend may be fun and turn up something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds fun...
Related
So as I await my call from BB for my pre-ordered T-bolt my mind was thinking, would it be possible to take the 4GLTE Sim card from my new T-bolt and throw it in my Xoom, see where i am going with this....so although i don't have service on my Xoom and only use wifi, theoretically this should work but i won't know until i try. I did find this bit of info in the T-Bolt Manual....
"The 4G SIM card provided to you by Verizon Wireless contains your phone number, service details, and phonebook/message memory. It enables you to make calls and access the Internet using a 4G LTE network. While you’re abroad, you could also connect to a CDMA network.
The Verizon Wireless 4G SIM card is compatible with any Verizon Wireless 4G certified device. You can move the 4G SIM card from one device to another and your wireless service will work seamlessly as long as you have a compatible device and service plan. To see which devices are compatible with the Verizon Wireless 4G SIM card, visit verizonwireless.com/certifieddevice."
I was thinking the same thing exactly. Obviously we will have to wait until we get our Xooms upgraded, as there is no 4g hardware in there to currently take advantage of the sim card, but since right now LTE is only used for data, I don't see why this wouldn't work. Only time (and upgraded Xooms) will tell.
This would be fantastic.
sounds like it would be possible.
try it
I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work. Verizon needs the IMEI number to activate data on the device. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't activate IMEI's for the Thunderbolt.
Not necessarily. When the SIM is loaded into the device the MEID is sent to the system and if the MEID isn't compatible with the plan, either it will make you change your plan (somehow) or it will just not work. I'm pretty sure T-Mobile and AT&T used methods like this to keep you from just taking your SIM from a feature phone with a $10 unlimited data plan to a smartphone, thus blocking your data till you switched to the smartphone data plan. Or avoid customers putting their SIM's in their tablets/mobile broadband devices (which require a mobile broadband plan) and expecting to still have unlimited data for $29.99 just for forfeiting their minutes.
My Thunderbolt 4G SIM with the hotspot feature and unlimited data works great in the 4G MiFi from Verizon. Just pulled it from the phone, plopped it in the MiFi and it worked.
bogatyr said:
My Thunderbolt 4G SIM with the hotspot feature and unlimited data works great in the 4G MiFi from Verizon. Just pulled it from the phone, plopped it in the MiFi and it worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 I can confirm this works. I have the Samsung LTE Mifi and my Bolt and my SIM can walk from one to the other.
I don't remember where I read it (I think it was on these forums) but I believe some guy did what you guys are saying.
He said that it worked, but that he was slapped with a huge overage charge or something like that.
I wish I could remember the thread.
Dnakaman said:
I don't remember where I read it (I think it was on these forums) but I believe some guy did what you guys are saying.
He said that it worked, but that he was slapped with a huge overage charge or something like that.
I wish I could remember the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't really have an overage when you have unlimited on the SIM unless they changed your account features. If they did that to me, I'd probably drop them. The Mifi is more reliable than my TB for hotspot, and I'm paying for it so which device I use shouldn't matter.
bogatyr said:
Can't really have an overage when you have unlimited on the SIM unless they changed your account features. If they did that to me, I'd probably drop them. The Mifi is more reliable than my TB for hotspot, and I'm paying for it so which device I use shouldn't matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that was his exact reasoning. He had unlimited data on his phone sim, but it into the mifi (or something like that), ended up being charged as mifi device after so many GB's.
Let me see if I can remember some key words to search against in these forums.
EDIT: Ok found the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1019186&highlight=lte+card
Dnakaman said:
I think that was his exact reasoning. He had unlimited data on his phone sim, but it into the mifi (or something like that), ended up being charged as mifi device after so many GB's.
Let me see if I can remember some key words to search against in these forums.
EDIT: Ok found the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1019186&highlight=lte+card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because a rep looked at it and instead of listening to the guy thought it was a glitch and switched his plan out of the unlimited deal. He then put it back in his Thunderbolt and called Verizon and they fixed it - no overages and restored his grandfathered unlimited plan.
Verizon says in their ads that you can move your SIM among any Verizon 4G LTE certified device.
Also there is no difference in if you use the hotspot on your phone or the MiFi, you're not stealing anything if you have the hotspot plan on your phone. The MiFi doesn't offer anything more than you get on your TB using their hotspot app already. You're just using a better device until they fix the TB data connection problems.
