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I'm switching over from Sprint to AT&T in order to get the new Winmo7 Phone, but I have no use for a data plan.
The phone has wifi.
My house has wifi.
My train was wifi.
My job has wifi.
My wife has mifi.
Someone said if you buy the Winmo7 phone, keep it for 30 days (paying data), and:
1. Take out the Sim card out and put it in a "dumbphone" (a RAZR), and make a couple of calls,
2. Call AT&T and tell them you want the data plan removed (do not mention that you have a smartphone, if they ask, say that you have a regular phone because you have lost your smartphone), and since they can't force you to keep a data plan on a phone that cannot use it, they'll remove it.
3. WARNING, if your carrier ever catches you electonically using their smartphone without the required data plan, they could proceed to automatically re-add the data plan on, with or without your notice. The worst case scenario would be they ensue an Early Termination Fee on you, and make you pay the difference of what you've paid for the phone and the retail price of it!
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Does this make sense?
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
After I removed the data plan on Sprint, the phone still kept trying to get weather data, and I had to specifically ask for a "DATA BLOCK" to stop the phone from trying to get data!
Thanks
If you go into settings-mobile network
you can turn the data connection off. Your Phone will now only be able to do calls and texts.
I guess that would work, but I live in the UK and we aren't forced to buy a data plan, so I can't be certain.
The US carriers seem like a right pain in the backside with different frequencies and GSM vs CDMA etc. I don't know how you guys ever manage to get a fair deal when you are so locked down to one particular carrier.
You don't need a data plan if most places that you visit have a WiFi connection.
MSWarrior said:
I'm switching over from Sprint to AT&T in order to get the new Winmo7 Phone, but I have no use for a data plan.
The phone has wifi.
My house has wifi.
My train was wifi.
My job has wifi.
My wife has mifi.
Someone said if you buy the Winmo7 phone, keep it for 30 days (paying data), and:
1. Take out the Sim card out and put it in a "dumbphone" (a RAZR), and make a couple of calls,
2. Call AT&T and tell them you want the data plan removed (do not mention that you have a smartphone, if they ask, say that you have a regular phone because you have lost your smartphone), and since they can't force you to keep a data plan on a phone that cannot use it, they'll remove it.
3. WARNING, if your carrier ever catches you electonically using their smartphone without the required data plan, they could proceed to automatically re-add the data plan on, with or without your notice. The worst case scenario would be they ensue an Early Termination Fee on you, and make you pay the difference of what you've paid for the phone and the retail price of it!
----------------------
Does this make sense?
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
After I removed the data plan on Sprint, the phone still kept trying to get weather data, and I had to specifically ask for a "DATA BLOCK" to stop the phone from trying to get data!
Thanks
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Click to collapse
I was just on AT&T. This is all I will say, because I've been through this.
My Mom had a RAZR. She put her SIM Card in a BlackJack, and AT&T's system automatically added the data plan to her bill.
Your phone doesn't need to use data, they will know by the IMEI and other phone information that you have a smartphone. Everytime you phone connects to their network, it sends out the IMEI and the system will check that IMEI against you account. If you have a smartphone IMEI on a dumbphone plan, they will automatically add the smartphone packages to your account. You'll even get a text saying that you put you SIM in a smartphone yada, yada. The only way to have a smartphone without a data plan is to buy it outright off contract and activate it only with a voice plan on it.
There is no way to get around that. Swapping SIMs to make calls won't avoid that. Only modifying you phone IMEI and making it look like a dumbphone will do that. The process is automatic and happens instantly. Put you sim in, turn you phone on, turn it off... Too late. You have a smartphone plan on your account now.
My mom never used any data on her phone (no ActiveSync account setup, never used the browser... we checked for data usage - there was none), but AT&T simply told her if she puts her contract SIM in a smartphone, they have to add the data plan. She would have had to ETF her contract if she didn't want to pay for a data plan, so she went back to her dumbphone.
And to expand on some things, just in case you don't understand where I'm coming from:
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
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Click to collapse
1. That's impossible. AT&T (any cell carrier's) network checks the IMEI/ESN of every phone that connects to their network the minute it connects. They will know exactly what type of phone you have. It has absolutely nothing to do with what operating system is on the phone. It can be a WP7, WinMo, Droid, iOS, iBangedUrMom device... They will still know exactly what type of phone you're using the minute it connects to their network via the phone's IMEI (and probably even the Serial Number, but they shouldn't even need that).
2. See #1. The phone doesn't have to access data for them to know that you're usin a smartphone on a dumbphone plan. All it has to do is connect to their network, and they'll know by the IMEI that you're trying to gib them. They will then alter your plans as required to suite their smartphone requirements (Add Data Plan, etc.).
BTW, when AT&T automatically adds data plans, they add the highest data plan. So, even though you don't use data at all, they will add a $25 2GB data plan, not a $15 200MB data plan.
And there's nothing you can do about it. It's in the contract and the requirements are pretty much universal across carriers here.
No carrier allows you to have a smartphone on a dumbphone plan (a plan without a data package) if you're under contract. The only way to do it is to buy the phone outright and have a plan without a contract. In that case, you'll just have to pay overages everytime you use data - which can easily (and quickly) exceed the costs of a data package.
And TBH, it's not even worth it to use a smartphone without a data package, even if you have WiFi in most cases. I use my HD2 as an iPod of sorts right now and there's no way it would be usable without a data package even though I have WiFi in most places I go. Missing an email I could have checked at a red light telling me soandso isn't feeling well and isn't going to be there, so I can spare myself the 45 minute drive is just not acceptable for me.
That bull**** about them just removing the data plan is false. That's what warranty is for and if you're a dumbphone user you should be getting a brand new dumbphone everytime you contract is up for renewal basically for free. Either you get a new one (they can give you a loaner phone until then, and it won't hurt since you use dumbphones, right?) or pay the price. They won't let you breach you contract. That would be negligent of them, and unfair to all of their other users.
If they do take it off (probably assuming you will take the SIM out) the system will automatically add it the minute you turn the phone back on - and the next CSR may not be as willing to break the rules (and none of them can just "change" the system).
thanks n8ter
lots of good advice
one thing though, I have a sprint Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 on sprint, with no data, and it works great! My contract ran out a year ago, though.
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
I asked Sprint and they said some smartphones like the Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 they allow to connect without data plan, but others like the droid they do not allow.
in any case thanks, I learned alot.
MSWarrior said:
lots of good advice
one thing though, I have a sprint Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 on sprint, with no data, and it works great! My contract ran out a year ago, though.
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
I asked Sprint and they said some smartphones like the Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 they allow to connect without data plan, but others like the droid they do not allow.
in any case thanks, I learned alot.
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Click to collapse
Yes, but you will be responsible for any overages.
I'm not sure how willing they are to put Data Stops on accounts/phones. I've never asked about that. My mom just ETF'd her account and went with Boost Mobile and got a Blackberry Curve instead.
Her AT&T bill went from $80/mo to $120/mo after she put her SIM in that BlackJack, and since her plan was altered her contract was extended.
Just don't try it. You're going to end up on the losing end of that battle.
That is why lots of people do like to buy phones outright. It does offer you a lot of flexibility and doesn't tie you to one carrier (though your phone's hardware may do that job for them ).
MSWarrior said:
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
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Click to collapse
If you buy a WP7 phone from Amazon for $99 and choose $15 data plan, you'll be paying $99 + $15 x 24 (2 years) + taxes which would be close to or less than the off contract price ($499) of the phone alone. This is a better way IMO if you can have a contract because you can also enjoy data service (200MB a month) for 2 years.
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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Um...what planet are you from? UK pounds are 1.61X US Dollars...which would mean that you are paying at least $16 dollars per month...which is still AMAZINGLY affordable for what you re getting...Although I doubt it is really unlimited data...STILL!
Here in Canada, you either buy a phone off contract and pay full price, or get locked in a THREE YEAR contract, with a minimum $50 plan, which has about 200 minutes, unlimited text, and 500MB of data...although, tethering is free...
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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150 Minutes of talk-time are pathetic.
Lots of people here (in the US) are getting rid of landlines and using mobile phones almost exclusively, so the cost of the contract isn't all that high when you consider the cost savings on the other side of the coin (a landline with a Nationwide Long Distance etc. is around $30-40 a month from a good service and not one of those crappy small companies).
