So I call AT&T before ordering on amazon, and the rep tells me that I'll be able to call back and switch my data plan to the "5GB Unlimited." I inquire as to how the plan works, she says that if I go over 5GB, I get charged, because it is not unlimited. But then she confirmed that I'll be keeping the grandfathered data plan.
Is this consistent with what other people are getting? Just want to make sure I'm not screwing myself over. Thanks!
It is not called 5GB unlimited. It is LTE unlimited and you will never be charged for overage. What happens is you will be throttled (300k to 500k speed) when you use over 5GB.
You will have to call AT&T to switch back to your unlimited plan after you received your phone from Amazon.
You will probably want to follow up with AT&T after you get your phone to make sure you are actually keeping your grandfathered unlimited plan and that you have not actually been switched over to the 5GB plan.
I had to convince the at&t rep when ordering over the phone that I should have unlimited grandfathered plan.
It is always worth checking to make sure they didn't take it away from you.
While on the phone and on web chat, I asked this specifically with radioshack rep several times that i want to keep my grandfathered unlimited data and they say yes it will be possible. I told them why on my receipt it shows mt dataplan got switched to the 5gb+tether for $50, they said this is only for initial processing, but after approval, everything will go back to the way it was. I made sure to get them to confirm this before I purchased and after i purchased haha.
We will see if this is still the case when I finally get my phone. If not, sucks I might have to cancel and return the phone. unlimited data is pretty valuable especially when you get to go all the way up to 5GB before being throttled in LTE.
When I placed my pre-order through AT&T, I specifically had the option to add the "LTE Unlimited Personal" data package. I was pretty tempted by RadioShack offering it at $50. But given all I read about them farqing things up for pretty much everybody they sell things to, I paid the whole $200 through AT&T. I am willing to pay extra to make sure nobody screws up my unlimited data plan. But that's just me.
I kept my smartphone unlimited plan. AT&T had no problem letting me keep my plan
Keeping my unlimited data plan is the sole reason I always upgrade through ATT. Sure the Radio Shack and Amazon prices are always lower but I never fully trust that ATT will put unlimited data back after I get the phone...
snvyas said:
Keeping my unlimited data plan is the sole reason I always upgrade through ATT. Sure the Radio Shack and Amazon prices are always lower but I never fully trust that ATT will put unlimited data back after I get the phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Spending more in the store is worth it to me rather than running the chance of losing the unlimited data plan.
SR4 said:
Agreed. Spending more in the store is worth it to me rather than running the chance of losing the unlimited data plan.
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Click to collapse
Even if somehow they screw your data plan up. You can always get your unlimited data plan back. As long as you can:
-Prove that you've had it
-Say that it was changed without your knowledge / consent.
I cannot add them back in the store. You will have to call 611 to get it added back to your account if it was messed up by some other retailer. It's always worth checking your account online to make sure. Or dial *3282#. That will tell you what data plan you currently have.
The type of data connection doesn't matter either. If you are just now moving to your first LTE device, the amount of data you are allowed to transfer before the throttle increases to 5gb from 3gb. The cost is the same and it is still unlimited. Meaning no overage costs.
If you have any specific questions or if customer service gives you any trouble. Please message me and I can help resolve it.
My contract just ended and I have the $30 unlimited data grandfathered. I've always been able to keep it when upgrading by speaking to customer service. But this time I don't want to upgrade for another 2yr contract. I've been a customer forever and would like to have the freedom of no contract for a little bit. I'm currently using a 3g samsung captivate but want to get the s3. I found a really good deal on craigslist. Will at&t let me keep unlimited data without upgrading? I'm just worried that they tell me yes when I call, then after I buy the phone they say no you gotta upgrade. That would suck..
Just swap the sim card into the new phone.
Sent from my One X using xda premium
hugebulge said:
Just swap the sim card into the new phone.
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Click to collapse
I believe the GS3 is a MicroSIM, and the Captivate is a "regular" SIM. So the person can get a MicroSIM from AT&T. If you call for one, I think they charge you $15. But in store, they will often give it to you for free to AT&T account holders.
