[Q] AT&T Data Plan Question - AT&T, Rogers HTC One X, Telstra One XL

Hi all,
People on here have been a huge help about this phone so I wondered if any of you would know this.
I have an AT&T branded One X, it has been unlocked and is on a custom rom. I'm not using it as my main phone, and my gf's phone broke now. I wanted to loan her my One X, but I believe she is on the $10 unlimited data plan for "non-smart phones". If she uses the phone, will AT&T know that its a smart phone based on some code in the phone, and is there some setting I can change to avoid this? If its just by data usage, I really don't think she'll use very much cellular data.
Anyway if anyone has any insights it'd be great!

CrimsonJD said:
Hi all,
People on here have been a huge help about this phone so I wondered if any of you would know this.
I have an AT&T branded One X, it has been unlocked and is on a custom rom. I'm not using it as my main phone, and my gf's phone broke now. I wanted to loan her my One X, but I believe she is on the $10 unlimited data plan for "non-smart phones". If she uses the phone, will AT&T know that its a smart phone based on some code in the phone, and is there some setting I can change to avoid this? If its just by data usage, I really don't think she'll use very much cellular data.
Anyway if anyone has any insights it'd be great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will know. There's no way to hide it.

As a former AT&T emoloyee, they have a system that detects smart phones. Not only do they detect it, but they will automatically add the $30 plan. Of course they will warn you, but a lot of people ignore it. I would suggest not doing it. Also if coming from a dumb phone, you need to change sim cards anyways. If you don't plan on using the HTC for data, no need to use it. Trust me, it is the same for iPhone and BlackBerry.
Sent from my Carbon-ize Evita using xda-developers app

exad said:
They will know. There's no way to hide it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The two responses both say this, but AT&T doesn't have magical powers. For a while I had a Nokia N97 Symbian phone that I would call a smart phone, but at the time was on a non smart phone plan. When I upgraded to an Android phone (and got the carrier discount) I upgraded to the smart phone data plan.
If they track the data usage and you only use a small amount of cellular data, then it shouldn't come up. If they track some other info (like the EIN and compare it against a list of AT&T branded phones, maybe?) then there should be something that could be done about this.
Anyone else have any insights?

CrimsonJD said:
The two responses both say this, but AT&T doesn't have magical powers. For a while I had a Nokia N97 Symbian phone that I would call a smart phone, but at the time was on a non smart phone plan. When I upgraded to an Android phone (and got the carrier discount) I upgraded to the smart phone data plan.
If they track the data usage and you only use a small amount of cellular data, then it shouldn't come up. If they track some other info (like the EIN and compare it against a list of AT&T branded phones, maybe?) then there should be something that could be done about this.
Anyone else have any insights?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I bricked my first one x I was using a droid increadible 4g it detected it as a phone but didn't know what it was... And at the time we hadnt built the right data usage for that phone so it isn't even a data usage thing that tells them lol.... That's my insite I don't know how much it'll help you
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

CrimsonJD said:
The two responses both say this, but AT&T doesn't have magical powers. For a while I had a Nokia N97 Symbian phone that I would call a smart phone, but at the time was on a non smart phone plan. When I upgraded to an Android phone (and got the carrier discount) I upgraded to the smart phone data plan.
If they track the data usage and you only use a small amount of cellular data, then it shouldn't come up. If they track some other info (like the EIN and compare it against a list of AT&T branded phones, maybe?) then there should be something that could be done about this.
Anyone else have any insights?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They track it by what type of data you using. In AT&T systems, there are four kind: pta (LTE), phone (3g/hspa), broadband (tethering), and pdpwap1 (non smartphone). If the system mismatches of what type of phone and plan you should have, then it will go with the plan you are using. This doesn't mean you can have a smartphone then downgrade and lose your data plan. AT&T is too smart for that and they want their money.
Sent from my Carbon-ize Evita using xda-developers app

They detect the imei when using the cellular network. Not just from data usage, they can detect while sending texts, while making calls, anything. The system may not catch it right away but they will catch it. And while I don't see at&t doing so, it would be within their right to backlog you and charge you.
Sent from my One X using xda app-developers app

