Database Users

[Q] What's the strategy behind "no voice"

What do you think is the strategy behind selling the Tab with no voice capability? Make us buy two devices instead of one? I don't think that would work, the first carrier that decides to sell it with voice will get the whole market.
Is there some other reason I'm not seeing? Come to think of it, why am I buyng this thing from the phone company if it's not even a phone!?
I'm with Bell and the TV add clearly says "complete communications solution" and shows a guy in a phone call... but only when you get to to store do they tell you you can't actually make a phone call!
No hothead answers please and yes, I know you can flash the thing and make calls anyway...

davidke said:
What do you think is the strategy behind selling the Tab with no voice capability? Make us buy two devices instead of one?
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Click to collapse
Exactly.
A few of us has commented on this in other threads... and I come down on the thought that all of the carriers are now rolling out these data-only (or Mobile Broadband, webConnect, DataConnect, etc) monthly plans where the obvious intent is to lock customers into multiple contracts -- one for their phone and another for their tablet device -- i.e., it is a play for additional revenue.
I can't imagine how there wasn't collusion involved here by the US carriers... unless it was Samsung's strategy, but that seems rather ham-fisted, even for Samsung.

Forcing you buying the device with additional data plan to the one you have now for your smartphone, that's whats behind date.

Wont I just cancel the data plan on my current phone when I get the Tab?
I'll be giving them less money not more... Why would anyone get two data plans?

Well, had just been to the TMobile store today to sort some other things out.
Had a chat with the sales girl who at first said it was impossible to get phone calls, they were different to the Euro models. When I took out my Tab and made a phone call, she was suprised but I pointed out that it was crazy I could get voice on Tmobile, but not 3G, but AT&T could be hacked to enable both. I asked 'why would I want to keep 3 accounts (my phone, my tab, and GF's phone) on TMobile, when I can more them to AT&T and get the device working the way I wanted to.
She couldn't really come up with a reason but didn't try to BS me. Eventually she realised that it was mad buying a phone capable device that had the phone part removed, but understood why I'd be bringing it back in < 30 days to get a refund and go to AT&T.
Then, after all that, she admitted that I wasn't the first person in complaining about it.
Sheesh.
But yeah, at this time, it's Prisoner's Dilemma. If NO-ONE offers voice, they'll get away with it. As soon as one carrier in the US offers it, the rest will have to offer it.

Jyveafk said:
Well, had just been to the TMobile store today to sort some other things out.
Had a chat with the sales girl who at first said it was impossible to get phone calls, they were different to the Euro models. When I took out my Tab and made a phone call, she was suprised but I pointed out that it was crazy I could get voice on Tmobile, but not 3G, but AT&T could be hacked to enable both. I asked 'why would I want to keep 3 accounts (my phone, my tab, and GF's phone) on TMobile, when I can more them to AT&T and get the device working the way I wanted to.
She couldn't really come up with a reason but didn't try to BS me. Eventually she realised that it was mad buying a phone capable device that had the phone part removed, but understood why I'd be bringing it back in < 30 days to get a refund and go to AT&T.
Then, after all that, she admitted that I wasn't the first person in complaining about it.
Sheesh.
But yeah, at this time, it's Prisoner's Dilemma. If NO-ONE offers voice, they'll get away with it. As soon as one carrier in the US offers it, the rest will have to offer it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting I plan on doing the same but did she say anything about returning it with the modified firmware allowed?? But yeah I'm seriously trying to debate if I really like having my second phone as a access point just to access Internet with the tab , and going to AT&T now with no unlimited Internet would be a crappy option stupid AT&T

TurckBoatTruck said:
Exactly.
A few of us has commented on this in other threads... and I come down on the thought that all of the carriers are now rolling out these data-only (or Mobile Broadband, webConnect, DataConnect, etc) monthly plans where the obvious intent is to lock customers into multiple contracts -- one for their phone and another for their tablet device -- i.e., it is a play for additional revenue.
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Click to collapse
Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.

Unfortunately for tmobile I am going to return mine and get one from att. Didn't know they offer non contract. And their data plan seems cheaper and I can enable voice...
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App

My buddy who is a manager for AT&T said there were 2 reasons to cripple the tab... #1 - why have customers have a total solution when they can pay for 2. #2 - can't have it take any fame from the iPad. Come on, why would AT&T make a stupid move and take out mms on their tab?! As small as it is but still, didn't they learn their lesson with mms on the iPhone?? He said this was covered in training. Im sure other US carriers have the same think in mind... Minus tmobile for reason #2... I am rather surprised in tmobile as they have been Rollin out devices like nobodys business and meeting the community demand.

peestandingup said:
Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.
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Click to collapse
I just signed for Axvoice unlimited international for just under $17/mo. and will be porting my cellular number to it. Now I can choose Simple Mobile or At&t for $60/mo for data only on the respective Tab and have simultaneous data and voip. I've been wanting to do this for a long time but now the plans and options make it possible .

peestandingup said:
Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.
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Click to collapse
Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).

TurckBoatTruck said:
Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).
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Click to collapse
Tell her to keep quiet while you're talking, problem solved!

