Develop Bugs

Can unlocked avoid data plan??

I was told that when you buy the tilt2, even at the no commitment price, as soon as you insert the sim AT&T will charge/change your service into a $30/mo data plan. Before anyone suggests to take the $30/mo plan that's $360 for the year. Purchasing it subsided with the data plan for a year is more than buying unlocked, nor do I want the $30 plan.
I was wondering if I purchase an unlocked Tilt2 can att still do that if I insert my sim into unlocked one. I'm happy with my data plan (medianet) and want to avoid being hit with the change buy purchasing an unlocked one. OK experts what's the verdict.

Any workaround anyone gives you is susceptible to being caught eventually, just FYI.
The one that's probably most reliable for now is purchasing an unlocked int'l GSM, TMobile or Sprint TP2 and plugging your sim into it. You won't have the proper 3g bands, so your data speed will be slower than if you were using a Tilt 2, but carriers don't generally maintain imei dbs of phones that aren't on their network.
Others may tell you they got by ATT with a Tilt2 and haven't had their data plan changed, but not everyone is so lucky. ATT most definitely monitors imei more now than they used to (defeating this used to be much more simple and effective before ATT began rebuilding their systems to accommodate iPhone enforcement--now those protections are starting to be used against other smartphones), so before you take the chance, keep in mind some people are getting nailed. The same is true for my suggestion above -- there are no guarantees.

I have a TMO HTC touch pro 2 that i purchased unlocked and am using it on AT&T on the medianet plan. My last several phones have been Samsung Innov8 and Nokia 5800 both Symbian OS that I have used unlocked on AT&T and only paid for medianet with no issues (aside from lack of 3G which isn't available in my area anyway).
-Jerry

webfrm said:
I was told that when you buy the tilt2, even at the no commitment price, as soon as you insert the sim AT&T will charge/change your service into a $30/mo data plan. Before anyone suggests to take the $30/mo plan that's $360 for the year. Purchasing it subsided with the data plan for a year is more than buying unlocked, nor do I want the $30 plan.
I was wondering if I purchase an unlocked Tilt2 can att still do that if I insert my sim into unlocked one. I'm happy with my data plan (medianet) and want to avoid being hit with the change buy purchasing an unlocked one. OK experts what's the verdict.
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Click to collapse
IDT they can add the data plan to your account without your consent.

sdaddy said:
IDT they can add the data plan to your account without your consent.
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Click to collapse
They can and have. It started with the iPhone, and has expanded to other smartphones recently. First I heard of the expansion to other phones was when a friend got a txt warning him that he had to add one himself or it would be added for him immediately after he popped a sim into his old nokia smartphone when he was going to use it for a weekend. It's really only a question of whether their software will spot your smartphone.

I can't believe another one of these threads has popped up. No, they won't add a data plan without your consent. They will add it if they can twist your arm enough to say ok. If they add it without your consent there is plenty of precedent showing that they will remove it upon your insistence.
As for me, I have an iPhone 3GS, a Tilt2, and a Sony Xperia x1a that I use on my MediaNet $15 plan + $5 for 200 text message plan. I bought the Tilt 2 subsidized and even then didn't have to add the $30 plan.
Of course, it doesn't matter how many times this is stated there will still be the naysayers who will claim otherwise.

If the phone you by is a Tilt 2 (an AT&T branded phone) they will know by the IMEI. If you buy a TouchPro 2 or a phone from say another carrier they won't know what phone you have and allow you to get a less expansive data plan or no plan at all. Down side is you can't use AT&T's 3G and are stuck with the much slower data connection.
Honestly not having a data plan really hampers having such a capable phone.

jlczl said:
I can't believe another one of these threads has popped up. No, they won't add a data plan without your consent. They will add it if they can twist your arm enough to say ok. If they add it without your consent there is plenty of precedent showing that they will remove it upon your insistence.
As for me, I have an iPhone 3GS, a Tilt2, and a Sony Xperia x1a that I use on my MediaNet $15 plan + $5 for 200 text message plan. I bought the Tilt 2 subsidized and even then didn't have to add the $30 plan.
Of course, it doesn't matter how many times this is stated there will still be the naysayers who will claim otherwise.
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They sent me a text saying, "I data plan is required and if omitted, one would be added." Got home and checked and my data plan was changed.
It DOES happen.

