Cannot Transfer iPhone Data Plan

[sbrownla]

For those who wanted to know, I got confirmation from ATT that if you can ONLY use an iPhone Data Plan with an iPhone. You can't take out your SIM and use data on a different phone.

This mainly affects people, like myself, who already have ATT accounts that suffer from schizophonia, and need to be able to use a different smartphone whenever I feel like it.

See below:

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail AT&T regarding if you will have
to change your plan to use an iPhone. I am happy to help you with your
inquiry and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

To use an iPhone, you will be required to have one of the valid iPhone
data plans on the wireless number that will be activating the iPhone.
The iPhone data plan may replace your current data plan and your voice
plan will stay the same. Unfortunately, you will not be able to use
your current data plan with the iPhone and your current phone will not
be compatible with the iPhone plan. As a result, you will have to
change your data plan in order to use the iPhone.

Existing AT&T customers can add one of three iPhone Data Plans to their
current voice plan...

[diamond.g]

For those who wanted to know, I got confirmation from ATT that if you can ONLY use an iPhone Data Plan with an iPhone. You can't take out your SIM and use data on a different phone.

This mainly affects people, like myself, who already have ATT accounts that suffer from schizophonia, and need to be able to use a different smartphone whenever I feel like it.

See below:

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail AT&T regarding if you will have
to change your plan to use an iPhone. I am happy to help you with your
inquiry and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

To use an iPhone, you will be required to have one of the valid iPhone
data plans on the wireless number that will be activating the iPhone.
The iPhone data plan may replace your current data plan and your voice
plan will stay the same. Unfortunately, you will not be able to use
your current data plan with the iPhone and your current phone will not
be compatible with the iPhone plan. As a result, you will have to
change your data plan in order to use the iPhone.

Existing AT&T customers can add one of three iPhone Data Plans to their
current voice plan...

But you may be able to use your iPhone data plan with a normal phone (not sure about an other smartphone though).

[appleii2mac]

That's enormously lame if it's true.

Edit: If you can't use data plan with the SIM in another phone.

Edit 2: That is, if you can't use your iphone SIM in another phone and still use the data plan.

[mkrishnan]

How many people suffer from schizophonia? It sounds very debilitating. :(

[iSaint]

I have an existing family plan. The only thing I need to add is a data plan. I'm going with $30/month, unlimited data, 1500 texts. My daughter already has unlimited texts. My mother barely uses the other line we have. My wife has a Blackberry with her company.

I'm still going to ask a lot of questions about my plan before I leave the store with an iPhone.

[sbrownla]

Yeah... we'll see. Maybe they'll change something so that you can use it. I don't mind not having visual voicemail.

Man... I really like being able to switch and come back. It's a fun phone, so why can't I have a fun phone when I want that, and a hard-core phone for when I don't?

[appleii2mac]

Honestly, if I can't use the SIM from the iPhone in another phone and still use the data plan, I think that's going to be a deal breaker for me. One of my main reason for going to AT&T (and possibly terminating my VZW contract) is the freedom to switch phones.

[carfac]

How many people suffer from schizophonia? :(

I do. And so do I.

[sbrownla]

But you may be able to use your iPhone data plan with a normal phone (not sure about an other smartphone though).

You cannot use the iPhone data plan with any phone other than the iPhone, smartphone or otherwise.

[mkrishnan]

I do. And so do I.

No, that's Dissociative Phone Disorder, not Schizophonia. :D

[ladeer]

I am entirely not surprised here. I have been using a $40/month ATT EDGE BlackBerry plan and I couldn't use my SIM card in a different non-BB smart phone for data, heck, I can't even use it in a DIFFERENT BLACKBERRY since how they handle push email is the unique BlackBerry PIN.

What I am saying is, iPhone here is probably very, very similar to BlackBerry in that they have a proprietary communication interface so iPhone needs a specialized data plan that uses different set of protocols and ports than a non-iPhone smart phone.

[sbrownla]

I am entirely not surprised here. I have been using a $40/month ATT EDGE BlackBerry plan and I couldn't use my SIM card in a different non-BB smart phone for data, heck, I can't even use it in a DIFFERENT BLACKBERRY since how they handle push email is the unique BlackBerry PIN.

