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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...
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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. $30 /mo for data is just outrageous to me, I pay less than that for reliable/fast internet access at home.
I bought a used AT&T Fuze online, and it came yesterday. I popped my SIM in, and this morning, I received a text message saying a data plan is required for all smartphones. I called up AT&T and got my IMEI changed and cancelled the data plan. Is there a way to prevent AT&T from charging me for the data plan, so that I can just use the phone without internet access (excluding Wi-fi, obviously)?
I have the same question. Back in October I had a Tilt that didn't have the plan - activated it and had been using the plan until mid January - the phone was stolen out of my car. Using a Blackberry now and they automatically stopped the data plan. I have a new Fuze on the way and don't want to pay the 30 per month as I can use WIFI almost anywhere for free.
Read that their policy is that if you have a smartphone they'll will automatically charge the 30 and activate you if you activate a new phone - but it doesn't specify whether the "new" phone is purchased from them or just through a change in recognition via the SIM.
When I looked at my account in January there isn't an option to disable the data plan - used to be there - so I'm thinking you use a Smartphone you have to pay. Seem to me a class action lawsuit should be in the works. Many use the phone as a PDA and don't care if we have access 24/7.
Maybe if they upped their speeds and coverage for 3g while lowering the price say to 10 to 15 it would be worth it.
So I'm guessing it can't be done? darn. Damn AT&T!
Unlock it and use t-mobile; that may be your best bet.
i bought my fuze with no data plan so there shouldnt be a problem. as long as you didnt purchase where u received a discount for signing up for a data plan
I bought it used, and it automatically charged me
Related question
I didnt have that problem with AT$T, actually.. i just recently put my wife's sim into my old fuze. with the exception of getting charged for unwanted data that got downloaded automatically, she has had no problems. she doesn't use the internet so it is fine. I just had AT&T block any data from her line. ( her line is no longer under contract, and i would like to keep it that way...)
I do actually have a question of my own... (didn't want to start a new thread)....
she does want to send and receive picture messages, we have unlimited messaging, but with the fuze you must have data in order to send or receive MMS. AT&T thinks she still has her old razr.
I would like to set her up with unlimited data plan for the razr, which is only like $10 per month, and was wondering if this would work with the fuze and what settings i might need to change to make it work.
thanks
keith
Sorry, but from how it looks now.. No you can't.. if you use Data, they will catch you that you are using a Fuze... the only "work around" I know is this... She can set up a yahoo, gmail, or simmilar account to just use with her phone... Then whenever she is in a WiFi area, she can send and receive picture email.. she can take the picture and compose them anytimes.. just has to wait to send them til she can use the WiFi.... MMS accounts can both send and receive with people who use email.... where they put in the send, instead of a phone number, they just put in an email address (go ahead, try it yourself, I know you want to )
As far as her sending her pictured emails to peoples phones, she just needs to know what carrier they use.. Then enter their #, and the rest of their
"email" address from this site : http://modmyi.com/wiki/index.php/MMS_Email_Addresses
She can avoid having to look up their address if the person who wants to share pictures with simply sends a message first to her phones email account using their phone... Then she just simple has to reply I know this is probally not the answer you were looking for, but it woudl work and save you having to pay the $35 for AT&T PDA Data....
I've never had a problem not having a data plan on my account. I bought it refurbished from AT&T and there was no data plan required for activation. I even temporarily added a data plan, then took it off again the next day just last month. I was never hassled or given the run-around at any point. Maybe you should just try changing the IMEI back to the Fuze and see what happens. It might also be a good idea to install NoData and disable the two data connections first, just so it never tries to connect.
I also dont want a data plan( cant afford it). My question is how can i make it not use wap for internet and only use wifi, when i do need it to receive data for mms. Thats included in my messaging plan but I have par per use internet and media net. I want to make sure that it doesnt connect to the network for internet or media net and I can only do internet through wifi. How do I do this? I tried just turning data off but it automatically turned back on when i hit the browser. How do i make it only use wifi? Thanks
ionizer12 said:
I also dont want a data plan( cant afford it). My question is how can i make it not use wap for internet and only use wifi, when i do need it to receive data for mms. Thats included in my messaging plan but I have par per use internet and media net. I want to make sure that it doesnt connect to the network for internet or media net and I can only do internet through wifi. How do I do this? I tried just turning data off but it automatically turned back on when i hit the browser. How do i make it only use wifi? Thanks
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You can always get a data block on your plan, so when you accidentally try to use data, it wont connect, thus making ATT not know you have a PDA... therefore wifi is the best and only option!
kmartin888 said:
I didnt have that problem with AT$T, actually.. i just recently put my wife's sim into my old fuze. with the exception of getting charged for unwanted data that got downloaded automatically, she has had no problems. she doesn't use the internet so it is fine. I just had AT&T block any data from her line. ( her line is no longer under contract, and i would like to keep it that way...)