Take the SIM card out of the Thunderbolt and put it into the MIFI/Samsung Hotspot device, and see if you still get LTE connection from the MIFI/Samsung device? I would like to buy one of those things but only if I can get unlimited data with it.
Wont work. Lte =/= GSM. It uses dual authentication using your unique imei (device id). Also: it will recognize the device_type as an aircard.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
mcmillian is correct as you can not use the $30 unlimited data in an aircard, Verizon would see the device ID and turn off your data... however to add a couple additional pennies on the topic...
you can use your LTE sim card in ANY LTE device. I've tried it with other Thunderbolt (hmm, my phone replacement, ugh) and it worked flawlessly. I really do miss that about GSM carriers as i would take the card out of my nice phone, and put it in a crappy prepaid phone when i went to the beach, or Six Flags. If it fell out or got lost.... oh well!
Topher227 said:
mcmillian is correct as you can not use the $30 unlimited data in an aircard, Verizon would see the device ID and turn off your data... however to add a couple additional pennies on the topic...
you can use your LTE sim card in ANY LTE device. I've tried it with other Thunderbolt (hmm, my phone replacement, ugh) and it worked flawlessly. I really do miss that about GSM carriers as i would take the card out of my nice phone, and put it in a crappy prepaid phone when i went to the beach, or Six Flags. If it fell out or got lost.... oh well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm if it worked in other thunderbolts I think it's definitely worth a shot in the aircard. I'm less concerned about Verizon seeing it and shutting it down at some later point... I know how big companies work and it would likely go unchecked for years before they decide to care enough.
I did this exact thing and it billed me for $1562 in mb usage on this pay months bill. You should definitely try it
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
To answer your question... LTE does work!
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
mattgattis said:
Hmm if it worked in other thunderbolts I think it's definitely worth a shot in the aircard. I'm less concerned about Verizon seeing it and shutting it down at some later point... I know how big companies work and it would likely go unchecked for years before they decide to care enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't go unchecked for years, it registers the MiFi to that line the second you put the SIM in and puts a compatible data feature on the line automatically. So you won't magically get unlimited data they will just convert the plan automatically.
For what its worth, I currently work at VZW and here is what our intranet says regarding moving a 4G LTE sim from a phone to a modem and vice versa.
4G SIM Change from USB to Smartphone
---------------------------------------
Customers with existing USBs who take the SIM out of the USB and place it into a 4G Smartphone will be able to place voice calls and will be charged the $0.25 per minute rate.
A change will be going into place by 03/22/2011 that will place a voice block on all new USB consumer and enterprise customers and all embedded base enterprise customers.
In addition, a change will be going in place on 04/17/2011 which will allow us to go back and put the block on the existing customer base.
Once the block is in place, users will not be able to place voice calls when they swap the SIMs unless they switch to an applicable voice/data plan.
4G SIM Change from Smartphone to USB
---------------------------------------
Customers who purchase a SIM with a 4G Smartphone and have voice and data, will be able to remove the SIM and place it in a 4G USB.
Data usage on the USB would continue to be billed according the data plan on the Smartphone (including unlimited).
Customers would continue to pay for voice as per the terms of their agreement.
nerdydesi said:
For what its worth, I currently work at VZW and here is what our intranet says regarding moving a 4G LTE sim from a phone to a modem and vice versa.
4G SIM Change from USB to Smartphone
---------------------------------------
Customers with existing USBs who take the SIM out of the USB and place it into a 4G Smartphone will be able to place voice calls and will be charged the $0.25 per minute rate.
A change will be going into place by 03/22/2011 that will place a voice block on all new USB consumer and enterprise customers and all embedded base enterprise customers.
In addition, a change will be going in place on 04/17/2011 which will allow us to go back and put the block on the existing customer base.
Once the block is in place, users will not be able to place voice calls when they swap the SIMs unless they switch to an applicable voice/data plan.
4G SIM Change from Smartphone to USB
---------------------------------------
Customers who purchase a SIM with a 4G Smartphone and have voice and data, will be able to remove the SIM and place it in a 4G USB.
Data usage on the USB would continue to be billed according the data plan on the Smartphone (including unlimited).