450 minutes is a decent minimum for the markets here considering how much people have gravitated towards using social medium, email, SMS, and IM.
Data Prices aren't as great here as some other places, but tiered data plans do allow those who use very little data the flexibility to pay less for their small data usage, instead of being forced to get the max package just because they brought a certain type of phone.
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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Click to collapse
Here couple of WP7 phones were launched at $99 from reputed sellers (Amazon / Newegg) with a contract. With holiday season upon us I'd say more such deals will follow, may be even free. How much do you have to pay to get a WP7 phone with £10 plan (contract or not)?
150 mins talk time is not enough for me. We have a family plan and my wife uses 2/3rd of the minutes alone. £10 != $7, as long as you are talking about UK & US currencies.
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's it, I'm moving.
*conversion was not correct, but that's still insanely cheap!
the lady who bought her HD7 in line before I got mine on lauch-day, got hers without a data plan, they made her pay the un-subsidized price though
Is access to marketplace and zune pass on the device dependant on the IMEI of the phone?
I had an unlocked TP2 with a $15 unlimited data plan from ATT, when I bought the focus, ATT input this new IMEI into their system and my data plan is now $15 for 200mb. If access to these features is not IMEI dependant I would like to get my unlimited plan back...
Thanks in advance for the help.
chizzwhizz said:
Is access to marketplace and zune pass on the device dependant on the IMEI of the phone?
I had an unlocked TP2 with a $15 unlimited data plan from ATT, when I bought the focus, ATT input this new IMEI into their system and my data plan is now $15 for 200mb. If access to these features is not IMEI dependant I would like to get my unlimited plan back...
Thanks in advance for the help.
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Click to collapse
it only looks at your email (your phone is connected to your email,xboxlive )
it doesn't look at your imei
AT&T shafted you. This has nothing to do with Microsoft or even Windows Phone 7. Unless you gave them permission to change your plan, you should call back and get your old plan back.
chizzwhizz said:
Is access to marketplace and zune pass on the device dependant on the IMEI of the phone?
I had an unlocked TP2 with a $15 unlimited data plan from ATT, when I bought the focus, ATT input this new IMEI into their system and my data plan is now $15 for 200mb. If access to these features is not IMEI dependant I would like to get my unlimited plan back...
Thanks in advance for the help.
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Click to collapse
$15 Unlimited Data Plans are for Feature Phones, not Smartphones.
You phone sends off your IMEI to AT&T whenever it connects to the network. Since you put a SIM Card from a Feature Phone into a Smartphone, they automatically upgraded you to a 200MB Smartphone data plan.
Call AT&T. If you're on a contract you HAVE to have a Smartphone data plan if you put that SIM in a Smartphone. There's no way to get around it. If you get them to change it back (i.e. tell them you're going to just use you feature phone), the minute your phone connects to the network again, it will check the IMEI and if the SIM is in the smartphone it will simply upgrade you to a smartphone data plan again.
I made a huge post about this in another thread talking about getting a WP7 device without a data plan in that forum. My mom did that and wondered why her bill went from $80 to $120 in less than a month a while back
RustyGrom said:
AT&T shafted you. This has nothing to do with Microsoft or even Windows Phone 7. Unless you gave them permission to change your plan, you should call back and get your old plan back.
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Click to collapse
Incorrect. It's common knowledge that Feature Phone Data Plans are incompatible with smartphones and that a smartphone data plan is required if you use a smartphone on contract. It's in the contract. It's in you contract too. Might want to read it.
They reserve the right to change you service if you use an incompatible device with you contract (i.e. alter you contract to compliance), and they reserve the right to add services onto you contract if you use them (i.e. if you tether without a tethering plan, they will add the tethering plan to you contract).
AT&T didn't shaft him, he just got himself kapwnd trying to shaft AT&T.
Nice try, but no cigar.
T-Mobile would do the same thing, and CDMA carriers would require you to upgrade you plan if you try to swap out a feature phone for a smart phone. Call Sprint, smarty, and see what they tell you about this (I've had all 4 carriers ).
Do you seriously think carriers are so dumb as to leave such an odd profit-killing loophole in their systems?
N8ter said:
$15 Unlimited Data Plans are for Feature Phones, not Smartphones.
You phone sends off your IMEI to AT&T whenever it connects to the network. Since you put a SIM Card from a Feature Phone into a Smartphone, they automatically upgraded you to a 200MB Smartphone data plan.
Call AT&T. If you're on a contract you HAVE to have a Smartphone data plan if you put that SIM in a Smartphone. There's no way to get around it. If you get them to change it back (i.e. tell them you're going to just use you feature phone), the minute your phone connects to the network again, it will check the IMEI and if the SIM is in the smartphone it will simply upgrade you to a smartphone data plan again.
I made a huge post about this in another thread talking about getting a WP7 device without a data plan in that forum. My mom did that and wondered why her bill went from $80 to $120 in less than a month a while back
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it still amazes me how cheap people are with this. You will spend 600 bucks on a device but expect not to pay for the plan.
Y'all have been getting around the data for quite a while now and it finally looks like the cellular companies are catching up to you.
nrfitchett4 said:
it still amazes me how cheap people are with this. You will spend 600 bucks on a device but expect not to pay for the plan.
Y'all have been getting around the data for quite a while now and it finally looks like the cellular companies are catching up to you.
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The carriers have been doing that for years. I think it's too late to even consider ignorance a valid excuse, especially when you have other people sprouting around invalid information and posters are allergic to forum search (the thread I posted in probably would have popped up in the results).
The truth and the matter is, someone with an Unlimited Feature Phone plan probably never uses more than 200MB data a month anyways, and a smartphone can do 10x that easily. Can probably do over 200MB just with passive Syncing if you have busy email/facebook/twitter accounts. In that case, marketing the data plans for feature phones as "Unlimited" is nice from a strategic standpoint once the person is locked into a contract they either have to pay AT&T/Verizon's enourmous ETF Fee (which they increased from $200 to $325 or 350, one of the two) to move to another carrier, or simply upgrade to the smartphone data plans (and for anyone who even moderately uses their device - 200MB is NOT going to cut it on a fairly recent smartphone).
200MB smartphone data plans are for people who have smartphones but use them like feature phones - you know, the people who think the phone is pretty but don't even have an email/facebook/twitter/etc. acocunt linked up with it (except maybe a google or live account, but they never use it and just make and recieve calls on the phone, and maybe some texts).
Well i'm not on contract with att anymore, my two years ended about 4 months ago...didnt upgrade or anything. I bought my phone out of contract. But i got my unlimited plan for feature phones back so i'm happy. It's not about being cheap...i make more than enough money in a year. It just doesnt make sense to charge $15 for 200mb knowing full well that anyone with a smartphone will use over 200mb in a month and then charge $10 for every mb over...
chizzwhizz said:
Well i'm not on contract with att anymore, my two years ended about 4 months ago...didnt upgrade or anything. I bought my phone out of contract. But i got my unlimited plan for feature phones back so i'm happy. It's not about being cheap...i make more than enough money in a year. It just doesnt make sense to charge $15 for 200mb knowing full well that anyone with a smartphone will use over 200mb in a month and then charge $10 for every mb over...
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isn't that why they offer a 2gb plan???
what are y'all gonna due when sim cards become unremovable???
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/17/gsm-association-proposes-embedded-sim-cards-with-remote-activati/
I am worried about the same thing.
I presently use HP Ipaq 614C and have 30USD a month unlimited data plan.. I want to buy unlocked HTC Surround since its almost the same price if I buy locked one from AtnT (I dont qualify for contract upgrade as I just renewed a two year contract with them 2 months back).
I am worried once I get unlocked HTC Surround from expansys-usa.. and put my SIM card in their.. wether they will change my 30USD per month unlimited data plan to 30USD per month 2GB LIMITED data plan..
I have read one more poster writing about it, about how once he put his sim, his data plan was changed from unlimited to 2GB limited data plan..
Purple11 said:
I am worried about the same thing.
I presently use HP Ipaq 614C and have 30USD a month unlimited data plan.. I want to buy unlocked HTC Surround since its almost the same price if I buy locked one from AtnT (I dont qualify for contract upgrade as I just renewed a two year contract with them 2 months back).
