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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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Is access to marketplace and zune pass on the device dependant on the IMEI of the phone?
I had an unlocked TP2 with a $15 unlimited data plan from ATT, when I bought the focus, ATT input this new IMEI into their system and my data plan is now $15 for 200mb. If access to these features is not IMEI dependant I would like to get my unlimited plan back...
Thanks in advance for the help.
chizzwhizz said:
Is access to marketplace and zune pass on the device dependant on the IMEI of the phone?
I had an unlocked TP2 with a $15 unlimited data plan from ATT, when I bought the focus, ATT input this new IMEI into their system and my data plan is now $15 for 200mb. If access to these features is not IMEI dependant I would like to get my unlimited plan back...
Thanks in advance for the help.
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Click to collapse
it only looks at your email (your phone is connected to your email,xboxlive )
it doesn't look at your imei
AT&T shafted you. This has nothing to do with Microsoft or even Windows Phone 7. Unless you gave them permission to change your plan, you should call back and get your old plan back.
chizzwhizz said:
Is access to marketplace and zune pass on the device dependant on the IMEI of the phone?
I had an unlocked TP2 with a $15 unlimited data plan from ATT, when I bought the focus, ATT input this new IMEI into their system and my data plan is now $15 for 200mb. If access to these features is not IMEI dependant I would like to get my unlimited plan back...
Thanks in advance for the help.
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Click to collapse
$15 Unlimited Data Plans are for Feature Phones, not Smartphones.
You phone sends off your IMEI to AT&T whenever it connects to the network. Since you put a SIM Card from a Feature Phone into a Smartphone, they automatically upgraded you to a 200MB Smartphone data plan.
Call AT&T. If you're on a contract you HAVE to have a Smartphone data plan if you put that SIM in a Smartphone. There's no way to get around it. If you get them to change it back (i.e. tell them you're going to just use you feature phone), the minute your phone connects to the network again, it will check the IMEI and if the SIM is in the smartphone it will simply upgrade you to a smartphone data plan again.
I made a huge post about this in another thread talking about getting a WP7 device without a data plan in that forum. My mom did that and wondered why her bill went from $80 to $120 in less than a month a while back
RustyGrom said:
AT&T shafted you. This has nothing to do with Microsoft or even Windows Phone 7. Unless you gave them permission to change your plan, you should call back and get your old plan back.
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Click to collapse
Incorrect. It's common knowledge that Feature Phone Data Plans are incompatible with smartphones and that a smartphone data plan is required if you use a smartphone on contract. It's in the contract. It's in you contract too. Might want to read it.
They reserve the right to change you service if you use an incompatible device with you contract (i.e. alter you contract to compliance), and they reserve the right to add services onto you contract if you use them (i.e. if you tether without a tethering plan, they will add the tethering plan to you contract).
AT&T didn't shaft him, he just got himself kapwnd trying to shaft AT&T.
Nice try, but no cigar.
T-Mobile would do the same thing, and CDMA carriers would require you to upgrade you plan if you try to swap out a feature phone for a smart phone. Call Sprint, smarty, and see what they tell you about this (I've had all 4 carriers ).
Do you seriously think carriers are so dumb as to leave such an odd profit-killing loophole in their systems?
N8ter said:
$15 Unlimited Data Plans are for Feature Phones, not Smartphones.
You phone sends off your IMEI to AT&T whenever it connects to the network. Since you put a SIM Card from a Feature Phone into a Smartphone, they automatically upgraded you to a 200MB Smartphone data plan.
Call AT&T. If you're on a contract you HAVE to have a Smartphone data plan if you put that SIM in a Smartphone. There's no way to get around it. If you get them to change it back (i.e. tell them you're going to just use you feature phone), the minute your phone connects to the network again, it will check the IMEI and if the SIM is in the smartphone it will simply upgrade you to a smartphone data plan again.
I made a huge post about this in another thread talking about getting a WP7 device without a data plan in that forum. My mom did that and wondered why her bill went from $80 to $120 in less than a month a while back
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it still amazes me how cheap people are with this. You will spend 600 bucks on a device but expect not to pay for the plan.
Y'all have been getting around the data for quite a while now and it finally looks like the cellular companies are catching up to you.
nrfitchett4 said:
it still amazes me how cheap people are with this. You will spend 600 bucks on a device but expect not to pay for the plan.
Y'all have been getting around the data for quite a while now and it finally looks like the cellular companies are catching up to you.
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The carriers have been doing that for years. I think it's too late to even consider ignorance a valid excuse, especially when you have other people sprouting around invalid information and posters are allergic to forum search (the thread I posted in probably would have popped up in the results).