CrimsonJD said:
The two responses both say this, but AT&T doesn't have magical powers. For a while I had a Nokia N97 Symbian phone that I would call a smart phone, but at the time was on a non smart phone plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The N97 is an unlocked phone and not AT&T branded. AT&T has all the IMEI numbers for the phones they sell (and can correlate it to phone model), but not for the ones they don't. Its easy for them to read the IMEI number, and therefore know the phone is a smartphone (since OP has an AT&T branded One X). Don't need "magical" powers for that.
Even for IMEI number they don't have a record of, they might still try to tag you as having a smartphone and change your plan (probably by inspecting the data, as already mentioned by another). Folks on here have reported having their plans changed when using various unbranded phones (Nexus line phones, are ones that I remember specifically). But this is far less consistent (as your experience attests).
But for the OP, he is screwed by the IMEI number, and will be caught almost instantly.

Related

[Q] HTC Maps on MyTouch 4G?

So I want to use a navigation app on the MyTouch 4G without using any data. If I'm not mistaken, the Google Navigation app uses data to download the map of your current location. The new HTC Sense maps (again if I'm not mistaken) are saved on the phone and don't use data. So my question is if I can get the HTC maps on the MyTouch 4g (specifically without having to root the phone and flash the new Sense rom onto it)?
What's the point of using a mthd without data? Really just defeats the purpose of having this kinda phone if you ask me... Just my opinion though
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
^ What he said!
They build HSPA+.....
what you were sayin' ...? ))
But, srsly, I see were you coming from....I would rather store my maps on SD so it can be cached faster, especially for "out of 3G/4G range" towns
Its not that I don't want to use data with the phone, I do. Its just that I am considering switching to the cheaper limited data plans that T-Mobile will roll out in the near future. So thats why not using data for the nav would be great.
ArcticWolf91 said:
Its not that I don't want to use data with the phone, I do. Its just that I am considering switching to the cheaper limited data plans that T-Mobile will roll out in the near future. So thats why not using data for the nav would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "limited" data plan will only work with certain phones. The mt4g will be a premium device that will require the unlimited data plan.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Yeah but I'm using a G1, so I can just use that to get the new data plan, then I will buy the MyTouch 4G off-contract and swap the sim.
ArcticWolf91 said:
Yeah but I'm using a G1, so I can just use that to get the new data plan, then I will buy the MyTouch 4G off-contract and swap the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tricky fellow! LOL! J/K
Sounds like a good idea.
If you're trying to avoid getting the unlimited plan by pretending you're still using your G1, it won't work. They have a database of all the IMEI #s and the IMEI of the phone you're using gets transmitted, so they can see what you're using.
Back on AT&T, I bought a used iPhone (original model) and spoofed the IMEI to avoid having to pay for the iPhone data plan. Not sure if you can do this on Android.
You can see what I'm talking about by going to your T-Mobile account online and somewhere it should say which phone you're using. If you switch to another T-Mobile phone, it'll change. Carriers only have the IMEI #s of the phones that are branded by them. So if you put your T-Mobile SIM in an AT&T or unlocked, unbranded phone, it wouldn't show that phone under your account.
Product F(RED) said:
If you're trying to avoid getting the unlimited plan by pretending you're still using your G1, it won't work. They have a database of all the IMEI #s and the IMEI of the phone you're using gets transmitted, so they can see what you're using.
Back on AT&T, I bought a used iPhone (original model) and spoofed the IMEI to avoid having to pay for the iPhone data plan. Not sure if you can do this on Android.
You can see what I'm talking about by going to your T-Mobile account online and somewhere it should say which phone you're using. If you switch to another T-Mobile phone, it'll change. Carriers only have the IMEI #s of the phones that are branded by them. So if you put your T-Mobile SIM in an AT&T or unlocked, unbranded phone, it wouldn't show that phone under your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the above is true... Sold phones for years at radioshack...
Well it doesn't matter anyway because the new data plans will be available for all phones. From the leaked(?) document: "T-Mobile will respond to our customers' needs by introducing a new low-cost $10/$15 200 MB Web feature that can be added to any device."
Source: http://www.tmonews.com/2010/11/t-mobile-adding-data-plan-to-new-data-lineup/
Product F(RED) said:
If you're trying to avoid getting the unlimited plan by pretending you're still using your G1, it won't work. They have a database of all the IMEI #s and the IMEI of the phone you're using gets transmitted, so they can see what you're using.
Back on AT&T, I bought a used iPhone (original model) and spoofed the IMEI to avoid having to pay for the iPhone data plan. Not sure if you can do this on Android.
You can see what I'm talking about by going to your T-Mobile account online and somewhere it should say which phone you're using. If you switch to another T-Mobile phone, it'll change. Carriers only have the IMEI #s of the phones that are branded by them. So if you put your T-Mobile SIM in an AT&T or unlocked, unbranded phone, it wouldn't show that phone under your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that it matters (see my previous post), but even when they detect someone switches phones, can they really just alter your data plan without asking your permission?
The way AT&T did it, they would send you an automated text first a number of times. Then they'd add it. If it's stated in the TOS then they can do it. See if you can call them up and find a nice rep who'll try and keep it for you though.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
ArcticWolf91 said:
Can they really just alter your data plan without asking your permission?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No -- they just disable access to Internet but still charge you for the plan.
ArcticWolf91 said:
Yeah but I'm using a G1, so I can just use that to get the new data plan, then I will buy the MyTouch 4G off-contract and swap the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Until tmo recognizes that you are on a mt4g...then they will require the correct plan. Not to mention what you proposed was at the very least dishonest
Sent from my Vibrant via Xda App
Just answer the question
Can someone just answer his question without requiring his motives?
There's other people with legitimate reasons to do the same. What if you are in an area that has bad data reception? What if you wanted to use navigation outside of the city?
There's been plenty of times that I couldn't use Navi because of poor reception.
Use the navigon app it is now downloadable from the market. Maps are stored on the phone.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

