Develop Bugs

[Q] ATT adding data?

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

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

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

[Q] AT&T grandfathered unlimited data/2gb data

I just wanted to ask others opinion on how they feel about AT&T taking away the unlimited data plan with the smart phone packages unless you got grandfathered in from having the unlimited data before all this took place.
Well for many many months i have wondered why i didnt get grandfathered in because i had the unlimited before with WM6.5, well they failed to mention it to me and i thought i still had it, but come to find out i got put on the 2gb plan and havent went over the limit for a long time. The past couple months i have went over and got txt saying i reached 75% of my data then 100% and was being charged 10$ for extra gb. I called them to consult them with the problem and they tell me i should have been grandfathered in with my old data plan being unlimited but that they were sorry that i had went past the 3month period to be able to ask for it, and that i had to stay on the rated data plan. So with that said i called them back couple days later and told them i wanted to switch to a old phone i had " LG-VU" and wanted the unlimited data plan, then i gave them my IMEI number and switched devices but never even took out the sim from my samsung focus. They say that it would not work without the smart phone data plan but it still performs as it was before and i have unlimited data plan. I have called the *3282# to see, and it says unlimited data and that the other 2gb plan is deactivated.
My question is if anyone else has experienced this kinda situation before as i have and what they did about it. Will AT&T be able to see that i am still using the focus and not the Vu?
When i had the WM6.5 i never told them what device i was using, i just put sim card in and edited the APN and never had to have smart phone data.
Many opinions Appreciated!!

i had same problem. i was told after having an htc fuze with unlimited data that i could not be grandfathered in with my new smart phone even after explaining that the fuze was also a smart phone. its now been a year though. i may try your method of getting the unlimited data back.

I was determined to figure a way around it, especially after the Hot Spot hack, using that for my xbox 360 live. But it seams to be do the trick so far, its been a couple days now and i havent gotten any alert as i did before, but thats not saying i wont get one saying im being charged. So lets hope this is a work around with a dumb phone!!

All I did was upgrade my phone in a store then call ATT after my first bill stating that I was told I would keep my unlimited plan and if they dont want to give it back I can just return the phone and go with another provider... lets just say I have unlimited data again.
They will try to say you went past the the 14 day return but just tell them that you were sold the phone on false pretenses and that it was a mistake on their end. They will fold once you get past the first teir rep.
I have done this upgrading from a iPhone 2G to 3GS and then from 3GS to WP7. I also managed to get it when I added a second line for my GF with the old 3GS haha... Play stupid and just go with the old, "I was told I would get this.... are you telling me I was lied to by one of your ATT sales people?" they trip over themselves then give you what you want.

HoorayBeer said:
i had same problem. i was told after having an htc fuze with unlimited data that i could not be grandfathered in with my new smart phone even after explaining that the fuze was also a smart phone. its now been a year though. i may try your method of getting the unlimited data back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have any problem at all. But then, when I heard about the change, I went straight to an AT&T store to make sure I had a guarantee that I would be grandfathered in no matter what. When I upgraded from my Fuze to a Focus, I had no trouble, and I'm still unlimited a year later.

you can get it back and here's how
as soon as I get my titan and get back with at&t
i'm talking to this guy or you can use your own iphone 2g if you have one lying around
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220875871251

Seems like a good deal! We'll see if AT&T honors that promise of grandfathering T-Mo people!

noelitaux said:
as soon as I get my titan and get back with at&t
i'm talking to this guy or you can use your own iphone 2g if you have one lying around
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220875871251
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the same txt that he is getting

noelitaux said:
i'm talking to this guy or you can use your own iphone 2g if you have one lying around
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220875871251
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Click to collapse
As for me, it looks like some kind of criminal transaction. Somehow this guy got access to AT&T billing/accounting system and makes non-authorized changes in database. I prefer to stay with my 2 Gb only data plan but w/o possible problems...

I think that guy is doing the same thing as i did, but he is charging ppl to call and do it for you. All i did was change the IMEI by supplying them with it and acctivating unlimted data for that dumb device, But keep my sim card in my Focus. As you can see in my screen capture on phone that i just took a few min before i posted showing that the 2gb plan was cancelled and unlimited was activated.
Lets just hope this is a work around sollution for this, as it is working as of now!!