You can also cut the SIM to make it work, using guides online. But its probably easier to just get a free new one from the store.
jsmizzle said:
My contract just ended and I have the $30 unlimited data grandfathered. I've always been able to keep it when upgrading by speaking to customer service. But this time I don't want to upgrade for another 2yr contract. I've been a customer forever and would like to have the freedom of no contract for a little bit. I'm currently using a 3g samsung captivate but want to get the s3. I found a really good deal on craigslist. Will at&t let me keep unlimited data without upgrading? I'm just worried that they tell me yes when I call, then after I buy the phone they say no you gotta upgrade. That would suck..
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Click to collapse
Dont' worry, they can't make you upgrade, you can use whatever hardware you want (as long as its compatible with their network).
If you don't presently have LTE on your account, and the phone you are buying is compatible with AT&T's LTE bands, you can get it added to your account w/o an upgrade and w/o a new contract. But you have to go through AT&T to do it (either by phone or in an AT&T store). Simply tell them you want to keep unlimited data, and add LTE. They technically have to change you to a "new" data plan that is unlimited data with LTE, but its really just the same - unlimited data, but with LTE capability added and no extra fee (its just what they do to make it work in their system). Just make sure they do it right before you leave the store or hangup the phone. Its not completely straightforward, it took them about 15 minutes to get it right for me at my AT&T store, and the rep had to bring the manager into it, and they were really trying. But its worth the hassle, since if they screw it up and take unlimited data off your account, its a real pain to add it back.
And this is the only way to add LTE to your account, if the S3 you are buying has LTE.
Thanks guys for the replies. Apparently, the LTE microSIM is different from the 3g microSIM. Even though they're the same size the coding is different. So i'm gonna need to visit the store to get the LTE card. AT&T customer service did tell me that my unlimited data won't change and I won't need to upgrade. So that's cool.. Now it's about choosing which phone to get. I'm still thinking the S3 but I just looked at the demo models at best buy. Damn this is hard. The one x is a beauty and even the atrix hd looks great too. I might just wait until the iphone 5 release on the 12th so all the other phone prices will drop. But that's a whole different thread..
Related
As some guys pointed out that web2go and t-zone are still working on G2x. I am having a 5.99 t-zone data plan as well and I am out of contract already.
I am hesitating if I should
1) buy a G2x from costco with full price and keep my t-zone;
or
2) sign a new contract to take advantage of the discounted unit price.
If I go with option #1, I will probably end up paying $500+ at front. But the benefit is I gotta keep my lower rate data plan (although I understand T-mobile may or may not force upgrading the data plan to $30/mo)
If I opt for option #2, the until will only costs about $180 after tax. But the lowest 4g unlimited data plan will cost about $20 each month.
I highly doubt if I could keep the t-zone plan and buy a G2x from costco store with contract price...
A simple math may suggest option #2 money wise ( (530-180)/(20-6)=25mon > 2yrs). But I would like to hear others' opinion.
some considerations:
1) If the t-zone can only give a 2.5g internet and performs much slower than the current HSPA+ you can get from the 4g data plan, that could be a deal breaker.
2) Once t-zone is cancelled, probably we will never get it back (well, who know how long t-mobile will stand before merged by ATT?)
3) anything else worth to think about??
I was in your shoes as well... I needed a new sim card when I got my phone to be compatible with the 4G network...
I opted to get the cheaper phone price because there is no way that ATT will let us keep our tzones... if and when the merger happens, ATT will honor CONTRACTS that are currently in place and they will not accommodate our old grandfathered plans... remember how ATT phased out their unlimited data plans?
That's just me putting two and two together...
I am mainly curious what's the speed you can get from t-zone on your G2x. Could it be 3g?
tangyoulei said:
I am mainly curious what's the speed you can get from t-zone on your G2x. Could it be 3g?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
speed wise, there is no difference from the $30 data plan
You won't get to keep the T-Zones plan. You'll soon start getting the "upgrade" message when connecting to the web.
However, if you buy the phone outright, the data plan is $25/month and not $30.
I bought the G2X on Tuesday, and starting getting the upgrade message today. So, I went to the tmo store and got my wife a G2X. And I upgraded us to the family 750/unlimited text&web for $110/month. Not a bad deal.