Customers would continue to pay for voice as per the terms of their agreement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, thanks for the info. I will definitely pick up a mifi then. Have you any idea which one is better? The verizon branded LTE mifi or the Samsung LTE Mobile Hotspot? I'm guessing the Samsung but just wanted to make sure there are no surprises with it.
chaoscentral said:
It doesn't go unchecked for years, it registers the MiFi to that line the second you put the SIM in and puts a compatible data feature on the line automatically. So you won't magically get unlimited data they will just convert the plan automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly doubt this... do you have any knowledge of the matter or are you speculating?
kesseler said:
I did this exact thing and it billed me for $1562 in mb usage on this pay months bill. You should definitely try it
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't tell if you're serious or not...
PEOPLE... I've worked for a huge Verizon retailer for five years. On my personal plan I have a Thunderbolt and I took my sim out and put it in a Samsung LTE Mifi. I got billed for $1,562 in MB overage and not only did it not automatically change my calling plan to a broadband data plan, but it kept my $29.99 unlimited days feature on there and still billed me $1.99/mb. $1,562 in data charges. This is your warning, don't try it. They won't credit it for me either.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Am I missing something here? why piss money away on a mifi when you can root your phone and use wifi tether?
kesseler said:
PEOPLE... I've worked for a huge Verizon retailer for five years. On my personal plan I have a Thunderbolt and I took my sim out and put it in a Samsung LTE Mifi. I got billed for $1,562 in MB overage and not only did it not automatically change my calling plan to a broadband data plan, but it kept my $29.99 unlimited days feature on there and still billed me $1.99/mb. $1,562 in data charges. This is your warning, don't try it. They won't credit it for me either.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice try, Verizon guy.
Edit: On the off chance that this is real and you're not just seeking attention, seriously do not pay that bill. A phone company cannot sign you up for a plan (contract) of their choosing and bill you outrageous sums. The only contract you signed was for unlimited data. Unless they have your signature on a document saying that you agreed to pay $1.99/mb for something, then you do not have to pay it. If they are accusing you of something illegal, which would be ridiculous, then only a court can make a judgement against you.
zer071 said:
Am I missing something here? why piss money away on a mifi when you can root your phone and use wifi tether?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's less expensive than a phone, and consumes less battery power for starters. Not advising anyone to do this... I have my reasons, just want to know if it will work.
Ill try tomorrow at work
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA App
stayin100 said:
Ill try tomorrow at work
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, so are you a fellow VZW employee?
I'm not a "Verizon guy," I work for a retailer, not corporate Verizon. I was just offering a warning of what happened on the 10th when I received my bill. And they won't credit me because I contract with them as an indirect agent and as I activated it on my own acct I should have "known better." Do what you want, I was just trying to offer some advice to the OP.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I have a Thunderbolt and a Pantech USB modem. I took the SIM from my phone, put it in the USB stick, and it worked no problems....
I did this a couple months ago just cause I was wondering if it worked. I didn't leave my phone's Sim in the USB for a long time, just surfed the internet that evening long enough to see that it worked in case I wanted to use the unlimited data in the USB stick to download a movie or something and not use my 5G limit of the broadband plan.
I did not see any additional charges on my bill, but like I said, I only had it in there for one evening.
I bought my unlocked Nexus S (i9020) back when it released and have been using it in India. Now I've moved to the States and bought myself an AT&T plan.
I've read that if I insert a SIM into a smartphone, AT&T automatically detects the IMEI as a smartphone and starts charging a data plan. But since my phone was bought unlocked and it isn't an AT&T branded one either, can AT&T start charging me? Also, if they do start charging me, will they charge $20 on the 300MB plan or any other plan?
Not sure how it works in US, but pretty sure AT&T can bill you if you use data on their network, despite you having an unbranded Nexus.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA
I'm not going to be switching on data any time cause I have WiFi around me most of the time. So can they still charge me?
