Apple upgraded my 2G to a 3G for free, but what if I don't tell AT&T?

[TheSpaz]

This is what the e-mail said that I got from AT&T:


Weird thing, I had the 2G data plan.. So IDK.. I didn't want to fool with AT&T to much.. an extra $10 a month isn't that bad... (even though I dont have 3G service <_<)

-- Added in VIA Edit --
Also, I checked online when I got this email to see what phone was registered with my account. Sure enough, it had changed from "Apple iPhone" to "Apple iPhone 3G".. So either they keep track of this stuff VIA the IMEI like Flhusky said above.. Or Apple snitched to AT&T, or the guy I talked to about a "hypothetical situation" changed it over... I'm going to go ahead and assume they deduced it was from my IMEI.. Even though when I called to upgrade my plan, they had the wrong IMEI on file and it wouldn't let the rep upgrade me to the 3G plan... So, I guess that does leave someone snitching :-\.. Oh well.

Even thought you don't have 3G service, you still have to pay for the 3G plan because they can't keep track of when you're on 3G or not. You have a 3G phone, so therefore you pay for 3G service. Hmm, I wonder if Apple would come out with NEW iPhone that has GPS, but no 3G radio.... They could use the plastic design of the 3G, but call it just the iPhone.

 

[ec51]

This is what the e-mail said that I got from AT&T:


Weird thing, I had the 2G data plan.. So IDK.. I didn't want to fool with AT&T to much.. an extra $10 a month isn't that bad... (even though I dont have 3G service <_<)

-- Added in VIA Edit --
Also, I checked online when I got this email to see what phone was registered with my account. Sure enough, it had changed from "Apple iPhone" to "Apple iPhone 3G".. So either they keep track of this stuff VIA the IMEI like Flhusky said above.. Or Apple snitched to AT&T, or the guy I talked to about a "hypothetical situation" changed it over... I'm going to go ahead and assume they deduced it was from my IMEI.. Even though when I called to upgrade my plan, they had the wrong IMEI on file and it wouldn't let the rep upgrade me to the 3G plan... So, I guess that does leave someone snitching :-\.. Oh well.

When your purchase the phone they add a iPhone 3G tracking code "feature" to your account. They cant and do not track IMEIs.

 

[djcraze]

When your purchase the phone they add a iPhone 3G tracking code "feature" to your account. They cant and do not track IMEIs.

Yeah... but you see, thats the thing: I didn't purchase the iPhone 3G. Apple gave it to me. AT&T had no knowledge of this transaction..

 

[aerospace]

An activated phone with sim in it will connect to at&t with the best speed it can, 3g or edge depending on coverage(iphone or any other phone regardless of what plan you have)

At&t can not offer an edge only plan because if you went into a 3g area your phone would auto connect to 3g, that's just how the system was built.

You take a 2g sim out and put it in a 3g phone you can get 3g service on the old plan. At&t knows now that you have a 3g phone on it's service now, but yes many have been able to get away with it for awhile and save $10/mo.



Hope that clears it up a bit =)

Edit: Think of it this way, your computer tells macrumors what browser you are using even though it really has no reason to need that info. The site transmits the data to you and your browser decides how to display it. Same for your cell. It connects to At&t and notes what phone you have as you connect. At&t does not have to do anything with that info but they do have access to it just like macrumors can look up in real time how many people on the site are using safari vs firefox(2g iphone vs 3g in this scenario)

 

[ec51]

Yeah... but you see, thats the thing: I didn't purchase the iPhone 3G. Apple gave it to me. AT&T had no knowledge of this transaction..

How are you so sure At&t doesnt catch wind of the transaction? You had to tell Apple your phone number right? When you connect to iTunes it shows your phone number correct? Apple's systems, I am sure have a way to connect to At&t to let them know about the purchase, otherwise how would Apple be selling iPhones in the first place?

Believe me when I tell you that they do not track the IMEIs, when I have switched back and forth between my 2G and 3G in the beggining, they had to always ask for the IMEI - why? Because they cant track it...

 

[NathanA]

I'm not sure where the logic that Apple couldn't have possibly informed AT&T of the transaction comes from. You can buy iPhones in an Apple store from Apple employees, but Apple has their systems tied to AT&T's so that they can activate new lines of service then and there. It's not like you buy the phone at the Apple store and then you are required to call AT&T or visit an AT&T store in a separate trip.

They HAVE to have their systems tied together in this way or else they wouldn't be able to sell it to you for the same subsidized price at the Apple store that they do at the AT&T store; they aren't just going to let you walk out with a $600 device for half its value without some assurance that they will be able to collect it back (== signed AT&T contract).

So I would not only NOT be surprised if Apple customer care has electronic ties to AT&T, but I would EXPECT it. Apple informed AT&T of the hardware upgrade not merely so that you could be billed appropriately, but also so that they could collect on the upfront AT&T payment they get for every phone sale as a part of AT&T's subsidy of the 3G phone model. If they don't report the sale and line activation/transfer, they don't get paid.

I would check with AT&T to see if your contract with them might also have been extended to two years from the date of your receipt of the new iPhone 3G, because if Apple did inform AT&T, it probably means that they viewed the transaction as a new iPhone 3G sale and are requesting the subsidy value/payment for your new phone from AT&T. (Instead of taking cash for the phone, they agreed to take your old EDGE phone in trade, but it's still a "sale.") And when it comes to the iPhone, a new sale can only happen with a contract extension in the world of AT&T.

-- Nathan

 

[Gizmotoy]

When your purchase the phone they add a iPhone 3G tracking code "feature" to your account. They cant and do not track IMEIs.

They track something. A year ago I bought my wife a Q9h to replace her aging Razr. The purchase was made unsubsidized outside AT&T, and we simply swapped in her SIM. AT&T was never informed of the switch. A few weeks later, AT&T had her listed in our online account as using a Q9h.

If they're not using IMEI, they at least have some other means of determining what device you're using.