[Q] Help: AT&T Wants to disconnect my Galaxy Note - Galaxy Note GT-N7000 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've had the galaxy note now for about 2 weeks on AT&T...Everything working really well...then:
I got a strange text today that said my phone does not match my data plan and service would be interrupted if I didnt call them.
I called AT&T and the rep said my IMEI matches a galaxy tab (ie. NOT a phone) and I cant keep my data plan. He said the only thing he could give me was a DATA ONLY PLAN and that I wouldnt be able to make calls!
What can I do? Did I just get a stupid rep?
Please help!
I love the Note, BTW and do NOT want to loose it!
EDIT: I did install the Samsung 2.3.6 OTA update about 4 days ago...in case that makes a difference
UPDATE:
I spoke to a different rep who went through all the same crap again. But after much wait time said that he opened a case number for support to address it and that it should be taken care of in 3 business days.
I do have my old unlimited data plan, so I wonder if that is causing the problem.
Just curious though are others having this issue on AT&T?

ATT does not give a **** about what you want. that's the problem. Do consider switching the hell away from them.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

The galaxy note is a cross between a phone and a tab. That's probably why they want to kick you out of your plan and put you in a new one. The irony is that it's going to probably be making an appearance eventually. Try talking to a nother rep.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

Danm I hope this doesn't happen to me.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Let's guess - you are trying to use the dumbphone plan and got busted.
Usually this happens by:
1) Not using the dumbphone APN and using the smartphone/4g APN. (the dumbphone APN is the cingular 410 one in my FAQ)
2) Accidentally warning AT&T by telling the rep you have a smartphone, or asking for a 4g/smartphone sim card.
When either of the above happens, they generally block medianet to your phone and require you to get a smartphone.
You may be able to play dumb and say, 'oh, I didn't know I couldn't use that phone' then use a dumbphone till they reactivate your data. Then switch back.
But you'll need to figure out what you did wrong or you'll just get locked out in 2 weeks (or sooner) again.
Actually, I am guessing you are totally screwed - they apparently have the IMEI your note registered as a smartphone/tablet.
Even if they reactivate your data with another phone, as soon as you use your Note again, it's going to send its IMEI (which they now know about) and you'll get blocked again.
You're going to have to bite the bullet and get a regular smartphone data plan.
I have always thought it would be a matter of time before either:
1) AT&T starts looking up IMEI numbers differently so they recognize international smartphones. (it's shouldn't be that hard, to be honest)
2) They monitor data usage - dumbphones shouldn't be pulling massive amounts of data, although my friend with a featurephone says she can watch movies.
- Frank

ChodTheWacko said:
Let's guess - you are trying to use the dumbphone plan and got busted.
Usually this happens by:
1) Not using the dumbphone APN and using the smartphone/4g APN. (the dumbphone APN is the cingular 410 one in my FAQ)
2) Accidentally warning AT&T by telling the rep you have a smartphone, or asking for a 4g/smartphone sim card.
When either of the above happens, they generally block medianet to your phone and require you to get a smartphone.
You may be able to play dumb and say, 'oh, I didn't know I couldn't use that phone' then use a dumbphone till they reactivate your data. Then switch back.
But you'll need to figure out what you did wrong or you'll just get locked out in 2 weeks (or sooner) again.
Actually, I am guessing you are totally screwed - they apparently have the IMEI your note registered as a smartphone/tablet.
Even if they reactivate your data with another phone, as soon as you use your Note again, it's going to send its IMEI (which they now know about) and you'll get blocked again.
You're going to have to bite the bullet and get a regular smartphone data plan.
I have always thought it would be a matter of time before either:
1) AT&T starts looking up IMEI numbers differently so they recognize international smartphones. (it's shouldn't be that hard, to be honest)
2) They monitor data usage - dumbphones shouldn't be pulling massive amounts of data, although my friend with a featurephone says she can watch movies.
- Frank
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure what the official data plan name is called, but I dont think it's a "dumbphone" plan...It's unlimited data & text, and I've used it for years, lastly for 18 months with the dell streak 5 without issue (well, without issues beyond the usual with AT&T!)

I hate the fact that the force you to have a data plan. I'm on tmo and they offer a pay as you need plan. Cost me zero bucks unless I need data. I also have mifi from Vzon if im not by a wifi spot. This works great for me and my family.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Go to an AT&T store, show them your phone & get a real smartphone plan.

I just got the same text and email today. I have had my phone for about 5 days now. I have the iPhone unlimited data plan. I'm wondering if it has to do with flash being on the note or maybe the h+ speeds I'm getting. Are there specific apn settings that I'm supposed to put in? I want to call them but I also don't want to give them my imei number. I paid to much for this phone not to be able to use it.

danteusel said:
I'm not sure what the official data plan name is called, but I dont think it's a "dumbphone" plan...It's unlimited data & text, and I've used it for years, lastly for 18 months with the dell streak 5 without issue (well, without issues beyond the usual with AT&T!)
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Click to collapse
Which one, though? how much are you paying for month?
- Frank

Funny, I also got this text/email from AT&T today. I opened a new thread at the Q&A forum. Didn't know there was a thread already.
Quote
I just received a text and email from AT&T today saying they disabled my data because they detected that I put my sim card into a data connect device. When I called to question them about it, they said their system detected my phone as the Samsung GT-P7501. I googled this model # and it's the new Germany version of the Samsung Tab 10.1. I really don't understand how or why their system detected this model. I don't think it's even possible to buy this tablet at the moment! Did any one else encounter a similar problem?
I was on the $10 unlimited data plan and used the wap.cingular APN setting.
Unquote
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1371969

