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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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.
Related
I was curious of those of you using AT&T's service and have Fuze's. What plans do you have? What do you think is the best overall plan? for unlimited text messaging and unlimited data plan, i dont need many minutes. thanks
Personal plan = 1350 mins $79.99
Unlimited text and media net = $50.00
Maybe the 59.99 plan?
i use the $15 medianet for unlimited internet
omaralt said:
i use the $15 medianet for unlimited internet
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so when i sign up, should i tell them ill be using it on an HTC Fuze? whats the cheapest way i can do this, with having unlimited data
ACMilan07 said:
I was curious of those of you using AT&T's service and have Fuze's. What plans do you have? What do you think is the best overall plan? for unlimited text messaging and unlimited data plan, i dont need many minutes. thanks
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Did you already buy the fuze? Or are you going to get it from ATT with the rebate? Cause if you get it from them there going to put you on the PDA plan... which cost more that the $15 unlimited media net... you supposed to have the PDA plan for the FUZE but ONE way around it is if you bought the phone without contract and just added the $15 media net unlimited... but theres other ways around it..
sguerra923 said:
Did you already buy the fuze? Or are you going to get it from ATT with the rebate? Cause if you get it from them there going to put you on the PDA plan... which cost more that the $15 unlimited media net... you supposed to have the PDA plan for the FUZE but ONE way around it is if you bought the phone without contract and just added the $15 media net unlimited... but theres other ways around it..
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no i already have the fuze, but no service. i need service and i want to know what i should do? i want the cheapest possible plan, but i need unlimited data and text messaging. should i act like im going to buy a motorola razer? and get the unlimited internet package on it? I mean will it work on my fuze? thanks
the cheapest is probably
450 minutes - $39.99 with
MEdia Max Unlimited (Text & Web) - $35
that'll give you 450 minutes talk time along with unlimited data and unlimited messaging. since you already have the phone it should be no problem getting the non-PDA data plan.
just go in and sign up for a plan and get a sim card.
Dyaus said:
the cheapest is probably
450 minutes - $39.99 with
MEdia Max Unlimited (Text & Web) - $35
that'll give you 450 minutes talk time along with unlimited data and unlimited messaging. since you already have the phone it should be no problem getting the non-PDA data plan.
just go in and sign up for a plan and get a sim card.
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Is it really possible to use Media Max with a PDA phone?
I thought AT&T didn't alllow this?
Do AT&T charge extra to have internation roaming?
if you want media max for $15, sign up for it using a regular phone such as a razr. the plan will be $39.99 (voice) + $15 (data). After you sign up for the service, just take out the sim card and put it in your fuze at home. Note that this is against the agreement you signed with AT&T. All PDA phones (yes Fuze is a PDA phone) are only allowed to have PDA data ($35 stand alone or $30 if you tie it to a voice plan). By having media max for $15 you're essentially involved in fraud. Some people obviously have no problem doing that, but if you have a conscience you might want to just sign up for a voice + data plan for Fuze ($39.99 + $30)
and yes ATT does charge extra for roaming.
1. Cheapest will be Nation 450 @ 39.99
2. Best value is Nation 450 or Nation 900 w/ early N&W (extra 60 hours a month of unlimited talking)
3. AT&T DOES NOT charge for roaming. If you are flagged as an excessive off-network roamer, the only consequence is a pushed back upgrade date. Anyone who tells you different is wrong.
4. If you DO sign up for MediaNet or MediaMax and use the IMEI from a RAZR or what have you, note that you will be faced with the following:
- It will be counted as fraud and violate AT&Ts Terms and Conditions leaving you open for legal action or service cancellation
- You WILL NOT receive insurance replacements
- You WILL NOT get the instant $100 Data Phone discount and $50 MIR meaning you will pay $450 for the phone. And no, you can't ask for it. And it's going to look fishy going into a store buying the phone outright and not getting the IMEI activated onto your account. You might get investigated.
