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Hi,
I am currently residing in India, using the Euro frequency (i.e. T-mobile) N1. My N1 was bought from Europe.
I will soon be moving to USA for studying. The problem is, most people, including students, in and around my area use ATnT. So I will be forced to use ATnT, not T-Mobile. I do not intend to buy a new phone, I would really like to keep using this same phone in the US. I had a few questions regarding this:
1. Will my phone work? I am not interested in 3G on the phone, I will have wifi. But I heard that ATnT issues new sim card which work on 3G frequencies only. Is that true? Will I at least have EDGE on my phone?
2. My cousin there can get me into her family plan. However, ATnT says that if they detect a smartphoe, they will add data plan without asking, for ALL the people in the family plan. Now my phone is bought from Europe, so will ATnT be able to detect it as a smartphone? Would they forcibly activate data even if my phone frequencies are not compatible?
3. Supposing they can detect it, and hence I can't get into the family plan. What other option do I have? Should I go for ATnT prepaid? But prepaid is VERY costly, and I would like to try and avoid it.
4. I will not have any credit history, at least initially. How do I go about buying an ATnT connection then?
5. Will I be able to use Google Voice on the phone, if I don't have a data plan or continuous internet on the phone? Can other people having ATnT call Google Voice numbers for free, or is the airtime charged?
6. What would my WORST case scenario be? Get another phone under contract from ATnT and keep my N1 as a paperweight? (I would really like to avoid this)
That's a lot of questions, and diverging quite a bit from my topic. However, I would appreciate any help, since I will be going to a new country. If any of these questions are n00b type, I would request pointers to a place where I can research on it
Thanks.
rohandhruva said:
Hi,
I am currently residing in India, using the Euro frequency (i.e. T-mobile) N1. My N1 was bought from Europe.
I will soon be moving to USA for studying. The problem is, most people, including students, in and around my area use ATnT. So I will be forced to use ATnT, not T-Mobile. I do not intend to buy a new phone, I would really like to keep using this same phone in the US. I had a few questions regarding this:
1. Will my phone work? I am not interested in 3G on the phone, I will have wifi. But I heard that ATnT issues new sim card which work on 3G frequencies only. Is that true? Will I at least have EDGE on my phone?
2. My cousin there can get me into her family plan. However, ATnT says that if they detect a smartphoe, they will add data plan without asking, for ALL the people in the family plan. Now my phone is bought from Europe, so will ATnT be able to detect it as a smartphone? Would they forcibly activate data even if my phone frequencies are not compatible?
3. Supposing they can detect it, and hence I can't get into the family plan. What other option do I have? Should I go for ATnT prepaid? But prepaid is VERY costly, and I would like to try and avoid it.
4. I will not have any credit history, at least initially. How do I go about buying an ATnT connection then?
5. Will I be able to use Google Voice on the phone, if I don't have a data plan or continuous internet on the phone? Can other people having ATnT call Google Voice numbers for free, or is the airtime charged?
6. What would my WORST case scenario be? Get another phone under contract from ATnT and keep my N1 as a paperweight? (I would really like to avoid this)
That's a lot of questions, and diverging quite a bit from my topic. However, I would appreciate any help, since I will be going to a new country. If any of these questions are n00b type, I would request pointers to a place where I can research on it
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will still be able to add the phone to the family line. When they add a line they ask for your imei and they will know that it is a smart phone then att will add data to just that phone line. Att will not force 3g I think they can't cover enough places with it so don't worry about that. I would look on Craig's list to are if anyone wants to trade.
miketlo said:
You will still be able to add the phone to the family line. When they add a line they ask for your imei and they will know that it is a smart phone then att will add data to just that phone line. Att will not force 3g I think they can't cover enough places with it so don't worry about that. I would look on Craig's list to are if anyone wants to trade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, miketlo. My cousin was told by ATnT that they will add data to all the 3 lines in the family. I will confirm again. But in any case my phone should work on EDGE right? Even if I have their new "orange" sim card?
