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[Q] Can I use a data-only SIM in my phone?

Hello,
I have a Samsung Galaxy S without a data-connection, I really need a data-connection becouse I think the phone really needs a data-connection.
So here's my question:
Is it possible to get a subscription of a data-only SIM (the subscriptions they use for tablets etc.)
It is possible to use that kind of SIM/subscription in a phone?
Since I don't really make calls or send text's I really need that but I still want to be able to call and send text's.
Does anyone got a answer?

I think it would be helpful if you told us where you're from. I'm pretty sure the conditions for data-only plans differ from country to country.

I'm from The Netherlands.

Data only sim should work fine. Curious to know, why you need data only sim on a phone. It kills the purpose of having a phone.

I tried some time ago in HTC Desire and it didn't work, still don't know why. (it works with PC + USB Huawei modem on both Windows and Linux, i have E1752 model)
And as an answer for qustion "why do you need it?" for example in Poland there is company which for the government licence for some frequences is obligated to offer free internet for 3 years. Don't think its lika a fairytale - internet disconnects after one hour and the speed is limited, but still can be very usefull when you are tight on budget or just need to check something quickly.
PS. maybe i should add that in this case voice service is disabled on the sim card level (tele service (ts11)) what seems to be a reason for some devices not to work.
edit: finally it appears to work. Dosen't display signal strength but websites (slowly) load.

[Q] Cheap-o phone as wifi-only device- What are the perils?

I have done some searching bad have no found what I am looking for. This could very well be because I suck at thinking up good search terms.
Anyways, I am something of a smartphone noob. I have a TMobile vibant, which is my first smartphone. My child loves playing with various apps and games I have downloaded for her.
I had the idea of buying one of the very cheap, poor condition, phones off ebay so I can have my phone back.
My plan would be to never activate it on any cell network. I would connect via my home wifi, download some apps, then put it in airplane mode and let her have fun.
Questions:
1. Most of the cheap-o phones are cdma, which I have no experience with. If I never activate it on a network, am I likely to have any problems? I know that with my phone, if I pull the sim, I can still used it as a pda, but is that true of all phones?\, or do some require some sort of network login first?
2. Is there are way to disable a phone from making emergency calls? I don't want her accidentally doing that.
3. Other than the ethical questions of a "bad esn" phone, would one cause me any problems for this uses?
4. Are there are pitfalls to my idea that I should consider?

i have been using an old phone of my sons that way. its an old samsung moment (sprint) i down load new apps / games and try them out before i put them on my good phone

1. Though there may be some inconveniences with not being connected to a phone network (it will keep telling you to activate or put in your sim card) you will have basically the same ability as if you were connected besides making calls.
2. As far as I know, if the phone is not connected to a network, there is no possibilty of making a call. Some newer phones might be able to call over wifi but probably not.
3. Don't qoute me on it, but esn numbers are used only for cdma (no sim card) phones to connect to the network and for the network to identify what phone it is. When it has a bad esn, it is because it wont connect or activate to the network. You should have no problem.
4. This is something many people do. Its just like having an android iPod touch.
Hit thanks if I helped
Sent from my HD2

Using the Samsung S3 as wi-fi only device

I'm thinking about buying a used Verizon Samsung S3 from a friend of mine.
Since my AT&T contact doesn't run out for a few months... I'd like to buy his Verizon S3 today... and just use it as a wi-fi only device for the next few months. (No Verizon contract, No SIM, No cell calls, etc.)
Possible? Without rooting? Would I need to buy a blank Verizon SIM? Where?
Thanks.

You probably won't need a blank SIM; just pull the LTE SIM from the phone. CDMA connectivity, on the other hand, is built into the phone. You'll probably have to get Verizon to deactivate the device. Interestingly enough, my old cellphone (from my previous 2--year contract with Verizon) gets service when I boot it up, so I don't think it's as simple as activating a new phone on the line will deactivate the old one.

Wi-fi Only, Wi-fi Only. Wi-fi Only. Wi-fi Only.
Taehee. said:
You probably won't need a blank SIM; just pull the LTE SIM from the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And what do I do when it demands I put the SIM back before I can do anything?
Taehee. said:
You'll probably have to get Verizon to deactivate the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? I have to call them and say "I'm *NOT* a Verizon user. Please deactivate my phone (that I never activated in the 1st place.)
Taehee. said:
Interestingly enough, my old cellphone (from my previous 2--year contract with Verizon) gets service when I boot it up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? You get free Verizon? Or are you still paying for it all these years?
Taehee. said:
so I don't think it's as simple as activating a new phone on the line will deactivate the old one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do *NOT* want to activate my new phone. I do *NOT* want any Verizon coverage. (I'm trying to get *WI FI* only.)