The truth and the matter is, someone with an Unlimited Feature Phone plan probably never uses more than 200MB data a month anyways, and a smartphone can do 10x that easily. Can probably do over 200MB just with passive Syncing if you have busy email/facebook/twitter accounts. In that case, marketing the data plans for feature phones as "Unlimited" is nice from a strategic standpoint once the person is locked into a contract they either have to pay AT&T/Verizon's enourmous ETF Fee (which they increased from $200 to $325 or 350, one of the two) to move to another carrier, or simply upgrade to the smartphone data plans (and for anyone who even moderately uses their device - 200MB is NOT going to cut it on a fairly recent smartphone).
200MB smartphone data plans are for people who have smartphones but use them like feature phones - you know, the people who think the phone is pretty but don't even have an email/facebook/twitter/etc. acocunt linked up with it (except maybe a google or live account, but they never use it and just make and recieve calls on the phone, and maybe some texts).
Well i'm not on contract with att anymore, my two years ended about 4 months ago...didnt upgrade or anything. I bought my phone out of contract. But i got my unlimited plan for feature phones back so i'm happy. It's not about being cheap...i make more than enough money in a year. It just doesnt make sense to charge $15 for 200mb knowing full well that anyone with a smartphone will use over 200mb in a month and then charge $10 for every mb over...
chizzwhizz said:
Well i'm not on contract with att anymore, my two years ended about 4 months ago...didnt upgrade or anything. I bought my phone out of contract. But i got my unlimited plan for feature phones back so i'm happy. It's not about being cheap...i make more than enough money in a year. It just doesnt make sense to charge $15 for 200mb knowing full well that anyone with a smartphone will use over 200mb in a month and then charge $10 for every mb over...
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isn't that why they offer a 2gb plan???
what are y'all gonna due when sim cards become unremovable???
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/17/gsm-association-proposes-embedded-sim-cards-with-remote-activati/
I am worried about the same thing.
I presently use HP Ipaq 614C and have 30USD a month unlimited data plan.. I want to buy unlocked HTC Surround since its almost the same price if I buy locked one from AtnT (I dont qualify for contract upgrade as I just renewed a two year contract with them 2 months back).
I am worried once I get unlocked HTC Surround from expansys-usa.. and put my SIM card in their.. wether they will change my 30USD per month unlimited data plan to 30USD per month 2GB LIMITED data plan..
I have read one more poster writing about it, about how once he put his sim, his data plan was changed from unlimited to 2GB limited data plan..
Purple11 said:
I am worried about the same thing.
I presently use HP Ipaq 614C and have 30USD a month unlimited data plan.. I want to buy unlocked HTC Surround since its almost the same price if I buy locked one from AtnT (I dont qualify for contract upgrade as I just renewed a two year contract with them 2 months back).
I am worried once I get unlocked HTC Surround from expansys-usa.. and put my SIM card in their.. wether they will change my 30USD per month unlimited data plan to 30USD per month 2GB LIMITED data plan..
I have read one more poster writing about it, about how once he put his sim, his data plan was changed from unlimited to 2GB limited data plan..
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Click to collapse
if you already have a smartphone unlimited data plan, they shouldn't change it and if they do, I would call and make them change it back. The other poster had a featurephone data plan that was not compatible with the new phone.
Purple11 said:
I am worried about the same thing.
I presently use HP Ipaq 614C and have 30USD a month unlimited data plan.. I want to buy unlocked HTC Surround since its almost the same price if I buy locked one from AtnT (I dont qualify for contract upgrade as I just renewed a two year contract with them 2 months back).
I am worried once I get unlocked HTC Surround from expansys-usa.. and put my SIM card in their.. wether they will change my 30USD per month unlimited data plan to 30USD per month 2GB LIMITED data plan..
I have read one more poster writing about it, about how once he put his sim, his data plan was changed from unlimited to 2GB limited data plan..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different situation, buddy.
AT&T used to have $30 unlimited Data Plans before they changed it. If you upgrade your phone, you get to keep your $30 unlimited Data Plan.
They call this being "Grandfathered in." Sprint did the same with SERO plans, and other carriers do the same with older plans that they have phased out.
You don't have to do anything. You just put your SIM card in the new phone and you'll still have $30 unlimited data plan, until you cancel your contract/service, then for a new line you won't have that option.
We aren't even talking about what you're talking about.
We're talking about someone trying to use a cheap feature phone plan with a smartphone, not someone who thinks he's going to lose his grandfathered unlimited data plan if he switches phones.
To the OP, it doesn't matter if your contract is out. The AT&T system sees that you have x Minutes, x SMS/MMS, and Unlimited Feature Phone data plan. When you turn your phone on with your SIM card in it, it checks the phone's IMEI to make sure it's a feature phone or dumb phone (basically the same, feature phones just have bigger screans and oftentimes QWERTY keyboards or touchscreens). If you don't, they change it to the Smartphone plan.
