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I made this thread a long time ago but now that its coming out to tmobile soon and there is more information about it there are likely to be more reasons for people to think it will or will not require a data plan.
According to this http://www.tmonews.com/2009/05/small-changes-to-datamessaging-plans/ it will...but we really won't know until it is released.
Don't buy it from tmobile. You should be able to use tzones with touch pro2 if purchased from ebay/craigslist.
I'm making a guess here that you are thinking of using wifi for data purposes? Unless you are careful to turn off all data you will suck up a months cost in data in less than a day. Possibly more. I had my data turned off while I was in between phones using my backup for a few weeks. When the NAM unlocked diamond became available I purchased it at about 7pm. I spaced the data and turned it on at 10am the next morning. I did little other than fiddle with the phone for an hour or so in the evening while it was charging and then an hour or so in the morning before I called in to get my data back up. That was 47 bucks and all I did was open opera to scope it out, set up my email and exchanged a few, set up the weather, about it. Didn't dl any videos or anything of that nature. I'm guessing that tmo or AT&T (should they pick it up) will require a data plan and of course you can do what you want if you buy unlocked. Realistically I think while data may not required its not a bad idea.
krabman said:
I'm making a guess here that you are thinking of using wifi for data purposes? Unless you are careful to turn off all data you will suck up a months cost in data in less than a day. Possibly more. I had my data turned off while I was in between phones using my backup for a few weeks. When the NAM unlocked diamond became available I purchased it at about 7pm. I spaced the data and turned it on at 10am the next morning. I did little other than fiddle with the phone for an hour or so in the evening while it was charging and then an hour or so in the morning before I called in to get my data back up. That was 47 bucks and all I did was open opera to scope it out, set up my email and exchanged a few, set up the weather, about it. Didn't dl any videos or anything of that nature. I'm guessing that tmo or AT&T (should they pick it up) will require a data plan and of course you can do what you want if you buy unlocked. Realistically I think while data may not required its not a bad idea.
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But the thing is that no WM phone has ever needed a data plan before, and also wm phones cost a lot more than other phones that do require data plans like the G1,or iphone, and would be very disapointed if it requires a data plan because I don't really have a use for one espcially cause I have wifi around me almost all day.
99.9% of phone companies will not activate without a smartphone plan.
Which a data plan is part of the smartphone plan.
So unless you're with one of those 0.1% of companies that do not require it themselves,
then you will need a data plan.
It is not the phone, it is the company.
codybear said:
99.9% of phone companies will not activate without a smartphone plan.
Which a data plan is part of the smartphone plan.
So unless you're with one of those 0.1% of companies that do not require it themselves,
then you will need a data plan.
It is not the phone, it is the company.
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Are you talking about in the future? cause so far I don't think any wm phones have required data plans, so does that mean the touch pro 2 will be in the 0.1%? I really hope it is
Things are definitely trending towards requiring data plans for data-centric phones. The companies claim they don't want consumers to be accidentally caught in massive per-kb charges or to miss out on the phone's functionality, but the real reason is precisely what the OP is planning to do--just use wifi. I'm hoping for that option as well. That's precisely the reason that carriers were so reluctant to allow wifi on phones in the first place. Plenty of manufacturers were willing to put it in years ago--pre-iPhone, but the carriers didn't want people using wifi to avoid their data plans.
Although the common wisdom on many forums seems to be that going without a data plan for phones like this doesn't make any sense, the common wisdom is, as you'd expect wrong. Or at least wrong for some people. Plenty of people have wifi at home, work, school and most of the places they hang out, and also have a data-use pattern that doesn't require 24/7 data access.
Carriers subsidize the phones, and then make their money back on monthly contract plans. It's only very recently that viable and broadly appealing pay as you go plans have been worth looking at. Anyway, now that data is so much more pervasive, it's becoming part of how Carriers decide on how much to subsidize a phone. They can either figure what percentage of people will get data, and calculate the subsidy from that, or they can require data and not mess with figuring percentages.
WinMo is a great platform to go data-less, because you can alter the winmo registry using a program like NoData, and actually turn off the carrier data radios, to ensure that there's no data access happening in the background running up per-kb charges.
Personally, I'm looking at TP2 with ATT, and I haven't yet heard whether they have plans to require data or not. Or whether any such requirement is attached to the phone itself, or just the 2-year contract price.
fortunz said:
Things are definitely trending towards requiring data plans for data-centric phones. The companies claim they don't want consumers to be accidentally caught in massive per-kb charges or to miss out on the phone's functionality, but the real reason is precisely what the OP is planning to do--just use wifi. I'm hoping for that option as well. That's precisely the reason that carriers were so reluctant to allow wifi on phones in the first place. Plenty of manufacturers were willing to put it in years ago--pre-iPhone, but the carriers didn't want people using wifi to avoid their data plans.