I only pay $40 a month unlimited everything through simple mobile... I don't know how much you guys are paying but can't beat that deal... And its $40 flat...not $40 plus this and that fee.
Sent from my HD7 T9292 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

lucasryan said:
I think that guy is doing the same thing as i did, but he is charging ppl to call and do it for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so - too much pain in the a$$ for $25 Definitely he found the way to change AT&T database...
lucasryan said:
As you can see in my screen capture on phone that i just took a few min before i posted showing that the 2gb plan was cancelled and unlimited was activated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about your bill? How much AT&T charges for unlim? $30/m as it was before?

Hmm you maybe right on that, i wouldnt do all those phones for that much.
My current unlimited data is costing me 15 a month now.

i wonder if this would work on their gophone as well?
register a dumbphone for the $50 unlimited and then put the sim in a smartphone?
does the network read IMEI when the device tries to connect?
for me, when i got my gophone sim card, i didn't have my focus with me, so the att rep entered all 0's or 1's for imei, does it read the phone and change them? or is there a way to see what phone they think i'm using?
sorry if it's a bit off topic, but it's very interesting to me

Still Unlimited
I went from an ATT FUZE with a PDA Unlimited Plan to an ATT Samsung Focus and the rep merely moved my SIM in the FUZE to the Focus last December and I still have the Unlimited Plan.

Hmm, I think I'll switch to the unlimited and not add data and see what happens, worst case I spend an extra $25 next month
Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

I just switched to att $10 unlimited last night using my SIM in my HD2 and telling them my IMIE number (which att's system didnt recognize) I told them I was using a t-mo dumbphone becuase my focus broke (lie) and they switched me over no problem. I'm going to use my HD2 for a little bit then go back to my focus and see what happens
On a side note you can get a gophone from walmart for like $10 its a samsung a107 then toss your sim in that call them up with the IMIE num and they will move you over to a dumbphone plan as well.

adiliyo said:
i wonder if this would work on their gophone as well?
register a dumbphone for the $50 unlimited and then put the sim in a smartphone?
does the network read IMEI when the device tries to connect?
for me, when i got my gophone sim card, i didn't have my focus with me, so the att rep entered all 0's or 1's for imei, does it read the phone and change them? or is there a way to see what phone they think i'm using?
sorry if it's a bit off topic, but it's very interesting to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the system reads the IMEI when connecting, but i think it will also work for gophones also. I dont know what the rates are for those plans but i dont think it will catch it unless the done a manual audit on it, witch they have no reason to do so.

voluptuary said:
I just switched to att $10 unlimited last night using my SIM in my HD2 and telling them my IMIE number (which att's system didnt recognize) I told them I was using a t-mo dumbphone becuase my focus broke (lie) and they switched me over no problem. I'm going to use my HD2 for a little bit then go back to my focus and see what happens
On a side note you can get a gophone from walmart for like $10 its a samsung a107 then toss your sim in that call them up with the IMIE num and they will move you over to a dumbphone plan as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All i did was just call in and tell them i was switching phones to my old LG-Vu and went to unlimited plan, i never even took out my sim from my focus, then they did test call to make sure all was working, i answered call from focus as again i never took my sim out lol and they didnt notice it so it ALL GOOD

How about your bill? How much AT&T charges for unlim? $30/m as it was before?[/QUOTE]
Its 15 for the unlimited data, but i have the Media Max Unlimited plan for $35. The $15 plan mentioned is for the Media Net unlimited. That gives you unlimited data access only, but i need sms unlimited also cause there are alot of my friends that can only txt.

Question about T-mobile service

Hello, I'm going to have a T-mobile G2 soon that I'm going to use on T-mobile's prepaid monthly 4g plan. But I do have one question before I do it, and this might be a dumb question but do I technically have to carrier unlock the G2 to use it on prepaid versus contract?

nope...
Not to my knowledge and I used prepaid tmobile for years until last month they stoped doing prepaid and now am running regular contract...but no unlock needed for prepay as its already a tmobile phone..