This could be a huge problem.
They could be lumping the Galaxy Note with the Galaxy Tab 7.
I recall AT&T isn't allowing the Galaxy Tab 7 to receive phone calls, as they consider it a tablet even though it has a cellular antenna. They only offer a data plan for it.
If they try to pull the same stunt on the Galaxy note, this could be trouble.
This will have to be escalated somehow. Keep us informed.
- Frank

starbuck123 said:
Funny, I also got this text/email from AT&T today. I opened a new thread at the Q&A forum. Didn't know there was a thread already.
Quote
I just received a text and email from AT&T today saying they disabled my data because they detected that I put my sim card into a data connect device. When I called to question them about it, they said their system detected my phone as the Samsung GT-P7501. I googled this model # and it's the new Germany version of the Samsung Tab 10.1. I really don't understand how or why their system detected this model. I don't think it's even possible to buy this tablet at the moment! Did any one else encounter a similar problem?
I was on the $10 unlimited data plan and used the wap.cingular APN setting.
Unquote
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1371969
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Click to collapse
That's your problem. I bet if you had a legit 4G smartphone plan, you would of never gotten a call from AT&T.
ChodTheWacko said:
This could be a huge problem.
They could be lumping the Galaxy Note with the Galaxy Tab 7.
I recall AT&T isn't allowing the Galaxy Tab 7 to receive phone calls, as they consider it a tablet even though it has a cellular antenna. They only offer a data plan for it.
If they try to pull the same stunt on the Galaxy note, this could be trouble.
This will have to be escalated somehow. Keep us informed.
- Frank
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Click to collapse
I have a Galaxy Note on an unlimited 4G plan using the 4G APN & I have yet to get a call from AT&T. I'm sorry but if the OP was using a MediaNet plan & used the wrong APN, its his fault & not AT&T.

RMXO said:
I have a Galaxy Note on an unlimited 4G plan using the 4G APN & I have yet to get a call from AT&T. I'm sorry but if the OP was using a MediaNet plan & used the wrong APN, its his fault & not AT&T.
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Click to collapse
I have the same problem and I NEVER used the 4G APN setting. I know better, I always use the wap.cingular APN setting. The strange thing is, they didn't detect it as a smartphone, they detected as a tablet from another country that was just released a couple of weeks ago?
---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------
RMXO said:
That's your problem. I bet if you had a legit 4G smartphone plan, you would of never gotten a call from AT&T.
I have a Galaxy Note on an unlimited 4G plan using the 4G APN & I have yet to get a call from AT&T. I'm sorry but if the OP was using a MediaNet plan & used the wrong APN, its his fault & not AT&T.
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Click to collapse
Why would I be on a legit 4G plan when they shouldn't be able to detect it as a smartphone? This is part of the beauty of buying an international phone, AT&T can't detect (usually) what you're using so you can use the cheapest plan possible. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who does this. I been doing this since the original galaxy phone came out and never had a problem.

starbuck123 said:
I have the same problem and I NEVER used the 4G APN setting. I know better, I always use the wap.cingular APN setting. The strange thing is, they didn't detect it as a smartphone, they detected as a tablet from another country that was just released a couple of weeks ago?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T is getting smart & starting to crack down on ppl having an international phone & using a medianet plan. AT&T probably has people reading sites like this & know of the loophole.

So would it be better for us to go to an AT&T store or to just call customer service from our phone? I figured that if we went to the store then they could at least see that it's a phone and not a tablet.

Darrius777 said:
So would it be better for us to go to an AT&T store or to just call customer service from our phone? I figured that if we went to the store then they could at least see that it's a phone and not a tablet.
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Click to collapse
Go to an AT&T store & have the rep see it's actually a phone & get a 4G smartphone plan. Don't deal with CS on the phone because they can't see the Note for themselves.
I brought my Note to an AT&T store & they initially asked me if it was a tablet. I told them, "nope, it's a phone". They said, cool & gave me a new sim card after I used my upgrade on an iP4s.

Darrius777 said:
So would it be better for us to go to an AT&T store or to just call customer service from our phone? I figured that if we went to the store then they could at least see that it's a phone and not a tablet.
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Click to collapse
That depends on what kind of data plan you want to be on. Do you want to try to get the $10 unlimited non smartphone plan back (assuming you were on it) or just use the "smartphone data" plan? If you don't mind being on the 2gb smartphone data plan for $25, go to the store and show it to them.

