Database Users

HTC Hero unlock on ATT

Hey anyone using HTC hero unlock on ATT? Do they detect it as a smart phone and try to put their smartass data plan ($30) on you?
I just want to use an HTC hero and ATT WITHOUT a data plan. I don't want them to txt msg me and say "hey you have a smartphone and here is a $30 data plan that you didn't ask for"?

I am. I had a smartphone before they added the plan and switched to my hero over a month ago. Dont know if that has anything to do with them not sending me that message.

I take it that your online page still showing your old phone and not the HTC hero?

They have no record of the IMIE numbers. They will have no clue what phone it is.
I have been using a hero on AT&T for about 3 months with the $10 unlimited family data plan

Im not sure actually, since its my moms account and i doubt she has any clue how to access it. But yea i never told them anything about my using a different phone. And i believe twenty4 is correct about the IMEI

Thank you guys. Too bad they seems to have sniffed out the Nexus One IMEI. Do any of you guys know a cheap place to buy a NEW Hero for ATT with some sort of insurance/warranty? (I don't care about 3G, because I won't be using it)

I dont think you will be able to find a Cheap New hero with warranty or insurance. I think the only way you can do that is by buying online, which is still pretty dam expensive even though its an old phone. I got mine off craiglist

3 Smartphones 0 data plans
walkinhotdog said:
I am. I had a smartphone before they added the plan and switched to my hero over a month ago. Dont know if that has anything to do with them not sending me that message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got their messages late last year about forcing a data plan on my unlocked iPhone, so I was forced to sell it. I have three smartphones on my account two of which I was going to update - due to which the grandfather clause would be negated. I called and was able to make sure they annotated my account to allow any smartphones (except iPhones) on my numbers not to require a data plan, based on long customer history in good standing. YMMV.
Now running MyTouch, Hero Touch G2, and 8125 (waiting for upgrade to a GSM Droid a.k.a. Milestone) all with no data plan.

The IMEI is not pushed to the carrier from the phone. The only way they would know is if you call them up and tell them. I've been using the hero for about 3 months now on the $10 family data plan.
On a side note, are people getting dropped calls from their hero? I've been getting more dropped calls from this phone than my previous phone. Wondering if there's a different radio firmware or something that I can upgrade to to fix the problem.

obfuscated7ruth said:
The IMEI is not pushed to the carrier from the phone. The only way they would know is if you call them up and tell them. I've been using the hero for about 3 months now on the $10 family data plan.
On a side note, are people getting dropped calls from their hero? I've been getting more dropped calls from this phone than my previous phone. Wondering if there's a different radio firmware or something that I can upgrade to to fix the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no problems with a Telus Hero. Excellent data speeds too.

@HiTach so at&t pretty much just let you use other smartphones other than the iphone? Since upgrading or switching smartphones negates the grandfather clause right?
@obfuscated7ruth never had a problem with dropped calls...

obfuscated7ruth said:
The IMEI is not pushed to the carrier from the phone. The only way they would know is if you call them up and tell them. I've been using the hero for about 3 months now on the $10 family data plan.
On a side note, are people getting dropped calls from their hero? I've been getting more dropped calls from this phone than my previous phone. Wondering if there's a different radio firmware or something that I can upgrade to to fix the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! There is an issue with certain radio versions in North America. I use the one in this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=581981, and have not had any dropped calls on at&t with my Hero. 3G works flawlessly.

Twenty4 said:
I have no problems with a Telus Hero. Excellent data speeds too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nor do i!!! i love this phone

I am also thinking about getting one so i can keep my 10/month medianet plan. Do all of the GSM heroes support atts 3G? If not then what must I look for?

TheChemist187 said:
I am also thinking about getting one so i can keep my 10/month medianet plan. Do all of the GSM heroes support atts 3G? If not then what must I look for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as far as i know only the Telus (canada?) one is compatible with at&t 3G in the US. I dont have a data plan (and dont plan to) so i just got whatever hero i could find.