The speed was about the same as 4G web on the main line but the latency was horrible.
Now you can forget it because the phone is flagged.
ok so i am decided i want the skyrocket over my iphone. i looked at amazon and saw its $99.99 right now with upgrade. i went to the at&t store and its $199 and they wont price match, this much i knew. now the guy at the store states i can buy from amazon and keep my grandfathered "unlimited" data plan. i have the old, true unlimited plan, but how do i keep that plan using amazon? i dont see it and dont want to make any changes.
i also noticed that fry's has the phone for $149, but again how do i buy there and keep my data plan?
waxworkz said:
ok so i am decided i want the skyrocket over my iphone. i looked at amazon and saw its $99.99 right now with upgrade. i went to the at&t store and its $199 and they wont price match, this much i knew. now the guy at the store states i can buy from amazon and keep my grandfathered "unlimited" data plan. i have the old, true unlimited plan, but how do i keep that plan using amazon? i dont see it and dont want to make any changes.
i also noticed that fry's has the phone for $149, but again how do i buy there and keep my data plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can only comment on the fact that reading a few of the "throttled" threads leads me to believe that their isn't such a thing as "true unlimited plan" anymore. You may want to read those threads and see if it is still something that is important to you or not. Maybe someone else can help with information on how to keep if if you still want.
i dont care about reduced speeds, which is what throttled means. i mean quantity, as in how many gigs over the entire billing period, not how fast i download. i use it my phone all day as i am out of the office most of the day. so i need to use it for uploading pics, email, updating social networks. dont care if it takes 2 mins or 5 mins as i just set it and leave it while i finish work
waxworkz said:
i dont care about reduced speeds, which is what throttled means. i mean quantity, as in how many gigs over the entire billing period, not how fast i download. i use it my phone all day as i am out of the office most of the day. so i need to use it for uploading pics, email, updating social networks. dont care if it takes 2 mins or 5 mins as i just set it and leave it while i finish work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will care about being throttled on the 4G lte network when the download is usually 24-70 mb/s to 200 kb/s.
well you can flash t-mobile radio and use hspa/phone apn and get hspa data speed. which is still better than sprint!!!!!
NOw to your question call att and they will take care of it.
appdroid said:
well you can flash t-mobile radio and use hspa/phone apn and get hspa data speed. which is still better than sprint!!!!!
NOw to your question call att and they will take care of it.
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Click to collapse
call them when and tell them what? after i order and have selected what ever plan is available on the site i order from?
We purchased 2 Samsung Skyrockets from Amazon for $0.01 during their black friday sale. LOVE THEIR SERVICE.
If you are grandfathered into unlimited plans, make sure that you contact AT&T prior to upgrading your phone with Amazon (or others). Make them put it in the notes that you will be continuing with an unlimited data plan. Personal recommendation, go to a real AT&T bricks store over talking to the phone customer service.
Then buy your phone from Amazon. You will not be able to select an unlimited data plan, in their ordering system, but that is ok.
Once your phone arrives, contact AT&T again before you activate it. Confirm that you will upgrading your phone, the rep needs to look at the notes and MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT ON THE ACCOUNT TO ALLOW FOR UNLIMITED DATA. Then activate your phone. Make sure that the rep (again, better in store) also marks the service for LTE otherwise you'll be stuck on just 4G speeds.
Have fun! We've seen downloads of 42 MBPS and uploads of 15 MPBS using Speedtest.net app.
Shelby317 said:
We purchased 2 Samsung Skyrockets from Amazon for $0.01 during their black friday sale. LOVE THEIR SERVICE.
If you are grandfathered into unlimited plans, make sure that you contact AT&T prior to upgrading your phone with Amazon (or others). Make them put it in the notes that you will be continuing with an unlimited data plan. Personal recommendation, go to a real AT&T bricks store over talking to the phone customer service.
Then buy your phone from Amazon. You will not be able to select an unlimited data plan, in their ordering system, but that is ok.
Once your phone arrives, contact AT&T again before you activate it. Confirm that you will upgrading your phone, the rep needs to look at the notes and MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT ON THE ACCOUNT TO ALLOW FOR UNLIMITED DATA. Then activate your phone. Make sure that the rep (again, better in store) also marks the service for LTE otherwise you'll be stuck on just 4G speeds.