RMXO said:
That's your problem. I bet if you had a legit 4G smartphone plan, you would of never gotten a call from AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please reread the original post.
The issue is not 'you should be on a more expensive unlimited data plan'.
The issue is AT&T Is saying 'your device can't have voice. Just data.'
This is similar to this:
www.groubal.com/att-is-price-gouging-by-disabling-device-features-must-read/
---------- Post added at 05:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:42 PM ----------
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starbuck123 said:
That depends on what kind of data plan you want to be on. Do you want to try to get the $10 unlimited non smartphone plan back (assuming you were on it) or just use the "smartphone data" plan? If you don't mind being on the 2gb smartphone data plan for $25, go to the store and show it to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the OP's case, I don't think he has an option.
AT&T's lookup system thinks the IMEI is a tablet that doesn't get phone service.
The only way for him to disprove that is to go into a store and show them the note and point out it's running Gingerbread, and therefore it is a phone not a tablet. Once they do that, they will allow voice again, but he'll have to use a smartphone plan after that.
- Frank

starbuck123 said:
That depends on what kind of data plan you want to be on. Do you want to try to get the $10 unlimited non smartphone plan back (assuming you were on it) or just use the "smartphone data" plan? If you don't mind being on the 2gb smartphone data plan for $25, go to the store and show it to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm the the iPhone unlimited data plan and I don't want to lose it.

Related

N1 owners! How long have you gotten away with the $15 data plan?

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$$1 said:
I'm sure there's been plenty of posts regarding this (and I'll probably get some flack from moderators), but I thought I should revisit this issue and get everyone's thoughts before I jump on the bandwagon.
Anyone here got the dreaded text, automatically switched, or loss data services altogether simply because you were using the AT&T $15 MediaNet plan? Or better yet, the $10 family plan?
I'm on the $15 plan that was originally used by a lowly 3G featurephone, and have never upgraded to a branded smartphone with AT&T. Just wondering if there are folks with my same situation who've taken the plunge into Nexus One waters. So...are you still swimming?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In short, your account needs to have smartphone exclusion on it to prevent your data plan from jumping to the $30 smartphone data plan. If it doesn't have this rare SOC code, it's difficult to get, and you won't be able to do much of anything to stop the change from happening.
j.bruha said:
In short, your account needs to have smartphone exclusion on it to prevent your data plan from jumping to the $30 smartphone data plan. If it doesn't have this rare SOC code, it's difficult to get, and you won't be able to do much of anything to stop the change from happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm aware of the smartphone exclusion status. But no one seems to have a clear answer as to "how" to get that status. Multiple stories abound: I've heard that you have to have had a smartphone with no data prior to Sept '09. I've also heard that folks who have a dumbphone (featurephone) with a 3G data plan ($15) are also excluded because they've never upgraded to a branded smartphone thru ATT. I'm on the latter situation. Does anyone here used to be on the $15 MediaNet+dumbphone combo and are now using a Nexus One?
jacka$$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 $4.99 T-Zones plan since 2008 and it still is going strong. I've never bought a subsidized phone. Not one single complaint. Not on AT&T obviously. Oops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you get 3G with t-zones?
superninjaquan said:
I had the T-Mobile version on ATT shortly after the tmobile versions launch. I was using the 10$ 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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tons. Lotsa lotsa tons.