AT&T Contract vs. Data Plan vs. Android.

At the moment I'm using a HTC Tilt 2 WM 6.5 without a data plan due to the fact I'm Grandfathered in via the pre data forcing by AT&T. Since I have never purchased a cell phone from AT&T my contract has never been renewed. Hence I can switch from one smartphone to another with no activation of a data plan.
My question:
I plan to get, and root, a used HTC Inspire. I have heard all Android phones must have a data plan or they physically will not work. Is this true? Or is this coming from individuals that have not been Grandfathered in and just do not know better?
i was in the same boat as you months ago when the inspire came out. I have an unlimited data/txt/MMS plan which cost me $29.99 a month. I have not renewed a contract in about 5 years. My unlimited data plan is grandfathered in. I can use as much data as i want and dont have to worry about overages.
Yes, ATT will detect that you are using the new phone. They will also tell you that you HAVE to upgrade your data plan. You dont. They will also tell you that they will automatically update your data plan when they detect you are using the '4g' phone. That is wont, its actually illegal.
I have had the inspires since the day it came out and i still pay $90 a month for 900 min of talk time and unlimited text/data/mms.
I did the math the last time they tried to make me upgrade my plan to the $35/month "4G" data plan. Over two years of paying more for less (data), i would save money by buying the phone for the list price and not upgrading my plan. They i would have to buy a plan for text and mms messages.
So i would suggest you buy the phone outright for whatever it costs now.
I go so far as to not even give them my phone number and tell them the phone is a gift for a friend. When they give me a problem about that, and say the MUST have a phone number, i give them the phone number of one my friends that has an iphone, or use my work number, since the are both ATT phone numbers.
---------- Post added at 02:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:09 PM ----------
note though, if you do not have a data plan, you may want to make sure the data radio is turned off and simply use the wi-fi on the phone to access the internet. Android is always running stuff in the background that uses your data plan.
I turn mine off so that i dont get emails when i am out and about at night or asleep.
never had an issue except with the sales people and the store that 'know it all' because they are paid to get you to upgrade to the latest plan. they tell you that you MUST upgrade just so they can get their commission or meet some quota i guess. call their bluff. its worked for me ever since i went to the original tilt a few years back.
Your android phone will work without a data plan. However ATT will detect it and can hook you up to a data plan and charge you without asking you. There is nothing illegal about that. ATT has every right to do that. It is their policy.
But ATT is not the evil cellphone provider that everyone thinks they are. Most likely what I said above will happen. But since you are in a grandfathered plan and have been a valued ATT customer I would talk to an ATT representative. Most likely they will just put a block on your data and you will be able to continue on as you have in the past. That is as long as you buy the phone outright.
Agoattamer may be right about automatically signing your up for a data plan. I am lucky because I signed up for the unlimited plan years ago, so technically, i do have a data plan.
I do know for a fact that they have told me they will automatically change my plan to one of their newer plans because now i have a smarter phone. I pretty much got in an argument about it with the sales rep on why i should 'upgrade' my plan when it is already unlimited. His only answer was, as Agoattamer stated, it's ATT policy for the newer, smarter phones.
They have not 'automatically upgraded my plan' though, but have told me they will each time i go in there. The first time was when i bought the tilt 1, and then i had to get a international roaming plan for a vacation, and they looked at my account and said the same thing. Has not happened yet, and it has been a few years.
i am sure that if i were to consume 10 gigs of data in one month though, i would probably get automatically upgraded, so thats why i fly under the radar and mostly use wi-fi. Only use my cell data radio on the road or when i NEED it outside of wi-fi coverage. To this date, i still have not consumed more than a 1 gig in a month on my cell data radio.
What ngravatt says here is true. They may get you and they may not get you. There are many that get by under the radar and then I have heard of many that get caught the first day. It is a coin tossup. But as ngravatt also said which I said above: Talk to them and they will work it out with you usually. But since you have no data plan your phone will begin using data shortly after you turn it on. And I think that will be a major red flag to ATT. So either they will catch you and add you to a plan or you will get charged for the data you use which can be quite expensive.
ngravatt said:
Yes, ATT will detect that you are using the new phone. They will also tell you that you HAVE to upgrade your data plan. You dont. They will also tell you that they will automatically update your data plan when they detect you are using the '4g' phone. That is wont, its actually illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well...they can, but they ahve to send you a notice saying they're changing your contract terms, but they give you an option to back out of your contract if you disagree with the new terms.
You should be able to buy it outright or upgrade, and turn off your data plan. You could just use the sim card swap technique to put it in another phone and say you lost the other one (after a month) and that you want them to turn off ALL data. This way you can upgrade and get the cheapest price on the phone (?free) AND only pay a month of data. ATT *does* let people with smartphones disable data and they don't force you onto a data plan. I have friends that do this with iphones and other smartphones. This might be your cheapest option.