Since a Smartphone cannot be used with that plan, they are potentially saving you money by automatically switching you over to a smartphone data plan, because otherwise all the data you use on the smartphone would count as overages. Fortunately for you, they have tiered data plans, and it's $15 instead of 30.
If they had just let you get all the overages, you'd be paying a lot more than $15 for it and since it's explicitely written in your contract/terms that you cannot use that phone with that data plan, you'd have no choice but to pay up. That is Cell Phone Service 101. Most people who pay attention know there is a distinct difference between feature phone and smartphone plans. They aren't even called the same thing on the AT&T website, or on your bill.
nrfitchett4 said:
isn't that why they offer a 2gb plan???
what are y'all gonna due when sim cards become unremovable???
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/17/gsm-association-proposes-embedded-sim-cards-with-remote-activati/
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Click to collapse
Rejoice that when someone steals a GSM smartphone it will no longer be equivalent to them hitting eBay lottery? They should have started doing this a long time ago, IMO.
i understand what you guys are saying but why was it that when i went from my razr to an unlocked touch pro 2 (feature phone to smartphone), my data plan didnt change? even when att introduced the tiered plans, my data plan didnt change.
chizzwhizz said:
i understand what you guys are saying but why was it that when i went from my razr to an unlocked touch pro 2 (feature phone to smartphone), my data plan didnt change? even when att introduced the tiered plans, my data plan didnt change.
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you were lucky???
I really don't know. Carriers are getting better at being able to tell what phone you are using these days. Used to be that they couldn't tell at all. Now, a lot of phones can transmit the imei number back to the carrier that they can now check against a database to see what type of phone it is.
More like "every phone."
nrfitchett4 said:
you were lucky???
I really don't know. Carriers are getting better at being able to tell what phone you are using these days. Used to be that they couldn't tell at all. Now, a lot of phones can transmit the imei number back to the carrier that they can now check against a database to see what type of phone it is.
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Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
ceesheim said:
it only looks at your email (your phone is connected to your email,xboxlive )
it doesn't look at your imei
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Click to collapse
It checks a serial code stored in the device's rom for market, zune, xbl,.etc.
Live account is used to access services, ofc. Microsoft can ban phonea by serial though, which is exactly what will happen to every phone using a ported rom (i.e. Hd2s running wp7).
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
It checks a serial code stored in the device's rom for market, zune, xbl,.etc.
Live account is used to access services, ofc. Microsoft can ban phonea by serial though, which is exactly what will happen to every phone using a ported rom (i.e. Hd2s running wp7).
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
we don't know that for sure , I have 2 hd7 (direct from O2 online) and one of them couldn't be activated (email) so I called O2 for the code ( 5 times 5 numbers) but they couldn't help me .
they told me that the phone wasn't activated for some reason at Microsoft.
I called Microsoft and tolled the story and they say " gif us a email and wait 2 min , we are generating an code for you " LOL phone was unlocked and I could use the email.
I called again to activate that same phone with an different email and I got a different code and that one worked to
I think that if you have a hd2 with a ported rom you just have to call Microsoft and ask them to unlock your email for it and after that you can do the same as a real wp7 phone.
ceesheim said:
we don't know that for sure , I have 2 hd7 (direct from O2 online) and one of them couldn't be activated (email) so I called O2 for the code ( 5 times 5 numbers) but they couldn't help me .
they told me that the phone wasn't activated for some reason at Microsoft.
I called Microsoft and tolled the story and they say " gif us a email and wait 2 min , we are generating an code for you " LOL phone was unlocked and I could use the email.
I called again to activate that same phone with an different email and I got a different code and that one worked to
I think that if you have a hd2 with a ported rom you just have to call Microsoft and ask them to unlock your email for it and after that you can do the same as a real wp7 phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes we do.
That HD7 incident you're talking about has nothing to do with what I'm talking about.
Microsoft doesn't do that by eMail address.
It uses a serial in the device's ROM. It does the same for XBox 360s and they can ban a device by serial number. They can probably do it for Zune HDs as well. It has nothing to do with you email address, otherwise you can unban yourself simply by creating a new Live ID, master resetting the phone, and putting that Windows Live ID when setting the phone up. Obviously that's an elementary loophole. It would be embarassing if they left the system that easy to circumvent...
Think through these things a bit before you make such sweeping conclusions.
Microsoft already has the infrastructure up for this. These are known facts.
An HD2 with a ported WP7 ROM won't be useful at all, except as a feature phone with a cute UI, because the system would probably ban it the minute it checked in with Microsoft's servers and sent that phony certificate (or no certificate at all in the worse case).