should work fine
just deactivate the phone and take the sim card out
the phone will report no sim card and will only allow 911 calls
other then that you can use it as a wifi device just fine

^^^Yup. When I upgraded my phone, I can use my old phones on WiFi with no issues. I do it all the time. I even flash ROMs on them still, lol.
You can do it just fine. Turn it on, connect WiFi and have at it. Doesn't matter youre not a customer or that the phone was never activated. You dont need to contact Verizon for ANY of this at all, either.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2

Hot-Donna said:
I'm thinking about buying a used Verizon Samsung S3 from a friend of mine.
Since my AT&T contact doesn't run out for a few months... I'd like to buy his Verizon S3 today... and just use it as a wi-fi only device for the next few months. (No Verizon contract, No SIM, No cell calls, etc.)
Possible? Without rooting? Would I need to buy a blank Verizon SIM? Where?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's no problem at all. You don't need to root the phone or buy a blank Verizon SIM. Just start up the phone, connect to your Wi-Fi and ta da. You should be ready to go :]

[Q] AT&T: How do they recognize IMEI of smartphones?

I'm hoping to get a smartphone (either a Moto-G or Nexus 5) without having to pay for a data plan. Yes, I know there are dozens of topics asking whether or not this can be done; I've read everyone--that's why I'm making this new thread.
There are a lot of different things I see stated on ways to get around AT&T automatic application of expensive data-plans when they detect that you're using a smartphone. Some people have said that all you have to do is turn off 3G Data Use from the menu of the new phone BEFORE inserting a new SIM card, and then insert the old dumphone sim card and everything will work. Some people make vague allusions to changing the IMIE--to which some people claim that's illegal, and others claim AT&T or random clerks at Radio Shack will do this for you upon request. Still others claim that all you need to do is install a "data blocker" program onto the smartphone before switching SIM cards, and it will do the trick.
The basic goal seems to be "hiding" the IMEI number from AT&T.
So, my question: how does AT&T recognize the IMEI number? Will they see it only if the phone is active on their 3G/4G/LTE networks? Or do they see it "through" the normal dumbphone calling networks?
My apologies if this is a stupid question. I really don't know anything about phones are anything about non-PC electronics or software in general. Basically, I'd like a smartphone but refuse to pay an exhorbitant monthly fee for a feature I'd never use (wifi is everywhere I go), and am not in a position where I can switch carriers, and it's like I'm part of a(n evidently sizable) demographic that no one wants to market to.

If times haven't changed too much from when I tried the same thing 2 years ago, you should just be able to request that all data on your line be blocked. I would try calling them before you switch the SIM to the smartphone and ask for all data to be disabled to your line, then swap the SIM. I would also leave the data turned off on the smartphone for good measure. This is basically how I got around your same issue with AT&T, and it doesn't have to necessarily come down to illegally changing the IMEI or "hiding" the IMEI from the carrier. Eventually they'll cross-check your device and figure out it's a smartphone and add your data. But to my knowledge, the adding of the data is all automatically done by computers; so if the system sees that all data is disabled for you, it shouldn't attempt to add anything.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Straight Talk won't activate my phone.

I have a tracphone Samsung Galaxy Luna SM-120vl. It is brand new and I called straight talk to activate it but only to be told that because of upgrades to their system they No longer activate this phone to their network. So basically at the moment I'm stuck with a non working phone. I requested they unlock the phone and they refused. How can I get this phone activated on their network or one of tracphones other networks like total wireless? What if I activated a SIM card on another device I no longer use then move it to the non activated device. Would that work ? Or try and change the imei number. Any help would be appreciated.

Daddy1400 said:
I have a tracphone Samsung Galaxy Luna SM-120vl. It is brand new and I called straight talk to activate it but only to be told that because of upgrades to their system they No longer activate this phone to their network. So basically at the moment I'm stuck with a non working phone. I requested they unlock the phone and they refused. How can I get this phone activated on their network or one of tracphones other networks like total wireless? What if I activated a SIM card on another device I no longer use then move it to the non activated device. Would that work ? Or try and change the imei number. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if this method is valid, but, here is a video detailing how to SIM unlock your device to be used on other networks. Be aware that even if the unlock method works to actually unlock the device, there are still no guarantees that the device can be activated on a Tracfone network. Your best bet would be to contact the various Tracfone subsidiary networks to see if your device can even be used on their network before you go through all the trouble of trying to unlock/activate your device.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LEY-fJff0X4
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

No that did not work. However, I recently activated a tracfone SIM card on a device that I no longer have, a device that is broken. I took the SIM card and placed it into the phone that the company said could not be activated and it began working. It is day 4 and the phone is still working. Now what I'm wondering is, could I switched to say total wireless or straight talk and do the same as tracfone does own these companies too. I'm going to try it. Let you know how it goes.