- You CAN NOT call customer service or tech support with issues regarding your phone. They will investigate your account, notice the IMEI discrepancy and put the correct smart phone plan on your account.
Get the correct data feature.
clarification
TProUser said:
3. AT&T DOES NOT charge for roaming. If you are flagged as an excessive off-network roamer, the only consequence is a pushed back upgrade date. Anyone who tells you different is wrong.
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AT&T doesnt charge extra for international roaming?
I thought they charge extra if you receive data when you're in, say, Canada. Same goes with phone calls. could you please clarify? thanks
wouldnt att notice the high data consumption through a regual phone and ivestigate anyway?
No. To be clear, the plan separation is ATT's way of charging per use. Basically they use different plans for different phones that are more data intensive (iPhone, Blackberry, PDA phones). The phones all use the same data network (PDA phones get assigned a publicly addressable IP, there is that one difference) and get the same data throughput. They don't really monitor data usage (except for crazy high amounts), and the infrastructure's not really there to have everything separated out, so they just sign you up with a data plan that's priced to the phone you buy. Then they put some legalese in the account agreement to try to enforce that. I've never heard of them actually enforcing it.
isaacfinnegan said:
No. To be clear, the plan separation is ATT's way of charging per use. Basically they use different plans for different phones that are more data intensive (iPhone, Blackberry, PDA phones). The phones all use the same data network (PDA phones get assigned a publicly addressable IP, there is that one difference) and get the same data throughput. They don't really monitor data usage (except for crazy high amounts), and the infrastructure's not really there to have everything separated out, so they just sign you up with a data plan that's priced to the phone you buy. Then they put some legalese in the account agreement to try to enforce that. I've never heard of them actually enforcing it.
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I work for ATT and i have to agree. like he said, its in the contract but as far as enforcing it, there is no worry, unless for crazy data usage. i do it all the time for friends that dont wana pay 30 a/mo. $75 a month is the best possible price you can get unless you work for a company that provides a discount. ie Best Buy is a 21% discount, USPS is 28%...
what about att recognising your imei and changing the plan to match? a friend of mine said that att recognized and changed her plan to a pda plan and her phone as the blackjack she used. anyone hear of this happening?
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 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
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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
Hi Forum,
My wife bought a Iphone 4 last year with a 200MG/ month data plan. She gave her Iphone to her nephew. She told AT&T that her Iphone was broken. She has been using my old Samsung Vibrant with no issue from AT&T, for several months now. I got her a used Infuse yesterday and was using data. AT&T sniffed it and sent a text message.
( Did you know an eligible data plan is required for your 4G Smartphone? Pls call 611 to select a plan and establish your 4G data connection today.)
Do any one know what AT&T will do if she continue to use the Infuse?
Thank you in advance for your opinions, and knowledge!
They are going to add the data plan to your account. You have a choice currentley between 200mb/$15 @ overage rate of 200mb/$15, or 2gb/$25 @ overage rate 1gb/$10. if you dont call and choose a plan they will stick you with the 2gb/$25 rate.
Thanks!
So the options are pay more for data or back to the Vibrant! Do you think calling them and explain the situation would change anything?
Romeo20 said:
So the options are pay more for data or back to the Vibrant! Do you think calling them and explain the situation would change anything?
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Call them until you get a rep that does what you want. That usually does it, haha. I'm sure this situation could be no exception.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
You can try calling and yelling all you want, theres always that small chance you may get sombody to bend a rule for you. However it is at&t's policy that with all smartphones you are required to have a data plan, so understand you are on the losing side of the battle and can only HOPE sombody bends the rule for you to allow you to continue with no data plan.
She has data plan, 200 mg/ per month for $15. AT&T want her to have 4G data plan.
Romeo20 said:
She has data plan, 200 mg/ per month for $15. AT&T want her to have 4G data plan.