Thinking of getting HD2, Anyone has it for ATT? Help me make up my mind

Hello guys I have been a HTC guy since I got my very first TIlt, then my FUZE, and my PURE. All of these phone were ATT branded, and I used the 10/month medianet plan.
They are now catching on and have changed my plan to the 30/month one. I do not like this since I do not really use the web. So I did some research and need your help.
I know if I get a T-Mobile branded one I wont get 3G, butt what if I get a non branded HD2, would I get 3G then?
If I were to get a T-Mobile or a non branded HD2 would ATT still change my medianet plan to a PDA plan? I know they are doing this with non branded Nexus 1 phones but I am unsure about HD2.
If you have this with ATT tell me how you use it, do you have 3G, what web plan do you or if you do not.
Thanks, I hope on buying one of these soon.

well i'm a att guy... but.. i'm going over to t-mobile.. due to this phone... cheers

ProjektFuze said:
well i'm a att guy... but.. i'm going over to t-mobile.. due to this phone... cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you mean dawg but T-mobile has poor service in my area, they only offer edge.

I am switching to T-Mobile for the HD2, and the cheaper prices, Las Vegas has a big blanket of 3G from all carriers, at&t has been sucky lately due to the iPhone.
Even though they where my first carrier(Original at&t), they wont be my last. I cant wait to go Magenta.
As for your situation, you might have to settle for the retail price then just unlock it, since the service on edge for at&t rather than on T-Mobile.

i have it on AT&T i get 3G speeds in san diego just fine works great. my version is the australian version from telstra.

been using the european version with at&t and edge speeds are fine (have access to wifi at work and home). i have been paying for the $10 data plan since October/November with no problems. At&t website lists the phone i am using as other after i had selected an old motorola razor i was using previously. So i am not sure how they detected and switched you over to their smartphone plan.

You'll need the Australian Telstra version to get ATT 3g. It costs like $800 for imported versions though.

I have been using my Euro version HD2 since Dec with ATT. Have been paying $10/month for data. Just signed another 2 yr contract with the Nazi's (yea, I know) and got a free Blackberry. When I registered the Blackberry.....or activated it with the new sim ATT had in it, I got a text saying I needed to pay for the $30 data plan. Long story short......I told them I wont be using the new phone, I will be using my HD2 that I have been using. Gave them the IMEI and they said that it was not considered a smart phone. They are such geniuses! Even though it is EDGE, I am quite happy with it.
I also called the next day and explained how I travel international a lot, and asked to get the unlock code for the new Blackberry. Had the code the next day, unlocked it, so I guess I will sell it and try to recoup what I am going pay over the next 2 years!

Been using my European HD2 since they first came out, on AT&T.
Works just fine.
​

They found out because, chances are, your phone is not SIM unlock...or you somehow stupidly give them your IMEI number. If you want to get back on the old $10/$15 medianet plan, call them up and tell them that you're using some old phone (like a razr) and would like to get out of the PDA/smartphone data plan.
I'm on AT&T ($15 medianet) and I would never think about jumping to a worser carrier/service over a phone. That's retarded.

^^ how about for a free phone bill??
as i said i'm att right now.. but i spend about 130 a month which is frickin insane... as a student.. my father offered me one of his lines that he has open anyways (kept open in case one of his clients needed a temp phone or service) and because he's already paying for it regardless.. i get it free of charge.. which in my opinion totally rocks... PLUS i get the HD2 which makes the situation even better....
but no, personally i rather keep att... the call quality and reception is just so good everywhere... i never drop calls.. nor does my antenna recieve less then full bars... and i have done my fair share of research.. and t-mobile's reception is kinda bad... and in my apartment complex.. (my sis has tmobile) i'll probably manage about 2-3 bars... yea.. totally sucks.... but as i said before.. free phone bill...cheers

lude219 said:
They found out because, chances are, your phone is not SIM unlock...or you somehow stupidly give them your IMEI number. If you want to get back on the old $10/$15 medianet plan, call them up and tell them that you're using some old phone (like a razr) and would like to get out of the PDA/smartphone data plan.
I'm on AT&T ($15 medianet) and I would never think about jumping to a worser carrier/service over a phone. That's retarded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called them up and gave them a IMEI from a LG shine I had. I never told them I had a pda. The reason they knew I was on a pure was because the pure I had was branded by ATT.