Captivate without Data Plan

Hey guys,
I'm thinking about getting the Captivate and I was wondering if I can get it without the $15/$30 per month data plan because 90% of the time I'm surrounded with wifi. I did some research and it says that AT&T will be able to track what phone your using with the IMEI number. I was wondering if I can bypass that if I get the Samsung Vibrant and then unlock it so I can use it with AT&T.
I also heard that data block might work is that true? Thanks for all the advice.
Seems kinda silly to get a smartphone and then cripple most of its functionality by not getting at least a minimal data plan. Even if you have ready access to wifi, there are situations where a little data access comes in handy.
I've got around att's data plan by taking a free dumbphone which i got with the "Add-a-line" option, and I swapped it out with an unlocked, not att branded device. Its been over 1.5 years, and I haven't had any data charge.
Just be careful the phone doesn't get any push email or anything like that. I once got charged for getting an email, because when you dont have a data plan, its pay per mb used
Its weird though, my friend did the same exact thing as me, but he bought a different phone, and he gets charged a data plan
EDIT: Actually, I think I got "grandfathered" in. You're most likely going to end up being forced into a data plan. Look at this article
It may sound silly but I am literally surrounded with free wifi wherever I go. Is there no way around this? What happens if I get a different smartphone instead?
If you use wifi there is no data plan utilized. AT&T has no idea what you do when you use wifi. Turn on wifi and enjoy email, the market, surfing...whatever you want.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I'm using edge on mine. I have tmobile and just unlocked the captivate so that i could bypass the data plan. You could probably do it the other way around
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
just get the phone, you will have to add the data plan to be able to buy it, but a few days later, tell them you lost it and you want to cancel the data, but tell them not only to cancel it, but to block it, because if they do not block it and you go online, they will charge you per MB of usage, but if they block it, there is no way to get any traffic if it isn't thru wifi
is that possible? wont they still be able to detect thatI'm using the Captivate?
A data plan is now required for any smartphone sold by AT$T or one of its authorized agents. So long as the SIM card is in it (it will show what phone it is in on the system and online in your account) they will not cancel the data plan for you. What some people do is put the SIM in a dumb phone, call and cancel their data plan, and then reinstall the SIM to their smartphone. Better be sure you don't use any data, though.
I found a couple of things that absolutely require a data plan and can not be done over wifi. For one, I have Market setup to bill to my AT$T account. When I buy an app this way I have to be on data connection, not wifi, or the charge does not go through. I'm guessing my account info needed to approve the purchase is not accessible via wifi. I also had a program tell me to turn off wifi so it could connect. Can't remember what it was, but it could not work over wifi, only the data connection. aGPS needs a data connection, as well, so you'd be rendering all your GPS apps useless without a data plan.
Process of putting a sim into a dumb phone used to work but it no longer does. Only customers that are grandfathered in can use a smartphone without a data plan provided they did not sign a new 2 year contract agreeing to the new terms and conditions. With a recent upgrade to their system they can detect what type of device the sim is in resulting in a text :data will be automatically added your account.
so nothing can be done?
kenwarez said:
so nothing can be done?
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Click to collapse
Only way is purchasing an unlocked smartphone from a different country. At&t system goes by imei and if it can't recognize the serial it will not classify it as a smartphone. I'm sure there is another way with all the custom options out there but not sure about that one.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
I'm not from USA and I don't know much about your carriers, but coudn't you alegate that the data service drains your battery till the.point you find your phone unusable and ask for at&t to block it threatening of changing your provider? The last part works for almost anything in my country. Also with a good excuse you can build up a consumers defense case asking to be removed from the plan. Like phone racism, all phones should be able to access all plans, and if for example you are on a no data area they are charging you more for the same service.
Just a few ideas... not sure if any of them could work
rastanthology said:
I'm not from USA and I don't know much about your carriers, but coudn't you alegate that the data service drains your battery till the.point you find your phone unusable and ask for at&t to block it threatening of changing your provider? The last part works for almost anything in my country. Also with a good excuse you can build up a consumers defense case asking to be removed from the plan. Like phone racism, all phones should be able to access all plans, and if for example you are on a no data area they are charging you more for the same service.
Just a few ideas... not sure if any of them could work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought the iphone was the only ATT phone they could force you to have a data plan on even when purchased off contract? I know they may try to turn on your data plan if you are using an off contract but in my past experience when you raise a fuss they take it back off and say it was a mistake (this was on my last phone...a TILT 2). I had purchased it off contract and after a about 1.5 years use without data plan one day i got a text saying it was required and had been added. Logged onto my account and couldn't disable. Called them and told them i did not want the plan added, that i had purchased the phone off contract, and had been completely happy using it for the past 1.5 years without a data plan. They said it was a mistake and removed it. Continued to use it for another 6 to 7 months without data plan then finally decided to add an unlimited plan before they disappeared.
Unless something has changed (which it may have) the iphone was the only phone that they forced the data plan on even when you purchased it without any discount or part of a 2 year agreement to have a plan.
alaimar said:
Process of putting a sim into a dumb phone used to work but it no longer does. Only customers that are grandfathered in can use a smartphone without a data plan provided they did not sign a new 2 year contract agreeing to the new terms and conditions. With a recent upgrade to their system they can detect what type of device the sim is in resulting in a text :data will be automatically added your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah..sounds like it has changed this use to only apply to iphone...didn't matter how or when you purchased them once the system saw it you were getting a data plan like it or not.
Look at any smartphone on the AT$T site. All have an asterisk stating that a data plan is required. You used to be able to request a data block, but their thinking now is that if you buy a smartphone on contract, you are doing so knowing that some level of data plan is required. AT$T has no obligation to customers that buy phones from other sources like eBay and Craig's List. I had a grandfathered $15 unlimited data plan since February 2009 that I used with my LG Incite. Last July I bought an HTC Tilt 2 off eBay. Almost as soon as I put my SIM into it AT$T tried to upgrade my data plan (since it was not a smartphone plan) I told them I did not want them to change anything as I would not be using the Tilt 2 for long and would probably be using my upgrade (new contract) in December. They weren't happy about it, but they left me alone until I did just that and got the Captivate a couple weeks ago. They are trying to close the loopholes and move people to one of the current data plans they offer. What does piss me off is that they still have the true unlimited data plans (no caps) available just for iPhone customers.
alaimar said:
Only way is purchasing an unlocked smartphone from a different country. At&t system goes by imei and if it can't recognize the serial it will not classify it as a smartphone. I'm sure there is another way with all the custom options out there but not sure about that one.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but no. If AT&T decides to carry that phone later, it will be sweep into the AT&T data plans. It happened to my Rogers X10a. Once AT&T decided carrying it, I got a text message that they were switching me to the proper data plan. So hope that whatever unlocked phone you want to buy will never be sold by AT&T.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Like I said before, are you sure you can't just unlock the Vibrant from T mobile and use that without the data plan? Sure, it isn't the captivate, but it is basically the same thing and could work. I purchased my captivate from some guy off contract and all I had to do was unlock it and it works perfectly without a data plan on T-mobile.
does the sim card affect anything because I have a Cingular SIM card.
I bought a locked at&t captivate on ebay for my girlfriend and she's been using it for almost 3 months now with no data plan and at&t has not added one to her line yet. the asterisk on the at&t website saying a data plan is required is only to get that discounted price on the phone itself. ($200 instead of $500 or whatever)

