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Ok im almost ready to sue AT&T for how long this is taking. I have spent 5 hr on the phone trying to get my data plan back...
Here is what happened. my 8125 with a 2 year old cingular unlimuted data plan (40$) included tethering and there access to isp.cingular. well my phone died so i went out and got a tilt. i bring it home and i look online and find that the (trying my best not to sware) horable sales men switched my plan to a 10$ more expensive one with out asking me. So then i have to spend time getting my plan back. so they revert it to a 40$ plan but i cant connect to the isp.cingular. i call back, go to there head it person and he says you can get it back. you need to spend 60$ on a plan that supports this. (im thinking you people messed this up, un mess it up) so i kall more times and i get nowhere. all them dont understand me and think im having a problem with wap.cingular even tho i say wap works. i mean i have been using the isp all through out the time i had my 8125 and loved it. now i get a diled isp.cingular. unable to connect.
so what do you think i should do. i have spent too much time on this but i want my old plan back. does anyone have any ideas or advice. (and yes i have gone to the manager wice... they were less helpfull then the others)
brianmay27 said:
Ok im almost ready to sue AT&T for how long this is taking. I have spent 5 hr on the phone trying to get my data plan back...
Here is what happened. my 8125 with a 2 year old cingular unlimuted data plan (40$) included tethering and there access to isp.cingular. well my phone died so i went out and got a tilt. i bring it home and i look online and find that the (trying my best not to sware) horable sales men switched my plan to a 10$ more expensive one with out asking me. So then i have to spend time getting my plan back. so they revert it to a 40$ plan but i cant connect to the isp.cingular. i call back, go to there head it person and he says you can get it back. you need to spend 60$ on a plan that supports this. (im thinking you people messed this up, un mess it up) so i kall more times and i get nowhere. all them dont understand me and think im having a problem with wap.cingular even tho i say wap works. i mean i have been using the isp all through out the time i had my 8125 and loved it. now i get a diled isp.cingular. unable to connect.
so what do you think i should do. i have spent too much time on this but i want my old plan back. does anyone have any ideas or advice. (and yes i have gone to the manager wice... they were less helpfull then the others)
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Click to collapse
When you got your tilt, did you sign up for a new contract? If not then you should still have your old plan. They are grandfathered in. They CANNOT take it away unless YOU switch your plan. Just be aware that you cannot access 3G with the SIM card from your 8125, you will need a 3G SIM for that.
well i think i did sign up for the 2 year aggrement... but i did get a new sim card. but can they really change your plan with out telling you and make it 10$ more expensive?
Are you sure about that statement? There are no contracts for data plans like there are for voice plans to my knowledge anymore except for a few specialized data plans (most of those like some international data plans are 1yr commitments). Thats why you can add and cancel your data plan at any time without having to pay an Early Termination Fee.
I've gone thru some of my contracts for the past few years and I don't see anything stating any data plans have a commitment form either party. Only Voice.
well i mean i got the two year contract to keep the price of the phone low. (the 100$ off with 2 year contract) so yes it is for voice but the guy changed my data plan for some reason
Yeah this happened to me as well. When I got my tilt they chopped my old plan to hell and back and to get it working right I ended up having to pay more money than on my old plan. Sucked and for some reason it's a hit or miss whether or not I get pictures messages now.
Ok, well i guess i will try my best to have them give me the 60$ plan for 40$... just have to make them feel horable for it
they do it cuz they make commision off u
its in the contract u signed. they lie, cheat.
thats how corporate is though.
just ask them to switch you to a media net unlimited plan $15
tell them u have a regular phone not pda, and ask for the $15 media net unlimited
and teather, but i hear they put a cap on it.
i cant believe any of u guys would pay more than 20 bux for unlimited internet,
stealthj said:
just ask them to switch you to a media net unlimited plan $15
tell them u have a regular phone not pda, and ask for the $15 media net unlimited
and teather, but i hear they put a cap on it.
i cant believe any of u guys would pay more than 20 bux for unlimited internet,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the fact that they are now monitoring the IMEI of the phone you are using and if it is in their database (AT&T Branded) then they'll know he should at least have the $30 plan. (Which is still a lot better than $50)
Anybody know what happens if AT&T figures out you are on the wrong plan? Do they switch you to the $30 plan or try to charge you outrageous fees?
I don't want to tether, and I'm offended that I should have to pay 2x for the same service just because I bought the wrong phone! Maybe somebody will come up with a way to repair our IMEI soon.
This post talks about the automatic device detection at AT&T: http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=10576027&postcount=28
imeihunter said:
Anybody know what happens if AT&T figures out you are on the wrong plan? Do they switch you to the $30 plan or try to charge you outrageous fees?
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Click to collapse
One time when i was in the At&t store talking to a rep making adjustments to my plan, he noticed the HIGH data usage and saw that i had a medianet plan and not pda connect on my 8525 (this was about 6 months ago).