TheChemist187 said:
I called them up and gave them a IMEI from a LG shine I had. I never told them I had a pda. The reason they knew I was on a pure was because the pure I had was branded by ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like i said, it's probably because the pure wasn't sim unlocked since it's AT&T branded (meaning that they already have the IMEI for that particular phone). I always keep a few unlocked dumbphones around (samsung x820 and samsung u600) just in case I run into situation like this...

AT&T service in Northern Chicagoland area simply sucks. I have AT&T phone from work and use T-Mobile as my personal phone service carrier - cannot compare at all. AT&T 3G appears to be somehwat faster (in miliseconds) but no drastic speed difference between the two.

Where do people recommend buying a Telstra HD2 and having it shipped to the U.S.?
Thx
I tried the TMO HD2 today and Tmo's signal sucks in my area.

I have a telsa hd2 and i use it on att and i get 3g coverage. it works fine. the only i dont like is i cant access the media mall that att users use to download games and apps.

MyTouch 3G from Craigslist: what about OTA updates?

If I purchased a MyTouch 3G from Craigslist and then used it on ATT, how would OTA updates work when released (from TMo)?
Are OTA updates possible via WiFi or do you have to be using TMo SIM to get it to work?
Can't get out of ATT contrac for a good while but keen to try Android phone.
Can I buy a $10 prepaid SIM from TMo (if that is indeed a possibilty) and use the MyTouch that way? I don't want to buy an extra monthly paid SIM or anything like that cause that would be a waste of $ as I currently have coverage. Hope someone in he know can help. Thank you.

If you purchased a MyTouch 3G from Craigslist and then used it on AT&T, you would NOT get any OTA update from T-Mobile because the updates are pushed through T-Mobile data connection, not WiFi. So even if you were using the phone on T-Mobile (say via a $10 prepaid SIM card) without a data plan, you wouldn't get the update either.
But I don't see why not getting OTA updates is such a big deal, as any official T-Mobile update will appear on XDA 10 minutes after it becomes available. Also, the joy of using Android is flash custom ROMs onto the phone, and custom ROMs are often WAY ahead of T-Mobile's.
Just so you know, AT&T will detect that you're using a smartphone and automatically sign up for a data plan (if you don't already have one) without telling you.
The myTouch is really crippled without a data plan though. For instance, the deal breaker for me is that you can't send or receive MMS (picture/video messages) without a data plan.

I know when I had my G1, I received the cupcake OTA over wifi.
I'm on AT&T and don't have a data plan.

kindrich said:
Just so you know, AT&T will detect that you're using a smartphone and automatically sign up for a data plan (if you don't already have one) without telling you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would ATT know I had a smartphone if the phone is a TMo phone that is unlocked? I thought they only knew about smartphones from "their" arsenal of devices?
Can anyone confirm for sure if you would need a data plan using a non-ATT (smart)phone?
I already have a data plan (GRRR!) that I "had" to have, so hopefully I could do all the "nice" things the MyTouch can do.
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
Thanks for the help.