[Q] Bypass Data Plan

I've been using my Captivate for several months now. But i'm going to upgrade to a newer phone soon, probably during the summer. I'm going to pass my Captivate on to my little brother, who has no need for the data plan. It's been rooted and unlocked. I want to call AT&T and tell them that I have misplaced the phone and am now using my Sony Ericsson w810i, so I have no use for the Data Plan. Hopefully when my brother uses his sim, AT&T wont slap on another data plan charge to my already huge bill! I was wondering if someone can validate if this seems possible, or guide me to where I can find further info on this. I was also wondering is theres a way to change the IMEI# to my SE w810i IMEI#. Not really cheating them, since there will be no data usage and I actually do own the SE w810i =P
P.S.- An employee @ Best Buy told me that if I rooted and unlocked my Captivate, that I would be able to remove my data plan.
Thanks in advance!
from what i have heard, as long as the imei that is registered is not one from a smart phone then you should not have to worry about a data plan being added on. so if the sony is registered with att and then swap the sim into the captivate then you should be good. now that said, some one i know had a different phone registered under their account, then switched to a iphone and had the data plan put on their account. i guess as soon as att detects it they add it on even if a different imei is on the account. i know 3 other people that have the captivates and all have different imei under their accounts and none of them have a data plan. one of them even has an imei from one of those pay as you go phones from att which was like $10 or $20 and everything has been good.
xxsanioutlawxx said:
I've been using my Captivate for several months now. But i'm going to upgrade to a newer phone soon, probably during the summer. I'm going to pass my Captivate on to my little brother, who has no need for the data plan. It's been rooted and unlocked. I want to call AT&T and tell them that I have misplaced the phone and am now using my Sony Ericsson w810i, so I have no use for the Data Plan. Hopefully when my brother uses his sim, AT&T wont slap on another data plan charge to my already huge bill! I was wondering if someone can validate if this seems possible, or guide me to where I can find further info on this. I was also wondering is theres a way to change the IMEI# to my SE w810i IMEI#. Not really cheating them, since there will be no data usage and I actually do own the SE w810i =P
P.S.- An employee @ Best Buy told me that if I rooted and unlocked my Captivate, that I would be able to remove my data plan.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing the IMEI is not legal so will not be supported on XDA.
As far as the rest. ATT does an IMEI sweep every now and then to update the system to make sure they have the right IMEI on the account. After a while (if you give the phone to your bro) he will get a text stating that his data plan doesnt match the device and they will change it over for you. Only way they can tell is if the IMEI is not in the system like a device from another carrier. I ran my old HD 2 without a data plan for almost a year and it came up as an old nokia device.
You will find no joy...
I gave my son my old Blackberry. Within two weeks, we both recieved a text saying his sim card was in a smart phone, and his account was being upgraded.
ATT does not care what you do, so long as you pay your dues.
Prior to this phone, I used a BB Pearl for over 2 years with no data.
Although I hear they automatically add data plans to smart phones now.
I appreciate all the replies! Thanks everyone... Just gotta cross my fingers and see how long it takes them to figure it out
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
xxsanioutlawxx said:
I appreciate all the replies! Thanks everyone... Just gotta cross my fingers and see how long it takes them to figure it out
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should figure out immediately. Try to get the account data blocked.
I'll definitely do that...
Thanks again.
XDA ftw!
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
I bought my cappy back in November online from AT&T. I haven't had a data plan on this phone or my old LG Incite in over a year and a half.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
something to consider is did you buy the cappy out right? or buy on a contract plan? if you bought on a contract you agreed to have a Data plan for a set # of years, they might let you sign a new contract or try to hold you to your older more profitable data plan.. even if you no longer have a data phone. depends on how evil they feel today.
one used to be able to just cancel the data plan after a month on new contract with ATT without getting charged extra or termination fee etc. Just be sure to not use any data, otherwise you'll be paying a hefty charge on any data usage.
I would think that as long as you continue with the data plan on the sony, AT&T shouldn't care what happens to the other phone unless you're trying to access data with it...to avoid that, as soon as you put the new sim in it, change the apn settings. Make sure the actual APN settings are deleted as well as ports...but you can leave the mms settings intact.
Sent from my arse
whyareyou said:
one used to be able to just cancel the data plan after a month on new contract with ATT without getting charged extra or termination fee etc. Just be sure to not use any data, otherwise you'll be paying a hefty charge on any data usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL
I dont ever remember a time where a company would say:
"hey, you signed a contract promising to pay us 80$ or more a month for the next 3 years, but NAH you change it to $40 and keep the expencive cell phone we practically gave you"....

