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I'm sure there's been plenty of posts regarding this (and I'll probably get some flack from moderators), but I thought I should revisit this issue and get everyone's thoughts before I jump on the bandwagon.
Anyone here got the dreaded text, automatically switched, or loss data services altogether simply because you were using the AT&T $15 MediaNet plan? Or better yet, the $10 family plan?
I'm on the $15 plan that was originally used by a lowly 3G featurephone, and have never upgraded to a branded smartphone with AT&T. Just wondering if there are folks with my same situation who've taken the plunge into Nexus One waters. So...are you still swimming?
I've had the $4.99 T-Zones plan since 2008 and it still is going strong. I've never bought a subsidized phone. Not one single complaint. Not on AT&T obviously. Oops.
jacka$$1 said:
I'm sure there's been plenty of posts regarding this (and I'll probably get some flack from moderators), but I thought I should revisit this issue and get everyone's thoughts before I jump on the bandwagon.
Anyone here got the dreaded text, automatically switched, or loss data services altogether simply because you were using the AT&T $15 MediaNet plan? Or better yet, the $10 family plan?
I'm on the $15 plan that was originally used by a lowly 3G featurephone, and have never upgraded to a branded smartphone with AT&T. Just wondering if there are folks with my same situation who've taken the plunge into Nexus One waters. So...are you still swimming?
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Click to collapse
In short, your account needs to have smartphone exclusion on it to prevent your data plan from jumping to the $30 smartphone data plan. If it doesn't have this rare SOC code, it's difficult to get, and you won't be able to do much of anything to stop the change from happening.
j.bruha said:
In short, your account needs to have smartphone exclusion on it to prevent your data plan from jumping to the $30 smartphone data plan. If it doesn't have this rare SOC code, it's difficult to get, and you won't be able to do much of anything to stop the change from happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm aware of the smartphone exclusion status. But no one seems to have a clear answer as to "how" to get that status. Multiple stories abound: I've heard that you have to have had a smartphone with no data prior to Sept '09. I've also heard that folks who have a dumbphone (featurephone) with a 3G data plan ($15) are also excluded because they've never upgraded to a branded smartphone thru ATT. I'm on the latter situation. Does anyone here used to be on the $15 MediaNet+dumbphone combo and are now using a Nexus One?
jacka$$1 said:
I'm aware of the smartphone exclusion status. But no one seems to have a clear answer as to "how" to get that status. Multiple stories abound: I've heard that you have to have had a smartphone with no data prior to Sept '09. I've also heard that folks who have a dumbphone (featurephone) with a 3G data plan ($15) are also excluded because they've never upgraded to a branded smartphone thru ATT. I'm on the latter situation. Does anyone here used to be on the $15 MediaNet+dumbphone combo and are now using a Nexus One?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it helps, I never purchased ANY phone through AT&T since I started service with them in mid-2008 since I always used unlocked phones and I still got hit with the text. The only reason I have the smartphone exclusion is because I called AT&T when they switched my data plan automatically and pitched a huge fit. I still can't get them to add it to the other line on my account.
So I guess try to talk to the customer "solutions" team about canceling your service and see if they'll add it for you?
I am using AT&T Nexus One from the day they were out (about 3 weeks now), I am still on $10 family MediaNet plan.
I have never bought smartphone from AT&T, perhaps that is the reason, or they haven't done their sweep yet.
j.bruha said:
If it helps, I never purchased ANY phone through AT&T since I started service with them in mid-2008 since I always used unlocked phones and I still got hit with the text. The only reason I have the smartphone exclusion is because I called AT&T when they switched my data plan automatically and pitched a huge fit. I still can't get them to add it to the other line on my account.
So I guess try to talk to the customer "solutions" team about canceling your service and see if they'll add it for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense. But have you, or ever, upgraded your plan from a $15 to a $30 plan, and then back down to $15? (Or something to that effect.) I'm just wondering that since you never bought a device from them, a change in your data plan might also trigger the auto-switch? Just covering all bases how an auto-switch (or change in the smartphone exclusion status) can be triggered by either device upgrade or data plan upgrade thru AT&T.
rome425 said:
I am using AT&T Nexus One from the day they were out (about 3 weeks now), I am still on $10 family MediaNet plan.
I have never bought smartphone from AT&T, perhaps that is the reason, or they haven't done their sweep yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Good luck on that. Please keep us posted if the status on your data ever changes. I'm gonna try using the N1 under the $15 MediaNet and see how much mileage I can get out of it.
Well; I have some bad news for you guys that think your getting lucky by tricking them.
At&t does not have this phone registered in their system. So if you call them and have them change the IMEI number to reflect this phone, it will come up as unknown. So the only option they have for a data plan is the $15 plan ($10 if you have a family plan).
The only reason why I know this: I came from an iPhone to this, so I had to call them and change the IMEI number.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but as long as At&t does not register this in their system, we will get the cheaper plan.
And usually, unless they sell it, they won't register it. So we are good to go for the life of this phone.
Squeaky369 said:
Well; I have some bad news for you guys that think your getting lucky by tricking them.