jlczl said:
I can't believe another one of these threads has popped up. No, they won't add a data plan without your consent. They will add it if they can twist your arm enough to say ok. If they add it without your consent there is plenty of precedent showing that they will remove it upon your insistence.
As for me, I have an iPhone 3GS, a Tilt2, and a Sony Xperia x1a that I use on my MediaNet $15 plan + $5 for 200 text message plan. I bought the Tilt 2 subsidized and even then didn't have to add the $30 plan.
Of course, it doesn't matter how many times this is stated there will still be the naysayers who will claim otherwise.
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Which is because exceptions don't disprove a rule.
I don't even doubt that some people have managed to talk their way out of the rule -- when I was tethering off my samsung a500 (on a different carrier) as a primary home internet connection on a $15 a month plan, they caught me, canceled, and I managed to get the right person on the phone and quickly got it reinstated and continued that use until I was done with that carrier.
Not everyone doing the same thing I did was so lucky, which is to say, just because I got around their policies doesn't mean the policies won't trap and damage users. And years later, carriers are far better equipped to detect violations and make changes without a human ever getting involved. Undoing their chicanery (they had a fair point in my case, but current policies are crap) is sometimes just a matter of luck, and sometimes is just impossible.
Telling people it might be possible to get around it, and how, is a nice piece of information. Telling people there is no valid concern when it's so clear there is one is irresponsible and harmful.
RojasTKD said:
Honestly not having a data plan really hampers having such a capable phone.
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That of course depends on intended usage. Not everyone is a twittering feed-reading emailaholic. Some people are database using, note taking, app-aholics who need a 24/7 connection about as much as they need a hole in their head. Most are inbetween, but with the ubiquity of wifi in many people's worlds, inbetween users can potentially cut their cell bill in half with little-to-no usage sacrifice.

[Q] WM7 phone without a Data plan?

I'm switching over from Sprint to AT&T in order to get the new Winmo7 Phone, but I have no use for a data plan.
The phone has wifi.
My house has wifi.
My train was wifi.
My job has wifi.
My wife has mifi.
Someone said if you buy the Winmo7 phone, keep it for 30 days (paying data), and:
1. Take out the Sim card out and put it in a "dumbphone" (a RAZR), and make a couple of calls,
2. Call AT&T and tell them you want the data plan removed (do not mention that you have a smartphone, if they ask, say that you have a regular phone because you have lost your smartphone), and since they can't force you to keep a data plan on a phone that cannot use it, they'll remove it.
3. WARNING, if your carrier ever catches you electonically using their smartphone without the required data plan, they could proceed to automatically re-add the data plan on, with or without your notice. The worst case scenario would be they ensue an Early Termination Fee on you, and make you pay the difference of what you've paid for the phone and the retail price of it!
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Does this make sense?
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
After I removed the data plan on Sprint, the phone still kept trying to get weather data, and I had to specifically ask for a "DATA BLOCK" to stop the phone from trying to get data!
Thanks

If you go into settings-mobile network
you can turn the data connection off. Your Phone will now only be able to do calls and texts.

I guess that would work, but I live in the UK and we aren't forced to buy a data plan, so I can't be certain.
The US carriers seem like a right pain in the backside with different frequencies and GSM vs CDMA etc. I don't know how you guys ever manage to get a fair deal when you are so locked down to one particular carrier.

You don't need a data plan if most places that you visit have a WiFi connection.