TurckBoatTruck said:
Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I imagine it may not be a robust enough solution for a lot of folks, esp business types who need to talk on the phone a lot & need everything to be solid.
Fortunately for me, Im just a stay at home dad & dont talk on the phone that much. My wife & I mostly email/IM when she's at work, even when I had a smartphone. And the Skype/Google Voice combo works well enough when Im on the road to make/receive decent calls from random friends/family if I need that.
So for someone like me who uses much more data than voice, its pretty awesome that the US carriers actually didn't try to turn the Tab into a phone & charge extra for a voice plan.

Its possible to use the voip for the sprint g tab?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

[Q] Does this phone work with FIDO (Canada)

Hello,
I didnt know where to put this question but i am considering buying this phone. Does anyone know if it will work with FIDO (Canada)?
Thanks.

It works on Rogers so it should work on Fido as well

Yes, I am using it on fido and it is working perfectly!!
3 things:
1- download the sms time fix (the sms received will be -4hours unless you download this from the marketplace because how rogers/fido does thier time stamping)
2- take name display out as some reported that it doesn't play nice with atrix when you receive a call from a landline. (I never have that problem because noone calls me from landline)
3 - I am on the AT&T atrix and it will warn me when i reboot the phone that I am on roaming network, once you click the notification, your phone does not complain

I am on Rogers with the ATT Atrix. I just had to load the APN settings and now I'm good, data and calls are perfect.
HungryEel, I did not test sms, but I will look into your fix.

It WILL work with fido I brought the ATT from US and unlock it. Now I am using it in Canada with Fido. Really great run H+

I'm on Rogers and didn't need any SMS fix. I did call in to ask for "name display" to be "excluded" from my account though - this fixed the Pay Phone listing from coming up on incoming calls though.

+1 worked fine on Fido... unfortunately when you unlock this phone it voids the bell warranty so i have to go through the Motorola service centre in Richmond...
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

Hey Guys, since this is a topic about using in canada on rogers/fido network, I have two questions.
where did ya'll get the phone unlock from? and if someone can tell me how much it would cost?
and does anyone know if the 6GB dataplan from rogers/fido still possible to get?
i know for sure that Android eats up the data very quickly, i have opted for 1 gb data from rogers and I am always either almost finished with or over the data. i like the Atrix, am definitely picking up the phone by this saturday. Don't want to carry around 2 phones, if the 6gb plan is not available, thinking of leaving rogers as it is too expensive.
any suggestions? help much appreciated.

I used Cellunlock.com there are some coupons floating around for 50% off.
For your Rogers plan, you really should read this thread. I had a crappy plan and after reading that thread and doing my homeworks, I called retention 3 times and ended up with a ridiculously nice plan. From what I know, the 6Gb plan is dead and the only way to get one is to have a grandfathered corporate plan.
How are you using so mutch data ? you should try using wifi ... (or opera mini)
Oh and don't forget to call retention, maybe they can do something for you.

noxlord said:
I used Cellunlock.com there are some coupons floating around for 50% off.
For your Rogers plan, you really should read this thread. I had a crappy plan and after reading that thread and doing my homeworks, I called retention 3 times and ended up with a ridiculously nice plan. From what I know, the 6Gb plan is dead and the only way to get one is to have a grandfathered corporate plan.
How are you using so mutch data ? you should try using wifi ...
Oh and don't forget to call retention, maybe they can do something for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the info. I will try CellUnlock.com.
I will call Rogers Retention people and see what happens. I have tried that trick in past and have got response such as "Oh you want to cancel your plan, sure, pay the money to us and F... O..." basically. Hence I am a little hesitant. But hey, there is no reason why I shouldn't try calling them again.
Why do I use it so much? Cuz my job requires me to... I travel through GTA a lot, and because I have a smartphone, I use it for pretty much everything from checking my emails to making phone calls to use it as a GPS.

creativedevil said:
Thanks a lot for the info. I will try CellUnlock.com.
I will call Rogers Retention people and see what happens. I have tried that trick in past and have got response such as "Oh you want to cancel your plan, sure, pay the money to us and F... O..." basically. Hence I am a little hesitant. But hey, there is no reason why I shouldn't try calling them again.
Why do I use it so much? Cuz my job requires me to... I travel through GTA a lot, and because I have a smartphone, I use it for pretty much everything from checking my emails to making phone calls to use it as a GPS.
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Click to collapse
read the thread, if you are into a contract, there is a new rules: they can only charge you what you own them on your subsidised phone.
use a line like "I really like your service, but since it's SOOO mutch cheaper elsewere, there is no reason for me to stay..."

noxlord said:
read the thread, if you are into a contract, there is a new rules: they can only charge you what you own them on your subsidised phone.
use a line like "I really like your service, but since it's SOOO mutch cheaper elsewere, there is no reason for me to stay..."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add to this, remind the CSR that you want to be compelled to stay but in such a competitive market place you need to look at all avenues (the mitigating factor being what you pay, you want a better plan for what you pay!).
Do make sure to up sell the benefits of staying with your current provider and they'll happily recline, making small talk and keeping the discussion constructive and positive. They'll "review" things and find either a feature they can add, a discount that can be applied, etc. Just remain optimistic and act as though you're so torn between sticking with them or going with a risky new provider.
This usually seems to yield good results with me. I've worked in Retention departments and can sniff a promo hopper from a mile away. But if you're a nice promo hopper, whatever, I'll give you a good deal. Just be polite and a good sport. They'll try hooking you up where they can. Usually..
(if not, tell them thanks and that you'll call back after some review)

Thank you so much for the input guys... Real Helpful tips... I will try all the options mentioned above and will get back with some results...