At&t does not have this phone registered in their system. So if you call them and have them change the IMEI number to reflect this phone, it will come up as unknown. So the only option they have for a data plan is the $15 plan ($10 if you have a family plan).
The only reason why I know this: I came from an iPhone to this, so I had to call them and change the IMEI number.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but as long as At&t does not register this in their system, we will get the cheaper plan.
And usually, unless they sell it, they won't register it. So we are good to go for the life of this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have a look at: AT&T automatically addining $30 Smartphone Data plan to the unbranded Nexus 1!?
jacka$$1 said:
That makes sense. But have you, or ever, upgraded your plan from a $15 to a $30 plan, and then back down to $15? (Or something to that effect.) I'm just wondering that since you never bought a device from them, a change in your data plan might also trigger the auto-switch? Just covering all bases how an auto-switch (or change in the smartphone exclusion status) can be triggered by either device upgrade or data plan upgrade thru AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you asked because I did buy two 3GS's from them and flipped them on eBay for a ridiculous profit. I had to call AT&T right after I bought them to have them remove the smartphone data plan since I wasn't using the iPhones anymore.
This could be part of the reason why my account triggered the change.
I have been on a grandfathered-in mediaworks package for ~8 years now ($20 for unlimited data, 1500sms and 200mms). AT&T has never once changed my plan on me and they never will. I'm out of contact
I had the T-Mobile version on ATT shortly after the tmobile versions launch. I was using the 10$ medianet plan for about a week until I got the dreaded text. I thought it was a glitch so I went online and changed it back. A few minutes later, I got the text again. I sold my nexus and bought a milestone until the ATT version came out. I came to the conclusion that I would pay for the 30$ smartphone plan if I was using the ATT version because I would be getting 3G. I just got the ATT version in today and havnt switched plans yet. My buddy works for ATT and asked for my IMEI number to get credit for the switch from medianet to smartphone plan. He called me back saying that my new ATT nexus' IMEI number wasn't registering meaning I could use the media net plan. There have been some rumors that ATT put a cap on the speeds of the media net plan, so he asked me to run a speed test. My speeds show that I was getting normal 3g speeds for my area(786 dl). Ill post again if ATT gets ahold of this batch of IMEI numbers and auto adds the smartphone plan.
nephroid said:
I've had the $4.99 T-Zones plan since 2008 and it still is going strong. I've never bought a subsidized phone. Not one single complaint. Not on AT&T obviously. Oops.
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Click to collapse
Do you get 3G with t-zones?
superninjaquan said:
I had the T-Mobile version on ATT shortly after the tmobile versions launch. I was using the 10$ medianet plan for about a week until I got the dreaded text. I thought it was a glitch so I went online and changed it back. A few minutes later, I got the text again. I sold my nexus and bought a milestone until the ATT version came out. I came to the conclusion that I would pay for the 30$ smartphone plan if I was using the ATT version because I would be getting 3G. I just got the ATT version in today and havnt switched plans yet. My buddy works for ATT and asked for my IMEI number to get credit for the switch from medianet to smartphone plan. He called me back saying that my new ATT nexus' IMEI number wasn't registering meaning I could use the media net plan. There have been some rumors that ATT put a cap on the speeds of the media net plan, so he asked me to run a speed test. My speeds show that I was getting normal 3g speeds for my area(786 dl). Ill post again if ATT gets ahold of this batch of IMEI numbers and auto adds the smartphone plan.
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Click to collapse
Excellent! That definitely got me on the bandwagon. Just ordered the N1 and should be getting it Wednesday. I'll keep ya'll posted with the hopes that the IMEI batch for these new N1's will be kept hidden from ATT. Good luck to all!
GldRush98 said:
I have been on a grandfathered-in mediaworks package for ~8 years now ($20 for unlimited data, 1500sms and 200mms). AT&T has never once changed my plan on me and they never will. I'm out of contact
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Click to collapse
Incredible! Grandfathered plans are always the best. How long have you had your N1?
I'm confused... Why were you guys giving att the imei #s? I bought my tmobile version unlocked through google and never had to let tmo know... I just dropped my SIM card in from my G1 and went on my way.
So how much data do you guys get for $15?
liam.lah said:
So how much data do you guys get for $15?
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Click to collapse
UNLIMITED*
Spoiler
*5 gigs
liam.lah said:
So how much data do you guys get for $15?
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Click to collapse
Tons. Lotsa lotsa tons.
Im currently thinking about switching to at&t from tmobile.
One reason is my work gets a 22% discount the at&t vrs 12% at Tmo.
Also with taxes and unlimited everything im paying about a hundred which is kind of rediculous. (Without my discount)
Has anyone switched before and have a little more insight about data and plans between the two networks. I already know tmobile has hspa+. But will i end up paying more at at&t?
I already have someone lined up to trade my tmo nexus for a att nexus. Im just skeptical. And yes im going to pay etf fee even though i dont want too.
Help me out here people.