As I said I'm not 100% sure, but as long as you don't use data they shouldn't trigger any plan. For all effects for them your nexus S is a dumbphone. At least that's how it works in Europe.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA
WinterAce said:
WiFi around me most of the time. So can they still charge me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they will eventually detect your smartphone
if you are under contract they apparently can
force a data plan on your line
they got tired of people *****ing about
[and fighting]
giant bills after "not knowing" about data upcharges
...or so the story goes
fwiw
for what it's worth, if you're worried about data usage charges on a line you do not have a data plan for you can call AT&T and ask them to block cellular data on that line. I've done that with my wife's flip phone since the kids keep fiddling with it and accidentally browsing the internet. They were happy to put the block and avoid the alla cart data charges for that line.
Mind you I do have a data plan on my Nexus S.
Thanks for the replies everyone! I'll call AT&T and request them to disable the dataplan. Or I will have to just continue with my N95.
[email protected] said:
for what it's worth, if you're worried about data usage charges on a line you do not have a data plan for you can call AT&T and ask them to block cellular data on that line. I've done that with my wife's flip phone since the kids keep fiddling with it and accidentally browsing the internet. They were happy to put the block and avoid the alla cart data charges for that line.
Mind you I do have a data plan on my Nexus S.
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i dont think on att and verizon with a smartphone plan they allow you to block data as then whats the point according to them of having a smartphone and only using it on wifi. I did get a vzw lg android for $5 for my son and it has no service he only uses it on wifi and can use other programs that are web based to text or use free voip like yahoo messenger video chat.
ive been using an i9020a on att for 6 months and they have not detected it or cared. It shows up as a generic dumbphone on my att account. i have data blocked on it to make sure i dont accidentally use data. i also switch between this and an inspire 4g (an official att phone) and they have not added data. Same goes with my brother who uses a hand me down att gs2 on att.
shahravi94 said:
ive been using an i9020a on att for 6 months and they have not detected it or cared. It shows up as a generic dumbphone on my att account. i have data blocked on it to make sure i dont accidentally use data. i also switch between this and an inspire 4g (an official att phone) and they have not added data. Same goes with my brother who uses a hand me down att gs2 on att.
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Can you please explain to me how did you manage to make them block data ? Didn't they argue that you have a smart phone and that you need to keep the data plan if you have a smart phone ? Thanks
bhaismachine said:
Can you please explain to me how did you manage to make them block data ? Didn't they argue that you have a smart phone and that you need to keep the data plan if you have a smart phone ? Thanks
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Supposedly AT&T detects a Smartphone based on the IMEI number of the phone matched up to a database of IMEI numbers of phones that AT&T sold. The latter is a very important point as they did not sell the Nexus One phone, therefore, many argue on various forum posts that AT&T cannot recognize this non-AT&T sold phone as a Smartphone. The same would be true of any phone not sold by AT&T. However, I have yet to come across any posts of anyone that actually owns a non-AT&T sold smartphone who can confirm this and I've been searching far and wide for this confirmation. I'm getting ready to buy a non-AT&T branded unlocked smartphone to try this myself so perhaps I'll be able to confirm. It would be great if the Original Poster provided his experience with this. i.e. did AT&T detect this phone via the sweeps?
To address some other questions and comments in this forum post...keep in mind that AT&T required a data plan for all smartphones activated on its network after September 6, 2009. However, this policy is far from clear and there are many gray areas, this being one. For example, if I had a smart phone active on September 5 with no data plan, and I buy a used Nexus One on eBay and stick my SIM in it, do I need a data plan? I didn't purchase a new phone or "activate" anything on AT&Ts network so I would argue not.
I also not believe it matters if data is enabled on the phone or not. Try this...take the SIM out of your AT&T phone, stick it in another (different) phone, make a phone call, go to OLAM (i.e. OnLine Account Management), and look at the phone that AT&T thinks you have. Data enabled or not, if the phone was sold by AT&T, they will have identified the phone you just used.
Here is another gray area...data plans on a non-Smartphone lines were as low as $10/month. Data plans are enabled the on the line (i.e. the SIM) not the phone, so a SIM with a data plan can be moved from phone to phone (e.g. dumb phone to smart phone) and data will be active so long as the phone supports the active APN (Access Point Name). If I have a dumb phone line with active data and my phone breaks, what if I stick that SIM in a smartphone I have laying around so that I can make a phone call? What is my obligation to contact AT&T and notify them that I need smartphone data plan?
What follows is for reference only for those that may want a deeper understanding of AT&Ts data plans or desire to "experiment..."