IconBoy said:
How would ATT know I had a smartphone if the phone is a TMo phone that is unlocked? I thought they only knew about smartphones from "their" arsenal of devices?
Can anyone confirm for sure if you would need a data plan using a non-ATT (smart)phone?
I already have a data plan (GRRR!) that I "had" to have, so hopefully I could do all the "nice" things the MyTouch can do.
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do automatically tack on the data plan for people who buy the Nexus 1. They are only able to tell it is a Nexus One however because Google gave them a list of all of their phones IMEIs.
If you are using a T-Mo phone or from any other carrier, their is no way for AT&T to beable to tell what kind of phone it is unless the carrier the phone oringinally belonged too decides to share their IMEI listing with AT&T. Which they don't do.
but you already have a data plan anyways so it doesn't even really matter. What sucks tho is that you are paying for the data plan and you will be stuck with EDGE. You will not beable to use AT&Ts 3G network. You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
[Edited-mainly for spelling]
WTH happened to my post count? I kno It's been awhile since I've been on but damn.........
lmao

msgnyc said:
You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be a good idea, but being in the middle of USA, I am guessing there won't be too many people who have Canadian phones to sell on my local Craigslist.
Twice, I nearly was able to trade for a MyTouch 3G and each time, the person pulled out at the last minute
Will keep trying though.

msgnyc said:
They do automatically tack on the data plan for people who buy the Nexus 1. They are only able to tell it is a Nexus One however because Google gave them a list of all of their phones IMEIs.
If you are using a T-Mo phone or from any other carrier, their is no way for AT&T to beable to tell what kind of phone it is unless the carrier the phone oringinally belonged too decides to share their IMEI listing with AT&T. Which they don't do.
but you already have a data plan anyways so it doesn't even really matter. What sucks tho is that you are paying for the data plan and you will be stuck with EDGE. You will not beable to use AT&Ts 3G network. You should have looked for a Rogers over a T-MO.
[Edited-mainly for spelling]
WTH happened to my post count? I kno It's been awhile since I've been on but damn.........
lmao
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how but AT&T WILL detect that you're using a smartphone, regardless what kind of smartphone it is. I'm currently using a Sony Ericsson Xperia X1i, which is not supported by any of the US carriers. One day, I popped my friend's AT&T SIM card (he had been using a RAZR without a data plan) in and voila, I was surfin' the net after less than a second over EDGE (the X1i can't use 3G in the US). The next day, my friend checked online and a data plan was enabled for his line. Luckily, he was able to turn it off but only after an hour of explaining. He was reprimanded by the AT&T rep for putting their SIM card into an unsupported device which could potentially cause damage to their network (WTF?!!!).
I phoned TMo and asked about a $10 prepaid card for a phone purchased on Craigslist but the CSR said I had to have a monthly tariff thingy with data. Was he just trying for a hard-sell or can I indeed just get a simple cheap $10 prepaid SIM and play with the unit until it can get unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And yes, the Tmo CSR was just trying to sell you the data plan. When I had my myTouch, I was using it with a prepaid SIM card without data plan and it was fine. But, ON A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: you will need a SIM card with data plan to activate the phone. There is simply no other way around it. When I bought mine from Craiglist, I wiped the phone right on the spot and borrowed the seller's SIM card to activate it (your AT&T SIM card would work provided you have already unlocked the phone - which can be done on eBay for about $12). Luckily, back then the myTouch was still running Android 1.5 which allowed for rooting. You should do the same or don't wipe the phone until you have root it. However, if the phone is running Android 1.6 or higher, well, you're out of luck. The process is a bit more tedious. Check theunlockr.com for how-to.

kindrich said:
I'm not sure how but AT&T WILL detect that you're using a smartphone, regardless what kind of smartphone it is. I'm currently using a Sony Ericsson Xperia X1i, which is not supported by any of the US carriers. One day, I popped my friend's AT&T SIM card (he had been using a RAZR without a data plan) in and voila, I was surfin' the net after less than a second over EDGE (the X1i can't use 3G in the US). The next day, my friend checked online and a data plan was enabled for his line. Luckily, he was able to turn it off but only after an hour of explaining. He was reprimanded by the AT&T rep for putting their SIM card into an unsupported device which could potentially cause damage to their network (WTF?!!!).
And yes, the Tmo CSR was just trying to sell you the data plan. When I had my myTouch, I was using it with a prepaid SIM card without data plan and it was fine. But, ON A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: you will need a SIM card with data plan to activate the phone. There is simply no other way around it. When I bought mine from Craiglist, I wiped the phone right on the spot and borrowed the seller's SIM card to activate it (your AT&T SIM card would work provided you have already unlocked the phone - which can be done on eBay for about $12). Luckily, back then the myTouch was still running Android 1.5 which allowed for rooting. You should do the same or don't wipe the phone until you have root it. However, if the phone is running Android 1.6 or higher, well, you're out of luck. The process is a bit more tedious. Check theunlockr.com for how-to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They activated a data plan on your buddies account because you put his sim into your smartphone and started browsing the web with it over edge.
Did you think they weren't going to charge you for that?
They didnt know you had a smartphone. They knew you were browing the web using data.
If you hadn't begun browsing the web, they wouldn't have tacked on the data plan. They tacked on the data plan because you began using it.