MSWarrior said:
I'm switching over from Sprint to AT&T in order to get the new Winmo7 Phone, but I have no use for a data plan.
The phone has wifi.
My house has wifi.
My train was wifi.
My job has wifi.
My wife has mifi.
Someone said if you buy the Winmo7 phone, keep it for 30 days (paying data), and:
1. Take out the Sim card out and put it in a "dumbphone" (a RAZR), and make a couple of calls,
2. Call AT&T and tell them you want the data plan removed (do not mention that you have a smartphone, if they ask, say that you have a regular phone because you have lost your smartphone), and since they can't force you to keep a data plan on a phone that cannot use it, they'll remove it.
3. WARNING, if your carrier ever catches you electonically using their smartphone without the required data plan, they could proceed to automatically re-add the data plan on, with or without your notice. The worst case scenario would be they ensue an Early Termination Fee on you, and make you pay the difference of what you've paid for the phone and the retail price of it!
----------------------
Does this make sense?
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
After I removed the data plan on Sprint, the phone still kept trying to get weather data, and I had to specifically ask for a "DATA BLOCK" to stop the phone from trying to get data!
Thanks
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Click to collapse
I was just on AT&T. This is all I will say, because I've been through this.
My Mom had a RAZR. She put her SIM Card in a BlackJack, and AT&T's system automatically added the data plan to her bill.
Your phone doesn't need to use data, they will know by the IMEI and other phone information that you have a smartphone. Everytime you phone connects to their network, it sends out the IMEI and the system will check that IMEI against you account. If you have a smartphone IMEI on a dumbphone plan, they will automatically add the smartphone packages to your account. You'll even get a text saying that you put you SIM in a smartphone yada, yada. The only way to have a smartphone without a data plan is to buy it outright off contract and activate it only with a voice plan on it.
There is no way to get around that. Swapping SIMs to make calls won't avoid that. Only modifying you phone IMEI and making it look like a dumbphone will do that. The process is automatic and happens instantly. Put you sim in, turn you phone on, turn it off... Too late. You have a smartphone plan on your account now.
My mom never used any data on her phone (no ActiveSync account setup, never used the browser... we checked for data usage - there was none), but AT&T simply told her if she puts her contract SIM in a smartphone, they have to add the data plan. She would have had to ETF her contract if she didn't want to pay for a data plan, so she went back to her dumbphone.
And to expand on some things, just in case you don't understand where I'm coming from:
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
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Click to collapse
1. That's impossible. AT&T (any cell carrier's) network checks the IMEI/ESN of every phone that connects to their network the minute it connects. They will know exactly what type of phone you have. It has absolutely nothing to do with what operating system is on the phone. It can be a WP7, WinMo, Droid, iOS, iBangedUrMom device... They will still know exactly what type of phone you're using the minute it connects to their network via the phone's IMEI (and probably even the Serial Number, but they shouldn't even need that).
2. See #1. The phone doesn't have to access data for them to know that you're usin a smartphone on a dumbphone plan. All it has to do is connect to their network, and they'll know by the IMEI that you're trying to gib them. They will then alter your plans as required to suite their smartphone requirements (Add Data Plan, etc.).
BTW, when AT&T automatically adds data plans, they add the highest data plan. So, even though you don't use data at all, they will add a $25 2GB data plan, not a $15 200MB data plan.
And there's nothing you can do about it. It's in the contract and the requirements are pretty much universal across carriers here.
No carrier allows you to have a smartphone on a dumbphone plan (a plan without a data package) if you're under contract. The only way to do it is to buy the phone outright and have a plan without a contract. In that case, you'll just have to pay overages everytime you use data - which can easily (and quickly) exceed the costs of a data package.
And TBH, it's not even worth it to use a smartphone without a data package, even if you have WiFi in most cases. I use my HD2 as an iPod of sorts right now and there's no way it would be usable without a data package even though I have WiFi in most places I go. Missing an email I could have checked at a red light telling me soandso isn't feeling well and isn't going to be there, so I can spare myself the 45 minute drive is just not acceptable for me.
That bull**** about them just removing the data plan is false. That's what warranty is for and if you're a dumbphone user you should be getting a brand new dumbphone everytime you contract is up for renewal basically for free. Either you get a new one (they can give you a loaner phone until then, and it won't hurt since you use dumbphones, right?) or pay the price. They won't let you breach you contract. That would be negligent of them, and unfair to all of their other users.
If they do take it off (probably assuming you will take the SIM out) the system will automatically add it the minute you turn the phone back on - and the next CSR may not be as willing to break the rules (and none of them can just "change" the system).

thanks n8ter
lots of good advice
one thing though, I have a sprint Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 on sprint, with no data, and it works great! My contract ran out a year ago, though.
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
I asked Sprint and they said some smartphones like the Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 they allow to connect without data plan, but others like the droid they do not allow.
in any case thanks, I learned alot.

MSWarrior said:
lots of good advice
one thing though, I have a sprint Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 on sprint, with no data, and it works great! My contract ran out a year ago, though.
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
I asked Sprint and they said some smartphones like the Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 they allow to connect without data plan, but others like the droid they do not allow.
in any case thanks, I learned alot.
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Click to collapse
Yes, but you will be responsible for any overages.
I'm not sure how willing they are to put Data Stops on accounts/phones. I've never asked about that. My mom just ETF'd her account and went with Boost Mobile and got a Blackberry Curve instead.
Her AT&T bill went from $80/mo to $120/mo after she put her SIM in that BlackJack, and since her plan was altered her contract was extended.
Just don't try it. You're going to end up on the losing end of that battle.
That is why lots of people do like to buy phones outright. It does offer you a lot of flexibility and doesn't tie you to one carrier (though your phone's hardware may do that job for them ).

MSWarrior said:
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
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If you buy a WP7 phone from Amazon for $99 and choose $15 data plan, you'll be paying $99 + $15 x 24 (2 years) + taxes which would be close to or less than the off contract price ($499) of the phone alone. This is a better way IMO if you can have a contract because you can also enjoy data service (200MB a month) for 2 years.

Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!

plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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Um...what planet are you from? UK pounds are 1.61X US Dollars...which would mean that you are paying at least $16 dollars per month...which is still AMAZINGLY affordable for what you re getting...Although I doubt it is really unlimited data...STILL!
Here in Canada, you either buy a phone off contract and pay full price, or get locked in a THREE YEAR contract, with a minimum $50 plan, which has about 200 minutes, unlimited text, and 500MB of data...although, tethering is free...

plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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150 Minutes of talk-time are pathetic.
Lots of people here (in the US) are getting rid of landlines and using mobile phones almost exclusively, so the cost of the contract isn't all that high when you consider the cost savings on the other side of the coin (a landline with a Nationwide Long Distance etc. is around $30-40 a month from a good service and not one of those crappy small companies).
450 minutes is a decent minimum for the markets here considering how much people have gravitated towards using social medium, email, SMS, and IM.
Data Prices aren't as great here as some other places, but tiered data plans do allow those who use very little data the flexibility to pay less for their small data usage, instead of being forced to get the max package just because they brought a certain type of phone.

plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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Here couple of WP7 phones were launched at $99 from reputed sellers (Amazon / Newegg) with a contract. With holiday season upon us I'd say more such deals will follow, may be even free. How much do you have to pay to get a WP7 phone with £10 plan (contract or not)?
150 mins talk time is not enough for me. We have a family plan and my wife uses 2/3rd of the minutes alone. £10 != $7, as long as you are talking about UK & US currencies.

plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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That's it, I'm moving.
*conversion was not correct, but that's still insanely cheap!

the lady who bought her HD7 in line before I got mine on lauch-day, got hers without a data plan, they made her pay the un-subsidized price though

[Q] WP7, AT&T and no data plan?