Trading is a nice idea, I'll look into it after I get in the US. But I would like to avoid it, since it will cause me problems when I return to India (though most Indian providers work on both Tmo and ATT phones).
Answers below your questions
rohandhruva said:
Hi,
I am currently residing in India, using the Euro frequency (i.e. T-mobile) N1. My N1 was bought from Europe.
I will soon be moving to USA for studying. The problem is, most people, including students, in and around my area use ATnT. So I will be forced to use ATnT, not T-Mobile. I do not intend to buy a new phone, I would really like to keep using this same phone in the US. I had a few questions regarding this:
1. Will my phone work? I am not interested in 3G on the phone, I will have wifi. But I heard that ATnT issues new sim card which work on 3G frequencies only. Is that true? Will I at least have EDGE on my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone will work just fine for phone calls and only EDGE speeds for cell data.
2. My cousin there can get me into her family plan. However, ATnT says that if they detect a smartphoe, they will add data plan without asking, for ALL the people in the family plan. Now my phone is bought from Europe, so will ATnT be able to detect it as a smartphone? Would they forcibly activate data even if my phone frequencies are not compatible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
False. Data plan will be added to your line only. IMEI is sent to the provider and they can what type of phone it is. You can TRY to have them BLOCK all internet data from your line, but it's something they don't like to do (since they like having you PAY them).
3. Supposing they can detect it, and hence I can't get into the family plan. What other option do I have? Should I go for ATnT prepaid? But prepaid is VERY costly, and I would like to try and avoid it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Non issue, since they WILL NOT add data to the ENTIRE family plan, JUST your line.
4. I will not have any credit history, at least initially. How do I go about buying an ATnT connection then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're opening your OWN account, you'll have to put down a deposit, it will be SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS.
5. Will I be able to use Google Voice on the phone, if I don't have a data plan or continuous internet on the phone? Can other people having ATnT call Google Voice numbers for free, or is the airtime charged?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to get sms or voicemail (from the app), or MAKE calls AS your Google Voice number, you will need Data OR WIFI. You can get your voicemail by calling your GV number, and you can receive GV calls if someone calls your GV number, you can also make GV calls if you call your own number and go through the prompts (takes a while).
6. What would my WORST case scenario be? Get another phone under contract from ATnT and keep my N1 as a paperweight? (I would really like to avoid this)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You open your own account, put down HUNDREDS of dollars in deposit, get a crappy free phone, put SIM in your N1, pay AT&T stupid price for Data Plan which will only get you EDGE.
nxt said:
If you want to get sms or voicemail (from the app), or MAKE calls AS your Google Voice number, you will need Data OR WIFI. You can get your voicemail by calling your GV number, and you can receive GV calls if someone calls your GV number, you can also make GV calls if you call your own number and go through the prompts (takes a while).
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
i use that when i have no data or when i use someones phone with no app but its annoying when youre used to the convenience of using the data connection
Just so you know, if you were to trade for the ATT 3g version of the nexus, It will also work just fine in India, 3g and all.
Are you sure which version you currently have? Yes your nexus will work just fine on ATT using edge.
Or another Idea is to get away from that by stating that you need a sim card for now and that you will find a phone on your own. You don't have to tell them about your phone nor give your IMEI to them as well. Once you get your sim go online and add the 15 dollar unlimited non-smartphone data plan or if you are tagging on someone's family plan and they have an unlimited family msging plan then go add the 10 dollar non-smartphone data plan. I've been doing this for over 8 months and I am sure ill be caught some day...lolz
P.S if you provide your own equipment you do not need to sign a contract to get service, you'll just go month to month. Unfortunately, you'll still have to pay an activation fee.
Thanks a lot everyone, this certainly helps me
nxt said:
Answers below your questions
You open your own account, put down HUNDREDS of dollars in deposit, get a crappy free phone, put SIM in your N1, pay AT&T stupid price for Data Plan which will only get you EDGE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about I ask my cousin to take a phone + SIM, use *that* phone as paperweight, and put the SIM in my N1? That way I won't have to pay down the deposit myself. Or as woot_woot suggested, get a SIM card only?