WP7 phones send this serial (certificate, etc.) to Microsoft's servers whenever they connect to check for updates, etc. It's like a Windows Genuine Advantage for phones, except much stronger. Apple can also block iPhones/iTouches from iTunes via the Serial number if unsupported changes are made to the firmware or the firmware is ported to an unsupported device, so it's not like this has never been done or implemented before...
The Serial/Certificate and the IMEI is pretty much all Microsoft needs to ban a phone from all their cloud services automatically. The IMEI itself is enough to tell them that you're running WP7 on a non-WP7 device (i.e. HD2), which can result in an auto-ban on the first connection attempt.
N8ter said:
Different situation, buddy.
AT&T used to have $30 unlimited Data Plans before they changed it. If you upgrade your phone, you get to keep your $30 unlimited Data Plan.
They call this being "Grandfathered in." Sprint did the same with SERO plans, and other carriers do the same with older plans that they have phased out.
You don't have to do anything. You just put your SIM card in the new phone and you'll still have $30 unlimited data plan, until you cancel your contract/service, then for a new line you won't have that option.
We aren't even talking about what you're talking about.
We're talking about someone trying to use a cheap feature phone plan with a smartphone, not someone who thinks he's going to lose his grandfathered unlimited data plan if he switches phones.
To the OP, it doesn't matter if your contract is out. The AT&T system sees that you have x Minutes, x SMS/MMS, and Unlimited Feature Phone data plan. When you turn your phone on with your SIM card in it, it checks the phone's IMEI to make sure it's a feature phone or dumb phone (basically the same, feature phones just have bigger screans and oftentimes QWERTY keyboards or touchscreens). If you don't, they change it to the Smartphone plan.
Since a Smartphone cannot be used with that plan, they are potentially saving you money by automatically switching you over to a smartphone data plan, because otherwise all the data you use on the smartphone would count as overages. Fortunately for you, they have tiered data plans, and it's $15 instead of 30.
If they had just let you get all the overages, you'd be paying a lot more than $15 for it and since it's explicitely written in your contract/terms that you cannot use that phone with that data plan, you'd have no choice but to pay up. That is Cell Phone Service 101. Most people who pay attention know there is a distinct difference between feature phone and smartphone plans. They aren't even called the same thing on the AT&T website, or on your bill.
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Thanks for the reply..
I have paid Atnt for last 4 months 30USD a month just to keep this unlimited data plan.. my battery at Ipaq died and I have been using this cheap flip phone and absolutly no data.. but I know this December I will be getting WP7 back.. so I am just paying 30USD a month every month, just to keep the plan.. and zero use of data.. one cannot even stop it 'temporarily'.. once you get it off.. you can only get 2GB limited data plan max... which I usually finish in first 10-12 days when I used my HP Ipaq614c... I play a lot of streaming music.. and heck of a data intensive financial softwares on my phone..
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...
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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...
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!
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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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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!
So I'm wanting to take the SIM out of my Mifi 4620L jetpack and use it in my HTC ONE. Drove about 40 minutes to the Verizon store since I live in a rural area hoping to pick up the phone off contract and just slap my Mifi's SIM into it. Silly me forgot about 'activating' the phone on the network and that if I did that I'd end up switching to their share everything plan and the crapfest that is. What was interesting was that they said they were NOT allowed to sell me an off contract phone from the store. I'd have to order it online or something and then when asking about if I order it online at off contract then have it set for in-store pickup 'my' phone I ordered would have to be delivered to them and that they just couldn't give me one they already had in stock. Pretty fed up with Verizon at this point. I then asked if I'd be able to buy the phone on contract - activate it - and then cancel the plan with the termination fee coming out to actually about the same price as if I pay full retail anyway and then I'd have the phone and no contract and I could just put my SIM into it and be happy and on my way. The manager lady said she wouldn't do that for me.
Well screw them cause I can do it online and such anyways. Then I realize that if I did that I'd STILL have to switch to the share everything plan. So what I am thinking about doing is asking a friend who also uses Verizon if I can buy the phone through his account on a 2 year contract then cancel the entire phone plan and everything and then try putting my hotspot's SIM into the ONE and I'd still be locked into my $50 a month for 5GB of data.
Why do I want to do this? I hardly talk over the phone and I use Google Talk for unlimited calling and texting anyway so I only need data since I get 4G LTE at home, work, and most places I visit. Oh and one other thing the brilliant retail rep told me: The Mifi SIM wouldn't even work in the HTC ONE since it's not an NFC SIM... That really irks me because yes the phone will still function! Just because I can't use NFC payments with the other SIM doesn't mean the phone won't work the way I want it to function! Anyone have experience with this or suggestions? I am NOT paying an extra $80 a month just for the privilege of using a phone. Right now I use a wifi enabled tablet connected to my hotspot as my phone and I'm happy with it - I just wanted to consolidate them into one device and use pure data.