What I am saying is, iPhone here is probably very, very similar to BlackBerry in that they have a proprietary communication interface so iPhone needs a specialized data plan that uses different set of protocols and ports than a non-iPhone smart phone.

It's a total dilemma. I don't know what I should do... I guess I should just wait for the next big thing from someone else. I did want an iPod pretty badly, but I guess I could just get a vid iPod.

Course, I'll have to pay my $288 ATT wireless phone bill first. hahaha.

[appleii2mac]

I know lots of people who swap their SIM's w/Data plans between pda/smartphones.

[ladeer]

It's a total dilemma. I don't know what I should do... I guess I should just wait for the next big thing from someone else. I did want an iPod pretty badly, but I guess I could just get a vid iPod.

Course, I'll have to pay my $288 ATT wireless phone bill first. hahaha.

i tell you exactly what you shall do:

switch between data plan whenever you want to!

you are not bound by contract for the data plan, only the voice plan. you can at any given time, as an existing ATT customer, CHANGE your device all you want, whether it be an old device or an unlocked device, ATT has no right to tell you that you can't change your device and use the needed data plan on that said device.

Every time when you change you will be prorated for the original plan, and pay the new data plan, also prorated. Only thing that costs you is the time it takes to call them and switch (maybe 10 minutes).

If you don't switch back and forth too often (let's say no more than once a month), I don't see this solution being too big of a hassle.

I figure if I don't like my iPhone that much, I can always go back to my blackberry and keep the iPhone as an iPod (since it will work sim-less after activation anyway).

So remember, just call ATT and switch your data plan whenever you change phone.

[ladeer]

I know lots of people who swap their SIM's w/Data plans between pda/smartphones.

sure, but they use the same type of data plan! what I said was between different types of data plans (that require different technology) such as between regular WM6 and BlackBerry...

[ldhilljr]

I am entirely not surprised here. I have been using a $40/month ATT EDGE BlackBerry plan and I couldn't use my SIM card in a different non-BB smart phone for data, heck, I can't even use it in a DIFFERENT BLACKBERRY since how they handle push email is the unique BlackBerry PIN.


Did you manually try to change the phone's data settings to access the data network? I have a VPN-enabled data account with my T-mobile phone, which has separate and distinct data settings than regular T-mobile data accounts. I would expect that a Blackberry data plan would also have distinctive settings, and unless your phone has them set correctly, you wouldn't be able to access the data network.

[ladeer]

Did you manually try to change the phone's data settings to access the data network? I have a VPN-enabled data account with my T-mobile phone, which has separate and distinct data settings than regular T-mobile data accounts. I would expect that a Blackberry data plan would also have distinctive settings, and unless your phone has them set correctly, you wouldn't be able to access the data network.

No, I didn't manually reset them, so you think I can use my BB Sim card in any smart phone if I can manipulate some setting in the phone?

Btw, my SIM card won't even allow data to work on a different BLACKBERRY phone, because like I said, blackberry technology uses the unique ID of blackberry (pin). But perhaps regular browsing via EDGE could work?

[appleii2mac]

i tell you exactly what you shall do:

switch between data plan whenever you want to!

you are not bound by contract for the data plan, only the voice plan. you can at any given time, as an existing ATT customer, CHANGE your device all you want, whether it be an old device or an unlocked device, ATT has no right to tell you that you can't change your device and use the needed data plan on that said device.

Every time when you change you will be prorated for the original plan, and pay the new data plan, also prorated. Only thing that costs you is the time it takes to call them and switch (maybe 10 minutes).

If you don't switch back and forth too often (let's say no more than once a month), I don't see this solution being too big of a hassle.

I figure if I don't like my iPhone that much, I can always go back to my blackberry and keep the iPhone as an iPod (since it will work sim-less after activation anyway).

So remember, just call ATT and switch your data plan whenever you change phone.

That's incredibly inconvenient. I want to be able to switch the SIM and go.