I am worried once I get unlocked HTC Surround from expansys-usa.. and put my SIM card in their.. wether they will change my 30USD per month unlimited data plan to 30USD per month 2GB LIMITED data plan..
I have read one more poster writing about it, about how once he put his sim, his data plan was changed from unlimited to 2GB limited data plan..
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Click to collapse
if you already have a smartphone unlimited data plan, they shouldn't change it and if they do, I would call and make them change it back. The other poster had a featurephone data plan that was not compatible with the new phone.
Purple11 said:
I am worried about the same thing.
I presently use HP Ipaq 614C and have 30USD a month unlimited data plan.. I want to buy unlocked HTC Surround since its almost the same price if I buy locked one from AtnT (I dont qualify for contract upgrade as I just renewed a two year contract with them 2 months back).
I am worried once I get unlocked HTC Surround from expansys-usa.. and put my SIM card in their.. wether they will change my 30USD per month unlimited data plan to 30USD per month 2GB LIMITED data plan..
I have read one more poster writing about it, about how once he put his sim, his data plan was changed from unlimited to 2GB limited data plan..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different situation, buddy.
AT&T used to have $30 unlimited Data Plans before they changed it. If you upgrade your phone, you get to keep your $30 unlimited Data Plan.
They call this being "Grandfathered in." Sprint did the same with SERO plans, and other carriers do the same with older plans that they have phased out.
You don't have to do anything. You just put your SIM card in the new phone and you'll still have $30 unlimited data plan, until you cancel your contract/service, then for a new line you won't have that option.
We aren't even talking about what you're talking about.
We're talking about someone trying to use a cheap feature phone plan with a smartphone, not someone who thinks he's going to lose his grandfathered unlimited data plan if he switches phones.
To the OP, it doesn't matter if your contract is out. The AT&T system sees that you have x Minutes, x SMS/MMS, and Unlimited Feature Phone data plan. When you turn your phone on with your SIM card in it, it checks the phone's IMEI to make sure it's a feature phone or dumb phone (basically the same, feature phones just have bigger screans and oftentimes QWERTY keyboards or touchscreens). If you don't, they change it to the Smartphone plan.
Since a Smartphone cannot be used with that plan, they are potentially saving you money by automatically switching you over to a smartphone data plan, because otherwise all the data you use on the smartphone would count as overages. Fortunately for you, they have tiered data plans, and it's $15 instead of 30.
If they had just let you get all the overages, you'd be paying a lot more than $15 for it and since it's explicitely written in your contract/terms that you cannot use that phone with that data plan, you'd have no choice but to pay up. That is Cell Phone Service 101. Most people who pay attention know there is a distinct difference between feature phone and smartphone plans. They aren't even called the same thing on the AT&T website, or on your bill.
nrfitchett4 said:
isn't that why they offer a 2gb plan???
what are y'all gonna due when sim cards become unremovable???
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/17/gsm-association-proposes-embedded-sim-cards-with-remote-activati/
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Click to collapse
Rejoice that when someone steals a GSM smartphone it will no longer be equivalent to them hitting eBay lottery? They should have started doing this a long time ago, IMO.
i understand what you guys are saying but why was it that when i went from my razr to an unlocked touch pro 2 (feature phone to smartphone), my data plan didnt change? even when att introduced the tiered plans, my data plan didnt change.
chizzwhizz said:
i understand what you guys are saying but why was it that when i went from my razr to an unlocked touch pro 2 (feature phone to smartphone), my data plan didnt change? even when att introduced the tiered plans, my data plan didnt change.
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you were lucky???
I really don't know. Carriers are getting better at being able to tell what phone you are using these days. Used to be that they couldn't tell at all. Now, a lot of phones can transmit the imei number back to the carrier that they can now check against a database to see what type of phone it is.
More like "every phone."
nrfitchett4 said:
you were lucky???
I really don't know. Carriers are getting better at being able to tell what phone you are using these days. Used to be that they couldn't tell at all. Now, a lot of phones can transmit the imei number back to the carrier that they can now check against a database to see what type of phone it is.
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Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
ceesheim said:
it only looks at your email (your phone is connected to your email,xboxlive )
it doesn't look at your imei
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Click to collapse
It checks a serial code stored in the device's rom for market, zune, xbl,.etc.
Live account is used to access services, ofc. Microsoft can ban phonea by serial though, which is exactly what will happen to every phone using a ported rom (i.e. Hd2s running wp7).
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
It checks a serial code stored in the device's rom for market, zune, xbl,.etc.
Live account is used to access services, ofc. Microsoft can ban phonea by serial though, which is exactly what will happen to every phone using a ported rom (i.e. Hd2s running wp7).
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
we don't know that for sure , I have 2 hd7 (direct from O2 online) and one of them couldn't be activated (email) so I called O2 for the code ( 5 times 5 numbers) but they couldn't help me .
they told me that the phone wasn't activated for some reason at Microsoft.
I called Microsoft and tolled the story and they say " gif us a email and wait 2 min , we are generating an code for you " LOL phone was unlocked and I could use the email.
I called again to activate that same phone with an different email and I got a different code and that one worked to
I think that if you have a hd2 with a ported rom you just have to call Microsoft and ask them to unlock your email for it and after that you can do the same as a real wp7 phone.
ceesheim said:
we don't know that for sure , I have 2 hd7 (direct from O2 online) and one of them couldn't be activated (email) so I called O2 for the code ( 5 times 5 numbers) but they couldn't help me .
they told me that the phone wasn't activated for some reason at Microsoft.
I called Microsoft and tolled the story and they say " gif us a email and wait 2 min , we are generating an code for you " LOL phone was unlocked and I could use the email.
I called again to activate that same phone with an different email and I got a different code and that one worked to
I think that if you have a hd2 with a ported rom you just have to call Microsoft and ask them to unlock your email for it and after that you can do the same as a real wp7 phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes we do.
That HD7 incident you're talking about has nothing to do with what I'm talking about.
Microsoft doesn't do that by eMail address.
It uses a serial in the device's ROM. It does the same for XBox 360s and they can ban a device by serial number. They can probably do it for Zune HDs as well. It has nothing to do with you email address, otherwise you can unban yourself simply by creating a new Live ID, master resetting the phone, and putting that Windows Live ID when setting the phone up. Obviously that's an elementary loophole. It would be embarassing if they left the system that easy to circumvent...
Think through these things a bit before you make such sweeping conclusions.
Microsoft already has the infrastructure up for this. These are known facts.
An HD2 with a ported WP7 ROM won't be useful at all, except as a feature phone with a cute UI, because the system would probably ban it the minute it checked in with Microsoft's servers and sent that phony certificate (or no certificate at all in the worse case).
WP7 phones send this serial (certificate, etc.) to Microsoft's servers whenever they connect to check for updates, etc. It's like a Windows Genuine Advantage for phones, except much stronger. Apple can also block iPhones/iTouches from iTunes via the Serial number if unsupported changes are made to the firmware or the firmware is ported to an unsupported device, so it's not like this has never been done or implemented before...
The Serial/Certificate and the IMEI is pretty much all Microsoft needs to ban a phone from all their cloud services automatically. The IMEI itself is enough to tell them that you're running WP7 on a non-WP7 device (i.e. HD2), which can result in an auto-ban on the first connection attempt.
N8ter said:
Different situation, buddy.
AT&T used to have $30 unlimited Data Plans before they changed it. If you upgrade your phone, you get to keep your $30 unlimited Data Plan.
They call this being "Grandfathered in." Sprint did the same with SERO plans, and other carriers do the same with older plans that they have phased out.
You don't have to do anything. You just put your SIM card in the new phone and you'll still have $30 unlimited data plan, until you cancel your contract/service, then for a new line you won't have that option.
We aren't even talking about what you're talking about.
We're talking about someone trying to use a cheap feature phone plan with a smartphone, not someone who thinks he's going to lose his grandfathered unlimited data plan if he switches phones.
To the OP, it doesn't matter if your contract is out. The AT&T system sees that you have x Minutes, x SMS/MMS, and Unlimited Feature Phone data plan. When you turn your phone on with your SIM card in it, it checks the phone's IMEI to make sure it's a feature phone or dumb phone (basically the same, feature phones just have bigger screans and oftentimes QWERTY keyboards or touchscreens). If you don't, they change it to the Smartphone plan.