off topic here, i was on a tilt2 up until the beg of march when my screen refused to turn on, and since it was 6 months after my warranty expired (90 day refurb warranty), i had to upgrade. mannn, wish i could've held out until att lte phones came out...
If you buy at upgrade pricing you have to re-sign your service agreement. That is when they hit you with the data plan change. If you purchase your phone outright then you will not sign a new service agreement. If you get a text saying that you need a new data plan call 611. Tell them that you have unlimited data and you are receiving text messages. They will update the data plan you are on to the new grandfathered data plan and you are all set. At least in my experience that was what happened to me. Text messages stopped and I am on the corrected unlimited data plan. And I pull about 5-6 gigs a month so yes it is unlimited, and no I do not tether.
Sorry just re read a little more. They will require a data plan for you and they will not grandfather you since there is nothing to grandfather. I would buy outright online from a private party and pop your SIM in.
i have been using smart phones for a while since the windows mobile times, and have upgraded since sometimes buying the phone on ebay or sometimes renewing my contract
i put a data block on my phone and just use wifi
the other people on my plan have data on there phone
What if you have a desire HD, would they tag you too?
Sent from my CM7 Nightly HTC Desire HD
Yes. They will still notice. Using a desire hd still requires your sim and still uses att network.
Phone: HTC Inspire 4gRadio: 26.13.04.19
Ril: 2.2.0179Rom: GB Sense 4.0i by fshami
Oh okay, thanks
Sent from my CM7 Nightly HTC Desire HD
How about h2o?
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
Gizmoe said:
Yes. They will still notice. Using a desire hd still requires your sim and still uses att network.
Phone: HTC Inspire 4gRadio: 26.13.04.19
Ril: 2.2.0179Rom: GB Sense 4.0i by fshami
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But how will they know it's a smartphone? My understanding was that if the imei is not in their database, they have no way of determining what device you actually have.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using the power of the dark side
biglittlegato said:
But how will they know it's a smartphone? My understanding was that if the imei is not in their database, they have no way of determining what device you actually have.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using the power of the dark side
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true from what I hear. You can buy a Telus DHD (uses the same frequencies as AT&T) and add an unlimited non-smart phone data plan for like $10/month. Your Telus DHD will get 3G/4G just like an Inspire, but won't be flagged as a "smart" device by AT&T. This could all change at any time though if AT&T gets wise to you.
Gene Poole said:
This is true from what I hear. You can buy a Telus DHD (uses the same frequencies as AT&T) and add an unlimited non-smart phone data plan for like $10/month. Your Telus DHD will get 3G/4G just like an Inspire, but won't be flagged as a "smart" device by AT&T. This could all change at any time though if AT&T gets wise to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume they would notice that you are using a device that does not match your imei number and they would require you to activate it. It might not take them too long to notice but who knows. Things do slip through the cracks.
Phone: HTC Inspire 4gRadio: 26.13.04.19
Ril: 2.2.0179Rom: GB Sense 4.0i by fshami
biglittlegato said:
But how will they know it's a smartphone? My understanding was that if the imei is not in their database, they have no way of determining what device you actually have.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using the power of the dark side
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carriers have been working with the OEMs to fix this. They are at the point where they may not be able to determine what device it is but can tell what type of device. Its not that hard to look at the data usage and other things and determine what type of device is being used.
Check my sig and you will see I am using a Telus DHD. Before that I used a T-mobile Samsung Vibrant and before that I used a Telstra HTC HD2. All three phones worked on ATT for 3G. None of the 3 showed up on the ATT web site. It still shows to this day, my samsung impression. I am using the non smartphone $10/month unlimited data plan. It has worked for 2 years but I do not abuse it. It may change in the near future, who knows.
Gizmoe said:
I assume they would notice that you are using a device that does not match your imei number and they would require you to activate it. It might not take them too long to notice but who knows. Things do slip through the cracks.
Phone: HTC Inspire 4gRadio: 26.13.04.19
Ril: 2.2.0179Rom: GB Sense 4.0i by fshami
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this for three years no issues. Didn't manage to upgrade to my Inspire with the same data plan though :-(
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium
Gizmoe said:
I assume they would notice that you are using a device that does not match your imei number and they would require you to activate it. It might not take them too long to notice but who knows. Things do slip through the cracks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing with GSM phones. They only care about the SIM for activation. The IMEI is secondary and only used (by AT&T anyway) to identify the type of phone. If it's not in their database, they have no way of knowing what kind of phone it is.

