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[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?
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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!
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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]: How does att knows what phone I am using

I just purchased the skyrocket with the $15 data option. I have another old phone with unlimited data for non-smart phone plan. I tried to use the SIM with unlimited data in the SR phone but ATT won't connect because it sees that the phone is the skyrocket and not a non-smart phone. Is there anyway to block att from recognizing the kinda of phone I am using. The unlimited data plan works fine with my HTC kaiser (bought from europe)!

If you can figure out how to mask your IMEI to the network that may work.. But i have no idea how you would do that or if its even legal. But that's how they knew it is a SR.. You old phone probaby worked bc it was not in att's database as you purchased it in EU.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

The SIM card needs to be provisioned for 4G. You'll have to take it to AT&T and tell them you want to provision 4G on you old SIM card.

garypix said:
The SIM card needs to be provisioned for 4G. You'll have to take it to AT&T and tell them you want to provision 4G on you old SIM card.
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they will still look at the IMEI and see it is in their database and know he isnt using a dumbphone

How ya liking the sr ghost?

silver03wrx said:
How ya liking the sr ghost?
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havent got to use it much. too much flashing
im workin on some beta stuff, hope to have something available soon

Haha nice. The 4.5 display is amazing

freeman9911 said:
I just purchased the skyrocket with the $15 data option. I have another old phone with unlimited data for non-smart phone plan. I tried to use the SIM with unlimited data in the SR phone but ATT won't connect because it sees that the phone is the skyrocket and not a non-smart phone. Is there anyway to block att from recognizing the kinda of phone I am using. The unlimited data plan works fine with my HTC kaiser (bought from europe)!
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Click to collapse
It is because of the IMEI and SIM. The Skyrocket is an AT&T Device so when you turn it on the IMEI automatically registers with the network and knows it is a Smartphone. Also due to the Skyrocket being an LTE phone it requires a LTE Feature and newer SIM Card.
Your old phone didnt register because the network didnt recognize it due to it was not an AT&T Device.

[Q] Can AT&T detect my Nexus S and charge data?

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?
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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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Click to collapse
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?

how can i keep this phone without a plan

What's up guys. NOOB HERE. Cut me some slack. I currently own a iPhone 4s on att. I just got a good deal on a rooted Skyrocket.
This is the problem. I don't have a iPhone data plan. I just use the phone and wifi.
So I bought a sim card adapter, and I placed the sim card into the skyrocket.
Soon as I do that, att changes my phone plan,and adds a 4g Lte plan. Is there anyway around this?
[email protected] all day with wifi, @home with wifi. ...
I like the phone a lot. But I don't need a data plan.
Has anyone had to deal with this

att are not allowed to do that, you always have the choice, thats the purpose of having buying a phone full price

polish_pat said:
att are not allowed to do that, you always have the choice, thats the purpose of having buying a phone full price
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I know, they sent me some BS email, saying that smartphones require a data plan.
They are designed for surfing the internet and use a lot of data. You are required a data plan

BookinZ06 said:
What's up guys. NOOB HERE. Cut me some slack. I currently own a iPhone 4s on att. I just got a good deal on a rooted Skyrocket.
This is the problem. I don't have a iPhone data plan. I just use the phone and wifi.
So I bought a sim card adapter, and I placed the sim card into the skyrocket.
Soon as I do that, att changes my phone plan,and adds a 4g Lte plan. Is there anyway around this?
[email protected] all day with wifi, @home with wifi. ...
I like the phone a lot. But I don't need a data plan.
Has anyone had to deal with this
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Click to collapse
Switch to H2O wireless. Port your number. And you are all set. You pay just as much as ATT without data but still get data (2GB) ...

k4ce said:
Switch to H2O wireless. Port your number. And you are all set. You pay just as much as ATT without data but still get data (2GB) ...
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Thanks for the advice. But I have a family plan with att for several years now with 3 other phones.
I thought maybe there was something I can download and install on the phone - so no data or information goes back to att

BookinZ06 said:
Thanks for the advice. But I have a family plan with att for several years now with 3 other phones.
I thought maybe there was something I can download and install on the phone - so no data or information goes back to att
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When they identify your phone as a smartphone, they don't do it through the data you send them, they don't through your imei number which is broadcast to att via your sim. So an app or rom won't do you any good. I can't speak for att, but tmobile has a similar policy with all smartphones requiring data but i have used a Nokia n8 on their network for 2 years without anyone tacking on a data plan.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

I'm on at&t prepaid $2/day without data - so far. I bought a data package before they changed their policy to monthly only for smartphones plus data package. I don't talk/text every day, so $2/day seemed worth trying. When they switched policies, I just did not buy a data package and as far as I know, I don't have at&t data access. But I have been able to use my phone for calls. Don't know what will happen when my $100 runs out, but that will probably be several months from now. Meantime I have a mobile hotspot I can use if out and about and think it necessary to check emails.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

You have to talk to a super visor. I have a the nexus without a data plan on att. Had to jump thru hoops though, rep said its done automatically through there computers so it had to be over ridded. And I had to call back
3 times because no one would do it for me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2