He tried to force me to switch to the $49.99 pda connect plan but i just persisted that i bought the 8525 from them with that plan so he let it slide (although it was an imate jasjam and not att's branded 8525 )
BUT he warned me that if i get "Caught", and he said i will, they will charge me per KB which will have the bill break through the roof! But i know if this happens i can just go to the store with my bill and add the pda plan and have them cancel the charges. (i've done this before when i went over my minutes, messages, and kb when i was on a 5mb plan, not unlimitted)
I haven't been caught yet and last week i switched to the unlimited pda data plan for $30 so i'm playing it safe now (but still tethering )
ALso i can not connect to isp.cingular, i thought that was the point of the pda plan. Do i have to call and ask them to allow me to access isp.cingular?
From my experience, wap.cingular is faster than isp.cingular.
I have the $45/mo PDA Unlimited Plan (includes 500 any-type messages), and I tether using wap.cingular. I get 50-100kb/sec download speeds on my laptop when tethered.
imeihunter said:
What about the fact that they are now monitoring the IMEI of the phone you are using and if it is in their database (AT&T Branded) then they'll know he should at least have the $30 plan. (Which is still a lot better than $50)
Anybody know what happens if AT&T figures out you are on the wrong plan? Do they switch you to the $30 plan or try to charge you outrageous fees?
I don't want to tether, and I'm offended that I should have to pay 2x for the same service just because I bought the wrong phone! Maybe somebody will come up with a way to repair our IMEI soon.
This post talks about the automatic device detection at AT&T: http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=10576027&postcount=28
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Click to collapse
I just keep changing my phone on AT&T Billing and everything works okay thus far
brianmay27 said:
well i mean i got the two year contract to keep the price of the phone low. (the 100$ off with 2 year contract) so yes it is for voice but the guy changed my data plan for some reason
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Click to collapse
oh I do believe that is with their data plan. Your paying $10 more a month for $100 off in 6 months or something.
PDA Connect Unlimited still available, AFAIK
brianmay27 said:
. . . i want my old plan back. does anyone have any ideas or advice. (and yes i have gone to the manager wice... they were less helpfull then the others)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speak to an AT&T rep that knows about this, and cares, and knows the tricks. I suggest Gyngabread Man here on this forum - send him a PM. He got me fixed up properly with the PDA Connect Unlimited plan for $39.95/mo. and I have access to isp.cingular as well as wap.cingular.
Good luck!
brianmay27 said:
Ok im almost ready to sue AT&T for how long this is taking. I have spent 5 hr on the phone trying to get my data plan back...
Here is what happened. my 8125 with a 2 year old cingular unlimuted data plan (40$) included tethering and there access to isp.cingular. well my phone died so i went out and got a tilt. i bring it home and i look online and find that the (trying my best not to sware) horable sales men switched my plan to a 10$ more expensive one with out asking me. So then i have to spend time getting my plan back. so they revert it to a 40$ plan but i cant connect to the isp.cingular. i call back, go to there head it person and he says you can get it back. you need to spend 60$ on a plan that supports this. (im thinking you people messed this up, un mess it up) so i kall more times and i get nowhere. all them dont understand me and think im having a problem with wap.cingular even tho i say wap works. i mean i have been using the isp all through out the time i had my 8125 and loved it. now i get a diled isp.cingular. unable to connect.
so what do you think i should do. i have spent too much time on this but i want my old plan back. does anyone have any ideas or advice. (and yes i have gone to the manager wice... they were less helpfull then the others)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Typically if you read the two year agreements or rebate agreements they will say that it's only valid with a specific data and voice plan of at least $X value. That's not uncommon.
As for getting back a grandfathered plan. I know at Sprint, depending on how old the plan was, once it was deprovisioned the system just was no longer capable of reprovisioning it. No matter how much you wanted it to.
My guess is though that you did in fact agree to have your plan changed. They just didn't make it any more clear than they legally have to.
cushcalc said:
Speak to an AT&T rep that knows about this, and cares, and knows the tricks. I suggest Gyngabread Man here on this forum - send him a PM. He got me fixed up properly with the PDA Connect Unlimited plan for $39.95/mo. and I have access to isp.cingular as well as wap.cingular.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My mistake... I am on the $39.99 PDA Unlimited plan. I was on a strange combination of Data and Messaging plans until I went into an AT&T store to buy a pair bluetooth headphones, and the rep looked at my account and pointed out that I could save money by combining my 2 options into this 1 plan.
this wut i did....i got a crappy phone ( real crappy) not a pda or smartphone and got the data plan 25 bucks i think unlimited internet and text now its 30 cuz i added 5 to get unlimited text and they asked me y do u want unlimited for my phone and said cuz i like it and then i changed to the tilt on craigslist bout mine for 250 and just put my sim with all my data plan and no problems
rico002 said:
this wut i did....i got a crappy phone ( real crappy) not a pda or smartphone and got the data plan 25 bucks i think unlimited internet and text now its 30 cuz i added 5 to get unlimited text and they asked me y do u want unlimited for my phone and said cuz i like it and then i changed to the tilt on craigslist bout mine for 250 and just put my sim with all my data plan and no problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a cute trick, but you are not the first to think of it. AT&T can tell that your are on the tilt. The browser requests contain information about what OS you are using. You probably are not using ridiculous amounts of data, so they have no reason to look. If they ever do look tho, they will see you are on WM, and they will switch you to the correct plan without warning.