Have fun! We've seen downloads of 42 MBPS and uploads of 15 MPBS using Speedtest.net app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you! so would i be ok following these steps: 1. go to att store and talk to rep about making note for unlimited, 2. ordering phone and just select any data plan, 3. once i receive phone go to att store and have them do everything? i have a sorta friend at a store but they cant match prices
waxworkz said:
thank you! so would i be ok following these steps: 1. go to att store and talk to rep about making note for unlimited, 2. ordering phone and just select any data plan, 3. once i receive phone go to att store and have them do everything? i have a sorta friend at a store but they cant match prices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but make sure they put it in the notes on your account. Even better if you watch them. Tell them you have to have the notes in the account because their authorized retail partner has built a system on their policy that unlimited plans are no longer offered. It will only work for upgrades. If you purchase new phones/add lines, they will not allow for unlimited under any conditions for the new phone/line.
General store employees tell you that they can not match prices. I know I tried with my Blackberrys and they said no twice. However, I had a problem which was AT&T's fault and the store manager could/did match prices without documentation.
well looks like i'll either wait and buy from at&t store or loose my unlimited data. i went to the store and they said once amazon removes my plan, they might not be able to get it back. it was the manager i spoke with by the way. this sucks man
Did you go to a real AT&T store or to an authorized retailer?
If it was the real AT&T store, try a different manager. Their training (companywide) on the subject sucks. That is the reason I suggested making sure it was put into the notes on your account.
You can upgrade your existing line to a new Skyrocket from Amazon.com. I know, I've done it.
I also ordered Skyrocket from Amazon and was able to get back my unlimited plan.
I had checked with ATT stores and they said to order it online and then come to them to have the unlimited plan put back (they did not put any notes in my account). They said that they can add the unlimited plan back as long as a request is being made within 30 days of activation.
I activated my phone yesterday and called the ATT customer service today and they were able to put my $5 messaging as well as the unlimited plan back on the account.
I knew I wasn't the only one!
So, as we know now, Verizon plans to end unlimited data sometime "this summer" for users that go from a 3G to 4G plan unless you plan to buy the phone at full retail unsubsidized - which you can then keep your unlimited.
Well, I am off contract right now as my latest 2 year contract ended about 3 months ago and have just been waiting for what I think is a worthy phone. That will likely be the SGS3 "this summer". I also still use my 3G Droid. And, I also only use about 2gb a month average, but like the idea of keeping unlimited for future growth especially on the 4G network which eats data use and because I am grandfathered in.
So I am not sure what to do.
1. rush out and get something like the RAZR Maxx so I can get onto 4G and keep my unlimited data and forget the SGS3 before the new tiered data plans kick in, but then not be able to get the SGS3 when it comes (unless I out right buy it).
2. just hold out for the SGS3 and hope it comes before "this summer" (or before whenever they drop the new tiered data plans) and thus, kill off keeping the unlimited data since I will be going from 3G to 4G and just get on their new tiered plans and lose my unlimited plan for the sake of the newest phone.
3. just hold out for the SGS3 and buy the darn thing at full retail - likely about $700 - and keep my unlimited data so get the best of both worlds but at a BIG price tag
Thoughts? It seems like my only saving grace is this "We will share specific details of the plans well in advance of their introduction so customers will have time to evaluate the plans and make the best decisions for their wireless service." as it seems to imply they will give us time to decide what is best ahead of when I really must make a move as I would like to see the SGS3 drop before the tiered data plans so I could go out and get it AND keep my unlimited data.
Lock-N-Load said:
So, as we know now, Verizon plans to end unlimited data sometime "this summer" for users that go from a 3G to 4G plan unless you plan to buy the phone at full retail unsubsidized - which you can then keep your unlimited.
Well, I am off contract right now as my latest 2 year contract ended about 3 months ago and have just been waiting for what I think is a worthy phone. That will likely be the SGS3 "this summer". I also still use my 3G Droid. And, I also only use about 2gb a month average, but like the idea of keeping unlimited for future growth especially on the 4G network which eats data use and because I am grandfathered in.