[diamond.g]

You cannot use the iPhone data plan with any phone other than the iPhone, smartphone or otherwise.

Pretty sure the AT&T Manual says otherwise.

[sbrownla]

i tell you exactly what you shall do:

switch between data plan whenever you want to!

you are not bound by contract for the data plan, only the voice plan. you can at any given time, as an existing ATT customer, CHANGE your device all you want, whether it be an old device or an unlocked device, ATT has no right to tell you that you can't change your device and use the needed data plan on that said device.

Every time when you change you will be prorated for the original plan, and pay the new data plan, also prorated. Only thing that costs you is the time it takes to call them and switch (maybe 10 minutes).

If you don't switch back and forth too often (let's say no more than once a month), I don't see this solution being too big of a hassle.

I figure if I don't like my iPhone that much, I can always go back to my blackberry and keep the iPhone as an iPod (since it will work sim-less after activation anyway).

So remember, just call ATT and switch your data plan whenever you change phone.

I'm leery cuz I've dealt with proration with ATT and it's a NIGHTMARE. I've seen some horrible charges there... but I guess I can always switch back, I'll just have to make sure that I do it right at the end of my billing cycle.

I don't know about the iPhone working as an iPod after though... but it would kinda make sense.

I can't understand the whole data thing though. The blackberry is different because it uses blackberry servers to handle mail, and maybe other things. The only server-side stuff the iPhone deals with is for visual voicemail... it would seem. So, no iPhone server, no viz voicemail...

Also, I pay MORE for my data plan so you'd think that they'd be fine so long as your data plan is at least one of the smartphone connect or PDA plans, right???

[ldhilljr]

No, I didn't manually reset them, so you think I can use my BB Sim card in any smart phone if I can manipulate some setting in the phone?

Btw, my SIM card won't even allow data to work on a different BLACKBERRY phone, because like I said, blackberry technology uses the unique ID of blackberry (pin). But perhaps regular browsing via EDGE could work?

Try this website (and he has alot of links) (http://www.taniwha.org.uk/gprs.html) to get information on various networks' data settings. Some of them have passwords that need to be entered. I'm no Blackberry expert (never owned one), so I'm not familiar with a PIN requirement that is tied to the data settings. But dig and Google around and you may find the answer!

[appleii2mac]

As far as the Blackberries and their ID's is concerned, that's one of the security features from RIM that makes IT like them so much. For example, if you report it lost, you can have it wiped remotely. Probably wouldn't work if you could just swap SIMs.

[diamond.g]

As far as the Blackberries and their ID's is concerned, that's one of the security features from RIM that makes IT like them so much. For example, if you report it lost, you can have it wiped remotely. Probably wouldn't work if you could just swap SIMs.

I have always been under the impression that BB's ID are unique to the BB not the SIM. So if you send the command to remotely brick the BB as soon as it tried communicating with the BIS/BES poof there goes everything.

[appleii2mac]

Could be. I'm no Blackberry expert. I'm just pointing out that the way BB's work might be different from all other run of the mill smart phone/pda's.

[ladeer]

I have always been under the impression that BB's ID are unique to the BB not the SIM. So if you send the command to remotely brick the BB as soon as it tried communicating with the BIS/BES poof there goes everything.

yes PIN tied to DEVICE.

[ladeer]

As far as the Blackberries and their ID's is concerned, that's one of the security features from RIM that makes IT like them so much. For example, if you report it lost, you can have it wiped remotely. Probably wouldn't work if you could just swap SIMs.

that's reallllly cool. now if some hacker just found a way to activate this feature on ALL blackberries in the world....would be a scene.

(sorry i just watched Die Hard 4....)

[diamond.g]

that's reallllly cool. now if some hacker just found a way to activate this feature on ALL blackberries in the world....would be a scene.

(sorry i just watched Die Hard 4....)

[Super OT]
Well the last BB I carried was a pager type it had a 6 digit pin. Start at 1 and send the message to all of them (one at a time). Although the real question is what is the message that needs to be sent.

[/Super OT]

Well we will find out in about 27 minutes if SIMs with iPhone data plans will work in other phones.