I love the new WP7 phones and am dying to get my hands on one. I had a question about getting one though. Right now I am on a family plan with AT&T running a G1 that doesn't require a data plan. I would like to keep the data plan off of my tab. I have my reasons but my biggest is that I am constantly surrounded by WiFi and even when I am out and about, data isn't a big deal to me.
So is it possible to get a new phone without the data plan? I fully am aware that I will need to buy out of contract (which I am fine with), I just don't want to pay 200 - 300 bucks a year for a data plan. Last Wednesday, I went in to pick up a Focus at an AT&T store and the girl told me she had to add a data plan. I walked out and am hoping you guys can help me out a bit.
Has anyone had any luck with buying a phone out of contract, turning off the network data and not getting billed for a data plan? I am up for getting either a Samsung Focus or the HTC HD7 (whatever works... but the HD7 might be a good option as well considering I want to move to T-Mobile once I get out of my contract in a year).

Believe me I researched this. I have a Fuze on AT&T that has no data plan. We were lucky to have gotten them when contracts did not require a data plan. Our phone is grandfathered in...
However, if you get a new smartphone, it will trigger adding a data plan to your account. I believe it goes by IMEI number and your account... your original phone's IMEI number is set to be excluded from this provision. Any new phone you get will cause the data plan to be added automatically. If you put someone else's SIM card in your old phone... they get a data plan automatically. You can buy a new smartphone and pay full price online somewhere... as soon as you put your SIM card in it, you'll have a data plan added to your account.
There's just no way (as far as I know) to get one of these new phones without a data plan. I will be biting the bullet and getting a new Windows phone sometime in the next couple of months...

makku12 said:
Believe me I researched this. I have a Fuze on AT&T that has no data plan. We were lucky to have gotten them when contracts did not require a data plan. Our phone is grandfathered in...
However, if you get a new smartphone, it will trigger adding a data plan to your account. I believe it goes by IMEI number and your account... your original phone's IMEI number is set to be excluded from this provision. Any new phone you get will cause the data plan to be added automatically. If you put someone else's SIM card in your old phone... they get a data plan automatically. You can buy a new smartphone and pay full price online somewhere... as soon as you put your SIM card in it, you'll have a data plan added to your account.
There's just no way (as far as I know) to get one of these new phones without a data plan. I will be biting the bullet and getting a new Windows phone sometime in the next couple of months...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly correct. As soon as your SIM is inserted into a new smartphone, although it may take time, you will be charged for a data plan. It registers the IMEI number of that phone on your account.

Damn. Well... can't say I tried. Thanks for the info gents.

Even if you could, I wouldn't suggest it
as far as I've been able to tell, you can't turn off your data connection fully
and this phone is always grabbing data, you'd be paying tons for data...much more than on a data plan

dressanderc said:
This is exactly correct. As soon as your SIM is inserted into a new smartphone, although it may take time, you will be charged for a data plan. It registers the IMEI number of that phone on your account.
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That's not true (At least in my case). As long as data is not initial from the phone, my AT&T Pure didn't trigger the automatic data plan (It did trigger once because I accidentally turn the data on and had to call At&t support to remove it).
For my X1a, I've been using it for almost 2 yrs on their cheap media-net plan without issue. Therefore, I suspect they could only verify smartphone that being sold by them (like the Focus I got recently). That's why I am looking at the HTC Mozart being sold in Austria (850mzh UMTS support)

edit: nevermind

drleospaceman said:
LG Optimus 7's on Ebay should work.
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Only on UMTS 1900 portion. I don't think it support 850

That's pretty lame... I have T-mobile and picked up an HD7. No data package and my HD7 is running flawlessly. The only feature that doesnt work with wi-fi is slacker radio and to be honest I don't need it...

[Q] ATT adding data?