I work for AT&T Tech Support. For the sake of keeping my job i'll call my self BoB.
Anyway you can still tether with wap.cingular as mentioned before. The only way we'd catch you is if you were downloading torrent or excessive amounts of data. We recently changed our data features which I think is retarded.
One thing they don't tell you is that the new Tethering plans which cost money out the ass have a 5GB soft limit.
What this means is that after 5GB of data you have used, AT&T will monitor any usage past the 5gb. The reason for this is so that they could price their data plans accordingly, hopefully for the better but in this world probably will be for the worse.
If you are casually browsing just use internet sharing in your phone to tether. Go to File Explorer-Windows-Scroll down about halfway to Internet Sharing then hit connect.
YOu could also go to wmwifirouter.com and download the app straight from the phone, it turns your phone into a router and you can just tether like that. I think it's ridiculous to charge so much for data. Sprint (even though I would never switch) Has their unlimited everything for 99 dollars, data, gps, voice, tv, etc. That just goes to show you how much unlimited data is actually worth.
Get a 19.99 Medianet Unlimited Plan, 19.99 Unl Messaging and you are set
Just get a RaZR and switch your sim card out, place a couple of test calls, and boom call in to have it changed or go online to make the change. After you have both features on put SIM back into TILT and you're done. I feel so bad when I tell a customer that in order to tether they need a 60 dollar feature. I'd feel insulted if that were me.
Thanks everyone for this help... after reading i guess my new question is what is so different between isp and wap... i thought it was like wap goes through a proxy and is not "THE internet" where as isp is "THE internet". is that right? also i would run a speed test too but well i cant.
Was there a way around this: Didn't have a smartphone before so I had a fifteen dollar "unlimited" plan. Then bought the captivate sans contract off ebay. Received a text this morning that I was switched to an appropriate limited smartphone data plan.
What really irks me is I haven't been using AT&T's data! I've been strictly wi-fi at the house since putting the SIM in.
Was that the sound of inevitability since they know the IMEIs of all Captivates? Or would rooting / custom mod helped? I hate being forced into the age of data caps.
AT&T's policy is if it's a smartphone you have to have a data plan.. period..
And yes, they know if you are using one by the IMEI.
Sucks yes.. and not much you can do. I had a Tilt for a long time without a plan and lived quite nicely by just using wifi.. ahh.. those were the days..!!
You may be eligible to be grandfathered in and keep your plan. Call 611 and ask for the cancellation department (I think they refer to themselves as "Customer Relations/Care/whatever") and let them know you aren't happy and why. Can't hurt to try, right?
I doubt seriously that you'll be able to keep your MediaNet plan. Most of us think that data is data is data, but not where AT&T is concerned. They tend to place this magical premium on smartphone data in the name of maximizing revenue.
If you don't use more than 200 mb a month then the $15 plan should be fine. If you think you'll use more, which is very likely with these phones, you'll want to get the 2gb plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I won a Samsung Epix a year ago and signed up for the MediaNet plan on my old feature phone. I swapped in the SIM, and I have been on $15 unlimited data ever since. This is a WinMo smartphone, and they have never caught on.
You have a pretty good argument if you bought the phone from e-bay. AT&T didn't subsidize your phone and you didn't agree to any plan changes. You just have to call them on their BS be firm but polite and see where you get. You should also check your account and see if they actually changed it. I received one of those text messages too but still have my mediamax plan.
Charging different $$ amounts for the same thing simply because you MIGHT use more is absurd. Hopefully one day they'll be called out on price fixing along with the other cellular carriers. Data IS data, just because you consume it using a smartphone instead of a dumbphone or a laptop doesn't make it any different or more costly for them. Data plan prices are a subject that will instantly send me into a frenzy.
Yeah, I might just let them win this one. Was using a Nokia E71 on the MediaMax and they were never the wiser. I guess this will end my long run with AT&T.
I absolutely love this Captivate and will hate to part with it...but because of their "smartphone" logic I'll be switching carriers within 6 months (as soon as T-mo has a good android HSPA+ or Metro has a good LTE). In the meantime I'll be wary of the 200 MB limit and use lots of wifi.
Thanks for the input! I love discussing corporate cents (non-sense)
ScottyNuttz said:
I won a Samsung Epix a year ago and signed up for the MediaNet plan on my old feature phone. I swapped in the SIM, and I have been on $15 unlimited data ever since. This is a WinMo smartphone, and they have never caught on.
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Click to collapse
You were grandfathered in. Before september 09 you could easily switch plans. They restricted this and customers who had already done it now have a smart phone exclusion soc code on their account.
Essentially if you had already cheated the system your grandfathered. If you hadn't then youre screwed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
ag4vr said:
Most of us think that data is data is data, but not where AT&T is concerned. They tend to place this magical premium on smartphone data in the name of maximizing revenue.