[appleii2mac]

Anyone have a chance to test this yet?

For reference:

Putting an iPhone SIM into another unlocked/AT&T smartphone/pda and trying to use the data plan.

[Chip NoVaMac]

For those who wanted to know, I got confirmation from ATT that if you can ONLY use an iPhone Data Plan with an iPhone. You can't take out your SIM and use data on a different phone.

This mainly affects people, like myself, who already have ATT accounts that suffer from schizophonia, and need to be able to use a different smartphone whenever I feel like it.

See below:

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail AT&T regarding if you will have
to change your plan to use an iPhone. I am happy to help you with your
inquiry and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

To use an iPhone, you will be required to have one of the valid iPhone
data plans on the wireless number that will be activating the iPhone.
The iPhone data plan may replace your current data plan and your voice
plan will stay the same. Unfortunately, you will not be able to use
your current data plan with the iPhone and your current phone will not
be compatible with the iPhone plan. As a result, you will have to
change your data plan in order to use the iPhone.

Existing AT&T customers can add one of three iPhone Data Plans to their
current voice plan...

I share in your desire to go out with the phone of choice for the day or night. It is/was one of the reasons I was looking at AT&T. It would have been nice to have the iPhone for every day use, and a Razr for when I needed to go out light and easy. . I know aboout call forwarding, but why pay for more air time?

[DanB91]

i thought it was confirmed b4 that u were allowed to switch the iphone sim between phones?

[sbrownla]

i thought it was confirmed b4 that u were allowed to switch the iphone sim between phones?

You can switch the SIM to any other phone no problem.

But, if you try to use data (on the other phone) you will run into problems. While I'm sure you will be able to USE it, you will have to pay for it dearly.

The reason I inquired with ATT is because I use an excellent unlocked HTC device with Windows Mobile 6. I'd even like to buy an LG Prada at some point, which I can use if unlocked no prolem.

I use a LOT of data each month with it. If I want to switch between iPhone and my WM6 device, the data plan will not cover data I use when not on the iPhone.

That's the way it was explained to me numerous times, with the main post in this thread as the official from ATT customer service. I don't want to be tied down to one phone just because it's the iPhone.

I am an ATT customer because I enjoy the freedom of being able to switch phones and take my unlimited data plan with me just by popping the sim in another phone, 3G etc. No other carrier in the US allows you to do that! No single phone has everything I love--even the iPhone lacks features that I really enjoy, I don't need to list those.

To be paying for data, but unable to transfer it between devices that I am supposed to own is not fun for me. That's why I started this thread.

Here's the issue though: The iPhone data plan is 20 bucks unlimited. I pay 34.99 per month for unlimited PDA data. I pay MORE so I would think that ATT would be willing to allow me to pay more, keep my PDA plan, but use the phone I want to use, iPhone or otherwise.

I don't mind paying 14.99 for the real freedom to switch between phones and use all of the features of each. To me it's worth it but now, as an ATT customer, I feel as though they are limiting me. If profit was really their main interest, they'd let me pay more for what I want but there's something else going on--server issues, data limitation or otherwise.

It may change. They may open things up for customers depending on how well the thing does. We'll see.

[appleii2mac]

I would suggest that someone try it. It wouldn't be the first (or last) time that a CSR got the answer to an unusual question wrong.

[skubish]

Pretty sure the AT&T Manual says otherwise.

You are correct. THe ATT manual says you can swap the SIM card from the iPhone to another ATT phone and it will work and it will allow that phone to have unlimited data.

[sbrownla]

You are correct. THe ATT manual says you can swap the SIM card from the iPhone to another ATT phone and it will work and it will allow that phone to have unlimited data.

do you have a link? the Apple manual says "you may be able to use the SIM card inside iPhone with another GSM phone." That's it. The Terms of Service say nothing either.

I know that ATT can recognize what sort of data is being used (smartphone/PDA/tether), and I changed my plan to PDA after being charged for PDA use with a smartphone plan...

[appleii2mac]

Over on Howardforums, they are reporting that taking the iPhone SIM and putting it into another phone does work. They say data works as well.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1191016