Att generally is more money for the same service and their coverage is not much better at least where I live
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
First of all, don't sign a contract because you're providing your own phone so you don't need to go on contract. Secondly, have you checked to make sure that T-Mobile has 3G in your area? What's your zip code?
How much etf do you have to pay? I dont think its a smart move to switch from tmo to att because of the extra 10% savings. Im pretty sure atts prices are inflated above the 10% difference. If you really wanted to save money then you can just switch your tmobile plan from your unlimited everything. If you switch your texting to google voice you can save $20 a month just from that. You can lower your minutes and start using sipdroid for your calls and have virtually unlimited free calls as long as you have decent data connection or wifi, and you can use your tmobile minutes as a backup.
So if you really wanted to get creative and still have a virtually unlimited plan you can sign up for the 500 minute plan on tmobile for $29.99, and get on the $10 web2go plan (this is the reason alone why i wont upgrade my phone for a long long time). $40 a month, and no contract.
smachine said:
How much etf do you have to pay? I dont think its a smart move to switch from tmo to att because of the extra 10% savings. Im pretty sure atts prices are inflated above the 10% difference. If you really wanted to save money then you can just switch your tmobile plan from your unlimited everything. If you switch your texting to google voice you can save $20 a month just from that. You can lower your minutes and start using sipdroid for your calls and have virtually unlimited free calls as long as you have decent data connection or wifi, and you can use your tmobile minutes as a backup.
So if you really wanted to get creative and still have a virtually unlimited plan you can sign up for the 500 minute plan on tmobile for $29.99, and get on the $10 web2go plan (this is the reason alone why i wont upgrade my phone for a long long time). $40 a month, and no contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 questions... how do I get on web2go plan. And how do I use gvoice for texting?
pretty sure web2go is one of the old grandfathered plans the only way you have it is if you stuck with your plan and never changed it.
T-mobile just like other carriers play dirty tricks with plans to get their money back from subsidized phones.
i for example recently went the route of buying a used N1 for more than a G2 would have cost me subsidized up front because i'm on a grandfathered G1 data plan so currently i pay 55 dollars a month for 300 min 400 texts and unlimited data. i dont talk or text enough on my phone to justify more so its the cheapest thing for me to do is stick with it. if its not enough for me at some point i can upgrade to the even more whatever base plan without contract because i'm out of contract on my G1 now and it will run me 60 a month for 500 anytime unlimited text and data. had i bought a subed G2 i would have had to pay 80 a month for the same exact plan that is 60 off contract.
from what i have seen ATT is about 20 dollars more a month for the base plan that you would want on a N1 or other similar phone and as i said before in my experience at least in the SF bay area coverage is equal between t-mobile and ATT for the most part, maybe a slight edge to ATT in some places but for the most part the same.
Sprint is the only carrier that i have seen that comes close to the cost of T-mo and even with a subed phone like a EVO 4G your only looking at 70ish a month for a comparable plan but its nice staying off contract because it gives me more options in the not so distance future
jm1999 said:
2 questions... how do I get on web2go plan. And how do I use gvoice for texting?
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Click to collapse
I signed up just last week with tmobile and picked the $10 unlimited internet for phone option which is the same as web2go. Log into your tmobile account and go to add services, and there should be $10 unlimited mobile web for phones. Just make sure you do it before tmobile changes to the tiered plans, and set your device as being a dumbphone. Set your apn settings to internet2.voicestream.com and it will be good to go.
For google voice texting you just use the built in google voice application, or the normal contact list on your phone. It will send texts out from your google voice number. I sent one massive text out to all my contacts telling them my google voice number was my new main number. Might seem like a pain telling people a new number but after you do this it will help you out in the long run. You can setup sipdroid for free calls and all incoming and outgoing calls from your google voice number can be made without the use of any minutes if you have data/wifi. I made a step by step guide for that at this link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8813244&postcount=18
I went the other way and am never going back to att!
My plan right now costs half of what att used to charge me
go tmo!
Ps: usually the discount only applies to the main line.
on both networks
So Verizon will no longer offer unlimited data plans to customers, but you can keep yours. When getting a new phone however you must purchase it in full. THat means around 500dollars per phone usually.
Motorola is also releasing updates now to their unlocked devices and locking them.
**** Verizon and Motorola.
My next phone will be a HTC or Samsung on (insert network name here that offers best data plan). i wont be bullied anymore. This is beyond ridiculous.
Just buy phones locally then. Plus, off contract phones are better then being locked down.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Dri94 said:
So Verizon will no longer offer unlimited data plans to customers, but you can keep yours. When getting a new phone however you must purchase it in full. THat means around 500dollars per phone usually.
Motorola is also releasing updates now to their unlocked devices and locking them.