No, there's no need to unlock for prepaid unless you're going to use a phone sold thru a different carrier. Like the Evo on T-Mobile, for instance.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

If you mean the simple plan it has a apn option built in. Just watch the data cap. Its like being crippled when it comes to data speed.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Have you looked at theyre no contract plans? They are much cheaper then the contract plans. If you have been a customer for a while they are even cheaper! I have a family plan but if i were on it myself i think its only around 50 a month. Unlimited data and whatever minutes...i dont talk much
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

I couldn't get them to give me a no contract plan (2 weeks ago), but I got unlimited everything for 50 a month. Saving me some big money right now compared to my old no contract plan (cause it only gave me 500 mins a month), and I kept going over talking with someone.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Karakoram2 said:
I couldn't get them to give me a no contract plan (2 weeks ago), but I got unlimited everything for 50 a month. Saving me some big money right now compared to my old no contract plan (cause it only gave me 500 mins a month), and I kept going over talking with someone.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, the main difference between prepaid (no contract) and contract is the discount on devices. I like to upgrade once a year, and with out my contract I wouldn't not qualify for a significant discount on a new device. So while non contract plans are cheaper, you do give up that annual discount on a new device. Basically, in the States, we're being ripped off no matter which way you look at it.
I also agree with the previous user who posted about watching you data consumption on prepay. A friend of mine was throttled to a point where his phone was almost unusable after using only 300 MB! (on a 50 USD Unlimited prepaid plan).

shortlived said:
Have you looked at theyre no contract plans? They are much cheaper then the contract plans. If you have been a customer for a while they are even cheaper! I have a family plan but if i were on it myself i think its only around 50 a month. Unlimited data and whatever minutes...i dont talk much
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.

vbetts said:
That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know T-Mobile carried the G2, right? There is no reason to carrier-unlock a phone for it to work on it's intended carrier's network -- regardless of whether you're on a contract or prepay. Unless I'm completely misunderstanding you... which is entirely possible as I am sleep-typing...

vbetts said:
That's what I'm doing, the monthly pre paid plans.
What I was asking is if I could take a G2 that's carrier locked to T-mobile to T-mobile prepaid without having to unlock it, basically if there was a difference in the phone seeing it as a supported carrier being locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to reiterate what others have said, you're good dude. I just did the same thing, bought a used G2 off ebay and got the $30 100min, unlimited text/4G prepaid plan. No problemos. Just make sure you get a prepaid sim card, like this:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
(Tmobile has two separate sites for contract and prepaid, so as long as you go through above site, you're all good.)
P.S. If you buy your sim-card at a Tmobile store, they'll probably try to activate you there, but don't do it if you want that $30 plan mentioned above, which is only available online.

voltaic said:
Just to reiterate what others have said, you're good dude. I just did the same thing, bought a used G2 off ebay and got the $30 100min, unlimited text/4G prepaid plan. No problemos. Just make sure you get a prepaid sim card, like this:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
(Tmobile has two separate sites for contract and prepaid, so as long as you go through above site, you're all good.)
P.S. If you buy your sim-card at a Tmobile store, they'll probably try to activate you there, but don't do it if you want that $30 plan mentioned above, which is only available online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't aware of this... I have a friend (who I gave a store bought prepaid SIM card to) who is paying 50 USD a month and they keep throttling him at like 300 MB. I'm wondering if this plan you're talking about would have the same issue... also, if he wanted to switch to this plan, he'd have to purchase a new SIM card from the link you posted above, right? But then would he have to change his number, or could he transfer it to the new SIM? I've always been under contract, so I only know the basics when it comes to prepay...

Ditamae said:
I wasn't aware of this... I have a friend (who I gave a store bought prepaid SIM card to) who is paying 50 USD a month and they keep throttling him at like 300 MB. I'm wondering if this plan you're talking about would have the same issue... also, if he wanted to switch to this plan, he'd have to purchase a new SIM card from the link you posted above, right? But then would he have to change his number, or could he transfer it to the new SIM? I've always been under contract, so I only know the basics when it comes to prepay...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The prepaid plan I'm talking about is $30 a month for 100 minutes talk (.10 cents a minute if you go over, which is reasonable), unlimited texts, unlimited 4g web (speed is throttled when you pass 5gb in a month, but there are ways* around that, but still, that's MUCH better than 300mb) and it's only available online. So it does sound much better than what your friend has, specially if you get the GrooveIP app and use that to make calls through Google Voice over wifi/4g for free without using your minutes.
It's my understanding that they only let new accounts get this plan, so your friend would most likely need to get a new sim card AND either get a new number or port in a non-Tmobile number. (I ported in a landline number) You *might* be able to pull a fast one, and port the existing Tmobile number to Google Voice, then port it back to Tmobile under the new account, but I have no idea how doable that is.
As for porting in a number, since there was no option for it when activating the sim-card online, I completed the registration up to the point where they tell you your new number, but before I put any money in the account, I called Tmobile support line, and had them initiate the port. Once that was in motion, I funded the account.
* - Check out this thread for the unthrottle solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318460&page=2