Atrix on "Dumb" phone plan

Can I use an messaging phone data plan with an off-contract AT&T brand Atrix? Or do I have to wait for an unlocked international version with the right bands?
I have used this "cheat" before with WinMo phones and T-mobile phones (for edge data) but I have not tried it with a branded Android. Has anyone else had success with something like this?
Will it work if I set the phone to only use 2G data? Thanks!

No. As soon as the imei hits the network a data plan will be added. You gotta pay to play.

i used a an Nokia N97 NAM for about 8 months on a "dumb" phone plan. Maybe the Bell version or UK version Atrix can be used on a "dumb" phone plan??

not going to happen with the atrix
i put my sim car in
att knows it within minutes
how do i know they know ? they got a picture of the atrix in my account under my device when i logged into att.com
the bell desire z is your best bet (fastest as well) with using a dumb phone plan without getting charge

ali9686 said:
i used a an Nokia N97 NAM for about 8 months on a "dumb" phone plan. Maybe the Bell version or UK version Atrix can be used on a "dumb" phone plan??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where you getting 3g speeds on your data?

MLonon said:
Where you getting 3g speeds on your data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Was getting full 3G service. On the phone it actually displayed 3.5G
I signed up with a cheap samsung a777 (Blue), which was a 3G enabled phone. Had unlimited Data for $15/month
those were the days.

my parents and i are using iphones and tilt2 with the 10 dollar unlimited data plan. we got the phones off contract. it should work for u as long as u make sure to call in to at

waltah! said:
No. As soon as the imei hits the network a data plan will be added. You gotta pay to play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. They'll add a plan.

hotleadsingerguy said:
This. They'll add a plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<sigh> Guess I will wait for the Revolution on T-mobile....

ull get caught as soon as u put the sim in there lol

If you use a phone that AT&T doesn't sell it'll likely work because they won't be able to identify the phone model from the IMEI. If you use a phone that they do sell, they'll catch it immediately.

[Q] Question about AT&T data plans.

So I'm on a 3g android smartphone with AT&T right now and if i got a 4g off contract would i have to pay for the 4g service which is really expensive or could i just stay on my good Ole 3g service i am currently using?

I think you can keep your current plan, but don't hold me to that. It may have changed since I've asked about it.
Source
This is the latest thing I've found regarding you question. I asked a little while after that. xD

Since when did they start offering a 4g plan?

I know with my AT&T Sony Ericsson Xperia X10a that when I unbranded and updated to 2.1, my mobile data automatically increased from 3G to "H" or HSPA which is like 3.5G without any rate changes.
I am guessing with AT&T that 4G will be more money, so I am happy with HSPA at 3G rates. Especially since the competition is limiting the speeds of their unlimited data plans.

i thnk the 4g prices will be the same as 3g then 3g prices will drop down.

But will using "4G" route you through a different WAP? If not and it's all a matter of wording and phrasing, I say root/rom and use unlimited data as if you were on a non-smartphone. They don't have to know, you don't have to throw your $ away.