RogerPodacter said:
Just so you know, if you were to trade for the ATT 3g version of the nexus, It will also work just fine in India, 3g and all.
Are you sure which version you currently have? Yes your nexus will work just fine on ATT using edge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'll definitely try to trade once I get there, but anyway 3G will be too expensive, so I would like to try and avoid it altogether. How is EDGE usage charged? Is it subtracted from your voice minutes?
wOoT_WoOt said:
Or another Idea is to get away from that by stating that you need a sim card for now and that you will find a phone on your own. You don't have to tell them about your phone nor give your IMEI to them as well. Once you get your sim go online and add the 15 dollar unlimited non-smartphone data plan or if you are tagging on someone's family plan and they have an unlimited family msging plan then go add the 10 dollar non-smartphone data plan. I've been doing this for over 8 months and I am sure ill be caught some day...lolz
P.S if you provide your own equipment you do not need to sign a contract to get service, you'll just go month to month. Unfortunately, you'll still have to pay an activation fee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible for my cousin to get a SIM card only for me, or do I need to buy it myself? Won't they be able to detect my phone as a "smartphone" once I put my SIM card in? Is it possible to avoid adding any data plan altogether? Also your note under 'P.S' applies in case of family plan, or in case I decide to take an account myself?
I think my best option would be to go for something like FlexPay which T-mobile has. Is there something similar in ATnT?
Bump
(10 char)
For AT&T Branded SGT's - if you are a customer that has voice and data, what plan have you chosen, and how does it work for you.
2nd Question;
If you were to newly enroll with AT&T with your AT&T Branded SGT, what would you tell them you want for a plan, to allow for voice and data.
I know what is happening to some of the users, as far as data plan and voice, but I wanted to hear from those that are actually having a good experience.
My ATT SGT is just part of my Family Plan as an additional line ($10/mo). And then I added the $25/mo 2GB Smartphone Data (lost my unlimited ). I had to use a phone IMEI to activate the additional line, but then I moved the SIM into my Tab.
If you're trying to use the Tab as a primary phone on the account it won't work; it isn't supposed to have calling features, even if you enable the functionality. If you really only want the Tab and no other phone lines you could easily pick up a crappy 2G/3G phone unlocked on eBay, use that to activate new service with ATT, and then swap the SIM into your Tab. Also, if you're looking to recoup some cash, you could take advantage of some of the new customer specials and get a smartphone like the Atrix or Inspire, active with those and then use the SIM in your Tab. SIM unlock the phone and throw it on eBay, in which case you'll most likely make some coin.
I might want to move to ATT in the future, I tried a friends ATT sim from his droid, and I got voice+3G+H - that is a big difference over TMOUS EDGE.
Ok looking for some more input.
Once I moved to the $45 (4GB) tethered plan, the nastygrams ended and I am able to use my gTab as a phone, or switch back and use my Captivate.
I think the tethered plan is IMEI agnostic...
I am att customer for several years. After several phones and plan switches, I landed on a 2gb smart phone plan that i was using with my n1 for several months before i got my sgt in jan '11.
After flashing for voice, I dropped in my sim from my n1. Works great for voice, txt and data. No nasty txt to upgrade/change my plan. Att seems ok with people using a tiered/limited plan with sgt. They didn't much care for peeps who had some sort of unlimited plan aquired with a different device and putting that sim into sgt.
There is a long thread about this in the gt general forum.
How does it work for me? Quite well! I stay under the 2gb limit with few problems. I do use wifi allot. If i didn't, i would bump into the limit more often. I do use wifi tethering, but rarely. I am a software and it guy; and characterize my internet usage as pretty high. I send lots of texts, and the sgt works well for that - i have unlimited texting.
Oh, I pay 25/month for 2gb.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
Excellent info, thanks team.
Seems the trick is to have a 2GB tether plan with your voice plan.