Okay, this might not be the best place for this thread, so mods, please feel free to move as needed.
Anyways, a friend of mine got his phone completely destroyed in a storm the other day, so he's planning on upgrading. He has had a smartphone on ATT without a data plan and received a text saying that ATT recognized his use of a smartphone and added a data plan. He promptly took it out and used a non-smartphone to avoid the charge.
As a Tmo customer, I have always bought my phones off-contract and put in my SIM and used freely without a data plan, so this sounds absurd to me. Can ATT add a data plan to a phone even if it was bought off-contract (which would defeat the purpose of buying a new phone for $500 instead of upgrading for ~$200)? I know carriers can track IMEI numbers because, like I said, I have no data plan, but on my.t-mobile.com, TMo knows I use an HD2.
Thanks ahead of time for the input!

dcheng11 said:
Okay, this might not be the best place for this thread, so mods, please feel free to move as needed.
Anyways, a friend of mine got his phone completely destroyed in a storm the other day, so he's planning on upgrading. He has had a smartphone on ATT without a data plan and received a text saying that ATT recognized his use of a smartphone and added a data plan. He promptly took it out and used a non-smartphone to avoid the charge.
As a Tmo customer, I have always bought my phones off-contract and put in my SIM and used freely without a data plan, so this sounds absurd to me. Can ATT add a data plan to a phone even if it was bought off-contract (which would defeat the purpose of buying a new phone for $500 instead of upgrading for ~$200)? I know carriers can track IMEI numbers because, like I said, I have no data plan, but on my.t-mobile.com, TMo knows I use an HD2.
Thanks ahead of time for the input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes AT&T can charge him for data, as long as he is on contract or month to month service, if he wants to avoid paying for data he can probably switch to a prepaid account which normally has different device expectations, I know it sounds weird but thats how Verizon does it so just thinking maybe AT&T does as well

jami2976 said:
Yes AT&T can charge him for data, as long as he is on contract or month to month service, if he wants to avoid paying for data he can probably switch to a prepaid account which normally has different device expectations, I know it sounds weird but thats how Verizon does it so just thinking maybe AT&T does as well
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Click to collapse
Ah, I find that ridiculous... As a GSM phone user, I've always liked the freedom of just popping in a SIM and being done with it. Verizon as a CDMA network requires you to get the phone serial number activated, so Verizon will know right off the bat what phone is being used. Sorry disappointing, but oh well, thanks for the input!

[INFO]AT&T Users Beware

Just wanted to give people a heads up on my horror story with AT&T. I don't want anyone else to wind up in my situation. I just received a message stating I had been charged in excess of $100 dollars in data charges and please call AT&T to prevent service disruptions or future charges.
Background: I have had unlimited Data since 2008 because I had an iPhone 3g. In the meantime I've used several Android devices. On the 9th of last month I decided I was ready for a new device. I did some searching and decided to get a Galaxy Note. I used it briefly until the GNex was announced by Google in the US. I decided to buy the GNex as well and return the device I was least satisfied with. After some use, I loved the LTE but decided I preferred the community behind the GNex and the AOSP roms. So on the 7th of this month I returned the Note before my 30 days.
Issue: The drama starts on the 7th. After returning my Note my unlimited data plan was dropped without telling me because I was no longer using an AT&T recognized smartphone. I was careful to ask in store if returning the Note would affect my unlimited data, and the salesperson said it would not. Since I no longer have a data plan, AT&T has been charging me $1 per megabyte. So in two days I have racked up over $250 dollars in data charges. The AT&T reps refuse to reactivate my Unlimited data until I put my SIM in (and presumably keep it in) an AT&T recognized smartphone. I discussed with the rep and she stated that I can use smartphone data on a non-AT&T smartphone if the system recognizes it. The Catch-22 here is that the system only recognizes AT&T sold devices. So now I have to put my SIM back in my old Infuse and contact the Rep again to have them reverse my charges and reactivate my unlimited data. I am now afraid to use the GNex for fear of losing my data again.
tl:dr: AT&T dropped my unlimited data because their system doesn't recognize the GNex as a compatible smartphone. They won't reactivate my data plan until my SIM is in an AT&T recognized smartphone.
Update: I got a better service rep today and she restored my Unlimited data and confirmed that using an unlocked device is allowed, but the combination of returning an AT&T device then picking up an unknown IMEI may be to blame. I got a verbal agreement to reverse the charges, but the rep was unable to do so until a bill with them is generated. So I will call back on my bill date to confirm.

Tell them its BS, as I've used Euro phones on AT&T for years and they never dropped my data.
Also, I've since left AT&T in December for Verizon, the network seems better/more stable, but the nexus has had voice quality issues for 5 months and they've been procrastinating on fixing it. (yay for xda, which has solved most of my issues)

VinceT3 said:
Tell them its BS, as I've used Euro phones on AT&T for years and they never dropped my data.
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What gets me is that this is clearly a customer service rep that messed me up. I had the SIM in the GNex prior to the 7th when I returned the Note. My data wasn't changed until after I returned the Note.
Also I had an N1 for over a year just after it was released. This never happened then. My suspicion is that I got a bad combo of a stupid rep and AT&T trying to crack down on users with unlimited plans.