Since a Smartphone cannot be used with that plan, they are potentially saving you money by automatically switching you over to a smartphone data plan, because otherwise all the data you use on the smartphone would count as overages. Fortunately for you, they have tiered data plans, and it's $15 instead of 30.
If they had just let you get all the overages, you'd be paying a lot more than $15 for it and since it's explicitely written in your contract/terms that you cannot use that phone with that data plan, you'd have no choice but to pay up. That is Cell Phone Service 101. Most people who pay attention know there is a distinct difference between feature phone and smartphone plans. They aren't even called the same thing on the AT&T website, or on your bill.
Click to expand...
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..
I love the new WP7 phones and am dying to get my hands on one. I had a question about getting one though. Right now I am on a family plan with AT&T running a G1 that doesn't require a data plan. I would like to keep the data plan off of my tab. I have my reasons but my biggest is that I am constantly surrounded by WiFi and even when I am out and about, data isn't a big deal to me.
So is it possible to get a new phone without the data plan? I fully am aware that I will need to buy out of contract (which I am fine with), I just don't want to pay 200 - 300 bucks a year for a data plan. Last Wednesday, I went in to pick up a Focus at an AT&T store and the girl told me she had to add a data plan. I walked out and am hoping you guys can help me out a bit.
Has anyone had any luck with buying a phone out of contract, turning off the network data and not getting billed for a data plan? I am up for getting either a Samsung Focus or the HTC HD7 (whatever works... but the HD7 might be a good option as well considering I want to move to T-Mobile once I get out of my contract in a year).
Believe me I researched this. I have a Fuze on AT&T that has no data plan. We were lucky to have gotten them when contracts did not require a data plan. Our phone is grandfathered in...
However, if you get a new smartphone, it will trigger adding a data plan to your account. I believe it goes by IMEI number and your account... your original phone's IMEI number is set to be excluded from this provision. Any new phone you get will cause the data plan to be added automatically. If you put someone else's SIM card in your old phone... they get a data plan automatically. You can buy a new smartphone and pay full price online somewhere... as soon as you put your SIM card in it, you'll have a data plan added to your account.
There's just no way (as far as I know) to get one of these new phones without a data plan. I will be biting the bullet and getting a new Windows phone sometime in the next couple of months...
makku12 said:
Believe me I researched this. I have a Fuze on AT&T that has no data plan. We were lucky to have gotten them when contracts did not require a data plan. Our phone is grandfathered in...
However, if you get a new smartphone, it will trigger adding a data plan to your account. I believe it goes by IMEI number and your account... your original phone's IMEI number is set to be excluded from this provision. Any new phone you get will cause the data plan to be added automatically. If you put someone else's SIM card in your old phone... they get a data plan automatically. You can buy a new smartphone and pay full price online somewhere... as soon as you put your SIM card in it, you'll have a data plan added to your account.
There's just no way (as far as I know) to get one of these new phones without a data plan. I will be biting the bullet and getting a new Windows phone sometime in the next couple of months...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly correct. As soon as your SIM is inserted into a new smartphone, although it may take time, you will be charged for a data plan. It registers the IMEI number of that phone on your account.
Damn. Well... can't say I tried. Thanks for the info gents.
Even if you could, I wouldn't suggest it
as far as I've been able to tell, you can't turn off your data connection fully
and this phone is always grabbing data, you'd be paying tons for data...much more than on a data plan
dressanderc said:
This is exactly correct. As soon as your SIM is inserted into a new smartphone, although it may take time, you will be charged for a data plan. It registers the IMEI number of that phone on your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not true (At least in my case). As long as data is not initial from the phone, my AT&T Pure didn't trigger the automatic data plan (It did trigger once because I accidentally turn the data on and had to call At&t support to remove it).
For my X1a, I've been using it for almost 2 yrs on their cheap media-net plan without issue. Therefore, I suspect they could only verify smartphone that being sold by them (like the Focus I got recently). That's why I am looking at the HTC Mozart being sold in Austria (850mzh UMTS support)
edit: nevermind
drleospaceman said:
LG Optimus 7's on Ebay should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only on UMTS 1900 portion. I don't think it support 850
That's pretty lame... I have T-mobile and picked up an HD7. No data package and my HD7 is running flawlessly. The only feature that doesnt work with wi-fi is slacker radio and to be honest I don't need it...
Just wanted to give people a heads up on my horror story with AT&T. I don't want anyone else to wind up in my situation. I just received a message stating I had been charged in excess of $100 dollars in data charges and please call AT&T to prevent service disruptions or future charges.
Background: I have had unlimited Data since 2008 because I had an iPhone 3g. In the meantime I've used several Android devices. On the 9th of last month I decided I was ready for a new device. I did some searching and decided to get a Galaxy Note. I used it briefly until the GNex was announced by Google in the US. I decided to buy the GNex as well and return the device I was least satisfied with. After some use, I loved the LTE but decided I preferred the community behind the GNex and the AOSP roms. So on the 7th of this month I returned the Note before my 30 days.
Issue: The drama starts on the 7th. After returning my Note my unlimited data plan was dropped without telling me because I was no longer using an AT&T recognized smartphone. I was careful to ask in store if returning the Note would affect my unlimited data, and the salesperson said it would not. Since I no longer have a data plan, AT&T has been charging me $1 per megabyte. So in two days I have racked up over $250 dollars in data charges. The AT&T reps refuse to reactivate my Unlimited data until I put my SIM in (and presumably keep it in) an AT&T recognized smartphone. I discussed with the rep and she stated that I can use smartphone data on a non-AT&T smartphone if the system recognizes it. The Catch-22 here is that the system only recognizes AT&T sold devices. So now I have to put my SIM back in my old Infuse and contact the Rep again to have them reverse my charges and reactivate my unlimited data. I am now afraid to use the GNex for fear of losing my data again.
tl:dr: AT&T dropped my unlimited data because their system doesn't recognize the GNex as a compatible smartphone. They won't reactivate my data plan until my SIM is in an AT&T recognized smartphone.
Update: I got a better service rep today and she restored my Unlimited data and confirmed that using an unlocked device is allowed, but the combination of returning an AT&T device then picking up an unknown IMEI may be to blame. I got a verbal agreement to reverse the charges, but the rep was unable to do so until a bill with them is generated. So I will call back on my bill date to confirm.
Tell them its BS, as I've used Euro phones on AT&T for years and they never dropped my data.
Also, I've since left AT&T in December for Verizon, the network seems better/more stable, but the nexus has had voice quality issues for 5 months and they've been procrastinating on fixing it. (yay for xda, which has solved most of my issues)
VinceT3 said:
Tell them its BS, as I've used Euro phones on AT&T for years and they never dropped my data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What gets me is that this is clearly a customer service rep that messed me up. I had the SIM in the GNex prior to the 7th when I returned the Note. My data wasn't changed until after I returned the Note.
Also I had an N1 for over a year just after it was released. This never happened then. My suspicion is that I got a bad combo of a stupid rep and AT&T trying to crack down on users with unlimited plans.
I have at&t also. They are a bunch of money grubbing... well...
Here is your solution...
If this is your own line, itll still work, but is cheaper with a family plan.
Step one: Quit buying ATT Branded Phones. This is stupid, you pay more over the course of use. 30 bucks for 3 gigs? fuuuuck that.
Step two: get a IMEI From ANY Other non ATT Phone. Buy a 20 dollar junker off ebay. It HAS TO be a dumb phone. with a WAP Browser.
Step three: register that with ATT, tell them you want the wap data plan for your dumb phone. This is your primary and only phone as far as they are concerned. With a family plan, Unlimited WAP is 10 bucks. On your own, its 15.
Step four: wait a few days for your account to settle, or month, whenever your bill stabilizes. this is important. Dont make any more changes, as you can get hosed on price at this point.
Step five: Buy your GNEX. or Korean Galaxy Note. Or any other non ATT phone.
Step Six: Swap Sim's and setup the APN's if your rom does not come with them.