Skv012a said:
But will using "4G" route you through a different WAP? If not and it's all a matter of wording and phrasing, I say root/rom and use unlimited data as if you were on a non-smartphone. They don't have to know, you don't have to throw your $ away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fact is that with AT&T data is measured in MB or GB, not speed or time. Regardless of how fast or slow you download or use data, it is metered.
However, I do agree that it could be as easy as changing your settings to access 4G, but it won't save you any money.

AT&T's "4G" technology is technically 3G according to the standards committee that oversees these technologies. However, when AT&T starts deploying real 4G, LTE, the prices have a good chance of changing. For now, "4G" plans cost the same as any other.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

jonandkym said:
AT&T's "4G" technology is technically 3G according to the standards committee that oversees these technologies. However, when AT&T starts deploying real 4G, LTE, the prices have a good chance of changing. For now, "4G" plans cost the same as any other.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, it is based on volume of data used, not on speed of use.

I personally plan to switch to verizon once they allow data roll over and family-plan sharing.

wcdolphin said:
I personally plan to switch to verizon once they allow data roll over and family-plan sharing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon also limits data speeds on unlimited plans. Either way you are going to pay for data in time or money.

I have a very similar question. Hopefully someone can shed some light.
HERES WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW:
I am currently using a Rogers HTC Dream, unlocked rooted and running Gingeryoshi on AT&T. On my line, "Line A," I have the $10 unlimited dumbphone data plan and AT&T thinks I have a Samsung A737 (ancient slider phone). When I bought the phone on ebay, I just put in the APN settings and off I went.
Thanks to a contract renewal discount on "Line B" on my account, whose user does not need a new phone, I recently purchased an HTC Inspire 4G.
HERE IS THE QUESTION:
When I receive the phone, AT&T told me that I can use it on Line A, even though it was purchased through Line B. However, they said I need to call in to activate it. They said that until I do the upgrade will be listed as "incomplete" on their end. Further, they said that I will have to bump up to at least the $15 200MB data plan.
I told them I just want to sell the phone and not use it. They told me I still have to call and activate it, but that I can then "remove" it from the account and "reactivate" my dumbphone, at which point I will be reverted to the $10 a month dumbphone plan.
The $1,000,000 question: when I receive the new AT&T branded HTC Inspire, can I just pop my existing sim that I'm using in my Rogers Dream into the Inspire, and use it without calling to activate?
**to be clear, I'm not talking about bypassing the Android activation screen. Seeing as how there was no "activation" process for my Rogers Dream, I'm unfamiliar with the process as to AT&T branded phones. So, I guess the questions is if it is any different. I am comfortable rooting and roming, so if either of those processes will get me an Inspire working with my $10 data plan I'm ready to pull the trigger.
ALSO: THANK YOU XDA FORUMS. I think this is my first real post here, but I have browsed the forums for hours and you all helped me along from tethering my A737 to rooting my first T-Mobile G1, to installing roms and the DangerSPL on my Rogers Dream, so hopefully you can help me with this!