Awesome, man. Let us know how it goes.

bongd said:
Awesome, man. Let us know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well guys, the tips above didn't help in the first try. I called them, got transferred to retention, answer was same old ****ed up response... Oh, we are sorry to see you leaving, let me just remind you that you will have to pay Rogers to end your contract, when do you want to end the contract?
I will try calling them again next week and see if my luck works out this time...
Again, thanks a ton. I have my Atrix working superb and flawlessly.

AT&T- Must have Laptop, Tablet, or Mifi Data plan...BS!

Got a Text message from AT&T today, saying a suitable data plan is required for Laptops, Tablets, and Mifi Devices. Call 611 now to avoid service interuption
WTF I have had a dell streak since August of 2010, never a problem then.
So I called and got someone who seemed to know very little in regards to smartphones in general. Told her I have multiple devices that I use at different times, which is true. She asked me if the current and newest device i am using is a samsung GT-N7000, i said its a samsung, and its new, but I have no clue what the model number is.
She asked what dataplan I had, I told her I have the same unlimited plan I have had for 4 years. She verified that and said it is a suitable plan and to ignore the message.
I have played games like this before. For some reason the issue comes back up and you say so and so you talked to a month ago said it was fine, they ask who you talked to, you say I don't remember the name, and they say sucks for you.
So I had her send me an email with her name, saying that everything is fine, and that I do indeed have a suitable data plan for my device.
Hopefully thats that, but be prepared to get a warning such as this.
Bryce

Don't blame AT&T for this. Blame all the ppl that are using a Note on a MediaNet plan. They are starting to crack down on it. Worst case scenario is you having to bring in your Note to an AT&T store & showing them its a legit phone.

I got the same message yesterday. Called AT&T and told them I've never used any of those devices. He asked for the IMEI and confirmed that I had a Samsung phone and told me he would remove the note from my record and update that I have a Samsung phone.
Gave me his extension and said if I got the message again to call him and he would take care of it.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

brycestejskal said:
She asked me if the current and newest device i am using is a samsung GT-N7000, i said its a samsung, and its new, but I have no clue what the model number is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, she knew the model number of the Note but still wanted you to sign up for some tablet data plan? That's a very interesting tidbit...

I'm happy to hear a rep appears to be working with someone. It is a little troubling that we might have to lie about the model of our device (she asked if he had the GT-N7000, which is the Note's model.) I really hope my reaction in the other thread turns out to be an over reaction.

maxh said:
I'm happy to hear a rep appears to be working with someone. It is a little troubling that we might have to lie about the model of our device (she asked if he had the GT-N7000, which is the Note's model.) I really hope my reaction in the other thread turns out to be an over reaction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually hoping the fact she knew the model number is a sign AT&T's gearing up to offer the Note themselves. Maybe it's in their system but not yet properly categorized or something.

<oops> delete me?

bigmout said:
I'm actually hoping the fact she knew the model number is a sign AT&T's gearing up to offer the Note themselves. Maybe it's in their system but not yet properly categorized or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah how in the heck did the rep know what model phone he had? I know they can see the IMEI number on their screens but I wonder if the systems ID'd it correctly or if the CSR searched for the IMEI through an online tool?

If you lose your plans I can recommend an alternative solution that may or may not save you money.
Port your phone # to Google Voice, that will save you $20 a month for unlimited text. The only trade off is right now Google Voice only does MMS from Sprint. This will allow you to keep your current #, and only need to pay AT&T for data and voice.
With Android you can make calls via Google Voice and it will operate like using the # through your carrier, no hoops to jump through or data connections required like VOIP. Everyone you call will still see your normal number.

Got another message this morning saying that my data plan has been restricted and that I need to call immediately. Glad I asked for that email from the CSR last night.
Also, I highly doubt the CSR looked it up. She did not seem to know the process of much of anything, and It was very hard not to just lash out and tell her the answeres to her own questions she was looking up in the system about data plans...but didnt want to seem overly knowledgeable...
Will post the results when I have a chance to call.

That's what I've been afraid of. If the system is doing this, do the reps actually have any power to override the system? So even if you do go into a store and they say ok it's a phone, can they actually make the system stop booting you?
bigmout said:
I'm actually hoping the fact she knew the model number is a sign AT&T's gearing up to offer the Note themselves. Maybe it's in their system but not yet properly categorized or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been wanting the Note to come to AT&T simply for the fact that the more people that get it, the more support it'll have here. However, I had a bad thought; what if they rip the voice and sms capabilites out of it and call it a tablet, like they did here? http://www.groubal.com/att-is-price-gouging-by-disabling-device-features-must-read/ That would be in line with the reports of people getting booted.

I am trying to do the opposite. I would like to get a data plan only for my note but I am afraid to use the Note's IMEI number because I think they will detect it as a phone and won't let me do data only.

maxh said:
I had a bad thought; what if they rip the voice and sms capabilites out of it and call it a tablet, like they did here? http://www.groubal.com/att-is-price-gouging-by-disabling-device-features-must-read/ That would be in line with the reports of people getting booted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's certainly a valid concern. Though I would think if that was the case, the reps wouldn't have been able to "fix" the issue for those that have had it fixed. Nothing to do but wait and see how this unfolds.