One last thought. . . I dont have any sort of tether option on my plan. I just have straight 2gb smart phone plan. I only tether about 10-20mb or so a month.
Perhaps this could be 'attracting' some attention from att sometime - but i think i am flying under the radar for now.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
Saw a thread about somebody's AT&T plan being revoked on account of IMEI differences and whatnot...and I've been considering a Note to replace my G2 for a while...but my main concern is plan price and the proper way to get it.
Right now, I'm using the T-Mobile "Walmart" plan (100 minutes, unl'd text, 5GB of 4G data - $30) and I don't want to pay much more if possible. I don't need any more than 100 minutes or 4G data (a 2GB cap with 3G is fine). I've heard one thing I can do is activate a particular Nokia phone on StraightTalk and then use the SIM in the Note without a problem, but that's an extra $100 on top of the already $600+ Note off-contract price. Is that my safest option though, if I don't want to get "caught" by AT&T?
You'll still get caught if you don't empty the contents of the efs folder. If you do, you'll be golden.
I am.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
jason370 said:
You'll still get caught if you don't empty the contents of the efs folder. If you do, you'll be golden.
I am.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you elaborate (both where the efs folder is and what plan you're using)?
To access the /efs folder you have to be rooted, and use a file explorer such as root explorer (or I think there's a free alternative.) It's in the root directory of the device. However, people telling others to do this REALLY need to stress the importance of making a backup first! This is a very important directory containing critical device ID information, and at some point in the future you may be screwed if you lose it and don't have a backup.
Supposedly deleting the contents of it will cause the phone to report a generic GSM phone IMEI to the network. If they don't have the Note's IMEI number, they don't know you're using a Note. It'll be the same number as everyone else that does it, but apparently that's not a problem. Yet...
However, I haven't heard of anybody using Straight Talk (Walmart prepaid that uses AT&T) $45 plan having any problems, and I don't see why they would. Straight Talk runs the show and has their own plans, they just buy minutes/data from AT&T and resell them as their own service.
I did a bit research on StraightTalk itself, don't quote me on this but this is what I gathered: you need to buy one of their two Nokia phone which comes with unlocked SIM, SIM from their other phones are locked. Activate it, put in your Note, then you have to change the APN settings to StraightTalk. However, people say that they do throttle you after a few gigs and if you use too much data they can shut down your account. Also their policy do not allow tethering.
I just used up my 5gb with T-Mobile for the first time and the throttle speed is ridiculously slow for me. Getting about 100kbps which is 12kb/s, if you're lucky you might get more, but with 'Evolved Edge' the theoretic limit is about 400kbps. Makes me miss Sprint a bit, I've used to gotten close to 10GB with them with no sign of throttling, but then that was three years ago.
eksasol said:
I did a bit research on StraightTalk itself, don't quote me on this but this is what I gathered: you need to buy one of their two Nokia phone which comes with unlocked SIM, SIM from their other phones are locked. Activate it, put in your Note, then you have to change the APN settings to StraightTalk. However, people say that they do throttle you after a few gigs and if you use too much data they can shut down your account. Also their policy do not allow tethering.
I just used up my 5gb with T-Mobile for the first time and the throttle speed is ridiculously slow for me. Getting about 100kbps which is 12kb/s, if you're lucky you might get more, but with 'Evolved Edge' the theoretic limit is about 400kbps. Makes me miss Sprint a bit, I've used to gotten close to 10GB with them with no sign of throttling, but then that was three years ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am assuming that your Tmobile data was not, in fact, used up by a Note, correct?
Thanks for the help - I guess I'll check out the StraightTalk method once I scrounge up the money for a Note, since it's the cheapest AT&T-based carrier I've seen that's compatible.
Now I'm not too concerned about actual caps (2GB is fine for me - I rarely go over ~200MB a month), but what kind of speeds can I expect using StraightTalk? I'm assuming their network is limited to 3G...