Step Seven: Enjoy your new unlimited data 10/15 dollar a month data plan on your smart phone.
a important note: Dont show any asshole at ATT your phone. Dont even mention it. Tell them you have a dumb phone. If they ask to do trouble shooting, play along. Dont do that ****. If they press for what phone you have, tell them you have a old ass Nokia. If they say your lying, tell em where to shove it.
I have 5 lines on my family plan. 1400 minutes. Unlimited messaging. Unlimited Data on all lines. 194 a month. And you get the "A list", free calls to any other network phone numbers you specify, up to 10. Needless to say, i hardly use my anytime. The only headache is getting the other idiots to pay me, even though its 38 bucks a person... peices of ****.
Have fun, dont be dumb with the ATT Reps. Make no mistake, No matter how smart you are, Stupidity will ALWAYS outsmart you.
I've never had this issue before. So what I assume happened is that the Rep cleared my IMEI on my account rather than reverting it to the one that was there before the Note.
I never had an issue when using my N1. I've never had an issue when using a dumbphone temporarily (when traveling or something like hiking where I don't want to risk damage) nor when testing my SIM in friend's phones. My guess is all other times AT&T account just used the IMEI on file, not the one it detects. If there is no IMEI on file it probably detects yours and then uses it.
Still, after I talk to the Rep tomorrow and hopefully get this cleared up I am sort of afraid to use my GNex again. I am seriously considering T-Mobile and seeing if I can get them to waive my ETF since I can't use my phone.
Also advise them they it is ILLEGAL for them to change your plan without your consent. They will correct the billing error and fix it for you. (My friend had a 6000 dollar bill for the same reason, they ate the bill as they should)
Just one of the many reasons I left AT&T 3 years ago and went to T-Mobile.
If you follow what i told you to do, you'll be a much happier ATT user... LOL
Forget the current IMEI on file. it does not matter. you need to update it to one that ATT does not have in thier database.
Trust me on this. Im a internet professional.
wyefye said:
If you follow what i told you to do, you'll be a much happier ATT user... LOL
Forget the current IMEI on file. it does not matter. you need to update it to one that ATT does not have in thier database.
Trust me on this. Im a internet professional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well they need to have one on file. You simply had them add the dumbphone as their IMEI on file so that when you swapped your SIM you kept that data plan.
They tell me that IMEI is unrecgonized as well. Because of that they dropped my smartphone unlimited plan. I am not trying to go to the the $15 dumbphone plan because I want to be able to keep my unlimited data if I ever choose to go LTE. 5Gb of LTE for $30 before throttling is pretty amazing.
Well they need to have one on file. You simply had them add the dumbphone as their IMEI on file so that when you swapped your SIM you kept that data plan.
They tell me that IMEI is unrecgonized as well. Because of that they dropped my smartphone unlimited plan. I am not trying to go to the the $15 dumbphone plan because I want to be able to keep my unlimited data if I ever choose to go LTE. 5Gb of LTE for $30 before throttling is pretty amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? you'll be transferring to a unlimited plan.
also, you realize that ATT 4G is just HSPA+, right? Everyone gets this already. they just changed the speed the 3G runs at. Plenty of documents sources on this. This is the EXACT reason ATT wanted to buy T-mobile; they have the 4G LTE Spectrum for GSM - Registered to them. In the Buyout, ATT would have acquired it, and Charged us higher prices... for upgrades... though the infrastructure already existed.
If you want REAL 4G, go for VZ.
Unrecognized is not the same as "Unsupported". you dont need a recognized phone to use thier "4G" services. You do need a recognized phone for them to tick that checkbox so you can PRETEND you have 4G, and pay more for the facade.
Your Choice.
p.s. 30 bucks for 5gb is NOT Amazing. its a ****ing scam.
OCZ RevoDrive SSD 960GB @ $3,149(most expensive SSD currently)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227742
$3.2 a GB.
ATT 5GB
$8 a GB
8 bucks a GB for false 4G? Yeah.....
The issue started when you purchased an at&t Mobility branded Galaxy Note, that IMEI became associated with your account and the DATA plan became associated to that IMEI (this is the key).
If you had simply removed the SIM from the Galaxy Note (and NOT RETURNED IT), placed it into your GNex there would not have been any issues as at&t's network could care less as you had a DATA plan and the GNex comes back as unknown to at&t's internal IMEI database.
It was the act of returning the device (which you have every right to do and I would have done the same) and not replacing it with another branded device that caused your DATA plan to fall off your account. Essentially, when you returned your NOTE, the computer saw the device removed from your account and since another device was not added to your account, the system dumped your DATA plan because nothing was re-attached to the account. If the GNex was recognized internally by at&t's systems and that IMEI was associated as a smartphone on your account, your DATA plan would have been preserved.
I had a similar issue and it took a bunch of labor on my part to fix the issue including speaking with an Engineer at at&t Mobility who had to work within the system to re-add my DATA plan without attaching an at&t Mobility branded device.
Eventually he was able to get things corrected as best I understand it, he had to find my device in the "global database" and then pull it into at&t's internal database and code it as a smartphone so that the system would re-attach my DATA plan. However, he said that some non-carrier branded smartphones do show up in at&t's internal database, but it is up to a certain department to add them and apparently that department selectively chooses devices.
I am not sure what to say, I have the luxury of working for an employer who has a personal at&t Mobility Corp Sales Rep who we can call when things go pear shaped and whose general job is to ensure that we are happy with at&t. When I had my DATA plan disappear she cut through the red tape and got me in contact with correct people to fix the issue.
I had tried to deal with normal CS at first and that was totally useless, not that I am surprised, normal CS is only capable of dealing with a certain select issues, not back end engineering which requires a different skill set and an understanding of how the system functions as a whole (this generally requires somebody with a specialized degree) to fix more complicated tasks.
Dan
wyefye said:
What? you'll be transferring to a unlimited plan.
also, you realize that ATT 4G is just HSPA+, right? Everyone gets this already. they just changed the speed the 3G runs at. Plenty of documents sources on this. This is the EXACT reason ATT wanted to buy T-mobile; they have the 4G LTE Spectrum for GSM - Registered to them. In the Buyout, ATT would have acquired it, and Charged us higher prices... for upgrades... though the infrastructure already existed.
If you want REAL 4G, go for VZ.
Unrecognized is not the same as "Unsupported". you dont need a recognized phone to use thier "4G" services. You do need a recognized phone for them to tick that checkbox so you can PRETEND you have 4G, and pay more for the facade.
Your Choice.
p.s. 30 bucks for 5gb is NOT Amazing. its a ****ing scam.
OCZ RevoDrive SSD 960GB @ $3,149(most expensive SSD currently)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227742
$3.2 a GB.
ATT 5GB
$8 a GB
8 bucks a GB for false 4G? Yeah.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T is deploying (and is fairly far along) an LTE network. IDK what speeds are like, but it is definitely not the same as their HSPA+ network.
AT&T is deploying (and is fairly far along) an LTE network. IDK what speeds are like, but it is definitely not the same as their HSPA+ network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you, but... when i look at ATT's att.com/network page, and see advertised LTE HSPA+ 4G, im far from inspired to switch.
GSM standards allow any GSM device on any GSM network. End of story.
Contact a lawyer and watch AT&T squirm. They are everything wrong with the wireless industry and overdue for a reality check.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
At&t sucks! I'll pay any other carrier double before I ever send At&t a check again. You can get those fees waved, you just have to talk to the right person. If you get someone stuck on no just hang up and call back. If its easier on you to put your sim in your other phone and then swap it back to the GN after your data plan is restored than you should do that.
Its easier to call retentions. If they can't fix it, they'll find somebody who can. Usually.
let it be.
wyefye said:
I have at&t also. They are a bunch of money grubbing... well...
Here is your solution...
If this is your own line, itll still work, but is cheaper with a family plan.
Step one: Quit buying ATT Branded Phones. This is stupid, you pay more over the course of use. 30 bucks for 3 gigs? fuuuuck that.
Step two: get a IMEI From ANY Other non ATT Phone. Buy a 20 dollar junker off ebay. It HAS TO be a dumb phone. with a WAP Browser.
Step three: register that with ATT, tell them you want the wap data plan for your dumb phone. This is your primary and only phone as far as they are concerned. With a family plan, Unlimited WAP is 10 bucks. On your own, its 15.
Step four: wait a few days for your account to settle, or month, whenever your bill stabilizes. this is important. Dont make any more changes, as you can get hosed on price at this point.