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Click to collapse
Isn't it obvious? Bits and bytes and packets that go to a smartphone device are inherently more expensive to produce and transmit than bits and bytes and packets that go to a "feature" phone!
nbohmer said:
Essentially if you had already cheated the system your grandfathered. If you hadn't then youre screwed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Damn... maybe I should buy w/o a new contract then...
ScottyNuttz said:
Damn... maybe I should buy w/o a new contract then...
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Click to collapse
Won't matter. If you use the captivate on ATT at all they will add the $15 plan to your account.
dontshakepandas said:
Won't matter. If you use the captivate on ATT at all they will add the $15 plan to your account.
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Click to collapse
This is true. But once you're on a smartphone plan, it doesn't really matter which one. FWIW, I am running my Captivate on my Blackberry Enterprise Plan. They insisted it wouldn't work but it does. I often switch between a Bold 9700, 3GS and the Captivate for testing purposes on the same SIM. All work on the same account.
You can call em and they may credit you back the money and take the plan off your account, but next month it will just go right back on...its a completely automatic system and they don't currently have a way to override that from happening.
they are doing this with all smartphones now. Once I got my captivate, I gave my old Fuze to my little brother. Within a day, AT&T had signed him up for a data plan. I had bought my phone subsidized from AT&T and had it with them up until the release date of the captivate without a problem, but as soon as my brother put his SIM card in the phone, AT&T decided it was a smartphone... They also charged the $18 upgrade fee too, which I thought was f***ing obnoxious...
ag4vr said:
I doubt seriously that you'll be able to keep your MediaNet plan. Most of us think that data is data is data, but not where AT&T is concerned. They tend to place this magical premium on smartphone data in the name of maximizing revenue.
If you don't use more than 200 mb a month then the $15 plan should be fine. If you think you'll use more, which is very likely with these phones, you'll want to get the 2gb plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget the 30 dollar surcharge for the "privilege" to tether your computer to your phone and use "your" data.
I've been kicked back and forth through various AT&T departments for the past month over this...
According to AT&T's official line, if you were using a smartphone on a non-smartphone data plan before November of last year, you have a 'smartphone exclusion' added to your account. This will keep you from automatically getting 'upgraded' to a smartphone data plan as long as you don't change to a different smartphone.
Actually, it's a bit more complex than that. The above is true... as long as you're talking about AT&T smartphones. They have a database with the IMEI number for all of the smartphones they offer... but it does not include smartphones that they don't offer. As a result, if you plugged your SIM into a Nexus One, AT&T would be perfectly happy letting you continue on a 'featurephone data plan'. Same goes if you picked up a sim-unlocked HTC Desire from Telus.
Anyway, if you get stuck that way, just move your sim back to your featurephone and give customer support a call. They can get you back on the cheap data plan.
Actually, there's been reports of people trying to add a smartphone data plan to an account using a Nexus One and having AT&T refuse because 'it's not a smartphone' - or rather it's not in their list of smartphones. AT&T insisted on putting them on a featurephone data plane instead.
Now what's really nasty (and what happened with me) is that if you had ben running on an ancient data plan (like a $20 per month plan that provided unlimited data, unlimited text, and 200 mms), and you stuck your sim in a Captivate, you're screwed. Actually it was the AT&T rep who stuck my sim in and tried to process the upgrade. And before the upgrade had even completed, my old data plan was gone and a 2gb smartphone plan was stuck in it's place. What's worse, when told to cancel the upgrade if I can't keep my old data plan, it was too late. Once that data plan is gone, it's gone for good. I tried to get it back for the next month, going through about 9 support cases and hitting multiple levels of support in 3 different divisions. About the best they could do was to give me a heavy discount on the Captivate and put me on the old smartphone unlimited plan.
With the amount of jerking around I was given before anybody could give me a straight answer, I'm seriously considering returning my Captivate anyway and giving Verizon a shot. Except that they're going to cost the same amount I'm paying now, and they don't (yet) have any good android phones that work international.
mesasone said:
Don't forget the 30 dollar surcharge for the "privilege" to tether your computer to your phone and use "your" data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or the $20 "privelege" of connecting to an "enterprise" email system
ag4vr said:
I doubt seriously that you'll be able to keep your MediaNet plan. Most of us think that data is data is data, but not where AT&T is concerned. They tend to place this magical premium on smartphone data in the name of maximizing revenue.
If you don't use more than 200 mb a month then the $15 plan should be fine. If you think you'll use more, which is very likely with these phones, you'll want to get the 2gb plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on this plan and it's not too bad. Only things I don't really do with my phone while I'm on data: browse the web, use google navigation, or use pandora radio. those things seem to eat up bandwith more than anything else.
Also, use a program like NetMeter, it'll let you know how much data you're using via data plan and wifi, very handy. It let's me monitor my use so I can be sure I won't go over.
And last thing to consider: The way AT&T's billing plan is that you're paying 15$ a month for the first 200mb of data that you use. If you go over that 200mb, they're going to charge you another 15$ for the next 200mb of data, and so on..