Just bought Int GNote, pros/cons of Straight Talk, Go Phone, or AT&T w/dumbphone data
Just bought a Galaxy Note and been reading all the topic posts on the different options for using my Note. Haven't figured out what's best so maybe I'll ask for people's experiences and get suggestions.
This will be a 2nd phone for me since my company already pays for a phone for me on Sprint, and I got tired of waiting for Sprint to come out (if ever) of their version of the Note. I already have an Epic 4G and we get WiMax here in the SF Bay Area, so I don't mind continuing using that since my company pays the bill.
What I would like to do on my Note would be mainly email, web browsing, texting and maybe a few phone calls, but since I have my other phone, phone calls are secondary. The one thing I really like doing THE MOST is watching YouTube videos and streaming songs from Google Music (Now called Play Music or whatever). On my Samsung Epic 4G with Sprint, I average between 3 and 4 GBs per month on data usage.
So in short my questions are:
1. Should I go with Straight Talk $45 Unlimited Plan, AT&T Unlimited $50 Go Phone Plan, or piggyback on my parent's AT&T postpaid plan ($10 to add a line, $30 for unlimited data + unlimited messaging for non-smartphone ie dumbphone plan)?
2. Which one of these would give the best possible data speeds? I know they all use AT&T's network but I've read that GoPhone plans are (possibly) throttled vs postpaid?
3. Which is more likely to raise red flags when using data? I know there is no such thing as truly unlimited data, but which plan is more "lenient" in your data use or will probably let you download a little more data than another option. I've read on Straight Talk, you should try not to go over 100 MB/day or 2 GB/month, but are those limits also similar on GoPhone unlimited or postpaid with dumbphone data.
Anything else I should know?
Thanks for the info!
i say try straighttalk since it no contract and if they ban u for useing to much fake unlimted data try at&t but i think its crap how these compony ban people f em lol almost like a scam
I'm currently using my old grand fathered unlimted Ipad sim in mine. Currently 3GB for $30 does not seem too bad, No contract. Just buy and Ipad 3g and activate and sell it. I've used that sim in an iPhone, mifi, my laptop and now the Gnote and ATT has never said anything. No phone calls or text, the work a rounds aren't great but they do work.
Once Sprint sees fit to let me out of my contract I was thinking of giving Straight talks a go
Edit
If you go with the Ipad sim, you will need an adapter to make the sim larger. I have a micro sim punch so I took an old full sized sim and punched out the sim and used the left over card board as the adapter. You may need to do some filing with a nail file but it seems to work the best compared to the plastic adapters you find. You will have be carful remove the aim sum and adapter from a device.
Using ST with my note for 4 full months now, very satisfied. I am not a heavy mobile data user though, I just do some browsing while out and about, read some news on pulse, and check e-mail a few times a day.
Thanks for some of the suggestions so far, but has anyone tried the AT&T post paid plan with the data for dumb phone plan or the old medianet plan lately? I assume it still works because AT&T does not have the IMEIs of the international version in their database? And they fixed the problem with it showing up as a Galaxy Tab? I read that you could delete out the /EFS directory and have it show up as a generic phone or use an IMEI from a loaner phone as well, but I haven't seen any posts regarding these strategies newer than January so not to sure if AT&T figured this out.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Had data working great on the GoPhone plan.. then downloaded some 600mb of files (don't really remember what, I think it was a few ROMs), and two days later my internet was shut off.. so the moral here is, don't be stupid with it if you get it to work on the gophone plan
joshnichols189 said:
Had data working great on the GoPhone plan.. then downloaded some 600mb of files (don't really remember what, I think it was a few ROMs), and two days later my internet was shut off.. so the moral here is, don't be stupid with it if you get it to work on the gophone plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way I would download that much at one time, I think I do maybe 100-200 MB/day on average at the most. The question with you (and thanks for answering btw), is what kind of download speeds were you getting on the GoPhone plan? Were you getting FauxG speeds (HSPA+) or was it throttled? And did you have to do anything special to make it work on the GoPhone plan or was it a matter of just putting the correct APNs?
As strange as it may sound I want to use a Galaxy Note as an internet only device.