okachowwa said:
So I'm on a 3g android smartphone with AT&T right now and if i got a 4g off contract would i have to pay for the 4g service which is really expensive or could i just stay on my good Ole 3g service i am currently using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jessehclark said:
I have a very similar question. Hopefully someone can shed some light.
HERES WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW:
I am currently using a Rogers HTC Dream, unlocked rooted and running Gingeryoshi on AT&T. On my line, "Line A," I have the $10 unlimited dumbphone data plan and AT&T thinks I have a Samsung A737 (ancient slider phone). When I bought the phone on ebay, I just put in the APN settings and off I went.
Thanks to a contract renewal discount on "Line B" on my account, whose user does not need a new phone, I recently purchased an HTC Inspire 4G.
HERE IS THE QUESTION:
When I receive the phone, AT&T told me that I can use it on Line A, even though it was purchased through Line B. However, they said I need to call in to activate it. They said that until I do the upgrade will be listed as "incomplete" on their end. Further, they said that I will have to bump up to at least the $15 200MB data plan.
I told them I just want to sell the phone and not use it. They told me I still have to call and activate it, but that I can then "remove" it from the account and "reactivate" my dumbphone, at which point I will be reverted to the $10 a month dumbphone plan.
The $1,000,000 question: when I receive the new AT&T branded HTC Inspire, can I just pop my existing sim that I'm using in my Rogers Dream into the Inspire, and use it without calling to activate?
**to be clear, I'm not talking about bypassing the Android activation screen. Seeing as how there was no "activation" process for my Rogers Dream, I'm unfamiliar with the process as to AT&T branded phones. So, I guess the questions is if it is any different. I am comfortable rooting and roming, so if either of those processes will get me an Inspire working with my $10 data plan I'm ready to pull the trigger.
ALSO: THANK YOU XDA FORUMS. I think this is my first real post here, but I have browsed the forums for hours and you all helped me along from tethering my A737 to rooting my first T-Mobile G1, to installing roms and the DangerSPL on my Rogers Dream, so hopefully you can help me with this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I work for AT&T and saw this thread and thought maybe I'd help clear some of this stuff up.
First, the 3G and the 4G plans are pretty much the same thing. You should be good using a 4g phone off contract. they are labeled different in my system at AT&T but I believe them to be the same plan because AT&T does not have a full 4G plan yet. But to be safe you can switch because the 4G plan smartphone plan costs the same as the 3G smartphone plan.
Unless you are saying you have a 3G "QMD" (Quick Messaging Device), or in lamest terms, a Non-Smartphone or "DumbPhone" haha. And that leads me to my next point. Pay attention here haha. As far as I've seen, if you have an ATT phone, the system will automatically detect if you've switched phones. Like if you went from a QMD to a ATT Smartphone, the system will auto-detect that you have a smartphone and will switch your data plan and notify you of it.
BUT, from what I've seen a few times, if you get a NON ATT Smartphone, the system doesnt seem to recognize you have a smartphone because it doesnt recognize the IMEI as a smartphone but instead as a Third-Party Device. Therefore it doesnt change your plan.
Now this does not happen to ALL non-ATT smarphones. Like my buddy who went from a QMD to an unlocked Tmo HD2 on his ATT plan. the system some how recognized his phone as a smartphone and switched him. He might have one of the phones that ATT has been able to recognize I guess.
As for getting the Inspire 4G and not activating it but using it on your other line, I would have to say that is a bad idea. If you dont activate it then after 30 days that additional line is cancelled and removed off your acct and ATT will then request the phone back. and if you dont return it, then ATT will charge the price of the phone to your acct. So no, dont do that.
As far as I know, the best way to go about getting a smartphone and not be forced to change your plan from the $10 QMD unlimited data plan to the smartphone plans is to get a non-ATT smartphone and hope they cannot recognize it as a smartphone.
My guess would be if you use 2 gb of data on that though, ATT might start asking questions as to why you are using 2gb of data on a non-smartphone though, haha. so be careful.
wrote a book but atleast I cleared some stuff up for you guys

thanks for the input chris-
you got at something that i had been wondering, mainly, whats the difference (in terms of detecting whether i have a smart phone) between my G1 or my Dream and the Inspire I just ordered. Is it that AT&T has the IMEI? I thought carriers could detect the IMEI of my Dream and discover that it was a smartphone, but they haven't...
As for the data, what's funny is that I've been using the Dream on that line with the $10 plan for 2 years, averaging 1 to 3 GB of data a month. I even had the rep pull up my account and, in the same conversation, verify that I had an A737 dumbphone (its just easier to say) and that I was using over 2GB of data. =) hahah
so, I guess I will need to activate the phone, tell them im selling it and using a razr, give them the razr imei (i have an old one) then switch the sim to the inspire and hope they dont catch it.
i wonder if anyone has tried this (maybe using an AT&T phone that they purchased on craigslist or ebay on AT&T) and how it went for them.
I guess this is sort of the even cheaper form of the UNLIM DATA 4 EVERYONE iPhone 2G trick!
PS chris I lold when you said you worked for AT&T but your info shows you're a Tmo customer. =) Maybe soon they'll be one in the same...