It really sucks they've done it like that, but they definitely had a lot of leaks in their network as far as data goes, which is why they've cracked down on it so much. I used to have the same 15$ unlimited data plan for the longest time ever and enjoyed it with my various HTC phones (Wizard, 8515, tilt), but ultimately, I hurt myself in the end since I didn't bother to get on an unlimited smart phone data plan back then, which would have cost me more at the time, but would more than make up for it as far as being grandfathered in goes.
The best way around it is getting a Tmobile phone because you dont need 3g and ATT usually doesnt mess aorund with there imei numbers. But Att has made data plan very cheap $15 and if u usually use wifi then u will never go over. I have never gone over 200 in the past year and its basically i download apps on wifi using other features in moderations u should be good.
First off, this is my first post on these forums.. second. I had the unlimited data plan on a dumbphone, switched to the smartphone. Was told I couldn't keep my plan. Called customer support. Explained I had been with ATT since 1998 and I don't understand why I couldn't keep my plan. They said I couldn't, agent was rather rude IMHO, I said, well I can change carriers, can I speak to a manager. She put me on hold. Came back rather quickly and said in a nice voice. Sir, I spoke to my manager and they agree to give you your plan back, since you have been with us for so long. But you know, it will cost you 5 dollars more a month. I laughed and said, that's not the point."
Hey everyone! Hopefully I will go to the at&t store to pick up my Captivate tomorrow. However, I have a problem.
You see, my family has 5 members who have phone line, 2 of which have data plans. My father has a data plan and is content with his iphone 3gs and is eligible for an upgrade. So, he plans to pay $250 for a new Samsung Captivate that will SUPPOSEDLY be for him and his line. However, he is going to give it to me instead, and I don't have a data plan.
Is there any way I could unlock my phone in the sense that I can use it without a data plan? Like can I have 3g turned off 24/7? I plan to get my phone rooted, does rooting automatically do this/allow me to do this?
Thanks in advance.
No as soon as you put an AT&T Sim in it it will register on their network and a data plan will be added...
Sadly AT&T requires smartphones to have Data plans. You're not going to have any choice. Hopefully your old man won't notice, eh?
$250?!? How long has he had the contract with them? I picked mine up for $99.
terrigan said:
Sadly AT&T requires smartphones to have Data plans. You're not going to have any choice. Hopefully your old man won't notice, eh?
$250?!? How long has he had the contract with them? I picked mine up for $99.
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Click to collapse
For a little less than a year, he didn't wait out his whole 2 years lol.
well thats not possible if you have att but if you pay like 250 more and buy a vibrant off contract and unlock then you only pay 10 dollars for unlimited data
You can have AT&T put a data block on your phone, but that blocks mms also. Then the system wont put you on a data plan. btw data block is free to do, we know how they like to charge for most of there features.
Gaidheil said:
You can have AT&T put a data block on your phone, but that blocks mms also. Then the system wont put you on a data plan.
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Click to collapse
You better research this - AT&T won't put a datablock on a smarthphone that requires data. Phones transmit their IMEI numbers when on the network - AT&T will see it is a Captivate and force a data plan on the customer.
If you bought it off contract, you may have a chance, but if you buy it via the subsidized contract price you need to play by their rules.
no even if u buy the captivate off contract you still have to pay for data but if you buy a vibrant off contract unlock it then its up to you whether or not you want a data plan
If you have a GoPhone sim card in it, they won't charge you for data. I have a GoPhone sim in mine and I've never been required to purchase data for it. I'm not sure about monthly bills though...they may require data on those.
NeoXer0 said:
Hey everyone! Hopefully I will go to the at&t store to pick up my Captivate tomorrow. However, I have a problem.
You see, my family has 5 members who have phone line, 2 of which have data plans. My father has a data plan and is content with his iphone 3gs and is eligible for an upgrade. So, he plans to pay $250 for a new Samsung Captivate that will SUPPOSEDLY be for him and his line. However, he is going to give it to me instead, and I don't have a data plan.
Is there any way I could unlock my phone in the sense that I can use it without a data plan? Like can I have 3g turned off 24/7? I plan to get my phone rooted, does rooting automatically do this/allow me to do this?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i dont understand why people even want to try this.
if he is getting it for that price just unlock it and try to go to another provider....
alphadog00 said:
You better research this - AT&T won't put a datablock on a smarthphone that requires data. Phones transmit their IMEI numbers when on the network - AT&T will see it is a Captivate and force a data plan on the customer.
If you bought it off contract, you may have a chance, but if you buy it via the subsidized contract price you need to play by their rules.
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Click to collapse
i spoke with them about this yesterday, as i wanted to open a 3rd line w my old blackjack, and they told me that it would HAVE to have the min 15$ data plan on the phone, no way around it.
smartphone = smartphone plan. thats just how it is now.
It's odd, I've had mine for about a week now, and I still don't have a data plan. Hasn't been added, I've checked data usage, it says "information not available"...
I have a text and data block on it... but I'm not completely sure on that. Prick of a sister did that.
pokedoke said:
It's odd, I've had mine for about a week now, and I still don't have a data plan. Hasn't been added, I've checked data usage, it says "information not available"...