I have at&t also. They are a bunch of money grubbing... well...
Here is your solution...
If this is your own line, itll still work, but is cheaper with a family plan.
Step one: Quit buying ATT Branded Phones. This is stupid, you pay more over the course of use. 30 bucks for 3 gigs? fuuuuck that.
Step two: get a IMEI From ANY Other non ATT Phone. Buy a 20 dollar junker off ebay. It HAS TO be a dumb phone. with a WAP Browser.
Step three: register that with ATT, tell them you want the wap data plan for your dumb phone. This is your primary and only phone as far as they are concerned. With a family plan, Unlimited WAP is 10 bucks. On your own, its 15.
Step four: wait a few days for your account to settle, or month, whenever your bill stabilizes. this is important. Dont make any more changes, as you can get hosed on price at this point.
Step five: Buy your GNEX. or Korean Galaxy Note. Or any other non ATT phone.
Step Six: Swap Sim's and setup the APN's if your rom does not come with them.
Step Seven: Enjoy your new unlimited data 10/15 dollar a month data plan on your smart phone.
a important note: Dont show any asshole at ATT your phone. Dont even mention it. Tell them you have a dumb phone. If they ask to do trouble shooting, play along. Dont do that ****. If they press for what phone you have, tell them you have a old ass Nokia. If they say your lying, tell em where to shove it.
I have 5 lines on my family plan. 1400 minutes. Unlimited messaging. Unlimited Data on all lines. 194 a month. And you get the "A list", free calls to any other network phone numbers you specify, up to 10. Needless to say, i hardly use my anytime. The only headache is getting the other idiots to pay me, even though its 38 bucks a person... peices of ****.
Have fun, dont be dumb with the ATT Reps. Make no mistake, No matter how smart you are, Stupidity will ALWAYS outsmart you.

I've never had this issue before. So what I assume happened is that the Rep cleared my IMEI on my account rather than reverting it to the one that was there before the Note.
I never had an issue when using my N1. I've never had an issue when using a dumbphone temporarily (when traveling or something like hiking where I don't want to risk damage) nor when testing my SIM in friend's phones. My guess is all other times AT&T account just used the IMEI on file, not the one it detects. If there is no IMEI on file it probably detects yours and then uses it.
Still, after I talk to the Rep tomorrow and hopefully get this cleared up I am sort of afraid to use my GNex again. I am seriously considering T-Mobile and seeing if I can get them to waive my ETF since I can't use my phone.

Also advise them they it is ILLEGAL for them to change your plan without your consent. They will correct the billing error and fix it for you. (My friend had a 6000 dollar bill for the same reason, they ate the bill as they should)

Just one of the many reasons I left AT&T 3 years ago and went to T-Mobile.

If you follow what i told you to do, you'll be a much happier ATT user... LOL
Forget the current IMEI on file. it does not matter. you need to update it to one that ATT does not have in thier database.
Trust me on this. Im a internet professional.

wyefye said:
If you follow what i told you to do, you'll be a much happier ATT user... LOL
Forget the current IMEI on file. it does not matter. you need to update it to one that ATT does not have in thier database.
Trust me on this. Im a internet professional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well they need to have one on file. You simply had them add the dumbphone as their IMEI on file so that when you swapped your SIM you kept that data plan.
They tell me that IMEI is unrecgonized as well. Because of that they dropped my smartphone unlimited plan. I am not trying to go to the the $15 dumbphone plan because I want to be able to keep my unlimited data if I ever choose to go LTE. 5Gb of LTE for $30 before throttling is pretty amazing.

Well they need to have one on file. You simply had them add the dumbphone as their IMEI on file so that when you swapped your SIM you kept that data plan.
They tell me that IMEI is unrecgonized as well. Because of that they dropped my smartphone unlimited plan. I am not trying to go to the the $15 dumbphone plan because I want to be able to keep my unlimited data if I ever choose to go LTE. 5Gb of LTE for $30 before throttling is pretty amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? you'll be transferring to a unlimited plan.
also, you realize that ATT 4G is just HSPA+, right? Everyone gets this already. they just changed the speed the 3G runs at. Plenty of documents sources on this. This is the EXACT reason ATT wanted to buy T-mobile; they have the 4G LTE Spectrum for GSM - Registered to them. In the Buyout, ATT would have acquired it, and Charged us higher prices... for upgrades... though the infrastructure already existed.
If you want REAL 4G, go for VZ.
Unrecognized is not the same as "Unsupported". you dont need a recognized phone to use thier "4G" services. You do need a recognized phone for them to tick that checkbox so you can PRETEND you have 4G, and pay more for the facade.
Your Choice.
p.s. 30 bucks for 5gb is NOT Amazing. its a ****ing scam.
OCZ RevoDrive SSD 960GB @ $3,149(most expensive SSD currently)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227742
$3.2 a GB.
ATT 5GB
$8 a GB
8 bucks a GB for false 4G? Yeah.....