**** Verizon and Motorola.
My next phone will be a HTC or Samsung on (insert network name here that offers best data plan). i wont be bullied anymore. This is beyond ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will it looks like after that happens if i need a new phone and have to buy it out right then i will just swich to straight talk because 45 a mouth unlimited talk text and web that beats ne paying the BIG V 400 mouth any ways so i think i will unlock my droid 3 now thanks for the info man
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA
KayxGee1 said:
Just buy phones locally then. Plus, off contract phones are better then being locked down.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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Click to collapse
yea i know, i used to live in europe and thats the way my parents bought them for me. but im a college student, i dont have half a G to spend on a nice phone :/ i wish these big corporations would stop tryin to mess us over. They have all the coverage so they can do what they want now.
leerpsp said:
Will it looks like after that happens if i need a new phone and have to buy it out right then i will just swich to straight talk because 45 a mouth unlimited talk text and web that beats ne paying the BIG V 400 mouth any ways so i think i will unlock my droid 3 now thanks for the info man
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how is the coverage with straighttalk though? the plans seem to much of a great deal to not have some drawback somewhere. otherwise why are they not leading the market lol
Dri94 said:
So Verizon will no longer offer unlimited data plans to customers, but you can keep yours. When getting a new phone however you must purchase it in full. THat means around 500dollars per phone usually.
Motorola is also releasing updates now to their unlocked devices and locking them.
**** Verizon and Motorola.
My next phone will be a HTC or Samsung on (insert network name here that offers best data plan). i wont be bullied anymore. This is beyond ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you have a couple of misconceptions going on there. You are confusing the brand of phone and the carrier. It's verizon billing you for data. Motorola has nothing to do with that. Buy an HTC or Samsung phone on Verizon and the price for data is the same as if you bought a Motorola phone. Buy a Motorola phone on a different carrier and the price for data on that phone will be the same as any other phone on that carrier.
Also how do you figure $500 per phone? Currently I'm one of the people grandfathered in on an unlimited data plan. That's $30 per month for unlimited data. So over the course of a 24 month contract, I'll actually pay $720 for data. People who are not grandfathered are still paying the same $720 over 24 months but are only getting 2 GB per month. Since 2 GB is plenty for me, it doesn't much matter.
The only difference with the new plans coming out this summer is that data is charged per account rather than per phone. If you add a tablet for example, you don't necessarily have to pay for any more data if both devices together stay within the cap. The thing is everyone is panicking and complaining before we even know what the caps will be and what the price will be for each tier.
For example if it were still $30 for two gigabytes I could actually save $30 per month. currently my wife has her $30 and I have my $30 for a total of $60 between us. But we each on our own have never exceeded 900 MB so we could switch to a pool of 2 GB total to share between us and end up paying half as much total. but we need to know the facts and figures to make those comparisons...
And right now, everyone complaining doesn't have any more idea than I do.
I'm just done with Verizon. I'm going with prepaid now. :|
Lol ratman you read my post wrong. Ill explain
Motorola sent a update locking an unlocked phone. Im assuming the trend dwill continue as they havent started unlocking phones they said they would. But instead doing the opposite and locking unlocked phones..
Seperately, verizon is getting rid of unlimited or 2gb data plan. You can keep it if you already have it but if you want to get a new phone (using it for your unlimited) you must buy it completely. Meaning around 500 dollars. Thats how much phones actually cost if you dont buy with a plan.
I believe you still can upgrade for free however on your plan
Dri94 said:
yea i know, i used to live in europe and thats the way my parents bought them for me. but im a college student, i dont have half a G to spend on a nice phone :/ i wish these big corporations would stop tryin to mess us over. They have all the coverage so they can do what they want now.
how is the coverage with straighttalk though? the plans seem to much of a great deal to not have some drawback somewhere. otherwise why are they not leading the market lol[/QUOTED
Straight talk has good coverage there is one drawback after you go over 2 gb of net they slow your speed down but its still fast as hell even when they do my bro has it and uses it for the net with his laptop with his droid 3 and same speed as me if not faster and so its a good deal but to get good phones like the razer droid 3 and iphone you have to buy them out right and also somthing cool you can have any att phone and you do not have to get it unlocked they have a sim that works with it!
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA
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Click to collapse
Lol throttling is alot better than having a cap. Honestly that is not an issue to me. But thanks man your a god for that info, im going to look more into it and see if that is a good alternative. Sounds great so far :]
Sent from my XT862 using Tapatalk 2
Dri94 said:
yea i know, i used to live in europe and thats the way my parents bought them for me. but im a college student, i dont have half a G to spend on a nice phone :/ i wish these big corporations would stop tryin to mess us over. They have all the coverage so they can do what they want now.
how is the coverage with straighttalk though? the plans seem to much of a great deal to not have some drawback somewhere. otherwise why are they not leading the market lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently use straight talk service with my droid 3 and it is awesome. With the droid 3 you get the option to get an att or a tmobile based sim card and you get all their normal coverage.
Looks like straight talk just earned a new customer :] well once i get my job lmao
When the time comes, I'll probably pay full price for my next phone. I just won't purchase it from Verizon. I'll buy something that'll work on their network, but without the stupid locked bootloader or bloatware.
Annoyed. Got the dreaded ATT text that I wasn't using the correct data plan for the nexus 4. Was using it on $10 non smart data plan.
AT&T Free Msg: Did you know a data plan is required for your Smartphone? We have added an appropriate data plan. Learn more at www.att.com/dataplans.