I do actually have a question of my own... (didn't want to start a new thread)....
she does want to send and receive picture messages, we have unlimited messaging, but with the fuze you must have data in order to send or receive MMS. AT&T thinks she still has her old razr.
I would like to set her up with unlimited data plan for the razr, which is only like $10 per month, and was wondering if this would work with the fuze and what settings i might need to change to make it work.
thanks
keith
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I used to have an old Samsung flip that I actually flipped into two pieces. When I replaced it with a used Blackjack I simply went into AT&T and had them add the $30 MEdia Net package (Unlimited Data, Unlimited Msgs) because it showed that I still had the old Samsung flip. I had been using my Blackjack for about 2 months and there was no recognition. Now I'm using the Fuze with no problem. As long as your plan doesn't show that you are using a smartphone (IE you bought one from them) then you should be ok. I've been doing this for over a year with no problems.
In the same boat. Just bought a Rhodium & I'm wondering what I can use my Fuze for. I wanna give it to my dad whose line has no data, or use it as a back-up and cancel my handset insurance. Can I switch between devices on my sim which has a data plan? Can I use it as a wi-fi only browsing device(my Tilt 2 won't connect via wi-fi, it seems, the SIM having never been installed)? I could try data block on the account or data block software & put his SIM in. I thought the rationale for the data plan requirement was that the company could only make a profit, while subsidizing the price of these devices, by charging more than a fee for monthly voice service over the term of the contract and that, after the contract, the device is now mine(not rendered useless as even a phone should one not have a data plan), free and clear, to do with as I wish, or at least to use wi-fi without a plan(like my Tilt 2 is not doing)
When I got my FUZE in April, 2009 the saleswoman said that I could cancel the data plan in 6 months.. Online there was never an option to disable the data plan so I called and had it canceled that way. Now that it was canceled though, online does show that there is an option of no data plan. I bet though if I re-added the data plan that disable option will disappear again.
You can use this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=610657
to block your data from ever being used. I use this to turn off AT&T ISP GPRS and MEdia Net. You can still send/receive texts and go online through WiFi.
@TheGlowingCurve, I don't believe just being an unlocked phone helps, my previous phones are all unlocked now but if I put my SIM in them again, att.com immediately changes my account's phone picture and model to the phone the SIM card is in. They know ALL about what phone you're using.
EDIT: I've never understood the relevance of http://www.htcclassaction.org/ to the Raphael. That site says there is no 3D acceleration or acceleration of videos and whatnot but of course there is acceleration. There is an ATI driver cab and it allows running of 3D programs like Diamond Hologram and COD2, not to mention TouchFLO3D and Sense UI. I don't even think that driver cab is needed because I honestly don't even install it. Video acceleration may not work in CorePlayer, but the solution is easy, don't use CorePlayer! The included Windows Media Player and Album programs are both accelerated and capable of playing H264 videos smoothly. The problems mentioned in http://www.htcclassaction.org/ have nothing to do with our phone and in the site's updates (which are all at least 2 years old!) it even says the Touch Diamond at release had 3D capabilities already.
I'm pretty sure your issues with the FUZE have to do with WM itself, not with HTC's phone.
I too had a tilt, but i put the sim card in teh new fuze i bought. Both of my phones have no data.
I got some bull**** out of them in december when i asked. But i called in the other day, and it was like oh yeah np. No more data.
Because i was a cingular customer im grandfathered in. If you had a PDA prior to november of last year, you also are grandfathered in.
dont take no for an answer.
Just to be clear, ive now shut data off and turned it on on the fuze alone 6 times. LOL
freekquency said:
I too had a tilt, but i put the sim card in teh new fuze i bought. Both of my phones have no data.
I got some bull**** out of them in december when i asked. But i called in the other day, and it was like oh yeah np. No more data.
Because i was a cingular customer im grandfathered in. If you had a PDA prior to november of last year, you also are grandfathered in.
dont take no for an answer.
Just to be clear, ive now shut data off and turned it on on the fuze alone 6 times. LOL
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So you bought the FUZE after November of last year?
Did you have to call them each time to shut down the data plan? Is the charge for that prorated?
lol so now that AT&T removed their unlimited data plan and introduced limited data plans, what happens with future smart phones? Will AT&T require the higher priced data plan?