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well than your just on the wrong 200mb/$15 plan, pricing is same for 3g/4g devcies the feature code is just different. call and get it fixed so they dont change you to the $25 plan or somthing stupid
Thank you all!
I resolve the issue with AT&T. After over 30 minutes on the phone, AT&T rep said that I need to provide the SIM and IME number of the Infuse. The data plan is still the same which is 200 Mg/ month for $15. As first, AT&T tried to hook a new 2G data plan. I did not complaint or yell; in fact, I was very polite. I stated that the Vibrant was not getting Voice mail notification, and that my wife hardly use the 200 MG that she has per month. Anyhow, a bit of patience and gratitude seem to do it, this time!
Tomdg07 said:
You can try calling and yelling all you want, theres always that small chance you may get sombody to bend a rule for you. However it is at&t's policy that with all smartphones you are required to have a data plan, so understand you are on the losing side of the battle and can only HOPE sombody bends the rule for you to allow you to continue with no data plan.
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Back when I got my HTC Tilt I had a very annoying situation with them. At the time of contract signing I was told I had to have a data plan. 3 months later on a night I was not even around my phone I had a $200 data charge for megabytes upon megabytes of transfer charges. Complained to high heaven, and had ALL data service cut to my line.
Fast forward to this past Sept, got online to upgrade our two phones. Well it seems I got lucky and got an Infuse WITHOUT any data plan. Kind of annoying I have someone trying to text my photos...wink wink, that I can not receive. However our other phone AT&T was kind enough to automatically add the data plan (most expensive one of course) without indicating this. Only when we got the October bill that I saw this. *** I just hate these mobile carriers with a passion. Been years of bend over and take it up the arse with this fools. Actually had AT&T try to change terms AFTER a contract was signed.
Honestly folks, with these phones how having Google Voice, we have actually talked about saying FU to ALL carriers and just using the internet. Yeah, so I cant call when I am driving...dont want to talk then anyways. Just anything I could do to give these **** the finger.
i wouldn't imagine they can do anything if you didnt buy the phone on contract. but if you are on an iphone unlimited plan they might try like hell to get you off of it.
ssa2204 said:
Actually had AT&T try to change terms AFTER a contract was signed.
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Are you referring to the terms and cinditions YOU signed, which actually state subject to change at any time without giving notice?
I also want to remind you, you can also leave att at any time
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
If you buy your smartphone outright, paid full price, they can not make you buy a data plan.
But, you then "can not" use your phone to access the internet or e-mail unless on WiFi. Or they can/will force a data plan on you.
Texting and MMS are part of the Phone plan not data.
Truckerglenn said:
If you buy your smartphone outright, paid full price, they can not make you buy a data plan.
But, you then "can not" use your phone to access the internet or e-mail unless on WiFi. Or they can/will force a data plan on you.
Texting and MMS are part of the Phone plan not data.
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Click to collapse
unless you have smartphone exclusion, get a dumb phone, put the infuse on that sim card and turn off data.
If u are in contract with att and you buy a phone out of contract u are still required to have a data plan as long as its on an active acct.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
FIX !!!
1. Get a.dummy phone put sim card in it and have att put your number on that phone
2. Have them remove data on that phone
3. Hang up with att
4. turn OFF DATA on the infuse(long press power button and turn mobile data off)
also delete att APN
5 enjoy your phone with out att adding data plan on your phone and still use wifi
Ive been using this method for years. Cheers
Justinfedor said:
If u are in contract with att and you buy a phone out of contract u are still required to have a data plan as long as its on an active acct.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
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not if you have smart phone exclusion. my brother uses my old captivate without mms or data on att. only if you lose smart phone exclusion do they force it on you, so if you have a number that never had a data plan you are good, if you had a data plan and got rid of it and bought another phone you need to change phone numbers and sign a new contract to get smartphone exclusion. also how many people are using iphone unlimited plans and arent forced to upgrade to a 4g plan? only people who are suspected of tethering are forced to change.