Online management shows phone as being unrecognized but they apparently know the phone is a smartphone.
Even the email I got from ATT says
"For whatever reason, our records indicate your Smartphone does not have an eligible data plan. We have added an appropriate Smartphone data plan for your device"
So unlike the Galaxy nexus, ATT does force the $30 data plan. I guess the LG Optimus G is so similar to the Nexus 4 ATT can see it as a smartphone.
It's weird cause the international Galaxy S3 was never recognized on my account when I had it on the $10 data plan.
aneftp said:
Annoyed. Got the dreaded ATT text that I wasn't using the correct data plan for the nexus 4. Was using it on $10 non smart data plan.
AT&T Free Msg: Did you know a data plan is required for your Smartphone? We have added an appropriate data plan. Learn more at www.att.com/dataplans.
Online management shows phone as being unrecognized but they apparently know the phone is a smartphone.
Even the email I got from ATT says
"For whatever reason, our records indicate your Smartphone does not have an eligible data plan. We have added an appropriate Smartphone data plan for your device"
So unlike the Galaxy nexus, ATT does force the $30 data plan. I guess the LG Optimus G is so similar to the Nexus 4 ATT can see it as a smartphone.
It's weird cause the international Galaxy S3 was never recognized on my account when I had it on the $10 data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that legal for them to change your Data package and charge you more money without a notice period first?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
altimax98 said:
Is that legal for them to change your Data package and charge you more money without a notice period first?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's in the contract that they can do whatever they want, up to and including selling you into slavery for bitcoins to pay your overdue bill. This is AT&T. They have no morals.
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 13th. Still waiting.
aneftp said:
Annoyed. Got the dreaded ATT text that I wasn't using the correct data plan for the nexus 4. Was using it on $10 non smart data plan.
AT&T Free Msg: Did you know a data plan is required for your Smartphone? We have added an appropriate data plan. Learn more at www.att.com/dataplans.
Online management shows phone as being unrecognized but they apparently know the phone is a smartphone.
Even the email I got from ATT says
"For whatever reason, our records indicate your Smartphone does not have an eligible data plan. We have added an appropriate Smartphone data plan for your device"
So unlike the Galaxy nexus, ATT does force the $30 data plan. I guess the LG Optimus G is so similar to the Nexus 4 ATT can see it as a smartphone.
It's weird cause the international Galaxy S3 was never recognized on my account when I had it on the $10 data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the same text message from them yesterday. I promptly called them back and had them put me back on the $10 data plan. The CSR I spoke to said their system periodically reviews activity on your sim card. If they detect "smartphone type" activity they will switch your plan. I told them nothing about my phone has changed( I've been on MediaNet since getting my N4) and told them its a basic phone(thats what the N4 IMEI comes up as in their system). They had no problem putting me back on MediaNet plan.
I would call them and tell them to put you back on $10 data plan
What is crap about at&t is their is no benefit to owning your own phone. Honestly we shouldn't have to pay as much for data because they aren't subsidizing our phones, but on at&t there isn't much benefit in buying your own phone because you pay the same regardless.
IMO if you subsidized your phone after 2 years and don't bite on early upgrading you should get a discount. And early termination should just be the remaining cost of your subsidized phone. Thats how it should work and fwiw smartphone /dumb phone data plans are stupid too, because it like your ISP deciding to charge you more because you use Firefox instead of ie.
But what can you do really? The only carrier that does it right is T mobile, and they are the bottom of the barrel in coverage. At&t makes way more money on subsidizing phones, only way for things to improve is to kill subsidizing, then carriers will be forced to use the same bands and have to compete on pricing. I think subsidizing is long outdated personally and it time to sell phones like every other consumer electronic.
I mean with the nexus 4 wait for instance I've found I am kind of forced to deal with it because every other comparable phone is like $550, and every sale on has an asterix that states "after 2 year commitment".
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
estallings15 said:
I think it's in the contract that they can do whatever they want, up to and including selling you into slavery for bitcoins to pay your overdue bill. This is AT&T. They have no morals.
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 13th. Still waiting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They may have NO morals, but another thing they DON'T have is the N4 IMEI #
Cor-master said:
What is crap about at&t is their is no benefit to owning your own phone. Honestly we shouldn't have to pay as much for data because they aren't subsidizing our phones, but on at&t there isn't much benefit in buying your own phone because you pay the same regardless.
IMO if you subsidized your phone after 2 years and don't bite on early upgrading you should get a discount. And early termination should just be the remaining cost of your subsidized phone. Thats how it should work and fwiw smartphone /dumb phone data plans are stupid too, because it like your ISP deciding to charge you more because you use Firefox instead of ie.
But what can you do really? The only carrier that does it right is T mobile, and they are the bottom of the barrel in coverage. At&t makes way more money on subsidizing phones, only way for things to improve is to kill subsidizing, then carriers will be forced to use the same bands and have to compete on pricing. I think subsidizing is long outdated personally and it time to sell phones like every other consumer electronic.