So I am not sure what to do.
1. rush out and get something like the RAZR Maxx so I can get onto 4G and keep my unlimited data and forget the SGS3 before the new tiered data plans kick in, but then not be able to get the SGS3 when it comes (unless I out right buy it).
2. just hold out for the SGS3 and hope it comes before "this summer" (or before whenever they drop the new tiered data plans) and thus, kill off keeping the unlimited data since I will be going from 3G to 4G and just get on their new tiered plans and lose my unlimited plan for the sake of the newest phone.
3. just hold out for the SGS3 and buy the darn thing at full retail - likely about $700 - and keep my unlimited data so get the best of both worlds but at a BIG price tag
Thoughts? It seems like my only saving grace is this "We will share specific details of the plans well in advance of their introduction so customers will have time to evaluate the plans and make the best decisions for their wireless service." as it seems to imply they will give us time to decide what is best ahead of when I really must make a move as I would like to see the SGS3 drop before the tiered data plans so I could go out and get it AND keep my unlimited data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rumor is that if you buy a price at full price from here on out and are already grandfathered into unlimited data you do not lose it so either go to teired data and pay for overage charges and watch what u use, or just pay more for the phone
dragonfly1113 said:
rumor is that if you buy a price at full price from here on out and are already grandfathered into unlimited data you do not lose it so either go to teired data and pay for overage charges and watch what u use, or just pay more for the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I already said all that you repeated so not sure what was added - but your wrong... "from here on out" is not true as it has not started yet.
It depends on your actual usage I guess. If having unlimited data is truly important to you, I wouldn't chance holding out for the sgs3. I have the cdma gnex, and I am very pleased with it. I really don't see a substantial gain on the newer phones over the gnex, so my opinion is you should just upgrade while you still can and get the gnex. Wouldn't bother with Moto. They don't like their customers, it seems.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Alright, so currently I have an S3 with T-Mobile and I'm paying around $100 for just my line that includes 500mins, unlimited data and text.
I rarely break the 150min mark each month so I would definitely like to change my plan to something that offers less minutes. Makes no sense on paying for something I don't use, right.
What would be my best option right now? Go on a prepaid plan and buy the Nexus 5 from the playstore? Is there a hassle from switching to a normal plan to a prepaid plan with T-Mobile?
I would be more than happy paying less to get 200mins, unlimited text, and data. 2.5 or 5gb before throttling is fine with me.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
The T-Mobile $30 plan.. 100 minutes, unlimited texts, 5GB of 4G LTE.
Just add like $50 every month and you'll have around , what.. 275-300 minutes you can use.
But if you're still on contract with T-Mobile, the ETF is $200.
And yes, you can buy the phone from the Play Store.
Wow that's crazy expensive. My T-Mobile plan is $120/month for 3 lines, unlimited everything. Data IS throttled after 500mb though. Not an issue for me since I'm always on wifi. I can bump it to unlimited for an extra $20
IXChicharitoXI said:
Alright, so currently I have an S3 with T-Mobile and I'm paying around $100 for just my line that includes 500mins, unlimited data and text.
I rarely break the 150min mark each month so I would definitely like to change my plan to something that offers less minutes. Makes no sense on paying for something I don't use, right.
What would be my best option right now? Go on a prepaid plan and buy the Nexus 5 from the playstore? Is there a hassle from switching to a normal plan to a prepaid plan with T-Mobile?
I would be more than happy paying less to get 200mins, unlimited text, and data. 2.5 or 5gb before throttling is fine with me.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how you're paying so much for the classic 500min plan, maybe you got extra services along with it? Should only be $85/w tax. And if you said you don't use as much minutes then go with the prepaid $30/mo like that person said. Or you can go with straight talk for $45/mo unlimited talk text and web (might throttle 2.5gb). I'm not sure if they are still selling GSM sim cards because they kept being pulled off the shelves.
Synyster06Gates said:
Wow that's crazy expensive. My T-Mobile plan is $120/month for 3 lines, unlimited everything. Data IS throttled after 500mb though. Not an issue for me since I'm always on wifi. I can bump it to unlimited for an extra $20
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you're on the new simple/value plans that T-mobile has. 3 lines should cost you $90 ($50 first line $30 second $10 add a line) for unlimited talk text and unlimited web throttled at 500mb. You might be over paying as well unless you have the 2.5gb data plan or the jump plan services.