Step five: Buy your GNEX. or Korean Galaxy Note. Or any other non ATT phone.
Step Six: Swap Sim's and setup the APN's if your rom does not come with them.
Step Seven: Enjoy your new unlimited data 10/15 dollar a month data plan on your smart phone.
a important note: Dont show any asshole at ATT your phone. Dont even mention it. Tell them you have a dumb phone. If they ask to do trouble shooting, play along. Dont do that ****. If they press for what phone you have, tell them you have a old ass Nokia. If they say your lying, tell em where to shove it.
I have 5 lines on my family plan. 1400 minutes. Unlimited messaging. Unlimited Data on all lines. 194 a month. And you get the "A list", free calls to any other network phone numbers you specify, up to 10. Needless to say, i hardly use my anytime. The only headache is getting the other idiots to pay me, even though its 38 bucks a person... peices of ****.
Have fun, dont be dumb with the ATT Reps. Make no mistake, No matter how smart you are, Stupidity will ALWAYS outsmart you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did EXACTLY this when I bought my Nokia 5800 xpressmusic and my Nokia C6-01.. works like a charm and the speeds are the same.
wyefye said:
What? you'll be transferring to a unlimited plan.
also, you realize that ATT 4G is just HSPA+, right? Everyone gets this already. they just changed the speed the 3G runs at. Plenty of documents sources on this. This is the EXACT reason ATT wanted to buy T-mobile; they have the 4G LTE Spectrum for GSM - Registered to them. In the Buyout, ATT would have acquired it, and Charged us higher prices... for upgrades... though the infrastructure already existed.
If you want REAL 4G, go for VZ.
Unrecognized is not the same as "Unsupported". you dont need a recognized phone to use thier "4G" services. You do need a recognized phone for them to tick that checkbox so you can PRETEND you have 4G, and pay more for the facade.
Your Choice.
p.s. 30 bucks for 5gb is NOT Amazing. its a ****ing scam.
OCZ RevoDrive SSD 960GB @ $3,149(most expensive SSD currently)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227742
$3.2 a GB.
ATT 5GB
$8 a GB
8 bucks a GB for false 4G? Yeah.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is false information. AT&T LTE exists and is very real. HSPA+ and LTE are very different on AT&T. With my Infuse and GNex (and the Note when not in LTE) I get about 5-7Mbps. My area has LTE and when in LTE coverage on the Note I was regularly getting 35Mbps or higher. My highest speed was 52Mbps.
Also comparing the cost of storage on an SSD to the cost of internet bandwidth is a nonsense comparison. Solid state storage should always be cheaper than data transfer. Why didn't you compare a 500Gb platter? That should run you about $0.10 per gigabyte. And you've missed the mark on the AT&T pricing we are discussing. The LTE unlimited still costs $30 and throttles at 5Gb. So that is actually $6 per Gb unthrottled. Try comparing it to home internet providers maybe.
wyefye said:
What? you'll be transferring to a unlimited plan.
also, you realize that ATT 4G is just HSPA+, right? Everyone gets this already. they just changed the speed the 3G runs at. Plenty of documents sources on this. This is the EXACT reason ATT wanted to buy T-mobile; they have the 4G LTE Spectrum for GSM - Registered to them. In the Buyout, ATT would have acquired it, and Charged us higher prices... for upgrades... though the infrastructure already existed.
If you want REAL 4G, go for VZ.
Unrecognized is not the same as "Unsupported". you dont need a recognized phone to use thier "4G" services. You do need a recognized phone for them to tick that checkbox so you can PRETEND you have 4G, and pay more for the facade.
Your Choice.
p.s. 30 bucks for 5gb is NOT Amazing. its a ****ing scam.
OCZ RevoDrive SSD 960GB @ $3,149(most expensive SSD currently)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227742
$3.2 a GB.
ATT 5GB
$8 a GB
8 bucks a GB for false 4G? Yeah.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T 4G LTE is much faster than Verizon 4G LTE in my experience. (I have both)
This is false information. AT&T LTE exists and is very real. HSPA+ and LTE are very different on AT&T. With my Infuse and GNex (and the Note when not in LTE) I get about 5-7Mbps. My area has LTE and when in LTE coverage on the Note I was regularly getting 35Mbps or higher. My highest speed was 52Mbps.
Also comparing the cost of storage on an SSD to the cost of internet bandwidth is a nonsense comparison. Solid state storage should always be cheaper than data transfer. Why didn't you compare a 500Gb platter? That should run you about $1 per gigabyte. And you've missed the mark on the AT&T pricing we are discussing. The LTE unlimited still costs $30 and throttles at 5Gb. So that is actually $6 per Gb unthrottled. Try comparing it to home internet providers maybe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right, it is "Real", and does "Exist". Congrats. Not all of us live in the city, though.
I chose a SSD simply because the platter device is cheaper, for one. two, Lets compare a strictly home based internet data plan, to price per GB on ATT. Lets go with Comcast XFINITY since their similar in throttling and whatnot.
50meg is 114 a month, then add taxes and fees.
the month of May is 2,678,400 seconds...
convert 50mbps to MB a second is 6.25 MB/s
2,678,400 Seconds x 6.25MB/s
16,740,000 MB in the month...
16,347.6562 GB in a month...
15.964508 TB in a month...(just for scale)
Total cost per GB of home internet provided you are fully maxed out and no throttling....
0.0069622572370832 cents per GB.
Compared to ATT's...
$8 dollars per GB?!?! (op's 5BG)
But... lets not forget operating costs, upgrade fees, costs of network towers... and all that expensive throttling equipment. needs to be payed for somehow, right?
dont forget how much the CEO's Pockets cost!
Also, in reality, you cant compare HD's or Home internet... they are not the same technology....
So check this out.... I am an AT&T user and back when the HTC HD2 came out for T-Mobile I bought it from a friend when they signed up for a new contract. Got an unlock code from Ebay and have been using it for the past 2 years without having to have a data plan, never got added automatically to my plan like i have heard happen to others? And I'm wondering why? Is it possibly cuz its a T-Mobile phone? Or is it cuz I still have an old "Cingular" SIM card? I am curious about this because right now, Wally World has a special sale on the phone at $249, plus a $100 gift card, which will bring the phone down to $150 basically, so a pretty damn good deal for a phone just out on the market. And I'm plan on getting it this week, I was wondering if any of you would be able to tell me if at some point if i was able to get a T-Mobile version of the Samsung Note 2 if i could slip my SIM card into it and then be able to cancel my DATA plan, if i told them i went back to a Motorola Razr or something, which worked when i got my HD2? Or will AT&T be able to see that i have a smartphone? Is it the newer smaller SIM card, that will tell AT&T that I have a smartphone, or will the phone it self be what sends info to the servers or whatever that tells AT&T I have a smartphone? Or do you think this method of getting a T-Mobile phone and using an AT&T SIM card will work and I won't get stuck with a DATA plan? Everywhere I go has Wi-Fi so I have no need for the Data plan it will be going to waste.
That offer of 249 is only for new contracts and upgrades
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
funziebear said:
That offer of 249 is only for new contracts and upgrades
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I am eligible for an upgrade, haven't upgraded in a few years or so... Just wondering if the new micro sim cards or the newer phone will alert at&t that i am using a smart phone, or if i will be able to do the same thing i did last time, by getting a tmobile phone with at&t service and not be required to have a data plan, if they don't know that i'm using a smart phone...?
Red-Dog said:
Yep, I am eligible for an upgrade, haven't upgraded in a few years or so... Just wondering if the new micro sim cards or the newer phone will alert at&t that i am using a smart phone, or if i will be able to do the same thing i did last time, by getting a tmobile phone with at&t service and not be required to have a data plan, if they don't know that i'm using a smart phone...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you are going to start a tmobile contract to get the discounted price on the phone then switch back to att
So, you've been stealing data for 2 years now... Making my data cost go up. Stealing is a crime! Please turn yourself in and agree to pay back the last 2 years of stolen data....
I'm messing with you.
If you bring a phone to T-Mobile, they won't force a data plan on you. I'm assuming The Dark Side [AT&T] is the same.