The issue started when you purchased an at&t Mobility branded Galaxy Note, that IMEI became associated with your account and the DATA plan became associated to that IMEI (this is the key).
If you had simply removed the SIM from the Galaxy Note (and NOT RETURNED IT), placed it into your GNex there would not have been any issues as at&t's network could care less as you had a DATA plan and the GNex comes back as unknown to at&t's internal IMEI database.
It was the act of returning the device (which you have every right to do and I would have done the same) and not replacing it with another branded device that caused your DATA plan to fall off your account. Essentially, when you returned your NOTE, the computer saw the device removed from your account and since another device was not added to your account, the system dumped your DATA plan because nothing was re-attached to the account. If the GNex was recognized internally by at&t's systems and that IMEI was associated as a smartphone on your account, your DATA plan would have been preserved.
I had a similar issue and it took a bunch of labor on my part to fix the issue including speaking with an Engineer at at&t Mobility who had to work within the system to re-add my DATA plan without attaching an at&t Mobility branded device.
Eventually he was able to get things corrected as best I understand it, he had to find my device in the "global database" and then pull it into at&t's internal database and code it as a smartphone so that the system would re-attach my DATA plan. However, he said that some non-carrier branded smartphones do show up in at&t's internal database, but it is up to a certain department to add them and apparently that department selectively chooses devices.
I am not sure what to say, I have the luxury of working for an employer who has a personal at&t Mobility Corp Sales Rep who we can call when things go pear shaped and whose general job is to ensure that we are happy with at&t. When I had my DATA plan disappear she cut through the red tape and got me in contact with correct people to fix the issue.
I had tried to deal with normal CS at first and that was totally useless, not that I am surprised, normal CS is only capable of dealing with a certain select issues, not back end engineering which requires a different skill set and an understanding of how the system functions as a whole (this generally requires somebody with a specialized degree) to fix more complicated tasks.
Dan

wyefye said:
What? you'll be transferring to a unlimited plan.
also, you realize that ATT 4G is just HSPA+, right? Everyone gets this already. they just changed the speed the 3G runs at. Plenty of documents sources on this. This is the EXACT reason ATT wanted to buy T-mobile; they have the 4G LTE Spectrum for GSM - Registered to them. In the Buyout, ATT would have acquired it, and Charged us higher prices... for upgrades... though the infrastructure already existed.
If you want REAL 4G, go for VZ.
Unrecognized is not the same as "Unsupported". you dont need a recognized phone to use thier "4G" services. You do need a recognized phone for them to tick that checkbox so you can PRETEND you have 4G, and pay more for the facade.
Your Choice.
p.s. 30 bucks for 5gb is NOT Amazing. its a ****ing scam.
OCZ RevoDrive SSD 960GB @ $3,149(most expensive SSD currently)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227742
$3.2 a GB.
ATT 5GB
$8 a GB
8 bucks a GB for false 4G? Yeah.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T is deploying (and is fairly far along) an LTE network. IDK what speeds are like, but it is definitely not the same as their HSPA+ network.

AT&T is deploying (and is fairly far along) an LTE network. IDK what speeds are like, but it is definitely not the same as their HSPA+ network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you, but... when i look at ATT's att.com/network page, and see advertised LTE HSPA+ 4G, im far from inspired to switch.

GSM standards allow any GSM device on any GSM network. End of story.
Contact a lawyer and watch AT&T squirm. They are everything wrong with the wireless industry and overdue for a reality check.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

At&t sucks! I'll pay any other carrier double before I ever send At&t a check again. You can get those fees waved, you just have to talk to the right person. If you get someone stuck on no just hang up and call back. If its easier on you to put your sim in your other phone and then swap it back to the GN after your data plan is restored than you should do that.

Its easier to call retentions. If they can't fix it, they'll find somebody who can. Usually.
let it be.

wyefye said:
I have at&t also. They are a bunch of money grubbing... well...
Here is your solution...
If this is your own line, itll still work, but is cheaper with a family plan.
Step one: Quit buying ATT Branded Phones. This is stupid, you pay more over the course of use. 30 bucks for 3 gigs? fuuuuck that.
Step two: get a IMEI From ANY Other non ATT Phone. Buy a 20 dollar junker off ebay. It HAS TO be a dumb phone. with a WAP Browser.
Step three: register that with ATT, tell them you want the wap data plan for your dumb phone. This is your primary and only phone as far as they are concerned. With a family plan, Unlimited WAP is 10 bucks. On your own, its 15.
Step four: wait a few days for your account to settle, or month, whenever your bill stabilizes. this is important. Dont make any more changes, as you can get hosed on price at this point.
Step five: Buy your GNEX. or Korean Galaxy Note. Or any other non ATT phone.
Step Six: Swap Sim's and setup the APN's if your rom does not come with them.
Step Seven: Enjoy your new unlimited data 10/15 dollar a month data plan on your smart phone.
a important note: Dont show any asshole at ATT your phone. Dont even mention it. Tell them you have a dumb phone. If they ask to do trouble shooting, play along. Dont do that ****. If they press for what phone you have, tell them you have a old ass Nokia. If they say your lying, tell em where to shove it.
I have 5 lines on my family plan. 1400 minutes. Unlimited messaging. Unlimited Data on all lines. 194 a month. And you get the "A list", free calls to any other network phone numbers you specify, up to 10. Needless to say, i hardly use my anytime. The only headache is getting the other idiots to pay me, even though its 38 bucks a person... peices of ****.
Have fun, dont be dumb with the ATT Reps. Make no mistake, No matter how smart you are, Stupidity will ALWAYS outsmart you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did EXACTLY this when I bought my Nokia 5800 xpressmusic and my Nokia C6-01.. works like a charm and the speeds are the same.