Dani897 said:
not if you have smart phone exclusion. my brother uses my old captivate without mms or data on att. only if you lose smart phone exclusion do they force it on you, so if you have a number that never had a data plan you are good, if you had a data plan and got rid of it and bought another phone you need to change phone numbers and sign a new contract to get smartphone exclusion. also how many people are using iphone unlimited plans and arent forced to upgrade to a 4g plan? only people who are suspected of tethering are forced to change.
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Click to collapse
The smartphone exclusion is being removed if someone has it on the acct and upgrades to a diff phone and data plan. So make sure he doesnt get data added on it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
I tryed to change the 3G to a 4G plan (switch from Captivate to Infuse) online.
This did not work right away and so I started a chat with an ATT representative and it was taken care of in no time!
I am jsut wondering, if ya'll ain't got no datat plan. What do you use your smartphone for?
timf79 said:
I tryed to change the 3G to a 4G plan (switch from Captivate to Infuse) online.
This did not work right away and so I started a chat with an ATT representative and it was taken care of in no time!
I am jsut wondering, if ya'll ain't got no datat plan. What do you use your smartphone for?
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Media player and phone. Before I got my unlimited data plan, I didn't have much of a need for a data plan as I was always on campus using their wifi.
Romeo20 said:
I resolve the issue with AT&T. After over 30 minutes on the phone, AT&T rep said that I need to provide the SIM and IME number of the Infuse. The data plan is still the same which is 200 Mg/ month for $15. As first, AT&T tried to hook a new 2G data plan. I did not complaint or yell; in fact, I was very polite. I stated that the Vibrant was not getting Voice mail notification, and that my wife hardly use the 200 MG that she has per month. Anyhow, a bit of patience and gratitude seem to do it, this time!
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In case anyone comes here with the same question.. I started off with the 2 gig plan a year and a half after they canceled the unlimited plan. Popped my SIM card into the original iPhone set it up in iTunes and 20 minutes later had the unlimited data plan. Popped my SIM card in later that day and get that text every month. Just don't call or mention it. Hint: They don't really care.
I just re-purchased a Inspire again, after 1 year I needed a 2nd phone and I kind of missed my inspire. But I don't want to pay for the data plan. AT&T. Is there anyway to hide my IMEI from AT&T so I don't get slapped with a data plan?
Joe momma said:
I just re-purchased a Inspire again, after 1 year I needed a 2nd phone and I kind of missed my inspire. But I don't want to pay for the data plan. AT&T. Is there anyway to hide my IMEI from AT&T so I don't get slapped with a data plan?
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Don't turn on mobile data. You're good to go.
Sent from my LT28i using Tapatalk 2
It didn't work. I had mobile data off from day one, and hours later I got a text saying they added a data plan. It seems like they know my phone's IMEI right when I put my sim card in. Gah.
Joe momma said:
It didn't work. I had mobile data off from day one, and hours later I got a text saying they added a data plan. It seems like they know my phone's IMEI right when I put my sim card in. Gah.
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Click to collapse
You also need to remove ICQ (it's a build in software that communicate with att). Your best bet is root the phone install custom romvand keep your data off.
After all that - To fix your account, gave them an non-smart phone IMEI and insist you don't need data plan.
Good luck.
Sent from my LT28i using Tapatalk 2
There is no way to hide your IMEI from the network. The only way not to pay is to have an IMEI that is not on their network like an unlocked T-mobile phone or something of that nature.
I purchased a Galaxy for my son from CL and his account never changed from the non data plan his is listed as.., Just call At &t
as long as your current contact does not require data plan you should be good to go.
F2504x4 said:
I purchased a Galaxy for my son from CL and his account never changed from the non data plan his is listed as.., Just call At &t
as long as your current contact does not require data plan you should be good to go.