How much data do you use? I haven't gotten a message like that but then again I hardly use their data. I'm on wifi most of the day.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

How many members so far have NOT received the text are on the grandfathered unlimited plan? (NOT medianet)

That was what they did to the Galaxy Tab, and people weren't able to use it as a phone. What they did over the Galaxy Tab forum was to backup and delete the efs folder. The tab then has a generic IMEI and works as a phone on AT&T network again. Wonder if we can do the same thing on the Note.

jojorios said:
How many members so far have NOT received the text are on the grandfathered unlimited plan? (NOT medianet)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me
10characters

jojorios said:
How many members so far have NOT received the text are on the grandfathered unlimited plan? (NOT medianet)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the unlimited smartphone data program and have hot gotten a text yet. I haven't used wifi sharing yet. Maybe that is causing the system to flag people?

Im grandfathered as well and have not gotten any messages about data.
Sent from my Galaxy Note

I am on the grandfathered smart phone plan and have not gotten the text yet. I upgraded to 4g unlimited last week and had to give the imei of my note and they said nothing about the note being data only then. I have used quite a bit of data but no wifi sharing/tethering.

Another reason to avoid Sprint

So, I've been with Sprint for a while. In the past, they have given me decent customer support, and better service than my husband gets on T-Mobile.So I decided to stick with them instead of going to a discount carrier (like Net10) or T-mobile. And I wanted a one-handed phone. I had planned to get the Galaxy IV mini when it came to Sprint, but when I went to purchase it, I asked whether I could use a different SIM when I travel abroad. The salesperson looked it up, and said "no". Thus, I ended up with a Moto X.
I got it SIM unlocked. Then I had all sorts of flaky problems with it, and ended up having it replaced under warrantee. Sprint wouldn't help me with that, because they wouldn't touch Moto-Maker phones, so I had to deal with Motorola directly. (And not the convenient Sprint shop around the corner from my office. - another reason I have liked Sprint obsolete, no more convenient service.)
So I tried to get the new phone unlocked. PROBLEM! Sprint will only unlock one phone per year per customer. They think they can amke an exception since this is a warrantee replacement.
Never heard back from them.
Called again today to check on the progress. Oops! My request was denied. They have no record of having replaced the phone. Because they freaking refused to... If I FAX them PROOF that Motorola replaced it under warrantee, maybe they will reconsider. And hey, maybe they will even tell me the result of that reconsideration. Or not. I guess I will find out. No, I can't forward the email I got from Motorola. No, they can't send me an email documenting what they want me to do. Apparently, Sprint hasn't entered the email age, and only deals withy phone calls and faxes. Who the #### uses faxes these days?
Wish me luck.
Next phone won't be with Sprint. Sigh. I wish I could pay for decent customer serive without paying for frequent upgrades and stuff. I wish we had a market like in Europe where you buy a phone, and you buy service, and the two aren't intertwined.

Puzzlegal said:
Next phone won't be with Sprint.
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Click to collapse
Don't tell us, tell Sprint. You might be surprised what a registered letter addressed to the CEO can accomplish.

Solutions Etcetera said:
Don't tell us, tell Sprint. You might be surprised what a registered letter addressed to the CEO can accomplish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I will give them a chance to unlock the phone by following the last set of instructions they gave me (dig up all my email from motorola and fax it to them) but if that doesn't work, I will try that. Maybe I'll write anyway to complain about the unfriendly customer service, but it seems premature to write in the middle of a request.

Might seem cheesy, but I've always found emailing [email protected] resolves my issues. You email and they will call you the next day. I believe these folks are about as high as you can go. Plus, once someone calls you, you have a direct number to cal back and deal with only one rep until your issue is resolved..hope this helps a little.
Good luck!
Sent from my XT1056 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

mulhiny said:
Might seem cheesy, but I've always found emailing [email protected] resolves my issues. You email and they will call you the next day. I believe these folks are about as high as you can go. Plus, once someone calls you, you have a direct number to cal back and deal with only one rep until your issue is resolved..hope this helps a little.
Good luck!
Sent from my XT1056 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! That looks like a good next step, if this doesn't work. I found my correspondence from Motorola, and as I remembered, a lot of it is vague "we have mailed your new phone", rather than "we have mailed your warranty replacement", but one of their letters did say
Thanks for contacting Motorola. Our goal is to get a customized, working phone in your hands, making it as easy as possible for you.
Here's the first step in the return of your broken phone - the Return Authorization Number (RMA): 140114-011410. This is necessary to process your return so hold onto it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hopeful that will be good enough. Of course, there's nothing to prove that I didn't compose that email myself ("fax us the email" really seems dumb, as a form of "proof") but I also have the letter saying "it's been shipped and the cost was $0" and the FedEx mailing label. Hopefully, that will convince them.
They claim they sent me email when they first denied the unlock request. I never got that email, but I suppose some computer may have thought it was spam and deleted it before I saw it. These things do sometimes happen.

After faxing them a letter detailing the issue, along with 30 pages of correspondence from Motorola, I got a call that they had decided to unlock the phone, eventually followed up with an email stating the phone is now unlocked.
Thank you for your advice and support. It improved my sanity.