Deekayy said:
Well you're on the new simple/value plans that T-mobile has. 3 lines should cost you $90 ($50 first line $30 second $10 add a line) for unlimited talk text and unlimited web throttled at 500mb. You might be over paying as well unless you have the 2.5gb data plan or the jump plan services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I am over paying by $30. I didn't get the simple value plan. I switched from AT&T right before they ended the classic unlimited contracts. What really sucks is the T-Mobile service went to **** in my area a few days after my "2 week trial period" (that was really maybe a week after getting the phones shipped and activated) and they refuse to help me out in any way. It's a story for another time, but I'm absolutely furious at T-Mobile.
I got the Ptel Paygo plan (on T-Mobile network), I don't really need data (on wifi almost everywhere, with T-Mobile 4G hotspot at $17.50/mo for 1.75gb). 5 cents per minute. Bought a $100 card with coupon for $78, so 2000 minutes for a year. Haven't got my sim yet, will run speed test once I get it.
Deekayy said:
Not sure how you're paying so much for the classic 500min plan, maybe you got extra services along with it? Should only be $85/w tax. And if you said you don't use as much minutes then go with the prepaid $30/mo like that person said. Or you can go with straight talk for $45/mo unlimited talk text and web (might throttle 2.5gb). I'm not sure if they are still selling GSM sim cards because they kept being pulled off the shelves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think I'm being charged $8 or $10 for insurance on the phone.
How exactly do pre paid plans work? I assume the bill won't arrive to my house anymore? Do I have to to to the T-Mobile store before the month ends to pay for the following month before it gets disconnected?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Also if I were to sign up for the pre paid plan. Could I bring the phone to a T-Mobile store and could they activate the new sim at the store or do I have to do it myself online?
Thank you for the responses everyone, i really appreciate it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Synyster06Gates said:
Unfortunately I am over paying by $30. I didn't get the simple value plan. I switched from AT&T right before they ended the classic unlimited contracts. What really sucks is the T-Mobile service went to **** in my area a few days after my "2 week trial period" (that was really maybe a week after getting the phones shipped and activated) and they refuse to help me out in any way. It's a story for another time, but I'm absolutely furious at T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's unfortunate, sorry to hear. So you're on a 2-year contract then I suppose? Did you get basic phones or smart phones when you signed up? If anything you can always try to call customer service (Dial 611) and ask to be switched to the new simple choice plan but they might charge you a $200 migration fee per line. In that situation, you can probably argue that your service has not been working well ever since you got it and hopefully they'll work something out.
IXChicharitoXI said:
Yeah, I think I'm being charged $8 or $10 for insurance on the phone.
How exactly do pre paid plans work? I assume the bill won't arrive to my house anymore? Do I have to to to the T-Mobile store before the month ends to pay for the following month before it gets disconnected?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only service that does that still bills to your house is T-Mobile Family Mobile (only in walmart) $39.88/mo unlimited talk text unlimited web 2.5 throttle (3G, some say 4G). That service is no contract and you can set auto pay with your debit/credit card or pay at any walmart location.
Other T-mobile pre-paid services is the "monthly 4G" which you will need to purchase a pre-paid card at any convenience store and refill your service at the end of each month. Or you can pay the balance of the bill online through T-Mobile prepaid website. If you don't pay your remaining balance by the end of the month it will get shut off and I believe T-Mobile will hold for 7-14 days before they release the number.
I can't give you a suggestion on which service you should use because I use both Verizon and T-Mobile services (note 2 and nexus 5) on a dealer line. Believe it or not, T-Mobile pulls off 21mb vs verizon 12mb in my home. If anything i'd start with the $30 pre-paid plan and test out the service to see whether or not it works in your area. If you feel that you get a lot of drop calls, you can try the actual T-Mobile service (Simple choice plan) because it's running on a primary network. Don't want to get too technical on why contracts vs pre-paid services are good or bad.