AT&T uses two primary APNs: wap.cingular and isp.cinguar. AT&T is now using wap.cingular for dumb phone access and isp.cingular for smart phones access meaning, if your line has dumb phone data active, your phone needs to support the wap.cingualr APN. Most smarter phones allow the creation of custom APNs if it is not built-in.
The login an pw for the two APNs is as follows: wap.cingular is login= [email protected] and pw= cingular1. isp.cingular is login= [email protected] and pw= cingular1.
The ability to enable the various data plans and features on your account is dependent on what type of phone is assigned to your account based on the IMEI number assigned to that account. This is not the same as the automatic detection I mentioned above. The assignment is done by AT&T employees. I do not have exact or inside information, but I surmise that your line is associated with one of about 4 primary phone types: smart phone, iPhone, black berry, or dumb phone. This assignment dictates what data plans and other features are available to you either thru OLAM or via a CSR. For example, if your line is identified as a dumb phone, you will see the dumb phone data plans in OLAM. If you currently have a smart phone on your account, and switch to a dumb phone, you will only see the dumb phone data plans if AT&T switches the assignment to the dumb phone IMEI. This is only done by calling AT&T, not merely by making a phone call from the dumb phone and relying on the automatic detection.
[email protected] said:
for what it's worth, if you're worried about data usage charges on a line you do not have a data plan for you can call AT&T and ask them to block cellular data on that line. I've done that with my wife's flip phone since the kids keep fiddling with it and accidentally browsing the internet. They were happy to put the block and avoid the alla cart data charges for that line.
Mind you I do have a data plan on my Nexus S.
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damn you beat me to it.
I did this for my girlfreind a LONG time ago with my old iphone 2g when i gave it to her. we said she had little kids who play with her phone and could potentially hit some data use (she officially had a garbage pantech with data capabiltites but no plan).
I then would turn off data on the phone and wham she could use it as long as it was unlocked. i then gave her my 3g which i JB and unlocked for her but then just got a used 3gs from my sis who had ATT unlock it for her and then turned off data and she has been using it fine.
I think as long as data is blocked on their end they dont notice. It WILL show the correct phone if you log in her account and even if you change it it will still change back to whatever yoru using but they never tried to start charging her for data. she loves having the phone with WIFI and me tethering my nexus s to her without having to have a 30$ charge on her bill.
ps
she still uses her regular SIM in the phone and it works for calls/texts normally. she didnt need a different sim for the phone.
Surely you could just delete the APN settings so it couldn't connect on mobile data?
Kitch16 said:
Surely you could just delete the APN settings so it couldn't connect on mobile data?
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You can also just switch off cellular data.
---------- Post added at 09:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 AM ----------
WinterAce said:
I bought my unlocked Nexus S (i9020) back when it released and have been using it in India. Now I've moved to the States and bought myself an AT&T plan.
I've read that if I insert a SIM into a smartphone, AT&T automatically detects the IMEI as a smartphone and starts charging a data plan. But since my phone was bought unlocked and it isn't an AT&T branded one either, can AT&T start charging me? Also, if they do start charging me, will they charge $20 on the 300MB plan or any other plan?
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It would be great if the Original Poster provided his experience with this after using the phone on the AT&T network for a month or two. i.e. did AT&T detect the Nexus one phone via the sweeps and try to impose a data plan?
I currently have an AT&T plan with calling + texting, and want a smartphone but not the $30/mo data plan that it comes with.
If I buy a HTC One S from Amazon, unlock it, and put my non-smartphone SIM card into it, will AT&T still tack on the data plan? I'm planning on only using WiFi for internet, and otherwise having the 1S function as a regular phone.
I've heard that this works because AT&T won't recognize it as a smartphone or somesuch, but I'd like confirmation before I start spending money on this.
Thanks
if you're intending to use Wifi only, just switch-off the "Mobile Network".
I'd guess they can tell even from the IMEI and tack a data plan onto your account without your consent.
spiderx_mm said:
if you're intending to use Wifi only, just switch-off the "Mobile Network".
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Would At&t still add on the data plan if I did that?
el_smurfo said:
I'd guess they can tell even from the IMEI and tack a data plan onto your account without your consent.
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I've heard people say that companies wont recognize the IMEI as a smartphone if said company does not carry the phone. True/false?