voltaic said:
The prepaid plan I'm talking about is $30 a month for 100 minutes talk (.10 cents a minute if you go over, which is reasonable), unlimited texts, unlimited 4g web (speed is throttled when you pass 5gb in a month, but there are ways* around that, but still, that's MUCH better than 300mb) and it's only available online. So it does sound much better than what your friend has, specially if you get the GrooveIP app and use that to make calls through Google Voice over wifi/4g for free without using your minutes.
It's my understanding that they only let new accounts get this plan, so your friend would most likely need to get a new sim card AND either get a new number or port in a non-Tmobile number. (I ported in a landline number) You *might* be able to pull a fast one, and port the existing Tmobile number to Google Voice, then port it back to Tmobile under the new account, but I have no idea how doable that is.
As for porting in a number, since there was no option for it when activating the sim-card online, I completed the registration up to the point where they tell you your new number, but before I put any money in the account, I called Tmobile support line, and had them initiate the port. Once that was in motion, I funded the account.
* - Check out this thread for the unthrottle solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318460&page=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for all the info. I'll defintely pass this along to my friend.
As for the "unthrottle" method, I did read that thread a while back and explained the procedure to my friend, but he never got back to me about it... he was actually out of town at the time. And unfortunately that method doesn't work for everyone (or so I've read). He does use wifi at home, so this shouldn't be a problem too often. But, the plan you've described sounds 100% better than what he's working with... he's not a big talker either, so 100 minutes would likely suit him, especially with all the different ways to make voice calls these days. He could also probably port his landline number and get rid of it once and for all.
Thanks so much.

I just wanted to add that you can get no contract plans that are not prepaid. You do not get deals on phones but they do have an interest free loan option depending on vyour credit. I payed cash for my phone but the contract plan was a solid 50 dollars more a month and they would have approved me for an interest free phoneloan that would have cost 40 a month for what 10 months or so.... So either way it was cheaper monthly even if i got a new phone every year. However maybe my circumstances and unique? Either way i avoid term contracts at all costs! There is nothing like being able to call a company up and saying "hey fix X or i will cancel" you would be amazed at the deals you can get.
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

[Q] Purchasing Note II under contract and giving to family member - is this possible?

I have a no-contract cellphone plan. My wife uses AT&T and has an upgrade available. She's perfectly happy with her phone and has no plans on changing. Essentially she's OK with wasting the upgrade opportunity and she doesn't want to leave AT&T. I wouldn't mind a getting the Galaxy Note II. She has the grandfathered $15 for 200MB data.
I was going to upgrade her phone and use it on my service (different carrier). Nevermind about unlocking issues with the Note II, I haven't explored that yet or any legality. I'm only curious about the cellphone contract part.
In the past, a direct upgrade from AT&T was simple. You upgrade, they send you the phone, that's it. Now it all seems different. You have to receive the phone, choose a new data plan, and activate the phone.
Third party providers seem even more strict. I have to do all the above, and am told if any of the following happens I owe back big $$:
You agree to repay $200 of this discount ($400 for smartphones, tablets, and netbooks) and authorize us to charge your credit card in repayment of this amount if, you signed up for a 2 year agreement and during the 181 days after your new equipment is activated, your carrier notifies us that the services you purchased have been suspended, disconnected, or deactivated, or if you return your purchase outside of the return and exchange provisions of our 14-day Satisfaction Guarantee.
Please note some of the reasons your carrier may notify us of a deactivation include if:
You transfer this equipment to another line of service after it is activated
You change your rate plan to a lower monthly service rate than was specifically required at the point of purchase
You deactivate texting/data features that were specifically required at the point of purchase
The new line of service activated with your order is used to replace a pre-existing account
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Is it possible to upgrade, activate the phone, and put her SIM back in her old phone without problem if purchased through AT&T?
2. Is it possible to do the same with the phone if purchased through a third party provider like Amazon or Walmart? Does that violate the policy even though the line will stay active?
What I wonder is, what if she broke the phone and had to use her old one? Would they make her pay the contract breakage fee for accidentally dropping it and not being able to use it? Do they only care about the active line of service?
3. Some sites like Walmart allow me to select "Keep unlimited data: Don't make any changes to the data plan." Will they actually not touch the data plan, or will they automatically move it to a new 3GB more expensive one?