Puzzlegal said:
So, I've been with Sprint for a while. In the past, they have given me decent customer support, and better service than my husband gets on T-Mobile.So I decided to stick with them instead of going to a discount carrier (like Net10) or T-mobile. And I wanted a one-handed phone. I had planned to get the Galaxy IV mini when it came to Sprint, but when I went to purchase it, I asked whether I could use a different SIM when I travel abroad. The salesperson looked it up, and said "no". Thus, I ended up with a Moto X.
I got it SIM unlocked. Then I had all sorts of flaky problems with it, and ended up having it replaced under warrantee. Sprint wouldn't help me with that, because they wouldn't touch Moto-Maker phones, so I had to deal with Motorola directly. (And not the convenient Sprint shop around the corner from my office. - another reason I have liked Sprint obsolete, no more convenient service.)
So I tried to get the new phone unlocked. PROBLEM! Sprint will only unlock one phone per year per customer. They think they can amke an exception since this is a warrantee replacement.
Never heard back from them.
Called again today to check on the progress. Oops! My request was denied. They have no record of having replaced the phone. Because they freaking refused to... If I FAX them PROOF that Motorola replaced it under warrantee, maybe they will reconsider. And hey, maybe they will even tell me the result of that reconsideration. Or not. I guess I will find out. No, I can't forward the email I got from Motorola. No, they can't send me an email documenting what they want me to do. Apparently, Sprint hasn't entered the email age, and only deals withy phone calls and faxes. Who the #### uses faxes these days?
Wish me luck.
Next phone won't be with Sprint. Sigh. I wish I could pay for decent customer serive without paying for frequent upgrades and stuff. I wish we had a market like in Europe where you buy a phone, and you buy service, and the two aren't intertwined.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My parents had Sprint in the early 2000s and even back then they had horrible customer service. I stick with Verizon their CS is pretty spot on.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

The T-Mobile Thread

Too much chatter across multiple threads...
I found a temporary solution. I ported my number to AT&T. Thus far, coverage is fine, data speeds are disappointing only in the sense that where I am right now, I am getting less than the 8 Mbps Cricket would cap me at.* Cricket is apparently now owned by AT&T and now offers unlimited talk, text, and 20 GBs of LTE for $60.
My data worked upon activation.* It seemed my AT&T rep had to alter the IMEI associated with my prepaid account to get phone calls working.* Don't know if there will be any implications, but in the hour I have been with AT&T, some root apps (including Ultimate Dynamic Navbar, without which I have no Navbar) have force closed for the first time. Seems like coincidence but I guess not? This is happening regularly now, X many minutes after boot, and bluetooth is being disabled as well.
I hope that T-Mo gets this straightened out, unless AT&T really impresses me, I look forward to hopefully switching back to the $30 Wal-Mart 5 GB plan.
(I'm too lazy to delete all the pasted asterisks)

Possible Solution?
thref23 said:
Too much chatter across multiple threads...
I found a temporary solution. I ported my number to AT&T. Thus far, coverage is fine, data speeds are disappointing only in the sense that where I am right now, I am getting less than the 8 Mbps Cricket would cap me at.* Cricket is apparently now owned by AT&T and now offers unlimited talk, text, and 20 GBs of LTE for $60.
My data worked upon activation.* It seemed my AT&T rep had to alter the IMEI associated with my prepaid account to get phone calls working.* Don't know if there will be any implications, but in the hour I have been with AT&T, some root apps (including Ultimate Dynamic Navbar, without which I have no Navbar) have force closed for the first time. Seems like coincidence but I guess not? This is happening regularly now, X many minutes after boot, and bluetooth is being disabled as well.
I hope that T-Mo gets this straightened out, unless AT&T really impresses me, I look forward to hopefully switching back to the $30 Wal-Mart 5 GB plan.
(I'm too lazy to delete all the pasted asterisks)
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Click to collapse
I work for T-Mobile and have also have the same issues with my Z3tc I, being a store manager, have limited resources available to me but i plan to submit a ticket in hopes of resolving this issue, it would help if i had multiple issues to report however. If you folks are willing to help me out with this (power in numbers as they say) i think we may have a chance of getting a fix, what i need from each of you is your T-mobile telephone number that you've been using your Z3TC on and i can submit this ticket. Email your name and phone# to [email protected] and I'll do my best

Some more info on this can be found here
ipetitions.com/petition/let-us-call-because-our-tablets-are-made-to-call
Ive been using xda for a while now but didn't really have a good enough reason to creat an account but......since im new and can't post links hopefully you can addbthe http stuff
I really hope this can get cleared up soon a 500$ phone with practically the same features as a flip phone........ Smh

Any update?
tysontthompson said:
I work for T-Mobile and have also have the same issues with my Z3tc I, being a store manager, have limited resources available to me but i plan to submit a ticket in hopes of resolving this issue, it would help if i had multiple issues to report however. If you folks are willing to help me out with this (power in numbers as they say) i think we may have a chance of getting a fix, what i need from each of you is your T-mobile telephone number that you've been using your Z3TC on and i can submit this ticket. Email your name and phone# to [email protected] and I'll do my best
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Click to collapse
Any luck with the ticket you opened? You might consider posting the ticket number both here and in the t-mobile support forum so that anyone with the same issue can easily contact t-mobile and reference that ticket. As you said there is power in numbers!

montp said:
Any luck with the ticket you opened? You might consider posting the ticket number both here and in the t-mobile support forum so that anyone with the same issue can easily contact t-mobile and reference that ticket. As you said there is power in numbers!
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Click to collapse
Any update on this? My billing cycle started today and I think I got my internet pulled too. Called tech support and they said they don't know what the problem is. They said they elevated my ticket to a engineer and should hear back from them in 3 days. :crying:

just port the number to Metro its' the same network and just $10 more for unlimited you can always port the number back if t-mobile fix this issue.