I mean with the nexus 4 wait for instance I've found I am kind of forced to deal with it because every other comparable phone is like $550, and every sale on has an asterix that states "after 2 year commitment".
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile's coverage isn't THAT bad, especially if you stick to more populated areas.
You're right on the subsidy, if I was on AT&T I would buy the most popular high end smartphone every time I was eligible for an upgrade and then sell it on ebay.
OP Just call back your company and say what post number 4 says
se1000 said:
T-Mobile's coverage isn't THAT bad, especially if you stick to more populated areas.
You're right on the subsidy, if I was on AT&T I would buy the most popular high end smartphone every time I was eligible for an upgrade and then sell it on ebay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After I get my n4 I might grab a prepaid Tmobile sim just to try it out for a month or so. I can grab the same deal I have on at&t and get unlimited data too for only a $100 a month, nearly $70 leas than what I pay from at&t now so worth a try
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
aneftp said:
Annoyed. Got the dreaded ATT text that I wasn't using the correct data plan for the nexus 4. Was using it on $10 non smart data plan.
AT&T Free Msg: Did you know a data plan is required for your Smartphone? We have added an appropriate data plan. Learn more at www.att.com/dataplans.
Online management shows phone as being unrecognized but they apparently know the phone is a smartphone.
Even the email I got from ATT says
"For whatever reason, our records indicate your Smartphone does not have an eligible data plan. We have added an appropriate Smartphone data plan for your device"
So unlike the Galaxy nexus, ATT does force the $30 data plan. I guess the LG Optimus G is so similar to the Nexus 4 ATT can see it as a smartphone.
It's weird cause the international Galaxy S3 was never recognized on my account when I had it on the $10 data plan.
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They can see your user agent when you are browsing using a mobile data connection. That's how they used try to catch people using tethering. It's mostly idiotic because requesting desktop versions of sites causes mobile browsers to fake the UA. They can probably also see traffic from other Google apps such as play store since they use specific ports. My guess is this would have eventually happened on your GNex as well.
[hfm] said:
They can see your user agent when you are browsing using a mobile data connection. That's how they used try to catch people using tethering. It's mostly idiotic because requesting desktop versions of sites causes mobile browsers to fake the UA. They can probably also see traffic from other Google apps such as play store since they use specific ports. My guess is this would have eventually happened on your GNex as well.
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Sorry, this is wrong. Tmo DOES look at user agent to block tethering, Att sweeps imeis. Samsung phones are nice because you can " fake" a generic imei by simply erasing (after backup) the efs folder.
FWIW, my solution was a bit different. When I got on their network my goal was basically to grandfather and future proof the hell out of my account. I activated an edge iPhone first (back before they shut down the loop hole), then the same day called in with an atrix imei, then a few months later with a skyrocket imei to go from edge unlimited, to 4g hspa+ unlimited, finally to lte unlimited plan. All genuine smartphone plans and thus subject to grandfathering. In addition anytime I use the wap.cingular apn on my lte plan it doesn't count against my 5gb throttle limit giving me TRUE unlimited (though wap.cingular tops out at a very usable 7.4mbps vs 21 on " phone"). I intentionally skipped the media net plan just for the better "guarantee" of keeping my plan down the road since I KNOW att is a bunch of douchebags.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I just got placed on the Data Pro plan as well and called up customer service. Our phones get recognized as LG E960, which is in fact the model number for the Nexus 4.
I asked them to switch me back and that I'm using a dumb phone, but they kept me on hold for 10 min and I just hung up. I'm not sure if my plan will revert to MEdia Net.
Is anyone else getting their connection dropped within the first few seconds of data use? It happens to me when I start a speed test or try to listen to NPR. It doesn't always happen, but it does very frequently and I have to wait to reestablish network connectivity. Usually I have to reboot the phone because the app won't reestablish connection even though the phone status states that it has.
Hung0702 said:
I just got placed on the Data Pro plan as well and called up customer service. Our phones get recognized as LG E960, which is in fact the model number for the Nexus 4.
I asked them to switch me back and that I'm using a dumb phone, but they kept me on hold for 10 min and I just hung up. I'm not sure if my plan will revert to MEdia Net.
Is anyone else getting their connection dropped within the first few seconds of data use? It happens to me when I start a speed test or try to listen to NPR. It doesn't always happen, but it does very frequently and I have to wait to reestablish network connectivity. Usually I have to reboot the phone because the app won't reestablish connection even though the phone status states that it has.
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Connection problems are the proxy in your apn, just remove it and you'll be good.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
estallings15 said:
I think it's in the contract that they can do whatever they want, up to and including selling you into slavery for bitcoins to pay your overdue bill. This is AT&T. They have no morals.
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 13th. Still waiting.
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I don't think AT&T moral is the only one being questioned here, regardless of what AT&T decides to charge, last I check, regardless of AT&T having its IMEI or not, the N4 is technically and practically a smartphone. Not that I have a problem with it, its ATT after all, they are charging my dad for land phone services they didn't install correctly which we canceled. I do have a problem with having a separate tethering plan above the data plan, still do not understand why the FCC and European Commission are fine with this. It's would be similar to Evian selling you water bottles to drink from, but its illegal to use it to water your plants or anything else unless you pay them extra.
estallings15 said:
I think it's in the contract that they can do whatever they want, up to and including selling you into slavery for bitcoins to pay your overdue bill. This is AT&T. They have no morals.