If you use an upgrade, a 2GB Data Plan is required, and they will not let you remove your data afterwards. T-Mobile is weird like that.
dkb218 said:
So, you've been stealing data for 2 years now... Making my data cost go up. Stealing is a crime! Please turn yourself in and agree to pay back the last 2 years of stolen data....
I'm messing with you.
If you bring a phone to T-Mobile, they won't force a data plan on you. I'm assuming The Dark Side [AT&T] is the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, nice, but no, I'm saying I don't have any internet on my phone, only had the Wi-Fi, therefore wasn't having to pay for a data plan, because i wasn't required to have one since they didn't know i had a smart phone, just the regular cost of having a calling plan... I'm hoping it's something to do with the IMEI, if it isn't in the system, hopefully they won't know what phone i'm using...
iamtimmah said:
If you use an upgrade, a 2GB Data Plan is required, and they will not let you remove your data afterwards. T-Mobile is weird like that.
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Click to collapse
Yeah AT&T requires you to have an added Data Plan also with any smartphone, but I don't need it, its a waste of money for me, I have Wi-Fi most of the places I go, and don't need to be connected to the net 24/7 ...lol But, I'm hoping I can get a Tmobile Note 2 and use it for a while, then tell them I went back to my Razr and hopefully be able to drop the data part of the plan, but i don't know if i could do that until the new contract is over
truthkillszz said:
so you are going to start a tmobile contract to get the discounted price on the phone then switch back to att
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No, originally it was just an impulse buy, cuz its such a kick ass phone...lol I would prefer just to buy a Tmobile version somewhere and use it on AT&T and hopefully not be required to have a data plan, but since the phone is so new, i'm probably not going to find one anywhere, less than $400 even on Ebay. So what I was thinking is, just upgrade my current AT&T plan to a new 2 year agreement, and get the phone for $250, plus the $100 gift card from Wally World, and that basically brings the price down to $150, and then possibly selling or trading the phone and getting a Tmobile version, so i can cancel the internet data plan. But, i'm not sure i could do that, i don't know if the contract terms say I'm required to keep the data part, even if i don't have a smartphone anymore say after a few months or year or so. Like for example, if I sign a new 2 year agreement, and after a couple of months, tell them I went back to a Razr phone, if i can drop the data, but i'm still on the 2 year agreement. And hopefully the Tmobile version phone won't be able to be detected so i'm not automatically enrolled into the data plan again....?
I don't get it. If you just want a feature phone then just get an feature phone. There are tablets that uses WiFi only just bigger. Then you can get a free basic phone for texting and calls only. Or get a feature phone for almost free for text, calling, and listening to your music. At this point PPCs (Pocket Personal Computers) aka "Smartphones", like Galaxy Note 2, are way too much for the purposes that you are wanting to use them for.
To make PPC aka "smartphones" truly mobile they need to be connected to the Internet at all times. That is why cellular data radio services is so important for these PPC devices. They are truly cellular mobile computers. That is why I coined them as CPPC (Cellular Pocket Personal Computer) and MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer).
MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer) is the best description of what these devices are. They are mobile in terms that you are always connected on the go with these devices. They fit in your pocket (at least your big pocket). They are very personal in the way you use them. And they are truly computers. They are your personalized pocket sized (big pockets) computers on the go with cellular radio and communication services. They are your MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is not for you at all. You are just wasting money on the Galaxy Note 2. Get either a basic phone or feature phone as your phone device. And get a tablet as your WiFi media device. You can get both for less than or close to the cost of a Galaxy Note 2.
JaguarXT said:
I don't get it. If you just want a feature phone then just get an feature phone. There are tablets that uses WiFi only just bigger. Then you can get a free basic phone for texting and calls only. Or get a feature phone for almost free for text, calling, and listening to your music. At this point PPCs (Pocket Personal Computers) aka "Smartphones", like Galaxy Note 2, are way too much for the purposes that you are wanting to use them for.
To make PPC aka "smartphones" truly mobile they need to be connected to the Internet at all times. That is why cellular data radio services is so important for these PPC devices. They are truly cellular mobile computers. That is why I coined them as CPPC (Cellular Pocket Personal Computer) and MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer).
MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer) is the best description of what these devices are. They are mobile in terms that you are always connected on the go with these devices. They fit in your pocket (at least your big pocket). They are very personal in the way you use them. And they are truly computers. They are your personalized pocket sized (big pockets) computers on the go with cellular radio and communication services. They are your MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is not for you at all. You are just wasting money on the Galaxy Note 2. Get either a basic phone or feature phone as your phone device. And get a tablet as your WiFi media device. You can get both for less than or close to the cost of a Galaxy Note 2.
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I'm not trying to buy the Galaxy Note 2 outright, I plan on going to Walmart sometime this week and upgrading my contract and getting the Note 2 for $249, and then on top of that Walmart will throw in a $100 gift card, that you can use on anything at the store, probably even gas at the Murphy USA station so basically, that brings the price of the phone down to $150.... I don't know of any decent tablet anywhere near that price. This phone is basically a phone and tablet all in one, I don't want to be carrying multiple devices around with me, a big 7" or 10" tablet everywhere I go everyday, plus my cell phone. I'm looking for an all in once device, and this is pretty much it. Most of the places I go have Wi-Fi, so I wouldn't, (and haven't), even hardly use(d) any data. And the extra, $15, $20 or $30 a month for a data plan could be used to help pay for other bills. I can still use the phone to its full potential without having a data plan... Except when I'm driving down the highway and I'm lost and need GPS? ...lol But, I still have my HD2 with tomtom on it, or eventually I might sell it and get a dedicated GPS, or use google navigation, I think I heard they have an option to download offline maps. If I'm bored waiting on my oil to get changed in my car somewhere, and want to watch a YouTube video, sure I'll be SOL if they don't have a public Wi-Fi, but I'll have plenty of apps and games to keep me entertained while I wait...lol IF I ever have an absolute need to use, mobile data, its a pay-per-use feature, per MB I think so I'll still have that, it just won't be a set monthly price.
Att requires you to keep a data plan for 6 months after an upgrade.
Here is what I would do:
If you upgrade then switch to the t-mo version, call att when you switch and tell them you are using a t mobile dumb phone and want your data removed. They may do it if its been 6 months since your upgrade. If they wont remove data completely, tell them you want the $10 media net package. It is unlimited and you will get hspa+ if your phone allows for it. That way you have data if you ever need it, and its cheap.
I used the $10 plan with my gsm razr, but switched back to unlimited so I wouldnt lose it. I know the $10 plan works for phones not in att's system.
Hope this helps
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
bfinch said:
Att requires you to keep a data plan for 6 months after an upgrade.
Here is what I would do:
If you upgrade then switch to the t-mo version, call att when you switch and tell them you are using a t mobile dumb phone and want your data removed. They may do it if its been 6 months since your upgrade. If they wont remove data completely, tell them you want the $10 media net package. It is unlimited and you will get hspa+ if your phone allows for it. That way you have data if you ever need it, and its cheap.
I used the $10 plan with my gsm razr, but switched back to unlimited so I wouldnt lose it. I know the $10 plan works for phones not in att's system.
Hope this helps
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
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Exactly, thanks for the info, helps a lot. That is exactly what I planned to do, just wasn't for sure on how long I would have to keep the mobile data plan. So $150, plus $15 a month for the minimum plan, for 6 months = $240 total, phone and mobile data.... not too bad...
Red-Dog said:
I'm not trying to buy the Galaxy Note 2 outright, I plan on going to Walmart sometime this week and upgrading my contract and getting the Note 2 for $249, and then on top of that Walmart will throw in a $100 gift card, that you can use on anything at the store, probably even gas at the Murphy USA station so basically, that brings the price of the phone down to $150.... I don't know of any decent tablet anywhere near that price. This phone is basically a phone and tablet all in one, I don't want to be carrying multiple devices around with me, a big 7" or 10" tablet everywhere I go everyday, plus my cell phone. I'm looking for an all in once device, and this is pretty much it. Most of the places I go have Wi-Fi, so I wouldn't, (and haven't), even hardly use(d) any data. And the extra, $15, $20 or $30 a month for a data plan could be used to help pay for other bills. I can still use the phone to its full potential without having a data plan... Except when I'm driving down the highway and I'm lost and need GPS? ...lol But, I still have my HD2 with tomtom on it, or eventually I might sell it and get a dedicated GPS, or use google navigation, I think I heard they have an option to download offline maps. If I'm bored waiting on my oil to get changed in my car somewhere, and want to watch a YouTube video, sure I'll be SOL if they don't have a public Wi-Fi, but I'll have plenty of apps and games to keep me entertained while I wait...lol IF I ever have an absolute need to use, mobile data, its a pay-per-use feature, per MB I think so I'll still have that, it just won't be a set monthly price.