I have a text and data block on it... but I'm not completely sure on that. Prick of a sister did that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL! dude! I am also in the same boat. I had a data block put on my line about a year ago. I bought my captivate one week ago and no data plan yet. Its not on my bill and I can't connect.
I really have no need of a data plan. Everywhere I go, there is WiFi available.
I am loving it so far, lets hope they dont get wise to it.
xtremekilla09 said:
LOL! dude! I am also in the same boat. I had a data block put on my line about a year ago. I bought my captivate one week ago and no data plan yet. Its not on my bill and I can't connect.
I really have no need of a data plan. Everywhere I go, there is WiFi available.
I am loving it so far, lets hope they dont get wise to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed...but I was kinda looking forward to a data plan... living in the city = real time traffic updates are pure bliss. But I suppose the areas with traffic are areas with wifi anyway...haha.
What differs from yours is that my block started when I got the phone. You'd think somebody would catch on...
For some reason they allowed me to use the unlimited family data plan (non-smartphone) for my Tilt2 in the beginning of the year even though it clearly showed in my account that I was using a Tilt2 (bought off eBay). I did have a data block on my phone prior to the Tilt2. Picked up the Captivate off contract and still enjoying unlimited data since launch.
hey guys. i work at att as a sales rep and there is a way to get it without data...
lmk if interested.
People who have blocks on data plans are being grandfathered in.
You can no longer block data on smartphones.
again. im telling you i know how to do it
I didn't see your post, but I can already tell it's not available to just anyone.
lol ive been working with att for over a year. im tellinmg you i can do it. for Blackberry, iphone, any smart phone
I'm currently in a AT&T Family Plan and my line has the old unlimited data plan. While my wife was in the local AT&T store buying a new Blackberry Torch, I was checking out the Captivate and really loved what I saw.
So I started talking to the AT&T guy, asking about data plans and such if I was to update my phone now. He stated that if I bought the Captivate I wouldn't be able to keep my old unlimited data plan, and that I'd have to either change to the 200MB or 2GB data plan. Is this really true, or is the rep just trying to get me into one of the new plans?
Also, I'm curious about the Captivate's GPS - the box states it's aGPS. Now I know this can mean a few things, but I'm curious if the Captivate has a "real" GPS chip in it, or does the Captivate's aGPS just use cell tower triangulation for navigation purposes?
I thought I'd get other's opinions before actually getting the phone - which I really do want!
Rambler358 said:
I'm currently in a AT&T Family Plan and my line has the old unlimited data plan. While my wife was in the local AT&T store buying a new Blackberry Torch, I was checking out the Captivate and really loved what I saw.
So I started talking to the AT&T guy, asking about data plans and such if I was to update my phone now. He stated that if I bought the Captivate I wouldn't be able to keep my old unlimited data plan, and that I'd have to either change to the 200MB or 2GB data plan. Is this really true, or is the rep just trying to get me into one of the new plans?
Also, I'm curious about the Captivate's GPS - the box states it's aGPS. Now I know this can mean a few things, but I'm curious if the Captivate has a "real" GPS chip in it, or does the Captivate's aGPS just use cell tower triangulation for navigation purposes?
I thought I'd get other's opinions before actually getting the phone - which I really do want!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think either the rep is trying to trick you, or he may just not know. When I bought my Captivate I was able to keep my existing unlimited plan, so I'd assume it'd apply to you as well. And yes the GPS receiver is actual GPS, however there are some issues with it at the moment (problems with holding a lock and tracking, etc.), and Samsung is trying to fix them.
KCutrer1 said:
I think either the rep is trying to trick you, or he may just not know. When I bought my Captivate I was able to keep my existing unlimited plan, so I'd assume it'd apply to you as well. And yes the GPS receiver is actual GPS, however there are some issues with it at the moment (problems with holding a lock and tracking, etc.), and Samsung is trying to fix them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - maybe I can just go to another AT&T store, as there's a few around me and see if the reps give me the same "you must change data plan" story.
I've read about the GPS issues, and it seems some have them and some don't. I also see there's a couple fixes for the Captivate's GPS issue, but do they really work? The GPS feature is something I really want/need, as I'm not planning on buying a standalone GPS as well.
That's a lie. When i purchased my Captivate on my renewal, i ended up having to call AT&T directly as they wouldn't give me the deal price in the store and when the representative on the phone tried to sell me on one of their new plans, i immediately said, "No.. i want the unlimited plan transferred to the Captivate from my iPhone." It took him a few minutes of putting on hold to talk to his supervisor to come back and tell me it was done. So don't believe the AT&T rep in the store, they're probably told to tell you it's not possible. I'm telling you it is.
Remember.. once the unlimited plan is gone.. you can't get it back.
terrigan said:
That's a lie. When i purchased my Captivate on my renewal, i ended up having to call AT&T directly as they wouldn't give me the deal price in the store and when the representative on the phone tried to sell me on one of their new plans, i immediately said, "No.. i want the unlimited plan transferred to the Captivate from my iPhone."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, this jogs my memory a bit now. The rep did say that if I was coming from an iPhone that I could keep my unlimited plan, otherwise I'd need to get one of the new plans. I currently have a HTC Advantage, but a Motorola Razr is showing up on my account as my current phone - which I was using until I got the Advantage, but obviously not from AT&T.