Not sure about AT&T but I know on T-mobile if you buy the phone out right they can not force data plan on you.
It's when you sign a contract to get a $600 for only $200 the data plan in mandatory for a certain amount of times. (It could have change but that's how it's been as far as I know).
One "trick" T-mobile is doing now for peoples without data plan, if you surf the net it will work and you will get a surprise when your bill come in. (As before if you don't have data plan, it will send you to an upsell page).
IMO the best thing to do is call AT&T and ask them the policy.
I felt the same as you as I bought my smartphone. With contract, I'm forced to subscribe to a data plan, and billed for it whether I use it up or not. Look at your provider description of data plan, is it an online pass or subscription? If it's subscription, you will be billed to your account even if you never touched your data plan. My provider allows online pass for one day or one week when I need to use their online data services, at most time I use wifi.
Try to buy just the 'phone' from your provider (if they provide that option), no contract or subscription. If they don't allow that, you have to look elsewhere for 'just' the phone.
el_smurfo said:
I'd guess they can tell even from the IMEI and tack a data plan onto your account without your consent.
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^So true.
I've heard of people on forums saying that never happened to them, but I know someone that has had this happen to them. Now my friend told me they removed the data plan AT&T added to their account (not sure how) and now they're using their phone with mobile data off.
So yeah... good luck.
Ok, so I have a rooted HTC Thunderbolt with Gingeritis 3D and is getting pretty old. I want to upgrade to the S3, but the problem is that i'll lose my unlimited (bastards). I've looked into getting a cheap plan from other carriers that have the S3 and then modifying it to work with verizon and use the other carrier as a business phone, but I can't find a plan cheap enough. I really hate the tiered plans with verizon so I'm trying to avoid that at all costs, but I don't feel like paying $700 for a freakin phone. Anyone have any ideas on a work around of some sort?
You're most likely screwed, I just lost my unlimited data recently because someone on my plan upgraded, so we all lost it, you might as well suck it up, no offense, Verizon is closing all loopholes to keep unlimited.
-Sent from Marino's Galaxy Nexus-
Phones from sprint and virgin mobile generally tend to be cheaper. Im not sure how you plan on modifying GSM units to function on CDMA networks (then again, im not very tech savvy) but chances are buying an off contract phone is the way to go. The CDMA variant of the galaxy nexus is always a cheap viable option. My 2 cents.
buckfuddy said:
Phones from sprint and virgin mobile generally tend to be cheaper. Im not sure how you plan on modifying GSM units to function on CDMA networks (then again, im not very tech savvy) but chances are buying an off contract phone is the way to go. The CDMA variant of the galaxy nexus is always a cheap viable option. My 2 cents.
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You can't, because:
1. You'd have to do something I can't mention her for legal reasons to get the Sprint version to work on Verizon.
2. The Sprint version has an embedded SIM, so no SIM slot that the Verizon version uses/needs for the LTE SIM.
3. Different frequency of LTE, so you wouldn't even get LTE.
4. Sprint has terrible data speeds and close to no LTE coverage (take it from me, I used to work for them).
5. Verizon is crazy expensive all in the name of "coverage" (take it from me again, because I used to work for them too, even though it doesn't take a genius to see it).
I say buy an AT&T/T-Mobile version unlocked (or international i9300 if you want) and hop onto Straight Talk. $45 a month unlimited everything (ok, well they'll throttle you if you use a lot of data), and you can choose if you want an AT&T or T-Mobile-based SIM. By a lot of data I mean generally over 2-3GB. But you can go on their Facebook page and make a support ticket lying and saying some app used a lot of data, and they'll usually un-throttle you in a day or less.
I tell people not to go for Verizon unless no other carrier has decent service in their area or unless their company is paying the bill. Because they have horrible customer service, destroy blockbuster devices with branding and bloatware (and locked bootloaders), and are crazy expensive.
Product F(RED) said:
You can't, because:
1. You'd have to do something I can't mention her for legal reasons to get the Sprint version to work on Verizon.
2. The Sprint version has an embedded SIM, so no SIM slot that the Verizon version uses/needs for the LTE SIM.
3. Different frequency of LTE, so you wouldn't even get LTE.
4. Sprint has terrible data speeds and close to no LTE coverage (take it from me, I used to work for them).
5. Verizon is crazy expensive all in the name of "coverage" (take it from me again, because I used to work for them too, even though it doesn't take a genius to see it).