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 13th. Still waiting.
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How can you lie to AT&T about what kind of phone you have yet accuse them of having no morals ? Getting something without paying for it is called theft. Yes I think they are charging too much but, I have a choice on who I use for service.
eksasol said:
I don't think AT&T moral is the only one being questioned here, regardless of what AT&T decides to charge, last I check, regardless of AT&T having its IMEI or not, the N4 is technically and practically a smartphone. Not that I have a problem with it, its ATT after all, they are charging my dad for land phone services they didn't install correctly which we canceled. I do have a problem with having a separate tethering plan above the data plan, still do not understand why the FCC and European Commission are fine with this. It's would be similar to Evian selling you water bottles to drink from, but its illegal to use it to water your plants or anything else unless you pay them extra.
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LOL So True!
amcplus5 said:
How can you lie to AT&T about what kind of phone you have yet accuse them of having no morals ? Getting something without paying for it is called theft. Yes I think they are charging too much but, I have a choice on who I use for service.
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Honestly, I wasn't referring to that. I was thinking about the way they've treated every single person I know who has service with them over the last few years. I do agree that trying to break the rules is no bueno. Doesn't remove any of their slime, though.
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 13th. Still waiting.
OP here. Ended up selling Nexus 4 with bumper for $400. Easy sell on Craigslist. Like I said, basically sold it for at cost. Really don't care about making a small profit in the phone.
I called earlier to get the $30 data pro off my account. The CSR said she could add the $10 data plan back on but if ATT see I am using a smartphone it will re add it again.
I am already paying $30 for my unlimited grandfathered LTE iPhone 5 (throttled at 5GB with ATT).
I also have a spare line on my brothers Verizon account that I pay him $45 total. I have a grandfathered unlimited LTE Verizon data plan. I don't even use the phone. I put it in my Verizon LTE iPad and Verizon cannot audit me cause of their FCC agreement. That's why Verizon is forcing people off their unlimited LTE data cause Verizon cannot throttle LTE devices and cannot stop people from moving LTE sims between tablet or cell phone devices.
So I just can't justify paying another $30 data plan on my spare ATT line for the nexus 4. It's a great phone (minus the camera). And I recommend the nexus 4 to all of my friends (who aren't obsessed with their iPhones).
I have been with Cingular /ATT for 9 years so know the ins and outs. Unfortunately we consumers are not getting the greatest value with post paid carriers. The big 3 all know there is close to zero profit in minutes anymore. That's why they essentially give minutes away for free these days.
Data is the only true money maker for carriers these days and they want to maximize profits.
I am not a data hogger by any means. I maybe used 300mb in 2 1/2 weeks with the nexus 4. I don't tether either. If ATT offered a sensible (say 500 mb/$10 data plan) I could reason to keep it. But we all know the game the carriers play. $20/300mb is quite ridiculous.
They know the "average" customer uses around 500-700mb data each month. That's why they set the teaser 300mb/$20. Only light users can be on the 300mb smartphone data plan.
On a bright note. My Verizon LTE data is truly unlimited. I let my 2 year old rack up 5-10GB data on the iPad each month without worries. I've heard some Verizon LTE data user go over 200GB a month cause the Verizon iPad can be used as its own hotspot with LTE.
compuw22c said:
Sorry, this is wrong. Tmo DOES look at user agent to block tethering, Att sweeps imeis. Samsung phones are nice because you can " fake" a generic imei by simply erasing (after backup) the efs folder.
FWIW, my solution was a bit different. When I got on their network my goal was basically to grandfather and future proof the hell out of my account. I activated an edge iPhone first (back before they shut down the loop hole), then the same day called in with an atrix imei, then a few months later with a skyrocket imei to go from edge unlimited, to 4g hspa+ unlimited, finally to lte unlimited plan. All genuine smartphone plans and thus subject to grandfathering. In addition anytime I use the wap.cingular apn on my lte plan it doesn't count against my 5gb throttle limit giving me TRUE unlimited (though wap.cingular tops out at a very usable 7.4mbps vs 21 on " phone"). I intentionally skipped the media net plan just for the better "guarantee" of keeping my plan down the road since I KNOW att is a bunch of douchebags.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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Funny that they have the IMEI as it's not an att phone. Yeah tmo was doing the UA sniffing. I assumed att might as well. It seemed they stopped doing it as they have never stopped me from tethering. I pay for data what does it matter how just throttle me when I get to your limit.
I got the message too today morning. I went back to my original smartphone plan of 2 GB since I was never using more than 1 GB. Also the speeds and ping is better on the 'phone' APN of AT&T as compared to the 'cingular' APN.