i have NO clue about the unlimited data plan, if you upgrade they may make you change it.
but as far as the phone, i got my note 2 as an upgrade and have gave it to my son soon after ( he is on a whole another account with his mother ) he popped in his Sim, factory reset the phone and he was good to go and i used my S3 for a while and now have another note, AT&T never contacted me saying "We see you are using your upgraded device on another account, we must charge you" i mean its your phone at that point. you can throw it in the trash if you so deem necessary.
the plan maybe a problem though.

Did you upgrade directly through ATT?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

crazeco said:
I have a no-contract cellphone plan. My wife uses AT&T and has an upgrade available. She's perfectly happy with her phone and has no plans on changing. Essentially she's OK with wasting the upgrade opportunity and she doesn't want to leave AT&T. I wouldn't mind a getting the Galaxy Note II. She has the grandfathered $15 for 200MB data.
I was going to upgrade her phone and use it on my service (different carrier). Nevermind about unlocking issues with the Note II, I haven't explored that yet or any legality. I'm only curious about the cellphone contract part.
In the past, a direct upgrade from AT&T was simple. You upgrade, they send you the phone, that's it. Now it all seems different. You have to receive the phone, choose a new data plan, and activate the phone.
Third party providers seem even more strict. I have to do all the above, and am told if any of the following happens I owe back big $$:
1. Is it possible to upgrade, activate the phone, and put her SIM back in her old phone without problem if purchased through AT&T?
> yes. She can activate it with her old sim even.... depends on what kind of sim she has.
2. Is it possible to do the same with the phone if purchased through a third party provider like Amazon or Walmart? Does that violate the policy even though the line will stay active?
>No it does not violate anything so long as she keeps her contract and pays for the line she upgraded.
What I wonder is, what if she broke the phone and had to use her old one? Would they make her pay the contract breakage fee for accidentally dropping it and not being able to use it? Do they only care about the active line of service?
Insurance and warranty cover the new phone.
3. Some sites like Walmart allow me to select "Keep unlimited data: Don't make any changes to the data plan." Will they actually not touch the data plan, or will they automatically move it to a new 3GB more expensive one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All u do is call them afterwards and ask them to revert u back to ur grandfathered plan

I work at radio shack and you could keep your unlimited data plan with us it gives us the option to skip past changing the plan. Tell who ever you do the sale with you plan on putting back the original since they can right down the esn and imei and not need to change anything in the account.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

You can absolutely do this. You can go to any AT&T corporate owned store and tell them that you're using the upgrade to give as a gift, and you don't want the phone activated. They'll hand you the box and you're off. That's the EASIEST way. If they refuse, which they have NO reason of doing, ask for a manager, or go to another store.
Alternatively, you can do this over the phone, but there's more of a chance they'll **** things up. If they do, however, you just have to call back and have them put you back on the 200mb plan. It's an easy swap.

entropism said:
You can absolutely do this. You can go to any AT&T corporate owned store and tell them that you're using the upgrade to give as a gift, and you don't want the phone activated. They'll hand you the box and you're off. That's the EASIEST way. If they refuse, which they have NO reason of doing, ask for a manager, or go to another store.
Alternatively, you can do this over the phone, but there's more of a chance they'll **** things up. If they do, however, you just have to call back and have them put you back on the 200mb plan. It's an easy swap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice reply thats what I was gonna say
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium

[Q] Hotspot Micro SIM usable in HTC ONE?

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.