AT&T Smartphone Data Plan Requirement

[Anakron]

So AT&T requires a data plan for all of their smartphones, not just the iphone:

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/ar...data-plans.jsp

Anybody have experience on how strictly they enforce this? They have a lot of upgrade / renewal options on their website that don't explicitly require a data plan (e.g. Samsung Captivate) and others that explicitly do (e.g. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10a), and apparently offer extra rebates because of that explicit requirement.

It doesn't make sense that only some phones have explicit data plan contract requirements when in actuality, they all do.

Any people have luck getting out of the data plan requirement?

[Mayareira]

If you've got a smartphone you should probably consider a data plan anyways.

[rosemarie]

Just tell them your using a different phone. But your gonna have to let them know the other phone's IMEI number. Afterwards you can go back to using whatever phone you we're using.

[Norellicus]

Most smartphones physically operate under the assumption that you have data access anyway; I've yet to see one that truly lets you turn off data services and still maintain voice service radio.

This inevitably means that you're going to get charged for the incidental data usage that the device attempts, even when you don't actively try to open data-centric applications, and the cost will add up very quickly.

[Alvein]

I got a very low end Verizon Nokia phone just so I wouldn't have to deal with data plans. Most of Verizon's phones required a $30 a month payment, ewww.

[DAKPluto]

Why have a Smartphone without a data plan? So you can look like the cool kids with one, but unable to actually afford one?

[fishstix]

I think it's automatic, if you start using your SIM in a smartphone, they know what phone you're using. idk if she's right, but my sister said they'd even go as far as to upgrade your plan to include data if you do this. my phone isn't a smartphone, but has internet access. occasionally, i'd accidentally hit the email or web button and have been charged a dollar here and there in the past months. after my sister complained, we're on a family plan, i disabled the internet completely on my side.

I read you could jailbreak the iphone to be used as a normal phone and still access the web through wifi, but idk might've been old post that have since been patched

[Anakron]

Well, the thing is that I want a good camera and a large touchscreen interface, which basically amounts to a smartphone. I looked at AT&T's phones and couldn't find much besides the Captivate and iphone that had a decent camera. If AT&T had an equivalent to Sprint's Samsung Instinct HD, I'd definitely go for it. $180 for a year's dataplan isn't bad at all, but I just don't feel like paying for something I probably won't use (much).

Anyway, apparently it's possible to use smartphones from other providers (e.g. Verizon) or a phone direct from the manufacturer, because AT&T won't have those IMEIs in their database. As a result, they won't know what kind of phone you're actually using, so they can't enforce their requirement.

[Norellicus]

Honestly, if that's your only reason to not get the data service ("I wouldn't use it much"), then do it anyway. You don't think you use it, until you have it, and then you use it all the time.

Being connected anytime anywhere changes your perspective.

[Surealistic]

god im glad im not a cell phone salesman anymore, IF YOUR GETTING A SMARTPHONE, GET THE DAMN INTERNET, if you dont want the internet, guess what, YOU DONT WANT A SMARTPHONE, you would be amazed at all the phones that will do the same damn thing as a smartphone without the internet, basically your saying you want a phone with a keyboard, and dont say you want to use it as a planner, that is lame and your dumb, do i think its dumb to charge $30 for unlimited data? maybe, but thats cause i know it costs verizon a lot less then what they are charging me, but at least im not on att and stuck with limited data for cheaper costs, i may not be rich, but im also not cheap, i know i use my phone, and am willing to pay for it

[jmc]

Anyway, apparently it's possible to use smartphones from other providers (e.g. Verizon) or a phone direct from the manufacturer, because AT&T won't have those IMEIs in their database. As a result, they won't know what kind of phone you're actually using, so they can't enforce their requirement.

Where did you hear that from? As its not gonna work out the way you want.

Verzion/Sprint use different types of phones than att/t-mobile.

Verizon/Sprint are CDMA networks, and Att/t-mobile are GSM (might have those 2 mixed up).

It is possible to get a international blackberry from verizon, and unlock it to use on Att. However, majority of verizon/sprint phones do not allow any type of sim card (i.e any phone that is not "international" version).

What you could do, is set up a att account on a free flip phone. Go out and buy the smartphone you want via a third party, and pop the sim card in it from the flip phone. Disable the data usage by changing the APN settings, so the phone has to try and connect via a BS address.... and you should be good to go from there.

[Anakron]

Er, yea, I meant T-Mobile, not Verizon, sorry.

[Xenega]

I haven't read everyone's posts, but it is strictly enforced by AT&T. My sister's phone died, and my dad knows some guy who can hook up used AT&T phones from when people upgrade, so he gave her a blackberry to use (she texts a lot, so she needs a keyboard). She doesn't use any data, etc, etc.
We got our bill in, and it was higher than normal, so we called at AT&T said that because she was using a blackberry she was required to have a data plan.

Basically, they will add the data plan to your phone without notice, or without permission. They seem to be following this rule to a T.