[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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they will eventually detect your smartphone
if you are under contract they apparently can
force a data plan on your line
they got tired of people *****ing about
[and fighting]
giant bills after "not knowing" about data upcharges
...or so the story goes
fwiw
for what it's worth, if you're worried about data usage charges on a line you do not have a data plan for you can call AT&T and ask them to block cellular data on that line. I've done that with my wife's flip phone since the kids keep fiddling with it and accidentally browsing the internet. They were happy to put the block and avoid the alla cart data charges for that line.
Mind you I do have a data plan on my Nexus S.
Thanks for the replies everyone! I'll call AT&T and request them to disable the dataplan. Or I will have to just continue with my N95.
[email protected] said:
for what it's worth, if you're worried about data usage charges on a line you do not have a data plan for you can call AT&T and ask them to block cellular data on that line. I've done that with my wife's flip phone since the kids keep fiddling with it and accidentally browsing the internet. They were happy to put the block and avoid the alla cart data charges for that line.
Mind you I do have a data plan on my Nexus S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Supposedly AT&T detects a Smartphone based on the IMEI number of the phone matched up to a database of IMEI numbers of phones that AT&T sold. The latter is a very important point as they did not sell the Nexus One phone, therefore, many argue on various forum posts that AT&T cannot recognize this non-AT&T sold phone as a Smartphone. The same would be true of any phone not sold by AT&T. However, I have yet to come across any posts of anyone that actually owns a non-AT&T sold smartphone who can confirm this and I've been searching far and wide for this confirmation. I'm getting ready to buy a non-AT&T branded unlocked smartphone to try this myself so perhaps I'll be able to confirm. It would be great if the Original Poster provided his experience with this. i.e. did AT&T detect this phone via the sweeps?
To address some other questions and comments in this forum post...keep in mind that AT&T required a data plan for all smartphones activated on its network after September 6, 2009. However, this policy is far from clear and there are many gray areas, this being one. For example, if I had a smart phone active on September 5 with no data plan, and I buy a used Nexus One on eBay and stick my SIM in it, do I need a data plan? I didn't purchase a new phone or "activate" anything on AT&Ts network so I would argue not.
I also not believe it matters if data is enabled on the phone or not. Try this...take the SIM out of your AT&T phone, stick it in another (different) phone, make a phone call, go to OLAM (i.e. OnLine Account Management), and look at the phone that AT&T thinks you have. Data enabled or not, if the phone was sold by AT&T, they will have identified the phone you just used.
Here is another gray area...data plans on a non-Smartphone lines were as low as $10/month. Data plans are enabled the on the line (i.e. the SIM) not the phone, so a SIM with a data plan can be moved from phone to phone (e.g. dumb phone to smart phone) and data will be active so long as the phone supports the active APN (Access Point Name). If I have a dumb phone line with active data and my phone breaks, what if I stick that SIM in a smartphone I have laying around so that I can make a phone call? What is my obligation to contact AT&T and notify them that I need smartphone data plan?
What follows is for reference only for those that may want a deeper understanding of AT&Ts data plans or desire to "experiment..."
AT&T uses two primary APNs: wap.cingular and isp.cinguar. AT&T is now using wap.cingular for dumb phone access and isp.cingular for smart phones access meaning, if your line has dumb phone data active, your phone needs to support the wap.cingualr APN. Most smarter phones allow the creation of custom APNs if it is not built-in.