EDIT: http://gizmodo.com/5555561/hey-att-we-want-rollover-bytes
i just got a fuze from the MP and bam less than 3 hours after taking my sim card out of my pantech impact which had the unlim data and text on our family plan ..they nailed me for the fuze and changed me to the 25 dollar smartphone plan .... should i switch back to the impact and just tell them i was fixing a freinds phone and shut off the data connection on the fuze and get the 30 dollar plan again or wont it work
Using the Fuze with no data plan and using WiFi.
Well there's actually some things to keep in mind here. Being that I have had some experience with AT&T smartphones for busiensses, I know that this is a sore spot to their network users. If you're using a PDA and haven't switched the IMEI online, you're bound to receive a bill from AT&T if you're using the WAP settings from the stock AT&T ROM build. To get around this, unlock your SIM, change the IMEI online, use NoData, and set up your phone to search and prompt you for WiFi hotspots. Turn the phone off or to Airplane mode also from the connection manager. There are plenty that are free once you're in their area, or near an open private WIFI network area. Simply connect, and send all of your data via Wifi connections. This will keep the device from auto-detecting the AT&T WAP and/or using the WAP settings.
One extra step that I take is to erase your WAP data completely from the connection manager so that it's not automatically recognizing the AT&T network settings. You can then choose your settings when needed using any GSM network anywhere in the world, but be careful! This can be expensive if you're not watching your settings. Unlocking your SIM is a MUST! If you're smart, you can set up a T-Mobile prepay account to use the partner(AT&T) GSM network when needed, if needed. This will normally cost you $.99 per day to use.
I hope this helps you better understand the WAP settings. One note.....trash the stock AT&T ROM for one that you'll find here on this site. There have been many that have worked hard to modify this device so that you can fully experience the device fully.
ok i bought my fuze from someone here at xda and he wasnt sure if it is unlocked or not
how can i find out i dont have access to a tmobile sim ..how do i change the imei online
and if i dont have a data connection will the time and weather still update and im using Tael rom ..the weird thing is i had a fuze that got stolen that i was using on the 30 dollar unlimited plan that i singed up for in feb2010 when i got service them and got the samsung impression free then switched to my fuze and they never caught on but like i said in my post above when my gf hooked us up on the family plan with the impacts ..when i switched to my new fuze they got me quick ..and this fuze is setup the same way as my previuos fuze
Hi,
in a few days I will be going in vacations (lucky me) in Mexico. But I don't want to pay for international Datas. I want to use my phone only has a phone and will contect thru Wifi when available.
ma question is: If the "Data roaming" (settings-wireless and network- mobile networks) is un checked, is that mean it will "cut" the datas as soon as I'm not with ATT?
Thanks
Yes, but you'll still be subject to roaming charges for voice and messaging.
- Dial *#*#INFO#*#* which is *#*#4636#*#*
- Go to Phone Info
- You can hit your "More" softkey and there will be a menu with an option called More
There should be an option that says disable data on boot. Now any time you restart your phone you should not be getting data network
LinuxNewb said:
- Dial *#*#INFO#*#* which is *#*#4636#*#*
- Go to Phone Info
- You can hit your "More" softkey and there will be a menu with an option called More
There should be an option that says disable data on boot. Now any time you restart your phone you should not be getting data network
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this code but it doesn't seems to work on my captivate
xargs1 said:
Yes, but you'll still be subject to roaming charges for voice and messaging.
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Click to collapse
Thanks, it was what I tough.
Just keep it in airplane mode. I travel mostly out of the country and that's what I do. You can enable wifi while in airplane mode.
a_fuegon said:
Just keep it in airplane mode. I travel mostly out of the country and that's what I do. You can enable wifi while in airplane mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, but in my case I have to be able to anwer calls
Duh, I guess I selectively absorb content I read. I just get sim cards locally and pass that number to the people I need to stay in touch with. Granted it's only a select few though, perhaps that's why it's practical for me. It's the more cost efficient way for me. I do have an unlocked winmo phone that I use abroad for this.
Turn off data, and call at&t and sign up for the international plan. You can cancel it after the vacation and it is pro-rated. I went on a cruise to mexico and ended up paying like $120 on less than a half hour of calls back home.