So even with the above would I still be able to retain my current unlimited data plan? I just want to have my ducks in a row before going back to the AT&T store.
I would call AT&T on the phone and inquire. I don't know about that, I had an iPhone and they didn't give me a hard time at all.
terrigan said:
I would call AT&T on the phone and inquire. I don't know about that, I had an iPhone and they didn't give me a hard time at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, just got off the phone with AT&T. According to the rep, if I previously had a "smartphone" with the unlimited data plan then I could keep that plan. But unfortunately my old Motorola Razr was not classified as a smartphone, and I'd need to choose one of the 2 new data plans available if I got the Captivate. And they're not able to back-date the IMEI number of the HTC Advantage.
So do you guys with the 2GB data plans come close to exceeding that at all? I'm now beginning to wonder if I should drop AT&T and go with another carrier for unlimited data.
Depends on how you use the phone
If you are jumping ship for a different carrier do it soon. I know for a fact Verizon will be doing that soon from a friend that works there. T-Mobile doesn't have a "cap" but they may as well, you get throttled after you use so much bandwidth. I don't know about Sprint, but if you are in a 4G Sprint area, that may be your best bet. The Epic is supposed to be the best Galaxy S phone.
Over the past 10 months, I have only had one month less than 2GB, at 1.4GB. My max was 4.8GB, and it appears I average about 3GB. My wife on the other hand, ranged from 90MB to 550MB, with most months at around 250MB. We both use our phones a lot. We both had iPhones until the Captivate came out. Once we switched to the Captivate both our data usages spiked. The difference is HOW we use our phones. We both use the web, a lot. But I stream Pandora almost daily for hours at work, and I download a lot of Podcasts. Sometimes I download podcasts on my phone when I am home even though I have WiFi just so I feel like I am getting my $$ from AT&T.
Sure you can survive on the new $15 data plan, but I wouldn't do it.
quarlow said:
Sure you can survive on the new $15 data plan, but I wouldn't do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I was to stick with AT&T I'd definately get the $25 2GB data plan. Unfortunately AT&T isn't offering any higher data plans - even for business users!
If I did drop AT&T, I was thinking about Sprint and the HTC EVO (for the larger screen). But I just checked Sprint's 4G coverage for the west coast, and it's very slim. So Verizon would be my other option. I'll talk to the wife and see what she thinks. I'd definately be paying more for service by leaving my current AT&T Family Plan though, so that's something I need to consider as well.
Rambler358 said:
Okay, just got off the phone with AT&T. According to the rep, if I previously had a "smartphone" with the unlimited data plan then I could keep that plan. But unfortunately my old Motorola Razr was not classified as a smartphone, and I'd need to choose one of the 2 new data plans available if I got the Captivate. And they're not able to back-date the IMEI number of the HTC Advantage.
So do you guys with the 2GB data plans come close to exceeding that at all? I'm now beginning to wonder if I should drop AT&T and go with another carrier for unlimited data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in a similar predicament as I have an unlimited non-smartphone data plan that I am still using. Recently I put my sim into my friends Captivate to see if it would still work. I lose internet on some programs will retain it on others. For example, Google Maps works and connects fine, but FriendsStream does not, and most if not all widgets. The Android browser also doesnt work, but there is a workaround (Opera Mini). I'm always surfing the web, and like someone said earlier I stream music from Pandora about 6 hours a day, and I feel bad for my friends who have the capped plan when I see them run like roaches when we are at a WiFi available restaurant. I dont know if the 2GB plan will be enough for me.
I currently have my non-smartphone plan on my blackberry, and although I cant use BB apps like BBM, or the BB Browser... Opera Mini does the job, and 3rd Party apps including Google maps and Pandora work fine. I miss out on not being able to use some cool apps because of this, but the Captivate for sure is an internet-friendly phone.
quarlow said:
If you are jumping ship for a different carrier do it soon. I know for a fact Verizon will be doing that soon from a friend that works there. T-Mobile doesn't have a "cap" but they may as well, you get throttled after you use so much bandwidth. I don't know about Sprint, but if you are in a 4G Sprint area, that may be your best bet. The Epic is supposed to be the best Galaxy S phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny part is, AT&T is the only carrier with a truly unlimited data plan. (If you still have the unlimited data plan that is) Verizon, T-mobile, Sprint, all of their "unlimited" data plans are capped at 5gb.
I just got my captivate a week ago. They never said i had to change my data plan if upgrading. My unlimited plan just carried over. I switched from the htc pure.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
nuwayman said:
I just got my captivate a week ago. They never said i had to change my data plan if upgrading. My unlimited plan just carried over. I switched from the htc pure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If AT&T had your HTC Pure indicated on your account previously, then you're good to go. Unfortunately when I got my HTC Advantage, I never called in to get the IMEI switched over. Now that's hurting me because I want to upgrade and keep the unlimited plan.
I had a Samsung A-737 (not a smart phone) and the $15 unlimited data plan. When I upgraded at an AT&T store, I was not allowed to keep that plan; I decided to go with the 2 gb, $25 plan. Additional usage is charged at $10/gb.