The login an pw for the two APNs is as follows: wap.cingular is login= [email protected] and pw= cingular1. isp.cingular is login= [email protected] and pw= cingular1.
The ability to enable the various data plans and features on your account is dependent on what type of phone is assigned to your account based on the IMEI number assigned to that account. This is not the same as the automatic detection I mentioned above. The assignment is done by AT&T employees. I do not have exact or inside information, but I surmise that your line is associated with one of about 4 primary phone types: smart phone, iPhone, black berry, or dumb phone. This assignment dictates what data plans and other features are available to you either thru OLAM or via a CSR. For example, if your line is identified as a dumb phone, you will see the dumb phone data plans in OLAM. If you currently have a smart phone on your account, and switch to a dumb phone, you will only see the dumb phone data plans if AT&T switches the assignment to the dumb phone IMEI. This is only done by calling AT&T, not merely by making a phone call from the dumb phone and relying on the automatic detection.
[email protected] said:
for what it's worth, if you're worried about data usage charges on a line you do not have a data plan for you can call AT&T and ask them to block cellular data on that line. I've done that with my wife's flip phone since the kids keep fiddling with it and accidentally browsing the internet. They were happy to put the block and avoid the alla cart data charges for that line.
Mind you I do have a data plan on my Nexus S.
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damn you beat me to it.
I did this for my girlfreind a LONG time ago with my old iphone 2g when i gave it to her. we said she had little kids who play with her phone and could potentially hit some data use (she officially had a garbage pantech with data capabiltites but no plan).
I then would turn off data on the phone and wham she could use it as long as it was unlocked. i then gave her my 3g which i JB and unlocked for her but then just got a used 3gs from my sis who had ATT unlock it for her and then turned off data and she has been using it fine.
I think as long as data is blocked on their end they dont notice. It WILL show the correct phone if you log in her account and even if you change it it will still change back to whatever yoru using but they never tried to start charging her for data. she loves having the phone with WIFI and me tethering my nexus s to her without having to have a 30$ charge on her bill.
ps
she still uses her regular SIM in the phone and it works for calls/texts normally. she didnt need a different sim for the phone.
Surely you could just delete the APN settings so it couldn't connect on mobile data?
Kitch16 said:
Surely you could just delete the APN settings so it couldn't connect on mobile data?
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You can also just switch off cellular data.
---------- Post added at 09:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 AM ----------
WinterAce said:
I bought my unlocked Nexus S (i9020) back when it released and have been using it in India. Now I've moved to the States and bought myself an AT&T plan.
I've read that if I insert a SIM into a smartphone, AT&T automatically detects the IMEI as a smartphone and starts charging a data plan. But since my phone was bought unlocked and it isn't an AT&T branded one either, can AT&T start charging me? Also, if they do start charging me, will they charge $20 on the 300MB plan or any other plan?
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It would be great if the Original Poster provided his experience with this after using the phone on the AT&T network for a month or two. i.e. did AT&T detect the Nexus one phone via the sweeps and try to impose a data plan?