Although the common wisdom on many forums seems to be that going without a data plan for phones like this doesn't make any sense, the common wisdom is, as you'd expect wrong. Or at least wrong for some people. Plenty of people have wifi at home, work, school and most of the places they hang out, and also have a data-use pattern that doesn't require 24/7 data access.
Carriers subsidize the phones, and then make their money back on monthly contract plans. It's only very recently that viable and broadly appealing pay as you go plans have been worth looking at. Anyway, now that data is so much more pervasive, it's becoming part of how Carriers decide on how much to subsidize a phone. They can either figure what percentage of people will get data, and calculate the subsidy from that, or they can require data and not mess with figuring percentages.
WinMo is a great platform to go data-less, because you can alter the winmo registry using a program like NoData, and actually turn off the carrier data radios, to ensure that there's no data access happening in the background running up per-kb charges.
Personally, I'm looking at TP2 with ATT, and I haven't yet heard whether they have plans to require data or not. Or whether any such requirement is attached to the phone itself, or just the 2-year contract price.
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EXACTLY!!! Its just another way of them to get money out of customers, if somebody really needed a data plan they could just get one themselves. But I think its likely that this phone wont need one cause no wm phone has ever needed one, so it probably won't, but I just wanted to know other people's opinions on this cause its not like its impossible.
^I'm not aware if any Tmob store requireing data plans where I live...hopefully they won't in the future.
Sprint just tweeted about the Pre: The Pre requires an Everything Data plan - SERO plans will need upgrade to Everything Plus plan or other Everything Data (450/900/S.E.).
So I'm guessing there is a good chance they will make the same bonehead move for the TP2. This will probably affect my ability to upgrade.
ajbopp said:
Sprint just tweeted about the Pre: The Pre requires an Everything Data plan - SERO plans will need upgrade to Everything Plus plan or other Everything Data (450/900/S.E.).
So I'm guessing there is a good chance they will make the same bonehead move for the TP2. This will probably affect my ability to upgrade.
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It's possible, but don't forget the Pre is not just a Sprint exclusive, it's one of the most talked about Sprint exclusives that I can remember. They're putting a lot more effort into that phone than they will for the multi-carrier TP2, as such, they might be expecting to get more out of each sale.
fortunz said:
It's possible, but don't forget the Pre is not just a Sprint exclusive, it's one of the most talked about Sprint exclusives that I can remember. They're putting a lot more effort into that phone than they will for the multi-carrier TP2, as such, they might be expecting to get more out of each sale.
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That's a good point about the exclusivity. I hadn't considered that. Well, we'll just have to wait and see. I don't expect to see TP2 from Sprint before November in any case, so there's lot's of time I want to NOT spending worrying about it
ajbopp said:
That's a good point about the exclusivity. I hadn't considered that. Well, we'll just have to wait and see. I don't expect to see TP2 from Sprint before November in any case, so there's lot's of time I want to NOT spending worrying about it
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One other thing that does make me think that this phone will not require a data plan is that the G1 for example, cost 180 with a new contract, but requires a data plan, and then phones like the fuze, are over 300 with a data plan and doesn't require a data plan, maybe that is part of the benefit of getting a pricier phone, no data plan required, kinda like if a printer sells for cheap usually the ink is expensive, and if the printer cost more it's probably priced more reasonably. so even though a lot of phones do require a data plan maybe the reason wm phones don't is cause they cost so much more.
i want to get the TP2 on the verizon network.. does anyone know if they are going to charge for a data plan??? iv never had a winmo phone b4.
Lw00d said:
i want to get the TP2 on the verizon network.. does anyone know if they are going to charge for a data plan??? iv never had a winmo phone b4.
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LOL...Verizon is just getting set to come out with the original TP. I wouldn't look for the 2nd gen version of it from them for at least a year.
Then again, I'm the guy who said Sprint wouldn't come out with it before November, so you know how far you can take my word on things!
ajbopp said:
LOL...Verizon is just getting set to come out with the original TP. I wouldn't look for the 2nd gen version of it from them for at least a year.
Then again, I'm the guy who said Sprint wouldn't come out with it before November, so you know how far you can take my word on things!
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if you read the post that i made.. you will see that FCC is testing two CDMA TP2. one of those phone is going to verizon.
Lw00d said:
if you read the post that i made.. you will see that FCC is testing two CDMA TP2. one of those phone is going to verizon.
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I don't recall the article being very clear about one of them being Verizon, just mentioned as a possibility.
I heard that the touch pro 2 will require a data plan and I was wondering if anyone knows if there will be a way around it, or if an unlocked version will also require a data plan?
It is supposed to come out in about a week or so so i was wondering if anyone had more information about this
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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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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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.