I am on a trip in Brazil right now, and have the exact same requirements. I turn off Data Roaming so that I don't run up any data charges. Just to be safe, I also turned off sync for Google, Twitter, and Facebook. I signed up for the AT&T International Plan at $5.99 per month, which makes calls between US and Brazil at $1.99 per minute. Text messages are $.80 each. If you really want to save money on calls, take a laptop and use Skype. I can call a US landline from Skype for $.02 per minute, not quite free, but it feels like it compared to the AT&T rate.
just fff up your apn.. but remember settings.. that is what the disable/enable data widgets do anyway.. screw up something in the apn and you will get no data.
grmcgee said:
I am on a trip in Brazil right now, and have the exact same requirements. I turn off Data Roaming so that I don't run up any data charges. Just to be safe, I also turned off sync for Google, Twitter, and Facebook. I signed up for the AT&T International Plan at $5.99 per month, which makes calls between US and Brazil at $1.99 per minute. Text messages are $.80 each. If you really want to save money on calls, take a laptop and use Skype. I can call a US landline from Skype for $.02 per minute, not quite free, but it feels like it compared to the AT&T rate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use nimbuzz on your phone to connect to skype thru wifi
Simple as turning off data roaming, I went to Mexico City a few weeks ago and didn't incur any data charges. I've been there a few times with my iPhone and haven't had to pay anything extra either. Just make sure you get the AT&T Mexico feature. It's $4.99 a month and .59 a minute while roaming in Mexico.
Mexico Plans
I am currently travelling to Mexico every week for business and signed up for a voice plan.
Instead of the regular $59.99 plan giving 900 minutes, I have a $74.99 plan that allows me to use my minutes while in Mexico also. ATT has some weird scheming where they say, the first month you can use all of the 900 mins, 2nd month only 40% of the minutes, 3rd month again 900, 4th month 40% only, and so on. Go figure what the smartypants at ATT were dreaming when they created this plan.
But again, everytime I call ATT, the idiots give me a new answer. SMS and MMS, I have gotten multiple answers, so i try not to use it.
Data plan - ATT will rip you naked in a few minutes of data usage. It's like $20 per 10MB or something like that - that's if you sign up for a plan before hand. If not, it gets even more ridiculous.
So, bottom line, if you need to make/receive calls on your US #, signup for one of those international plans. Forget data. SMS - I don't know.
Turnoff data roaming - settings --> Wireless Networks --> Mobile networks --> Data roaming uncheck.
Verizon has a $35 unlimited data plan (on top of your regular plan), if you have a choice.
edit: btw, I am unable to call any toll free #s while in Mexico. Whether those calls are allowed or not seems to be dependent on the combination of ATT and local carrier (for me Telcel). Didn't have this problem with Verizon.
For what it's worth, the international plans and the flip flopping of at&t reps is what drove me to simply give up using my phone abroad. I am somewhere south of the US almost weekly, so for me it is a big issue. I eventually resorted to picking up local sim cards, which works for me. I usually spend max of $10 for the sim and a bucket of mins, which also includes texting if need be. All incoming calls are free, which is what makes it work for me.
Enough of the thread jacking for me.
I like many of you, have a love for the newest, fastest phones, but am also around wifi all the time. Then comes the companies forcing us to buy data plans along with our phones. Currently with AT&T, I have a smartphone without a data plan, I believe it's because I got this before AT&T changed it's T&C about data plans. When I got a smartphone in the past, I would be required to have the data plan at first, but I would be able to cancel it after the first 30 days.
Looking at t-mobile, you cannot cancel the data plan or any other services during the life of the contract.
AT&T, will now add a data plan onto your account regardless
Verizion's terms and conditions page was apparently down for me
Sprint's terms and conditions are really abstract =(
Is there any way you can still get around the data plan requirement?
Possibly like I did with at&t before but also put a data block on the account to prevent them from adding a new data plan?
t-mobile is ok if i pay for the phone out of pocket with their no contract plan, but i'm looking to buy 4 smart phones, or at the very least 2.
anyone have any ideas about this issue?
please no arguments like: "the phone is meant to be used with a data plan"
because the phone is meant to be used with the internet and wifi = internet
kanwal236 said:
Is there any way you can still get around the data plan requirement?
Possibly like I did with at&t before but also put a data block on the account to prevent them from adding a new data plan?
t-mobile is ok if i pay for the phone out of pocket with their no contract plan, but i'm looking to buy 4 smart phones, or at the very least 2.
anyone have any ideas about this issue?
please no arguments like: "the phone is meant to be used with a data plan"
because the phone is meant to be used with the internet and wifi = internet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only answer is to not sign a contract with the carrier. Buy a phone from a 3rd party, or pay the extra money up front for a no-contract.
Even then, most android phones are set to automatically transmit data back to the carrier, so you will have to go over all the settings very carefully to make sure that the carrier doesn't have a reason to charge you off-plan data rates.
As far as I know, the smaller carriers don't require a data plan for user-owned equipment. I know AT&T does for the iphone and I imagine that Verizon probably does for their android line
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".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^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.