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
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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

Android on AT&T without data

Looking for an android phone to use on ATT that does not require a data plan.
Until recently i was using the HTC Amaze 4g ( a Tmobile phone) on ATT. For a few months i had no data, no problem. Then i started using the gps a bit, so i got the data, but it was data unlimited for $10/month since the phone was unidentified. That lasted for 3 months or so, then i got the dreadful text saying i need to add data to my line cause its a smartphone.. I then read online, that the Original Nexus, not the 4, was unidentified by AT&T, and that it could be used without data. So i got that, but within 12hrs was forced onto a data plan.
NOW, i am looking for any help or advice on finding a smartphone, preferably android, to use on ATT without data. I almost always have wifi, and really just cant pay $30 extra a month for data that i wont use.
Want a phone that i can check my gmail on, gchat, and have my calendar and music handy, without having multiple devices...
I know this has been discussed in the past, but the threads i came across are outdated, and with new policies and new phones, i was hoping for an update.
Thank you in advance for any help.
I considered putting a pre-paid SIM for minutes in my smartphone - but that would really be NO DATA.
You could probably pretty easily do that - it would just be no data at all.
They might not let you do it on a contract on ATT. T-Mobile doesn't care if you're on a pre-paid plan, but it would depend on if they had good coverage in your area (I am on the $30/mo plan 100min/unlimited text/5Gb data - they have one that focuses on minutes, too). There are also other pre-paid services that use various towers that offer competitive prices.
I guess it really depends on what you need from the service.
Pop your sim into a dumb phone, call them and tell them you want a data block, after they do their thing put the sim back into the smartphone. I've had it like that for 2 years, then I got data, and after a month I had to bock it again, so I put the sim into a dumb phone again and called them to put a block. It always works.
jaszek said:
Pop your sim into a dumb phone, call them and tell them you want a data block, after they do their thing put the sim back into the smartphone. I've had it like that for 2 years, then I got data, and after a month I had to bock it again, so I put the sim into a dumb phone again and called them to put a block. It always works.
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Click to collapse
Thats what ive done... but within a day or two, the data plan gets forced back on again... I even tried blocking data on the line, not using any at all, just wifi, and still they force it on. The rep says that the system scans for smartphones, and when it detects one it auto adds the data on.
atat sucks
cant do **** with **** t
faraband said:
Thats what ive done... but within a day or two, the data plan gets forced back on again... I even tried blocking data on the line, not using any at all, just wifi, and still they force it on. The rep says that the system scans for smartphones, and when it detects one it auto adds the data on.
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Click to collapse
Weird. Did you tell them to put a data block specifically? Did you give them your IMEI? Also, is the phone you're using an AT&T phone? I had my data blocked while going through 6 different smartphones, in a mix of windows mobile and Android. But non of them were AT&T branded.
Edit. Just reread the OP. All my phones were international except my G2 which was T-Mobile branded. And try to work with them over live chat. It's what I used and it always worked.
My last device with AT&T was an LG Thrive ( P506 ). I had no issues using it with AT&T and no data plan. Bear in mind that the P506 is a bottom end Android device. I was on the $25 month prepaid package for well over a year. In fact, I switched to Simple Mobile, only about 4 months ago.
shinobisoft said:
My last device with AT&T was an LG Thrive ( P506 ). I had no issues using it with AT&T and no data plan. Bear in mind that the P506 is a bottom end Android device. I was on the $25 month prepaid package for well over a year. In fact, I switched to Simple Mobile, only about 4 months ago.
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Click to collapse
Prepaid works differently in this type of situation
jaszek said:
Prepaid works differently in this type of situation
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That may be. OP asked for suggestions, thats what I gave. OP didnt specify prepaid or contract.
+1 for pre-paid. Gave my mom my old phone on a month to month contract. took them 4-5 months to actually detect her using the phone but they get pretty butt mad about it and start charging her some rediculous data plan.

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