Tweeted at Legere and Tmobile help and now I'm sitting on the phone with a tech rep. Let's see what happens. Seems like such an easy thing to switch and the irony is the paying customers and getting screwed and are jumping ship to pacify the freeloaders. I'm in love with huge phones and this is the First tablet with phone capabilities that plays nice with us carriers. I'm prepared to jump ship over this.
SO far she keeps insisting that it will work fine its it has the phone capabilities and i have the proper rate plan. She keeps putting me on hold....
There's someone who clocks into work 9-5 at t-mobile who can fix this issue with very little trouble, just have to locate that person.
---------- Post added at 11:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 PM ----------
tysontthompson said:
I work for T-Mobile and have also have the same issues with my Z3tc I, being a store manager, have limited resources available to me but i plan to submit a ticket in hopes of resolving this issue, it would help if i had multiple issues to report however. If you folks are willing to help me out with this (power in numbers as they say) i think we may have a chance of getting a fix, what i need from each of you is your T-mobile telephone number that you've been using your Z3TC on and i can submit this ticket. Email your name and phone# to [email protected] and I'll do my best
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Click to collapse
So, The tech rep I just spoke to says that she can't open a ticket for me to send to the engineers until there's physically a problem. SO, I'm going to pick it up tomorrow and start the process. Anything happen with your ticket? Am I wasting my time?

I'm still waiting on a call back. Day 2 with no Internet. I told them to call me 24/7. I didn't bother calling today, but you can bet I will again tomorrow. Please, also get it elevated so that they realize this is not an isolated incident. I stopped by at&t today to ask about porting over my number. They said it would take 15 mins. About to jump ship and take my 5 lines on the account with me if I can't get the Internet to work again.
Please keep me updated, I'll keep you updated too.
Sent from my SGP621 using XDA Free mobile app

AirBruce said:
I'm still waiting on a call back. Day 2 with no Internet. I told them to call me 24/7. I didn't bother calling today, but you can bet I will again tomorrow. Please, also get it elevated so that they realize this is not an isolated incident. I stopped by at&t today to ask about porting over my number. They said it would take 15 mins. About to jump ship and take my 5 lines on the account with me if I can't get the Internet to work again.
Please keep me updated, I'll keep you updated too.
Sent from my SGP621 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
The question is, you can't buy this device from a good reputable store with a 14 day no questions asked return policy. Expansys, or Amazon (not fulfilled by amazon) and the place where I'm going to go to in Manhattan are all "you buy it you keep it".
So, should I even go buy this tomorrow... The only way they will submit a ticket is if I actually have the device with the issue but if it turns out no one will fix the problem... I dont want to be stuck with it..
I guess I could always switch carriers but I'm in a family plan where we split the bill each month and the payments on my note 4 are going to come due... Big mess... But maybe that's what I'll do.
Why not just switch to metro though? Why at&t? Metro the exact same coverage. Or so I've heard.
Maybe I'll take the time to check out metros coverage while I wait for the issue to be fixed. Although.. I wonder, people were already working on this 2 months ago,why should I have any impact at all.
Whatever, yeah, let's keep each other updated!
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