Okay, for those of you who haven't fired up your favorite tech-news site yet, AT&T announced that they are doing away with their $30/month unlimited data plan. Instead, we are going to have to pay $25/month for 2GB..... What the %^[email protected]?????? On average, do we consume more than 2GB/month of data on our Rhodiums? Between the browsing, streaming, and navigation programs I use, I'm not sure what my total data uses are. Please, someone calm me down and tell me that I'm going to be okay. ...yeah, but seriously, dang.........this sucks.......
*****UPDATE******
I called AT&T customer support and found out that they are not forcing existing customers off unlimited. You have until June, 7th to get the unlimited plan, after that it is gone forever! Like I said, if you have it now, you're still good.
I saw that this morning too, it's the final straw. When they go to change it I will tell them I've a Customer since 1995 (SWB Wireless) , and I will be changing carriers. I've been unhappy since the merger everything has gone down hill. Also I will inform them since they are violating the contract I signed up for, they shouldn't be charging a breach of contract fee, but even at that, if they do I will gladly pay the $250 and tell them to shove it up their USB port !
AT&T Plan
I read the release. This is only for new customers and current customer will not be forced to move to their new plans. I tried an iPhone earlier this year. If this new plan had been in place, AT&T wouldn't have even been a consideration for me.
Are you kidding me? Not only they are charging me twice now as I used to pay for the same internet because I have a "smart" phone but now they want to kill us with this ?
Time to look for a new carrier....
I have Unlimted Text & Internet for dumbphone on my Fuze (and now my Tmobile TP2) for 30/month (with 5GB cap). My tilt 2 is in the mail. Hopefully when I switch to my tilt 2 they wont add a data plan to my account...
As stated above this change ONLY applies to NEW contracts....if your currently on the unlimited data plan then this will NOT affect you I only hope they're going to use this time that they're trying to buy to improve their data speed and coverage.
My personal opnion is the problems they're having is from all the iphone and ipad sheeple choking down the network with the gazillions of stupid useless apps they're downloading with no clue as to what they do other than "billybob down the street said this is a good ap to have" meanwhile it's got their phone runing as a proxy server for billybob to exploit.
shaolin95 said:
Are you kidding me? Not only they are charging me twice now as I used to pay for the same internet because I have a "smart" phone but now they want to kill us with this ?
Time to look for a new carrier....
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I know, did the same when I switch from my tilt to the tilt2. Made me upgrade from old $15 unlimited data plan because "All new phone have to go to this." And now this? WT*?! I definitely will pay the money and go t-mobile and get the hd2 anyway else or verizon or sumthg.
I like how they keep screwing the customer and saying it's for the customer's benefit. AT&T is the new Verizon. Looks like it's time to start considering Sprint and T-Mobile now. AT&T is clearly down a path to screw customers while not improving service. They will continue to keep pulling these stunts until it's made very public and they are forced to get defensive about what they are doing.
f'ing bastards.
McHale said:
I like how they keep screwing the customer and saying it's for the customer's benefit. AT&T is the new Verizon. Looks like it's time to start considering Sprint and T-Mobile now. AT&T is clearly down a path to screw customers while not improving service. They will continue to keep pulling these stunts until it's made very public and they are forced to get defensive about what they are doing.
f'ing bastards.
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So I just read that if you still have the plan you are cool at least until you need to upgrade again, is that right?
I've been with them about 10 yrs now, and it seems that way. Alot less and charge you more while only worry bout Apple.
The rep that I spoke with on the phone said that they were doing this to satisfy the customers that did not want to pay the $30/month requirement for smartphones. They will have two rates $25/month for 2GB and $15/month for 220MB. This way, one could get a new phone and just pay the $15/month to have a nice, new smartphone. That's my theory anyway.
shaolin95 said:
So I just read that if you still have the plan you are cool at least until you need to upgrade again, is that right?
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If you read all of the info, and read AT&T's announcment it says that even at RENEWAL AND UPGRADE old users will be able to keep the unlimited. Also if you look at your account online, it will give you a chart for all of your internet usage since November 2009. You can see how much you use. Many will decide that unlimited is a waste and will "downgrade" to the 2 GB plan and save $5. Heck my wife loves the smart phone, but rarely uses any of the data features except a few emails... now she can get the $15 plan and save quite a bit each month.
Look at your usage, I would bet that you use much, much less than you think you do.
They also have a usage estimator. It is extremely difficult to hit 2 GB unless you a) stream (lots) of music or b) stream video. Normal net surfing and the occasional app download and tons of email fit very comfortably under the cap.
For me, I will be keeping my unlimited plan, but the wifes phone is definitely getting downgraded to the cheaper plan. Thank you AT&T.
boufa said:
If you read all of the info, and read AT&T's announcment it says that even at RENEWAL AND UPGRADE old users will be able to keep the unlimited. Also if you look at your account online, it will give you a chart for all of your internet usage since November 2009. You can see how much you use. Many will decide that unlimited is a waste and will "downgrade" to the 2 GB plan and save $5. Heck my wife loves the smart phone, but rarely uses any of the data features except a few emails... now she can get the $15 plan and save quite a bit each month.