Replying to your second question:
You can purchase a Sim starter kit on the actual T-mobile site and you can activate it yourself, very easy. Follow the steps and select the plan that you desire.
t-mobile (dot) com/shop/plans/activatecodes (dot )aspx
Deekayy said:
That's unfortunate, sorry to hear. So you're on a 2-year contract then I suppose? Did you get basic phones or smart phones when you signed up? If anything you can always try to call customer service (Dial 611) and ask to be switched to the new simple choice plan but they might charge you a $200 migration fee per line. In that situation, you can probably argue that your service has not been working well ever since you got it and hopefully they'll work something out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will attempt to do this over the weekend. I am on a 2 year contract. When we signed up, I got a Galaxy S3, an LG F3, and an LG F6.
Since we started, none of the phones will reliably get phone calls or text messages. More often than not when people try to call us (even the T-Mobile reps calling me back) the phone will ring on their end, but I never get a ring or even missed call notification. A voice-mail will randomly pop up later in the day. Text messages will stop for hours on end then all of a sudden 10 or so will come to my phone at once. MMS won't reliably send or download. It's been a FRUSTRATING experience to say the least.
Upgraded my S3 today to a S4 and I was still able to keep my Unlimited Data, thanks to the clever workings of the rep at Costco.
Since I still have a regular line on my account, he was able to do some switching around with the lines and keep my data plan intact
According to him Costco does what they can do to keep the customer happy.
BestBuy and Verizon could not do anything for me.
Pico said:
Upgraded my S3 today to a S4 and I was still able to keep my Unlimited Data, thanks to the clever workings of the rep at Costco.
Since I still have a regular line on my account, he was able to do some switching around with the lines and keep my data plan intact
According to him Costco does what they can do to keep the customer happy.
BestBuy and Verizon could not do anything for me.
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Just curious, did you have more than one line to begin with, and were you still in contract (if so, how long was left)? When upgrading time comes around I don't want to lose my unlimited either.
That makes sense... Costco is a retailer, so if they want to sell you the device @ a discounted price, they can... and from the sounds of things, WILL. Costco will do anything for members and this sounds like a rad deal!
You'll never get that kind of deal from VZ directly. I have unlimited too and bought my S3 of ebay to avoid losing my data.
Shhhh!!! And its very possible to do this directly through Verizon if you take the self service route.
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MartyMacGyver said:
Just curious, did you have more than one line to begin with, and were you still in contract (if so, how long was left)? When upgrading time comes around I don't want to lose my unlimited either.
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I have 2 data lines and one non data (regular phone) on my account, that is how costco was able to keep my data intact. without the reg line I dont think they would of been able to keep the data unlimited.
Not sure how much time I had on my contract
So I have an none smart phone on my plan that is eligible for an upgrade. If I upgrade my phone with that to keep unlimited data do I have to keep the none smart phone on my data plan and pay the extra $9. Our can I take it off after I upgrade mine with it to keep unlimited.
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verizon and unlimited data
mosfet356 said:
So I have an none smart phone on my plan that is eligible for an upgrade. If I upgrade my phone with that to keep unlimited data do I have to keep the none smart phone on my data plan and pay the extra $9. Our can I take it off after I upgrade mine with it to keep unlimited.
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If you renew your contract in any way shape or form you will lose your unlimited data.
An upgrade means you can sign a contract to get a phone subsidized. An upgrade is not a courtesy or a freebie, the word is misleading. An upgrade eligibility simply means Verizon or whatever carrier will let you sign a contract to get a phone on subsidy. Use it and the unlimited goes away.
The only way to maintain unlimited data is to not alter your contracted terms. If you sign a new contract it'll go bye bye.
The only ways to get a new phone without losing your unlimited data is to acquire a phone without putting your line with unlimited in contract. There are many ways to do this, none of which I spell out in detail.
If you search ebay you can purchase unlimited data for around $150-200 off people selling it.
It greatly depends on where you go. I recently found a great third party Verizon retailer with a system which still allows people to keep unlimited data. I believe it has to do with the insurance they go through. Corporate and Best Buy go through assurion which absolutely cannot in any shape or form allow you to keep unlimited data.