AirBruce said:
I'm still waiting on a call back. Day 2 with no Internet. I told them to call me 24/7. I didn't bother calling today, but you can bet I will again tomorrow. Please, also get it elevated so that they realize this is not an isolated incident. I stopped by at&t today to ask about porting over my number. They said it would take 15 mins. About to jump ship and take my 5 lines on the account with me if I can't get the Internet to work again.
Please keep me updated, I'll keep you updated too.
Sent from my SGP621 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
They responded on twitter, let's see if they can do anything... Day 2 with no internet you said, did you just get it or have you had it for a while and it just stopped giving you data?
I wonder if walking into a tmobile store would help too...
---------- Post added at 03:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 AM ----------
mottyengel said:
They responded on twitter, let's see if they can do anything... Day 2 with no internet you said, did you just get it or have you had it for a while and it just stopped giving you data?
I wonder if walking into a tmobile store would help too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just read through a pretty depressing thread. I'm posting the OP's final depressing post after finally getting through to a tmo vp. You can read through the whole thread too if you like. Seems like the battle is lost at this point, it's over, i just have to decide in a few hours when the store opens if I want to leave tmo over this and go to metro... I've been really happy with tmo up until now...
https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/86423?start=0&tstart=0
After doing some research I got a hold of a couple of T-Mobile's executive e-mail addresses and typed in detail about what is happening here hoping someone would respond. Today I received a phone call from the office of the Vice president of T-Mobile. I had a detailed conversation about the problem. They said that our device, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Tablet LTE SGP621 should have never worked as phone with a data plan and T-Mobiles network should have recognized the device as a tablet and not allowed it to work as a phone with a data plan for the few months that it did right away. He also stated that T-Mobile up until I told him was unaware our device existed. He actually had to look up the device. He then went on to explain how the network didn't register the IMEI of the device right away that's why it worked on their network for those few months until the IMEI of the device was registered and classified on their network as a tablet. He didn't actually admit it was the free data for life program but if you understand how network protocols work I don't have to state the obvious. So the bottom line is that T-Mobile doesn't offer the service we are asking for on our devices. The way the network is structured it uses the IMEI number to determine the devices classification and then only allows approved services to be used on that particular device. So the rules on T-Mobiles network work says "Smart phones" are allowed to make phone calls, surf the web, send multimedia text messaging ect. and "Tablets" are only allowed to have a mobile data plan and are incapable of making phone calls. Our device is a phablet but there isn't a phablet classification on T-Mobiles network. Even though our devices will work, have worked, and can work the way we want, it is irrelevant due to the way the network protocols have been written. The industry is somewhat at fault here by not having a specific classification for a device like ours. It really should just be classified as a phone. The world I live in, if a device is capable of making phone calls its a phone end of story. Phones make phone calls, this is kid stuff. So there is no solution to our problem and there never will be one as of right now. So the device is useless in the US for what we bought it for. I would have never bought the LTE version if I knew this was the situation. The service I'm willing to pay for is not offered by any US carrier according to T-Mobile. I find the whole situation funny at this point. Look at it in this perspective, the hardware of our device is identical to the Sony Xperia Z3 that T-Mobile currently offers, the only difference is the size of the screen. and the IMEI number that says its a tablet. You can actually flash the Sony Xperia Z3 operating system onto our devices thats how Identical the hardware is. It's just the IMEI number that defines the devices classification. Overseas this isn't an issue. I'm hoping soon there will be a US carrier offering this service, the first company that does I'm switching to. I think I'm just going to cancel the line and use WiFi for now. I can't believe I spent close to $700 for this device and it's now basically the $400 WiFi version. I'm keeping my T-Mobile account because I'm grandfathered into a very good rate and I'm hoping they will eventually offer the service. but I know for a fact our devices will never work the way they did because of our devices classification. They would only be able to work if T-Mobile changed the networks protocols that classifies the device as either a phone or a tablet, as long as they have that protocol in place we are out of luck. I really don't see them ever getting rid of this classification/rule system on their network. So if they ever do offer a "Phablet" device with the service it will be on T-Mobile branded devices only because those devices will have an IMEI that classifies it as a "Smart phone" or by that time they will have added the new classification of "Phablet".. Good luck to everyone that was having the same issue, I really thought we had a chance at solving the problem because our devices "WORK" on T-Mobiles network perfectly. If anyone knows a carrier willing to provide the service to our devices please let us know.

mottyengel said:
They responded on twitter, let's see if they can do anything... Day 2 with no internet you said, did you just get it or have you had it for a while and it just stopped giving you data?
I wonder if walking into a tmobile store would help too...
---------- Post added at 03:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 AM ----------
I just read through a pretty depressing thread. I'm posting the OP's final depressing post after finally getting through to a tmo vp. You can read through the whole thread too if you like. Seems like the battle is lost at this point, it's over, i just have to decide in a few hours when the store opens if I want to leave tmo over this and go to metro... I've been really happy with tmo up until now...
https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/86423?start=0&tstart=0
After doing some research I got a hold of a couple of T-Mobile's executive e-mail addresses and typed in detail about what is happening here hoping someone would respond. Today I received a phone call from the office of the Vice president of T-Mobile. I had a detailed conversation about the problem. They said that our device, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Tablet LTE SGP621 should have never worked as phone with a data plan and T-Mobiles network should have recognized the device as a tablet and not allowed it to work as a phone with a data plan for the few months that it did right away. He also stated that T-Mobile up until I told him was unaware our device existed. He actually had to look up the device. He then went on to explain how the network didn't register the IMEI of the device right away that's why it worked on their network for those few months until the IMEI of the device was registered and classified on their network as a tablet. He didn't actually admit it was the free data for life program but if you understand how network protocols work I don't have to state the obvious. So the bottom line is that T-Mobile doesn't offer the service we are asking for on our devices. The way the network is structured it uses the IMEI number to determine the devices classification and then only allows approved services to be used on that particular device. So the rules on T-Mobiles network work says "Smart phones" are allowed to make phone calls, surf the web, send multimedia text messaging ect. and "Tablets" are only allowed to have a mobile data plan and are incapable of making phone calls. Our device is a phablet but there isn't a phablet classification on T-Mobiles network. Even though our devices will work, have worked, and can work the way we want, it is irrelevant due to the way the network protocols have been written. The industry is somewhat at fault here by not having a specific classification for a device like ours. It really should just be classified as a phone. The world I live in, if a device is capable of making phone calls its a phone end of story. Phones make phone calls, this is kid stuff. So there is no solution to our problem and there never will be one as of right now. So the device is useless in the US for what we bought it for. I would have never bought the LTE version if I knew this was the situation. The service I'm willing to pay for is not offered by any US carrier according to T-Mobile. I find the whole situation funny at this point. Look at it in this perspective, the hardware of our device is identical to the Sony Xperia Z3 that T-Mobile currently offers, the only difference is the size of the screen. and the IMEI number that says its a tablet. You can actually flash the Sony Xperia Z3 operating system onto our devices thats how Identical the hardware is. It's just the IMEI number that defines the devices classification. Overseas this isn't an issue. I'm hoping soon there will be a US carrier offering this service, the first company that does I'm switching to. I think I'm just going to cancel the line and use WiFi for now. I can't believe I spent close to $700 for this device and it's now basically the $400 WiFi version. I'm keeping my T-Mobile account because I'm grandfathered into a very good rate and I'm hoping they will eventually offer the service. but I know for a fact our devices will never work the way they did because of our devices classification. They would only be able to work if T-Mobile changed the networks protocols that classifies the device as either a phone or a tablet, as long as they have that protocol in place we are out of luck. I really don't see them ever getting rid of this classification/rule system on their network. So if they ever do offer a "Phablet" device with the service it will be on T-Mobile branded devices only because those devices will have an IMEI that classifies it as a "Smart phone" or by that time they will have added the new classification of "Phablet".. Good luck to everyone that was having the same issue, I really thought we had a chance at solving the problem because our devices "WORK" on T-Mobiles network perfectly. If anyone knows a carrier willing to provide the service to our devices please let us know.
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Click to collapse
That is some F#* King BULL SH!T!!!!!
I'm going to port my number out.
I just called back tech support and they didn't even know what was happening. No one ever seems to know. I'm going to Metro PCS. EFF these s0n's of b!tch3s.