jessehclark said:
thanks for the input chris-
you got at something that i had been wondering, mainly, whats the difference (in terms of detecting whether i have a smart phone) between my G1 or my Dream and the Inspire I just ordered. Is it that AT&T has the IMEI? I thought carriers could detect the IMEI of my Dream and discover that it was a smartphone, but they haven't...
As for the data, what's funny is that I've been using the Dream on that line with the $10 plan for 2 years, averaging 1 to 3 GB of data a month. I even had the rep pull up my account and, in the same conversation, verify that I had an A737 dumbphone (its just easier to say) and that I was using over 2GB of data. =) hahah
so, I guess I will need to activate the phone, tell them im selling it and using a razr, give them the razr imei (i have an old one) then switch the sim to the inspire and hope they dont catch it.
i wonder if anyone has tried this (maybe using an AT&T phone that they purchased on craigslist or ebay on AT&T) and how it went for them.
I guess this is sort of the even cheaper form of the UNLIM DATA 4 EVERYONE iPhone 2G trick!
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I could help
But again I would strongly advise not actually using the Inspire because even if you give them the imei of a Moto Razr, if you put that sim in the Inspire, since it's an AT&T phone, They will probably recognize it automatically and sign you up on the smartphone data plan. The only way that I know of to get around it is to use a NON-ATT smartphone, therefore they dont know what the phone is.
Know what I mean?
and as for this..
jessehclark said:
PS chris I lold when you said you worked for AT&T but your info shows you're a Tmo customer. =) Maybe soon they'll be one in the same...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I love being a customer with Tmo. And I swear I'll be so mad if this merger goes thru

thanks again chris!
everyone's responses are always appreciated. thought i'd give you all a quick update:
today my inspire arrived. I called the automated activation line, entered some billing info, and accepted the terms and conditions. i did not use the new sim card sent to me at any point.
i called ATT&T just to be safe and confirm, which they did, that i had completed activation properly. my line wouldnt be canceled because i didnt put the new sim in the new phone, and i would not be charged the retail price of the inspire even though it was not registered on the line i used to order it. i told them simply that i wanted to sell the inspire, and they assured me it would work without further AT&T involvement if i put in a compatible sim card. seems like they are most concerned about 1) getting you to accept the contract in exchange for the phone and 2) getting you on a **&%*[email protected] data plan if they catch wind of you using a smartphone.
they also confirmed that NO data charges had been added to the line i used to order the upgrade, and that the 2 year contract was in effect. score.
inspire is charging, ill let you all know how it goes when i turn it on and put in my OLD AT&T sim (on the line with the $10 dumbphone plan). According to chris im rolling the dice here, so OPTIMALLY it will turn on, connect to sweet sweet 4G data, and AT&T will keep thinking I have a dumbphone. if so, chalk one up for shiftiness.

yes is it man

I have an unlocked Tmo HD2 on AT&T rooted to NexusHD Gingerbread. They think I'm still using a dumb phone. My data rate did not change.

AT&T PayBack
Egrier said:
I have an unlocked Tmo HD2 on AT&T rooted to NexusHD Gingerbread. They think I'm still using a dumb phone. My data rate did not change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(Someone) should open a new thread on the whole various factors of unlocking non att phones or actual att smartphones but being able to trick att into thinking were using a crappy dumb phone haha (;
Brought To You By:
-SystemErrorOne-

I second that notion above me!
I'm thinking about switching to the Nexus One that works with the ATT 850 and 1900 bands but, after reading all these stories of people getting switched over to the $30 smartphone data plan I'm contemplating whether I should or not. It seems as though ATT is starting to recognizing and crackdown on more and more non-att smartphone imeis and switching them to the "appropriate" smartphone data plan.
Is there a list of phones that are still unrecognized by ATTs database?