Though I'm sure I went over in the first month, for some reason AT&T was not able to track my usage. This second month, I'm approaching my limit; I've downloaded a lot of apps and other files, watched quite a number of youtube videos, surfed a lot, but I never stream audio, preferring to play from my own collection.
Regardless of whether 2gb is enough, having to watch data usage is a hassle... If, somehow, you can keep your unlimited plan as others have, that would be preferable. My counsel is to not give in so easy as I did. Perhaps, try upgrading by phone, direct to AT&T.
gary_lankford said:
I decided to go with the 2 gb, $25 plan. Additional usage is charged at $10/gb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bad part is anything over 2GB is charged the extra $10, even a byte over will be charged extra.
Perhaps, try upgrading by phone, direct to AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I tried this as well to no avail.
Though what's interesting is that I've been using my phone's SIM card in my Alienware M11x laptop (with the Gobi WWAN card) for data when WiFi isn't available. And it doesn't seem like the laptop's data usage is being recorded by AT&T for some reason. If that's the case, then maybe the 2GB plan just for the Captivate won't be an issue.
This is my second month with the Captivate on the 2gig plan. The first billing cycle was only 2 weeks and I totaled 465mb. Not bad, I though; I figured I could keep it under 2 gigs. However, two weeks into this billing cycle I got a warning message from att that I was nearly at my limit. I have no idea how I could have used 2000mb in two weeks. I don't stream anything and I kill tasks that might use background data. Even so, 2gigs is a lot.
This was my first smartphone. I truly regret signing on with ATT for two years. If I could do it again, I'd go with T-Mobile for the Vibrant or Sprint with the Epic (which wasn't out yet when I got my phone).
ATT's plan is a rip-off.
DemonWav said:
Funny part is, AT&T is the only carrier with a truly unlimited data plan. (If you still have the unlimited data plan that is) Verizon, T-mobile, Sprint, all of their "unlimited" data plans are capped at 5gb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still better than AT&T's 2GB data plan, for not much more money.
Ordered ours over the phone (after lots of hassle to get them to cave and allow an early upgrade from the 3GS) and it seems our unlimited data carried over. However, I didn't put in the new SIM they sent or "activate" it as they say to do... was worried it would require changing the data plan.
A couple months ago my iPhone 3gs got stolen and I had to use a razr as a backup phone for a couple weeks. They removed my unlimited data and changed me to unlimited Media Net... When I called to inquire and be sure I could change back over to unlimited smart phone data with no problem, they assured me there would be no hassle and they'd note the account. When I did get another iPhone, it actually ended up taking me about an hour on the phone with several reps that went through a few managers to get them to put my unlimited smart phone data package back on. They argued over whether they should be allowed to do it or not :-/ So I'm worried about losing it again, even though I actually don't even use much data at all in reality (I don't have 3g in my area, just EDGE, and I'm often around wifi... but just never know when I may need that unlimited )
Keeping Your Unlimited Data Plan
I was able to keep my unlimited data plan on AT&T. I had an iPhone which i gave to my wife when her Blackberry broke. I acquired an old Blackberry Bold 8800 from work to use until I got ready to upgrade. I moved jobs and had to return the phone. Stuck my SIM card in an old LG flip phone for the weekend until i was able to get to a store to upgrade. The rep switched me over to a 200 MB plan without saying anything. When I checked my features online the next day as I never trust the sells reps, I found the change. I immediately called AT&T. The cust. serv. rep began to explain that since I had switched from a smartphone to a non-smartphone I was no longer eligible to continue my Unlimited Data plan. I immediately asked for a manager. Within a few short mins I had my Unlimited Data Plan restored. I believe if you press them hard enough they will give in. It may take a call to AT&T customer service waiting for a manager and making your case, but he seemed ready to help and didn't want to lose a customer.
natedog75 said:
I was able to keep my unlimited data plan on AT&T. I had an iPhone which i gave to my wife when her Blackberry broke. I acquired an old Blackberry Bold 8800 from work to use until I got ready to upgrade. I moved jobs and had to return the phone. Stuck my SIM card in an old LG flip phone for the weekend until i was able to get to a store to upgrade. The rep switched me over to a 200 MB plan without saying anything. When I checked my features online the next day as I never trust the sells reps, I found the change. I immediately called AT&T. The cust. serv. rep began to explain that since I had switched from a smartphone to a non-smartphone I was no longer eligible to continue my Unlimited Data plan. I immediately asked for a manager. Within a few short mins I had my Unlimited Data Plan restored. I believe if you press them hard enough they will give in. It may take a call to AT&T customer service waiting for a manager and making your case, but he seemed ready to help and didn't want to lose a customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've spoke to 2 different reps and each time they spoke to their managers. Unless your unlimited data plan was previously on a iPhone, then they won't (they specifically said can't) switch you over.
This is the main reason I think I'm going over to Sprint, as well as moving the wife over once her contract is up this December. Oh well, it's AT&T's loss not mine.
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
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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?
Click to expand...
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.
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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)