I say buy an AT&T/T-Mobile version unlocked (or international i9300 if you want) and hop onto Straight Talk. $45 a month unlimited everything (ok, well they'll throttle you if you use a lot of data), and you can choose if you want an AT&T or T-Mobile-based SIM. By a lot of data I mean generally over 2-3GB. But you can go on their Facebook page and make a support ticket lying and saying some app used a lot of data, and they'll usually un-throttle you in a day or less.
I tell people not to go for Verizon unless no other carrier has decent service in their area or unless their company is paying the bill. Because they have horrible customer service, destroy blockbuster devices with branding and bloatware (and locked bootloaders), and are crazy expensive.
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I believe Virgin Mobile has a $25 plan that might suit one's needs. Then again, I'm not sure about the compatibility of VMs phones with Verizons network.
buckfuddy said:
I believe Virgin Mobile has a $25 plan that might suit one's needs. Then again, I'm not sure about the compatibility of VMs phones with Verizons network.
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For 3G they'd work, if you can do the thing that I can't mention. But VM uses WiMax for 4G, not LTE, so it wouldn't work.
I'm going to second the Straight Talk suggestion. While they don't guaranty you will have reliable service, it is certainly worth the savings and is usually pretty reliable. If you put up the cash to buy a phone outright, you will save more then that then if you were to stick with Verizon.
I have my Infuse on ST right now, and it's been just fine. I've been getting speeds equal to my service when I was on AT&T and have only had a few hiccups when it comes to data, bet never when it comes to actual phone service.
There are particular data heavy apps I've used that seemed to kick me off the data network, which I think is the only reason I had issues with my data. It usually resolves itself after a while though. One of those apps was a remote desktop app that I was just testing out from work for the first time on my phone (always used my tablet for it before), and my data pretty much stopped working as soon as I tried using it. Then after about an hour or so I was able to use data again. Tried calling in the issue, but I spent about 30 minutes on hold and just hung up. Which brings up another downfall of ST, it's usually not a good idea to attempt to call customer service in the middle of the day.
el_roy1985 said:
I'm going to second the Straight Talk suggestion. While they don't guaranty you will have reliable service, it is certainly worth the savings and is usually pretty reliable. If you put up the cash to buy a phone outright, you will save more then that then if you were to stick with Verizon.
I have my Infuse on ST right now, and it's been just fine. I've been getting speeds equal to my service when I was on AT&T and have only had a few hiccups when it comes to data, bet never when it comes to actual phone service.
There are particular data heavy apps I've used that seemed to kick me off the data network, which I think is the only reason I had issues with my data. It usually resolves itself after a while though. One of those apps was a remote desktop app that I was just testing out from work for the first time on my phone (always used my tablet for it before), and my data pretty much stopped working as soon as I tried using it. Then after about an hour or so I was able to use data again. Tried calling in the issue, but I spent about 30 minutes on hold and just hung up. Which brings up another downfall of ST, it's usually not a good idea to attempt to call customer service in the middle of the day.
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When you fill in the APN, remove any "Proxy" fields except for "MMS Proxy." It's one way they try to limit what apps can connect to the network. But other than that they're good. It's full AT&T or T-Mobile service (you choose the SIM type), running on the base network, not the Prepaid/slow-network. So if you have good AT&T or T-Mobile service in your area, you'll the same coverage/speeds on Straight Talk.
I bought a used (T-Mobile) GS3 for $450 and use T-Mobile's $30/mo pay-as-you-go 4G plan (100 minutes, unlimited texting, 5Gb data before throttling). There are other no-contract plans out there for other types of users as well. Doing the math, just buying the phone instead of paying higher rates for the carrier to subsidise some of it easily evens-out over its lifespan - or comes way ahead. I would have paid about $1000/yr at Verizon. Now I'm paying about $580/yr considering the price of the phone. If I keep the phone after two years, this drops to $360/yr. And I get better service quality over-all.
I'm sure you can find a used Verizon GS3 - heck, you can even get them NEW for less than "$700".
If you're actually getting a good deal with Verizon, then just buy the phone out-right.