Yup... Yup... I just had a very long conversation with a tech support guy (i gave him all a bunch of different forum thread links to read through) he read everything I showed him and he understood fully. He transferred me w8th details to someone else who again took plenty of time to read through everything including internal T-mobile discussion. He's gonna call me back on Sunday. I left off with him that everyone is jumping ship because of this, including me, all to pacify some freeloaders.
Of course, I'm not delusional. after reading the above thread I realize he's probably gonna get back to me with a sorry, nothing we can do. That's why I'm going to a metro pcs store today to sign up. I'm not porting my number just yet, first I want to test metro and give tmo a little more time. Plus, I have a new note 4 (warranty issue replacing my current note 4) coming which I will then have to pay off when I port my number out so I'm gonna sell. And actually, I'm going to finally port my number to Google voice so I can always jump around and back to our tmo family plan if they ever fix this.
So, to recap, joining metro today with the tablet and if/when he comes back Sunday with nothing, I'm porting out to Google voice.
I'm so disappointed with tmo. I joined them in 2012 right before everything started getting exciting in 2013 and on and I have been increasingly more happy with them ever since...
What a shame
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

mottyengel said:
Yup... Yup... I just had a very long conversation with a tech support guy (i gave him all a bunch of different forum thread links to read through) he read everything I showed him and he understood fully. He transferred me w8th details to someone else who again took plenty of time to read through everything including internal T-mobile discussion. He's gonna call me back on Sunday. I left off with him that everyone is jumping ship because of this, including me, all to pacify some freeloaders.
Of course, I'm not delusional. after reading the above thread I realize he's probably gonna get back to me with a sorry, nothing we can do. That's why I'm going to a metro pcs store today to sign up. I'm not porting my number just yet, first I want to test metro and give tmo a little more time. Plus, I have a new note 4 (warranty issue replacing my current note 4) coming which I will then have to pay off when I port my number out so I'm gonna sell. And actually, I'm going to finally port my number to Google voice so I can always jump around and back to our tmo family plan if they ever fix this.
So, to recap, joining metro today with the tablet and if/when he comes back Sunday with nothing, I'm porting out to Google voice.
I'm so disappointed with tmo. I joined them in 2012 right before everything started getting exciting in 2013 and on and I have been increasingly more happy with them ever since...
What a shame
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
I just came back from the cricket store. After writing my last post, I put my jacket on, and walked out, walked 6 blocks down, and had them port my number. So far so good. LTE speed is decent, and now I'm actually paying less! $35 a month. 2.5GB (which is enough for me, they had $45 for 5GB, maybe I'll upgrade next month) and unlimited talk and text. Not too shabby.
Dear T-Mobile. See how easy it was to "Un-carrier" you? I did it in less time, than it takes to do one load of laundry.

Nice hope it works for you. I need the unlimited data because I use North of 30gb a month... With I could go to cricket, but metros probably where I'll end up
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

AirBruce said:
I just came back from the cricket store. After writing my last post, I put my jacket on, and walked out, walked 6 blocks down, and had them port my number. So far so good. LTE speed is decent, and now I'm actually paying less! $35 a month. 2.5GB (which is enough for me, they had $45 for 5GB, maybe I'll upgrade next month) and unlimited talk and text. Not too shabby.
Dear T-Mobile. See how easy it was to "Un-carrier" you? I did it in less time, than it takes to do one load of laundry.
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Click to collapse
Well, I'm now a happy metro pcs customer. Just started porting my tmo number to google voice and it'll work through the new metro number. Turns out, my eip on my note 4 doesnt come due at all. As long as there are still more lines on the account, i can just keep paying it off month by month. Of course I'm gonna sell it soon but still.
BTW, to anyone who had this issue with tmo, you can get through to the engineering department for technical support, forward them to the following link so they can read up on the problem and then you can get them to credit your bill for the data portion since february. The credited my account 60 bucks.. Not bad. I wish I could have stayed with t-mobile but what can ya do.
Again, to all you people holding out for this to change. Not gonna happen. Not a chance in hell. really. It's a tablet now and it's final. you're gonna all have to move on

Metro is working fine for me is $10 more for the unlimited data but I am happy at least to have this working don't hesitate guys