Hey guys, sorry if this had been brought up before. I helped my dad order a moto x and we both are expecting he'll lose his unlimited data plan, but the interesting thing is on the moto x site and the order confirmation it says the following:
VEZVerizon Individual Keep Existing Plan
So I'm wondering if anyone has presented this to Verizon upon activation and successfully argued to keep their unlimited data plan?
Wishful thinking, I know
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
hlaalu said:
Hey guys, sorry if this had been brought up before. I helped my dad order a moto x and we both are expecting he'll lose his unlimited data plan, but the interesting thing is on the moto x site and the order confirmation it says the following:
VEZVerizon Individual Keep Existing Plan
So I'm wondering if anyone has presented this to Verizon upon activation and successfully argued to keep their unlimited data plan?
Wishful thinking, I know
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
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I'd guess you'll only find out on the first new bill. Why didnt you grab one on Cyber Monday or subsequent days? Then for sure wouldn't lose unlimited.
hlaalu said:
Hey guys, sorry if this had been brought up before. I helped my dad order a moto x and we both are expecting he'll lose his unlimited data plan, but the interesting thing is on the moto x site and the order confirmation it says the following:
VEZVerizon Individual Keep Existing Plan
So I'm wondering if anyone has presented this to Verizon upon activation and successfully argued to keep their unlimited data plan?
Wishful thinking, I know
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
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how did you purchase the device? did you buy it full retail or did you buy it as part of an upgrade? if you purchased it as an upgrade, you will for sure lose your unlimited data. if you bought it full retail, nothing about your services will change.
there are methods for using an alternate upgrade while keeping unlimited data that have been detailed all over this forum.
Yep, so long as you don't do it as part of your upgrade cycle from Verizon you should be good.
OTHO you effectively end up paying double for the phone then because the plan is priced as if you always use the upgrade as soon as possible.
RoyalPeasantry said:
Yep, so long as you don't do it as part of your upgrade cycle from Verizon you should be good.
OTHO you effectively end up paying double for the phone then because the plan is priced as if you always use the upgrade as soon as possible.
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Depends on your plan. I pay $75 a month after all taxes and fees for my unlimited data plan. Cheapest you can get now before taxes and fees is 80 bucks, and realistically I'd be on the $110 a month plan. I save over $400 yearly compared to what I would get if I took a subsidized phone that I would have to keep for 2 years. Don't even get me started on 'Edge'.
RoyalPeasantry said:
Yep, so long as you don't do it as part of your upgrade cycle from Verizon you should be good.
OTHO you effectively end up paying double for the phone then because the plan is priced as if you always use the upgrade as soon as possible.
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this kills me. no carrier has ever removed the subsidy from anyone's plan for paying off a device. all plans are (or were) priced to include the subsidy. if you're out of contract, you're still paying for that subsidy. if you pay full retail, you're still paying for the subsidy.
so yes, in effect, your plan is priced so that you take advantage of your "upgrade" every 2 years. but taking advantage of the subsidy does not mean you are effectively "paying double" for the device.
however, if you change plans so that you can keep using upgrades (remove unlimited), then yes, you are effectively paying more for the device. you would be better off paying full retail and keeping your old plan (with unlimited) than switching to the new share everything plans.
640k said:
this kills me. no carrier has ever removed the subsidy from anyone's plan for paying off a device. all plans are (or were) priced to include the subsidy. if you're out of contract, you're still paying for that subsidy. if you pay full retail, you're still paying for the subsidy.
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TMobile?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57...r-of-words-after-killing-subsidies-contracts/
AT&T?
http://gigaom.com/2013/12/05/att-takes-on-t-mobile-with-new-contract-free-plan-pricing/
so yes, in effect, your plan is priced so that you take advantage of your "upgrade" every 2 years. but taking advantage of the subsidy does not mean you are effectively "paying double" for the device.
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I assume you meant 'not taking advantage of the subsidy'? No, you're not paying double for the device, instead you're paying approximately as much more for the plan as you would have for another device.
however, if you change plans so that you can keep using upgrades (remove unlimited), then yes, you are effectively paying more for the device. you would be better off paying full retail and keeping your old plan (with unlimited) than switching to the new share everything plans.
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You really can't make this statement in a general sense. It really depends on how much data you use.
If your phone is $100 after subsidy, but $580 without subsidy, you paid $480 'more' in order to keep your unlimited plan. $480 / 24 months is effectively an extra $20 / month that you wouldn't have had to spend if you didn't keep your unlimited plan. (Not to mention paying up front is much more painful then paying monthly)
Now, you're already spending $30 / month for the unlimited data plan, so thats $50 / month per phone. After the base price of $60 for 2GB it is $10 for each 2GB extra. Assuming 2 people on the plan they could get 10 GB for the same price. Each extra $50 per person can get you another 10 GB for the same price.
I'm not a light data user, and the most I've ever hit on my phone in a month is 8 GB, and thats with deliberately refusing to use wifi even when I could have. With wifi I could have negated almost all of that. On average I use under 1 GB per month.
Anyway, most people with more than 2 people on the plan could easily save money by switching to the share everything plan, its not anywhere near as simple as 'the unlimited plan is always better'.