Is there a way that I can use one of the AT&T data only options (Data Connect Plan) on this device?
I currently have the AT&T version of the Galaxy Note. AT&T has confirmed to me that there is no way to have a data only plan for it. I simply to not want to dump $40 dollars a month on a phone service I will not use just to get the right to pay them $30 for data.
So, I am trying to explore if the international version is the answer.
What is important to me is the size and features of the Galaxy Note.
What is not important to me is 4g or phone service.
Any help or definitive answer would be appreciated.
I would imagine it should. ATT won't have a record of your IMEI number so they really don't know what the device is. Other people have been using the non- smartphone data plan on ATT, but the occasionally get booted up to the smartphone plan with so much data usage. Just tell them you have a 3g tablet you want to hook up. I'd buy a new sim card just to make sure you don't have issues with your old account. Not definitive, but just the fact that people are using international notes on dumbphone data says a lot.
AT&T and T Mobile
Hi, I have a unlocked N7000 that I picked up in India earlier this year. I live in the UK and works very well over her on Vodafone. I was in the US last week. I tried AT&T and was told by the techie that it will not work on the 4G network. Then went to T Mobile where I was told it would work only on 2G - Landed up buying a SIM card from them to see that my pre-paid balance dropped drastically and they were very unhelpful when I went back to them - they guy in the store told me that he can not access my use. I did not make any international calls on it at all. I landed up buying a SIMPLE Mobile sim card and it worked well between 3G and 2G. It even worked when I was at Hoover Dam. The Samsung website does give all the platforms it works on and I cant see why it would should not work on AT&T.
Also read the customer reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 16GB Unlocked Android Smartphone - Dark Blue on the Amazon US website. One of the users has written up on it. As I am a new user I am not able to put the link on this reply.
Hope it's helpful. Good Luck.
Thanks for the input so far, but...
Well, what I am looking for is the "data only" type of service. This is for USB (Mobile) Modem, tablets, iPad's, etc. AT&T callis it data connect. I currently have the pre-paid version of it for for a 7in. tablet. And it (the service) work just perfect on that device.
I have read lots of posts talking about data, but when you focus in it normally is the other way around, a phone service option where they can't get the data to work correctly.
Again, all I want is data, I don't want phone service. If anyone has done this with their Note, I would appreciate a heads up on how it worked out.
I'm currently using my Note with my ATT ipad sim. Been using that sim in my mifi, a couple of laptops with 3G, an iphone and now my note. Been using it that way since the 3G Ipad first came out 3 years ago. I believe that all the data sims use the same apn. Just enter broadband as the APN. I have seen speeds from 1.9Mbps to 8.2Mbps, usually around 4 until lately...been getting 6.5. I consistently get 1Mbps up. The connection is has been very stable, Skype voice has been working very well.
Your data sim and note will work without modification, just enter the APN. In my case, I made an adapter since the ipad is a micro sim, the store bought adapter I had was too thick for the note. Be very careful when using micro sims, it can be a PTA to get them out. For removal I usually slide plastic or cardboard between the sim and the contact pins so the adapter does not get caught on the pins and then work the sim out with an exacto blade.
If you want ipad service, just go into an ATT and tell them you lost your ipad sim and you left your ipad at home. Who remembers your their data phone number? They will sell you a replacement. Then just barrow someone's 3g ipad, insert your sim, go into settings and create your account with your credit card #. Remove your sim and your done. The other person can put their sim, sign in and that's it. Once a month you get an email saying ATT billed your account and it shows up on your statement.
edit
I just looked at ATT's site, guess it does not matter anymore, they made Data cost the same across the board. Does not matter if it's pre paid, post paid or ipad, it's all the same now.
Just the news I was looking for, THANKS!
Great news. Thanks for taking the time to share that with me.
For any future readers, just to confirm:
A DATA ONLY plan with a 3G sim from AT&T worked fine in the gt-n7000, international version of the galaxy note.
If anyone has information to the contrary please feel free to update this thread.