New AT&T Tab Owner Questions about Phone use, APN, etc

All,
I currently own a T-Mobile Tab, and I just bought an AT&T Tab (outright, with no activated data service) with the intentions of selling the T-Mobile version because:
1. I am already an AT&T Customer for voice.
2. The T-Mobile network coverage in my market stinks.
My questions are along these lines:
1. I know I can put a ROM on the AT&T version which will enable phone use. But, if I install that ROM, will it also allow me to use the wap.cingular APN for internet access? I currently have the $45.00/mo "unlimited" BB plan on the SIM I would like to use in the AT&T Tab. With the stock ROM, it will not accept wap.cingular for the APN (believe me, I tried).
2. If #1 is entirely possible, is AT&T going to send me nastygrams via text because they know the IMEI of the TAB (it is theirs) and see the SIM mismatch? My whole point in doing this is having ONE device for phone and data. I am really not trying to cheat AT&T (although I don't think they deserve fair treatment) and if they offered a plan that would allow me voice on a tablet, I would consider it.
If this isn't possible, I will just abandon my efforts. It isn't worth the hassle if it isn't possible or realistic. I just would like to hear from someone who has done what I asked about above and if so, how is it working out for you?
Thanks, please advise.
-Rob
Yes, if you load the Euro ROM you will then be able to use wap.cingular. In fact, when I did so it already had the APN loaded and ready to select.
Regarding he second half, you are likely to get a nasty text from AT&T. I logged into my account and it showed that my currently active device was the Tab. The system spots it immediately, and if you are still under contract they'll probably nab you for it.
Try switching to the $45 4gb tethering plan. I am 2 weeks into the switch with no nastygrams.
I use my Tab as a phone and switch back and forth between my Captivate.
Not happy with the extra cost (was $30 unlimited data) however, after a long conversation with AT&T, they became very accommodating... helping make the cost easier to swallow.
I think that since the plan is for tethering, it IS IMEI agnostic, thus allowing you to use your data on any device.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
Thank you
Thank you both for your insights. Could I possibly ask one more favor?
I am a veteran of about a dozen android devices, and I have flashed and tinkered with all of them. So I am far from a newb when it comes to the command line, etc. I rooted my T-Mobile Tab, but that is as far as that went because that was last fall, and things were still very fragile at that point as far as I could tell. I didn't want a brick on my hands.
I have looked around the Tab forums, and I can't seem to find a concise guide on how to approach our AT&T Tab in terms of the exact ROM to use and how to flash it, etc.
- Is there a good and updated guide to this that is AT&T specific? If so, could you please direct me to it or explain to me the steps you took?
- What are you running today? Is there a proven path to go back to stock? Can I get some sort of a good nandroid backup from a recovery before I flash the Euro ROM so I can revert it? I found a link to a "stock" ROM from Rotohammer and downloaded it this afternoon, but that is as far as I took it thus far.
Once done, I am going to roll with my current $45 BB "unlimited" plan until I get a nastygram. I will switch then if my hand is forced. I would prefer to keep the BB plan on the off chance I someday decide to retreat to a BB phone in a moment of weakness...
Thanks, any info you can direct me to would be greatly appreciated.
-Rob
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=929479
This is the thread that I used as my guide when flashing the Euro ROM. Pics and all, it's very helpful, and the flash went through rather fluidly and upon reboot, I could make calls and send text messages.
It felt a bit cumbersome using it as a phone, and the Euro ROM puts the home screen on the far left rather than centered (page 3) like the AT&T version, which irks my OCD need for symmetry. So I flashed back to stock per the instructions provided by Rotohammer several pages into the above referenced thread.
HOWEVER:
The provided stock firmware is a bit ****ed. When first powered on, there is no longer an AT&T splash screen, only the Galaxy Tab Samsung logo appears very briefly before the screen goes black, and remains black. There's no boot animation (though the boot music does play, and when it's fully booted you need to hit the power button twice to actually see your screen! After that point it's business as usual, but the lack of boot animation pisses me off and makes me wish I hadn't touched Odin. So be warned...you can go back to stock, but probably not back to former glory. I should have just stuck with my Tab as a tablet and my Aria as a phone. I'm hoping when the Gingerbread update comes out, it will fix the bootup issue.
I just flashed my ATT SGT to Overcome 2 Beta2 (Gingerbread) and it rocks. I'd go that route with the JK3 modem. No worries about missing splash screens, etc.
BTW, the BB data can be used on the SGT just fine. I was doing that until my company said to stop doing that
Question for OP re switch from T-Mo t AT&T
robroy90 said:
All,
I currently own a T-Mobile Tab, and I just bought an AT&T Tab (outright, with no activated data service) with the intentions of selling the T-Mobile version because:
1. I am already an AT&T Customer for voice.
2. The T-Mobile network coverage in my market stinks.
-Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rob -
Have you now set this up, and are you getting voice and 3G data on the AT&T device without a "modem switch"?
I have a T-Mo Tab running OC Icarus, and I love it, but I only want one device. Don't use phone much, but need to have it available, and while I know many are using the Modem switch on T-Mo devices, it is just way too kludgy IMHO in this day and age to have to go thru reboot iterations to make calls.
I am thinking of buying a non-contract AT&T as you did, and getting a SIM from another carrier (Tru SIM) so I can use internationally and domestically. Since my "real" number is sitting on a depricated VZ winmo gadget now out of contract, Tru SIM will port numbers on new activation, and since I will be overseas in a month, I am trying for the "Holy Grail" - phone, 3G, int'l and Tab all on one device.
Any insight you can provide since making the "switch" to the AT&T Tab is most appreciated.
like the OP, want to have just one device instead of 2 (phone and tablet).
have the iphone4 on ATT with the $15 200MB data plan.
if i get the ATT SGT and use my iphone simcard on it for calls/txts/data, will ATT allow it? if not what would they want me to do? upgrade my plan?
You can use at&t iphone sim in your tab. At&t will force you to change your unlimited plan for a 4 gig data tethering plan.
rangercaptain said:
You can use at&t iphone sim in your tab. At&t will force you to change your unlimited plan for a 4 gig data tethering plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont have an unlimited data plan. have the 200MB $15/month data plan. can the 2GB $25/month data plan work on the GalTab for voice/sms/data?
dont really wanna upgrade to the 4GB $45/month plan. its way too much for my occasional use.
there a way to use the ATT GalTab for voice/sms/data with just the 200MB $15/month data plan?
TIA
jeraldyne
Yes, just put your sim card in the tab and reboot. But you will rip through the data allowance quickly. Overage charges will follow. I use a voice + 2gig data plan.
I have been using the 2gb/month data plan since Jan. No problems. There is a long thread about data plans on at&t. Go read it if you want. My summary: att doesn't like sim-swapping from an umlimited data plan that was started with purchase of some phones (I.e. iPhones bought with an unlimited plans). Any tiered data plan + SGT will probably be fine.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
thanks!! c",)
super valuable info!!
fwelland said:
I have been using the 2gb/month data plan since Jan. No problems. There is a long thread about data plans on at&t. Go read it if you want. My summary: att doesn't like sim-swapping from an umlimited data plan that was started with purchase of some phones (I.e. iPhones bought with an unlimited plans). Any tiered data plan + SGT will probably be fine.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
possible to point me to that thread? my search skills are kinda messed up today! c",)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000921
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App

US Note users on AT&T - how are you dealing with the accusatory "tablet" text?