Other systems do have workarounds and some people are willing to oblige. Just recently I let my brother use my upgrade (my line is unlimited, his is tiered) but every location I asked said it was impossible for him to take my upgrade and let me keep my unlimited data. Well, here I am now still rocking unlimited data with a 2 year contract extension.
The third party location I found was great to us and even offered to help my mom keep unlimited data using a subsidized upgrade using a "musical phones" method.
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makaveliq3 said:
If you renew your contract in any way shape or form you will lose your unlimited data.
An upgrade means you can sign a contract to get a phone subsidized. An upgrade is not a courtesy or a freebie, the word is misleading. An upgrade eligibility simply means Verizon or whatever carrier will let you sign a contract to get a phone on subsidy. Use it and the unlimited goes away.
The only way to maintain unlimited data is to not alter your contracted terms. If you sign a new contract it'll go bye bye.
The only ways to get a new phone without losing your unlimited data is to acquire a phone without putting your line with unlimited in contract. There are many ways to do this, none of which I spell out in detail.
If you search ebay you can purchase unlimited data for around $150-200 off people selling it.
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That's simply not true as long as you don't take the upgrade on the number that has the unlimited data you can upgrade on any of the others that don't and it does not affect the unlimited line at all
scottguest11 said:
That's simply not true as long as you don't take the upgrade on the number that has the unlimited data you can upgrade on any of the others that don't and it does not affect the unlimited line at all
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The most basic way, of which I have personally used myself, is to have a basic phone attached to your [insert service provider here] service contract. Whenever you have an upgrade for your smartphone line, swap it to the basic phone, then upgrade through that "dumb" phone. Once you receive the new smartphone, activate it on your smartphone account, and reactivate the basic phone on its original line. Voila.
Edit: I am sure there are other methods which may be more effective (not have to pay for a secondary basic phone), however this one has worked for me (and others). Your call as to how you will proceed...
Don't forget the new $30 upgrade fee on Verizon.
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scottguest11 said:
That's simply not true as long as you don't take the upgrade on the number that has the unlimited data you can upgrade on any of the others that don't and it does not affect the unlimited line at all
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You're 100% correct!
scottguest11 said:
That's simply not true as long as you don't take the upgrade on the number that has the unlimited data you can upgrade on any of the others that don't and it does not affect the unlimited line at all
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Correct. I went into detail with a manager at a VZ store once and he told me you can change anything on your account, like minutes or text, which will not affect your unlimited data. Once you upgrade your phone and get that subsidized price, you lose the data and go on a new 'share everything' package.
You can, however, transfer an account/number to someone and they'll keep unlimited data... so if you have an extra line on your account with unlimited data, you can sign a release of liability over to that person and they will have the line/account exactly as it was on your account, because you're just moving the line from one owner to another. I did this in June with my ex.
Maybe that's what the people on eBay are doing... it's shifty and I'd try to avoid it, though.
This can also work through verizon.
Just talked to a clerk online and told her exactly what I wanted to do and she helped me through the whole process. All you need to do is switch your upgrade to another line with data, renew their contract by buying the phone, from there you can either chose pick up phone in-store or have them ship it to you. Once you get it just activate the phone on your line and your good to go.
scottguest11 said:
That's simply not true as long as you don't take the upgrade on the number that has the unlimited data you can upgrade on any of the others that don't and it does not affect the unlimited line at all
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I can attest to this. Just upgraded my wifes phone today. I have unlimited data and she does not. We went to the Verizon store and they kept the plan the same.
What we did was use the upgrade on another line and then just swap the sim cards when we got home and it worked fine.
I used the upgrade on a dumb phone on my account. When I get the S4 Can I just put my SIM card in it and activate it without having to call Verizon again?
drake90001 said:
What we did was use the upgrade on another line and then just swap the sim cards when we got home and it worked fine.
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Verizon has sim cards?
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This wouldn't really make sense to someone who doesn't already have a spare data line.. Regardless your still paying for 2 lines, if you cancel there is a hefty fee that goes with it.. If you don't already have a spare data line itd be a better idea just to buy a phone at retail price.. Wouldn't it?
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Frostacious said:
Verizon has sim cards?
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4g phones do.
And we have separate lines because we're on a family plan.