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Nexus 7 Tablet!!! Check it out.
To use Google Maps you will need Internet connection so that the device can download the maps while you are traveling. Yes you can do that off line. But the Google Maps function the best when you are connected. Just a good example of so many things within these devices that Must be connected at all times for.
Why not check out lower end Android devices or feature phones with these features? They will cost you even less. Much less.
Again, Galaxy Note 2 is way too much of a professional device than what you are look for. So much of Galaxy Note 2 will be wasted. And the complexity of Galaxy Note 2 is not going to make you happy in the long run.
Warning - Galaxy Note 2 WILL use your cellular data rather you want it to or not. Again, this is the nature of these devices. Everything from email, system backing up, your contacts gets checked and backup, any social apps WILL use your data in the background, Google PlayStore in check for updates, Google Maps in getting new maps (as you travel) and adding location accuracy (with cellular towers), Google Street View in downloading the street view for you, Calendar will check Google and update, free apps that have ads will download the ads, some apps will be running in the background checking stuff online and downloading from online, and so much more WILL be using your Cellular data throughout the day and night on everyday.
When it comes to free apps you can buy the paid ad-free apps. But by the time you do that with all apps you will end up spending as much as it would if you just get the $30.00 per month unlimited data plan. I know that because I hate ads so much that I spend money for the paid ad-free apps.
At the end you better off either going for the $30.00 unlimited data plan or go for a feature phone that does what you want it to. With what you want to do with the device you are better off with a feature phone.
But if you do go for Galaxy Note 2 go for the Unlimited data plan and try to learn the features of this device. Hopefully you will learn to love or at least like the features enough that you would never again think of not having data plan with the device. But my fear for you is that the experience in trying not to use data service is going to be a very bad experience for you. But at least you were forewarned.
You can remove the data plan at anytime if you buy it from AT&T, not sure about other places.
There is a few problems with your plan. T-mobile version of the note 2 is worth more in the used market than AT&T version, so you may find it hard to do an even exchange.
Secondly AT&T do sweeps to detect smartphones more regularly now. It may be able to detect the Tmobile version of note 2 very soon.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Even if you can take out the data plan, your usage with Galaxy Note 2 would be hampered in a huge way. So huge that it is not worth removing the data plan or getting the Galaxy Note 2. I gave examples in a post above of some of stuff that uses the cellular data. Those and much more would be hampered by taking cellular data plan out. Again, not worth it. There are feature phones that would do what that user wants without hampering the usage.
You see that Droid X on my signature? That is not on the grid anymore. And I can tell you that I notice how much the device and I am hampered by not having data plan. It sucks in a huge way. I am talking with experience.
Android PPC aka "Smartphones" is at its best if on the grid all the way, including cellular data plan. Otherwise go for a feature phone.
JaguarXT said:
Even if you can take out the data plan, your usage with Galaxy Note 2 would be hampered in a huge way. So huge that it is not worth removing the data plan or getting the Galaxy Note 2. I gave examples in a post above of some of stuff that uses the cellular data. Those and much more would be hampered by taking cellular data plan out. Again, not worth it. There are feature phones that would do what that user wants without hampering the usage.
You see that Droid X on my signature? That is not on the grid anymore. And I can tell you that I notice how much the device and I am hampered by not having data plan. It sucks in a huge way. I am talking with experience.
Android is at its best if on the grid all the way, including cellular data plan. Otherwise go for a feature phone.
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I think this post was meant for the OP.
I have an unlimited data plan and I use a lots of it. I'm just telling the OP what he can expect in his situation.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
whatsitsnamenow said:
Direct it towards the OP.
I have an unlimited data plan and I use a lots of it. I'm just telling the OP what he can expect in his situation.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
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Sorry.
We are both trying to tell the OP what to expect in his situation.
I know it's a little bit of an inconvenience not having mobile data, but I have been using a T-Mobile HTC HD2 for the last 2 years without a mobile data plan, just fine. If there is something I need to do that requires internet, i'm patient enough to wait until I can get on Wi-Fi, make a reminder in the calender for when I have time and problem solved. I still have Windows 6.5, which kinda sucks, on it. And I also have Android ported onto it using the memory card. So if I'm traveling somewhere I restart the phone and boot into Windows and use my TomTom GPS program. Then after, I boot back into Android and in the settings there is a checkbox that I can check to keep my phone from using a mobile data connection, so I've been doing just fine. And the GN2 will be a step up from this phone and not that much money out of my wallet.
JaguarXT said:
Nexus 7 Tablet!!! Check it out.
To use Google Maps you will need Internet connection so that the device can download the maps while you are traveling. Yes you can do that off line. But the Google Maps function the best when you are connected. Just a good example of so many things within these devices that Must be connected at all times for.
Why not check out lower end Android devices or feature phones with these features? They will cost you even less. Much less.
Again, Galaxy Note 2 is way too much of a professional device than what you are look for. So much of Galaxy Note 2 will be wasted. And the complexity of Galaxy Note 2 is not going to make you happy in the long run.
Warning - Galaxy Note 2 WILL use your cellular data rather you want it to or not. Again, this is the nature of these devices. Everything from email, system backing up, your contacts gets checked and backup, any social apps WILL use your data in the background, Google PlayStore in check for updates, Google Maps in getting new maps (as you travel) and adding location accuracy (with cellular towers), Google Street View in downloading the street view for you, Calendar will check Google and update, free apps that have ads will download the ads, some apps will be running in the background checking stuff online and downloading from online, and so much more WILL be using your Cellular data throughout the day and night on everyday.
When it comes to free apps you can buy the paid ad-free apps. But by the time you do that with all apps you will end up spending as much as it would if you just get the $30.00 per month unlimited data plan. I know that because I hate ads so much that I spend money for the paid ad-free apps.
At the end you better off either going for the $30.00 unlimited data plan or go for a feature phone that does what you want it to. With what you want to do with the device you are better off with a feature phone.
But if you do go for Galaxy Note 2 go for the Unlimited data plan and try to learn the features of this device. Hopefully you will learn to love or at least like the features enough that you would never again think of not having data plan with the device. But my fear for you is that the experience in trying not to use data service is going to be a very bad experience for you. But at least you were forewarned.
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Click to collapse
I actually already bought the GN2 on black friday, from at&t as a contract upgrade, it was kind of an impulse buy, i'm a penny pincher... I know, kinda weird when we are talking about a $700 phone, right? ...LOL But, I try to save money where I can. I took it back on Tuesday night, because a co-worker told me about the deal at walmart. So I'm gonna go get it from them. From Saturday to Tuesday I was streaming football and basketball games for a few hours everyday, over wi-fi, just fine. I checked my data usage on the phone with the included apps and I was barely even using anything, it was only a few MB's or so, that is probably when I was playing around with it before I connected it to my home and work Wi-Fi, 4G at my work was extremely slow, so I connected to Wi-Fi and was much faster, and I was thinking to myself, if 4g is that damn slow, i don't need to be throwing money away at it... Me and another co-worker that works in my same department were wondering how fast the mobile data is so, I was trying to go to speedtest.net to test the speed and it would never even completely load the page up. I didn't even try the wi-fi speedtest at work, because i was ready to clock out and go home... I did the speedtest at my home from wi-fi and on 4g and my wi-fi kicked the **** out of the 4g, the 4g didn't even get over 1MB! I don't need to have my apps all connected to mobile data all the time, I've used facebook, ebay, craigslist, google play store, checked email and the apps that have the ads don't really bother me, not that big of a deal to me. Sometimes they are annoying, but for me I'd rather see the ad then racking up money by buying all the paid apps. I might buy a few apps that I really like but probably not very many, who knows.. ...And on a sidenote, i don't see a $30 unlimited data plan anywhere, is that a T-Mobile or AT&T plan?