US Note users on AT&T - how are you dealing with the accusatory "tablet" text?
I ordered a Galaxy Note, will be here Monday. Quick background: I've been with AT&t since 2007 and have grandfathered unlimited data (from the original iPhone days). My current phone (was) the Galaxy Nexus until I sold it today to pay for the Note. I have used many imported (non-ATT) phones over the years - at least 15 - absolutely no issues.
Of course, I've been reading the threads about AT&T flagging the Note smartphone as a tablet (lol) and eventually shutting down data on these devices. I clearly don't want this to happen and take a serious issue with AT&T forcing their opinion that this smartphone is a tablet when it is absolutely not a tablet.
The poll covers several scenarios. Please vote and add comments to this thread so we can get an idea of how aggressive AT&T is with this smartphone. If there is a poll choice that needs to be changed/added, let me know.
Also, include how long have you used your Note on AT&T before getting a threatening text (or if you never got one, how is it set up? EFS wipe? APN settings, etc).
I have no issue taking this issue to the highest at AT&T. I like to stir the pot and AT&T calling this phone a tablet is totally unacceptable.
Thanks.
I have been with ATT sense 1994 when they toke over Cingular who I was with.
I have the PDA unlimited plan.
I put my sim card in.
Set APNs
Received text about 30 days later. (called them and thought all was good)
They turn off my data 14 days after that.
They turn data back on the next day after 2 hours on the phone with them.
If you can edit the poll, it would be good to have an option for no dreaded SMS received yet.
I haven't received the SMS yet, despite how vocal I am against AT&T.
SMS date: none yet
Start date: 11/11 (36 days)
Plan: 2GB smartphone data
Mods: no /efs folder nor IMEI modifications
Location/market: Austin, TX
APN settings: the "phone" one for 4g smartphones
My vote would have to be "other", if that were a choice. I have never been with at&t for wireless, and when I took my Note in to get a sim card, they would not even set me up with a voice plan at all. I have just data on it now. The manager claims they were told in a managers' meeting not to activate the note as a phone. They don't/won't support it, according to him. (he as a total d**k, by the way)
Sorry guys, I can't edit the survey.
If you never received a text, list how long you have been using it without hearing from AT&T (1 day, 1 month, etc). It seems the texts arrive anywhere between instantly to over a month after use.
Also, if your situation doesn't apply to any of the choices (other) list your experience in the comments.
Thanks.
kdel said:
My vote would have to be "other", if that were a choice. I have never been with at&t for wireless, and when I took my Note in to get a sim card, they would not even set me up with a voice plan at all. I have just data on it now. The manager claims they were told in a managers' meeting not to activate the note as a phone. They don't/won't support it, according to him. (he as a total d**k, by the way)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you located?
Why would managers be told not to activate a smartphone they plan on bringing to their own network in the first quarter of 2012?? This clearly goes against the GSM "open" standards and I'd be happy to get in touch with Ralph de la Vega about this local manager decision...
I've been on medianet for 7 years and I've never got the text. Currently 4 days of note usage with no issues here.
ericshmerick said:
Why would managers be told not to activate a smartphone they plan on bringing to their own network in the first quarter of 2012??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably because they haven't crippled/screwed over the phone to work on their network yet. As with most carrier subsidized phones, they want to remove features, fill it with bloatware etc...
I've had 3 non branded phones, and they always work better than the bloated ones. My favorite complaint, back in the pre-smartphone day was the stupid button placement that would almost always guarantee you that you would easily hit the button to take you to the internet, incurring a data charge. Oh, I'm sure they didn't do that one on purpose LOL.
I've been using this phone since November 2. No text message from ATT. APN settings: name ATT, APN phone, MCC 310, MNC 410, APN type internet + mms and everything else not set. Works fine with edge, 3g and HSPA.
couldnt you just go down to an at&t store and have someone who works there check out your phone and call at&T themselves to confirm you do have a cell phone and not a tablet?
seeking said:
couldnt you just go down to an at&t store and have someone who works there check out your phone and call at&T themselves to confirm you do have a cell phone and not a tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People have tried that. It may work sometimes, but some have said they go home and the next day they get the message again. It's a computer doing the flagging. Even if a manager overrides the system at the store, they can't change the system, so chances are it'll happen again.
maxh said:
People have tried that. It may work sometimes, but some have said they go home and the next day they get the message again. It's a computer doing the flagging. Even if a manager overrides the system at the store, they can't change the system, so chances are it'll happen again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I'm strongly considering renaming the EFS folder or spoofing the IMEI.
I'm not interested in going round and round with AT&T every few weeks fighting their automated computers with attempts to prove my device is not a tablet.
At this point, I don't care if it's allowed to do that. I paid a ton of cash for this smartphone and am an AT&T Premier customer with multiple lines. Not putting all of this in jeopardy because they just don't know what this device is.
With any luck, I will snag an Atrix IMEI, flash it to the device and be on my merry way.
seeking said:
couldnt you just go down to an at&t store and have someone who works there check out your phone and call at&T themselves to confirm you do have a cell phone and not a tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All their systems are centralized and corporate makes the policies. Some rep at a b&m at&t store doesn't have the power to make any changes. They can just update your profile to reflect a new IMEI but if the system keeps flagging the phone as a tablet they can't change make any changes to prevent the system from recognizing your note and blocking you again.
inurb said:
All their systems are centralized and corporate makes the policies. Some rep at a b&m at&t store doesn't have the power to make any changes. They can just update your profile to reflect a new IMEI but if the system keeps flagging the phone as a tablet they can't change make any changes to prevent the system from recognizing your note and blocking you again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I'm prepared to fight AT&T at the corporate level to get them to change their system to recognize the IMEI as a smartphone.
I've already contacted Samsung UK outlining the issue and asking them to send the IMEI's to AT&T in the US.
I will be relentless in my quest!
ericshmerick said:
That's why I'm prepared to fight AT&T at the corporate level to get them to change their system to recognize the IMEI as a smartphone.
I've already contacted Samsung UK outlining the issue and asking them to send the IMEI's to AT&T in the US.
I will be relentless in my quest!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I think the deathstar is doing this on purpose. They are "suppose" to have the Note next year (crippled, different processor to handle LTE, no home button, bloated etc...)...can't have an international version over shadowing their version can they? LOL.
lol, bloody american carriers.
There would be outrage if they tried that sh!t here.. You're paying for a data service... who are they to dictate what device you use that data on!
I'm willing to bet that this issue is less about the Note itself and more about trying to get people off of their grandfathered data. How many people on tiered plans have received the text? I bet none.
---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 PM ----------
ericshmerick said:
This is why I'm strongly considering renaming the EFS folder or spoofing the IMEI.
I'm not interested in going round and round with AT&T every few weeks fighting their automated computers with attempts to prove my device is not a tablet.
At this point, I don't care if it's allowed to do that. I paid a ton of cash for this smartphone and am an AT&T Premier customer with multiple lines. Not putting all of this in jeopardy because they just don't know what this device is.
With any luck, I will snag an Atrix IMEI, flash it to the device and be on my merry way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how exactly will you do this? I wasn't aware such a thing was even possible...
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
I'm willing to bet that this issue is less about the Note itself and more about trying to get people off of their grandfathered data. How many people on tiered plans have received the text? I bet none.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What bearing, exactly, does this have on anything? As long as I don't tether (which I never do or plan on doing) that suddenly doesn't give AT&T the right to single out unlimited users while ignoring others.
Again, I'm sure the FCC would be interested to learn of this discrimination.
ericshmerick said:
What bearing, exactly, does this have on anything? As long as I don't tether (which I never do or plan on doing) that suddenly doesn't give AT&T the right to single out unlimited users while ignoring others.
Again, I'm sure the FCC would be interested to learn of this discrimination.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has a lot of bearing actually. Think about it. AT&T stopped offering unlimited data a year and a half ago now, and since then it has done as much as it can to try to get people off of those plans (like convincing the uneducated consumer that they need "new" tiered plans for their smartphone when they decide to upgrade etc).
I ran into this exact same problem early on this year with my original Galaxy Tab, and after much (fruitless) deliberation with a rep from the CEO's office, the argument basically came down to this:
AT&T: You're using a device on our network in ways we did not intend for it to be used. Cease and Desist!
Me: How exactly am I using my device on your network in ways which you didn't intend? As far as the hardware is concerned, my Galaxy Tab is basically identical to a smartphone with the exception of screen and battery size. I love using my Tab this way! It literally is my "do-everything-all-in-one" device! Tablet, phone, GPS, media player, e-reader, etc.
AT&T: That's just it. Your "do-everything-all-in-one" device is bad for business. We don't want you to be able to do "everything-all-in-one." We want you to buy a smartphone, and a subscription for that -AND- we want you to buy a separate piece of hardware for your tablet and pay a subscription for that too (or at least pay additional for the ability to tether to your smartphone). See, as you pointed out, the bigger screen allows you to do much more with that device than a "normal" smartphone, in much the same way as you can do more on a laptop. Basically, bigger screen generally equals more data usage and thus more strain on our network.
Me: OK. So what? I'm on unlimited data.
AT&T: Exactly. So we're not getting any more money out of you, where we would ordinarily be collecting overages from everyone else on tiered plans. So here are your options: 1. Stop using voice on your line, and use this as a data-only device. 2. Stop using data on your line, and use this as a voice-only device. 3. Use both data and voice, but only if you forgo your unlimited data and go onto a tiered plan instead, and pay for tethering. 4. Go somewhere else.
Me: Screw you AT&T! *deletes /efs folder and continues to use Tab as originally intended by Samsung. AT&T no longer see's Tab IMEI and see's "fake/generic" IMEI instead*
I've been with them for a while. I have the grandfathered plan but I have 5 lines and maybe that's why I never received a text from them. I tether as well.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

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