Look at your usage, I would bet that you use much, much less than you think you do.
They also have a usage estimator. It is extremely difficult to hit 2 GB unless you a) stream (lots) of music or b) stream video. Normal net surfing and the occasional app download and tons of email fit very comfortably under the cap.
For me, I will be keeping my unlimited plan, but the wifes phone is definitely getting downgraded to the cheaper plan. Thank you AT&T.
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I stream video A LOT....going to work and coming back home I am normally watching some youtube old comedies like Unhappily ever after , etc so I may not be going with their lower rate plan.
dressanderc said:
The rep that I spoke with on the phone said that they were doing this to satisfy the customers that did not want to pay the $30/month requirement for smartphones. They will have two rates $25/month for 2GB and $15/month for 220MB. This way, one could get a new phone and just pay the $15/month to have a nice, new smartphone. That's my theory anyway.
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which is a bull**** answer because if that were the case, they'd keep the unlimited option and add these to their portfolio.
It has been confirmed that you can keep your unlimited plan but that's until you upgrade your phone or your minute plan. This has always been the case.
F'n greedy ignorant bastards.
-Mc
boufa said:
If you read all of the info, and read AT&T's announcment it says that even at RENEWAL AND UPGRADE old users will be able to keep the unlimited.
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I just renewed my family's 2-year contracts with unlimited data on 3 devices.
From the quote above, after my two year contacts expire, I can do an equipment upgrade and still keep my unlimited data plans. Is that correct?
By the time my 2-year contracts expires, I'm sure there will be alot of changes and other options to consider. Other carriers may be offering iPhones by then (for my wife and son), and I really don't like the direction that Windows Moble is going right now.
For me, a different carrier and a different device may be in order at the end of my current contract.
boufa said:
For me, I will be keeping my unlimited plan, but the wifes phone is definitely getting downgraded to the cheaper plan. Thank you AT&T.
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I thought about this a well. I checked my family's data usage.
My son uses a over a gigabyte of data a month on his iPhone.
I come in at just under a gigabyte on my Tilt2, but only because I'm more diligent about using WiFi or other data connections instead of 3G whenever possible.
My wife, on the other hand, averages about 150 to 200Kilobytes per month on her iPhone... which is the threshold for the new basic data plan.
So, will I be switch her to the cheaper plan? Probably not, considering that she has only had her iPhone for a couple of months. Chances are her data usage will only grow as she discovers better and more efficient ways to use her phone.
dressanderc said:
The rep that I spoke with on the phone said that they were doing this to satisfy the customers that did not want to pay the $30/month requirement for smartphones. They will have two rates $25/month for 2GB and $15/month for 220MB. This way, one could get a new phone and just pay the $15/month to have a nice, new smartphone. That's my theory anyway.
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No, they are doing it because they don't have enough network capacity for all the smartphones they have sold. They are trying to keep people from using the bandwidth by making it expensive.
AT&T has been in a lot of hot water because their service has suffered due to their being the only network that offers the IPhone. From what I read, San Francisco and New York are having major problems with bandwidth.
Verizon started charging 9.95 a month for each smart phone. for a limited amount of data. They only have 4 phones that don't get charged that. We switched from Verizon because it would have cost me an extra 30 a month for my 3 kids who dont even go on the internet to have a decent phone to text. Maybe they are all going this route
if they're trying to save bandwidth, then maybe forcing data plans on people wasn't such a smart idea.
Those idiots can't have it both ways as hard as they lie... I mean TRY.
F'n AT&T morons.
McHale said:
I like how they keep screwing the customer and saying it's for the customer's benefit. AT&T is the new Verizon. Looks like it's time to start considering Sprint and T-Mobile now. AT&T is clearly down a path to screw customers while not improving service. They will continue to keep pulling these stunts until it's made very public and they are forced to get defensive about what they are doing.
f'ing bastards.
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Click to collapse
McHale said:
which is a bull**** answer because if that were the case, they'd keep the unlimited option and add these to their portfolio.
It has been confirmed that you can keep your unlimited plan but that's until you upgrade your phone or your minute plan. This has always been the case.
F'n greedy ignorant bastards.
-Mc
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McHale said:
if they're trying to save bandwidth, then maybe forcing data plans on people wasn't such a smart idea.
hose idiots can't have it both ways as hard as they lie... I mean TRY.
F'n AT&T morons.
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I don't believe that McHale likes AT&T that much
Does this mean I can get out of my 2yr contract w/o any ETF?!
I feel like I could argue with AT&T to get out of it w/o any fees...
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
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
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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!
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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..
Click to expand...
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/
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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..