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Don't forget if the device is a none of Att devices or beeing rooted. ATT will make you add data plan if it is a smartphone regardless of your contract.
The ICQ is the bug on all ATT devices that reported to ATT you need a data plan. Read other thread how to take it off or easiest is use the tool to root your device. Install a custom rom just to make sure you don't have the ICQ installed.
Sent from my LT28i using Tapatalk 2
Guys ICQ is not gonna matter if it is removed or not. Each carrier can and for along time has been able to scan their network and see the IMEI numbers that are being used on it. The only way out is to have an IMEI that is not linked to an AT&T smartphone. This has been the case for many years now.
accts said:
ATT will make you add data plan if it is a smartphone regardless of your contract.
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Click to collapse
Wrong!! if you are not under contract for having a data plan , then AT& T will not care what phone you use...
If you are under a Data plan via a contract , till that contract expires, you will have pay for Data services regardless of what phone you have...
You can also get At&T services with out a contract with no data plan , and not be charged for using a data capable phone.
BTW it is labeled as Data OPT- out, and as you can see, my old phone is shown (Tilt II) on the account which is what is currently being used since he busted the screen on his Galaxy S.
WM is a lot different than android. Is that your main line or secondary line?
ai6908 said:
WM is a lot different than android. Is that your main line or secondary line?
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did you see the Galaxy S that was listed ? it has been swapped back and forth between both phones..
OK there was a time when you could block out data even if you have a smartphone and were not on contract. This is no longer the case. About a year ago ATT changed the policy on smart phones. Now you are forced into a data plan if a. You have a contract that is not grandfathered in. B. If you have a smartphone that att has in its records. When WM was around you had the option to opt out of a data plan. Now it is no longer an option unless you are not on contract or you have a phone that shows up as unknown in the data base when ATT does its IMEI sweeps.
Sent from the BatCave
Okay i did more research on this, and things have changed , ( yes i concede Almight Zen) i was wrong about that, but I do still a have a no data lock on my sons phone, and regardless of the phone he uses , i still have not had a data plan added even though they are At&T branded phones. But there still are ways around this issue.
Some very good info in this thread...
http://androidforums.com/t/455064-t-wifi-only-no-dataplan.html
AN ANDROID SMARTPHONE WITHOUT A DATA PLAN IS POSSIBLE! In fact im doing it right now! I am on At&t using a Samsung Galaxy ACE. Awesome phone, and att does not recognize its IMEI so its all good! I have been data free for almost 2 months (recently bought the phone from amazon). Weather it will work with any carrier that uses GSM im not sure, although it does work flawlessly on ATT. So it is a perfect option for anyone looking for an awesome android smartphone with full features (wifi, bluetooth, gps, full android market, full hacking capability's) with no data plan. Also, if in the future when you want a data plan, all you need to do is enable att's non smartphone $10 data plan on your line and now you have unlimited data for only $10 a month, i have not tried this yet but plan too. I am also pretty sure any GSM phone with a model number not starting with an "i" for example the Samsung galaxy s2 which is "i9100" will be required to have a data plan by att because they recognize its IMEI number, where as the Galaxy Ace starts with an "s" (s5830) it works. Hope this helps, and remember anything is possible with A LOT of Google searching!
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It's true that Carrier has the ability to scan for IMEI, however if you don't have mobile data on. IT will not raise a red flag for data plan. This has happened for one of my line in my account - Had my mobile data off and still get a message from ATT that automated add data plan. After research I known what caused it because ICQ required data to communicate with ATT, that's why I got hit with data plan. After root, give ATT an non-smartphone IMEI. I was good to go. Even when i login to my account online I do see my device is Inspire 4G - however the main registration IMEI is a non-smartphone. Weird but it worked.
Also you can just buy the prepaid minutes that reup off your credit card it comes out to be the same as most monthly bills if not cheaper for some and at&t don't care at all what phone you use on those
If you aren't sure then do it twice!