wyefye said:
What? you'll be transferring to a unlimited plan.
also, you realize that ATT 4G is just HSPA+, right? Everyone gets this already. they just changed the speed the 3G runs at. Plenty of documents sources on this. This is the EXACT reason ATT wanted to buy T-mobile; they have the 4G LTE Spectrum for GSM - Registered to them. In the Buyout, ATT would have acquired it, and Charged us higher prices... for upgrades... though the infrastructure already existed.
If you want REAL 4G, go for VZ.
Unrecognized is not the same as "Unsupported". you dont need a recognized phone to use thier "4G" services. You do need a recognized phone for them to tick that checkbox so you can PRETEND you have 4G, and pay more for the facade.
Your Choice.
p.s. 30 bucks for 5gb is NOT Amazing. its a ****ing scam.
OCZ RevoDrive SSD 960GB @ $3,149(most expensive SSD currently)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227742
$3.2 a GB.
ATT 5GB
$8 a GB
8 bucks a GB for false 4G? Yeah.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is false information. AT&T LTE exists and is very real. HSPA+ and LTE are very different on AT&T. With my Infuse and GNex (and the Note when not in LTE) I get about 5-7Mbps. My area has LTE and when in LTE coverage on the Note I was regularly getting 35Mbps or higher. My highest speed was 52Mbps.
Also comparing the cost of storage on an SSD to the cost of internet bandwidth is a nonsense comparison. Solid state storage should always be cheaper than data transfer. Why didn't you compare a 500Gb platter? That should run you about $0.10 per gigabyte. And you've missed the mark on the AT&T pricing we are discussing. The LTE unlimited still costs $30 and throttles at 5Gb. So that is actually $6 per Gb unthrottled. Try comparing it to home internet providers maybe.

wyefye said:
What? you'll be transferring to a unlimited plan.
also, you realize that ATT 4G is just HSPA+, right? Everyone gets this already. they just changed the speed the 3G runs at. Plenty of documents sources on this. This is the EXACT reason ATT wanted to buy T-mobile; they have the 4G LTE Spectrum for GSM - Registered to them. In the Buyout, ATT would have acquired it, and Charged us higher prices... for upgrades... though the infrastructure already existed.
If you want REAL 4G, go for VZ.
Unrecognized is not the same as "Unsupported". you dont need a recognized phone to use thier "4G" services. You do need a recognized phone for them to tick that checkbox so you can PRETEND you have 4G, and pay more for the facade.
Your Choice.
p.s. 30 bucks for 5gb is NOT Amazing. its a ****ing scam.
OCZ RevoDrive SSD 960GB @ $3,149(most expensive SSD currently)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227742
$3.2 a GB.
ATT 5GB
$8 a GB
8 bucks a GB for false 4G? Yeah.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T 4G LTE is much faster than Verizon 4G LTE in my experience. (I have both)

This is false information. AT&T LTE exists and is very real. HSPA+ and LTE are very different on AT&T. With my Infuse and GNex (and the Note when not in LTE) I get about 5-7Mbps. My area has LTE and when in LTE coverage on the Note I was regularly getting 35Mbps or higher. My highest speed was 52Mbps.
Also comparing the cost of storage on an SSD to the cost of internet bandwidth is a nonsense comparison. Solid state storage should always be cheaper than data transfer. Why didn't you compare a 500Gb platter? That should run you about $1 per gigabyte. And you've missed the mark on the AT&T pricing we are discussing. The LTE unlimited still costs $30 and throttles at 5Gb. So that is actually $6 per Gb unthrottled. Try comparing it to home internet providers maybe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right, it is "Real", and does "Exist". Congrats. Not all of us live in the city, though.
I chose a SSD simply because the platter device is cheaper, for one. two, Lets compare a strictly home based internet data plan, to price per GB on ATT. Lets go with Comcast XFINITY since their similar in throttling and whatnot.
50meg is 114 a month, then add taxes and fees.
the month of May is 2,678,400 seconds...
convert 50mbps to MB a second is 6.25 MB/s
2,678,400 Seconds x 6.25MB/s
16,740,000 MB in the month...
16,347.6562 GB in a month...
15.964508 TB in a month...(just for scale)
Total cost per GB of home internet provided you are fully maxed out and no throttling....
0.0069622572370832 cents per GB.
Compared to ATT's...
$8 dollars per GB?!?! (op's 5BG)
But... lets not forget operating costs, upgrade fees, costs of network towers... and all that expensive throttling equipment. needs to be payed for somehow, right?
dont forget how much the CEO's Pockets cost!
Also, in reality, you cant compare HD's or Home internet... they are not the same technology....