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AT&T can charge me for using jailbroken iPhone?

sunnysideup said:
what is the point of having wifi feature on an iphone when at&t requires every iphone owner to be on a data plan??
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sometimes i feel i could really get by without the data service and just hit hot spots for access...there are TONS of them in my area...

Anything even remotely close to a Mcdonalds and i get a decent wifi signal. Not to mention everywhere i go, peoples houses, 80% of businesses have wifi.

Im sure im not the only one who feels like this...im sure people would want this, completely cut off data and save the 30$ a month
 
Bad news for anyone on AT&T network trying to get away without the data package on their iPhone it will be automatically added back to the account once the iPhone has been detected on the account. After multiple accounts of your iPhone not being on the correct plan your AT&T account will be closed and the ETF will be applied to your final bill. If you signed a contract with AT&T these were the terms you agreed to. AT&T and Apple both have the data plan as a requirement for US citizens as AT&T is the exclusive iPhone carrier in the US.
 
MichealWeston said:
Bad news for anyone on AT&T network trying to get away without the data package on their iPhone it will be automatically added back to the account once the iPhone has been detected on the account. After multiple accounts of your iPhone not being on the correct plan your AT&T account will be closed and the ETF will be applied to your final bill. If you signed a contract with AT&T these were the terms you agreed to. AT&T and Apple both have the data plan as a requirement for US citizens as AT&T is the exclusive iPhone carrier in the US.
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can you back this up? or is this simply stated in every att contract? i never took notice it stated anything about the iphone when i got my sony ericsson two years ago.
is there anything we can do about this? there seems a huge amount of people who want the iphone without the data plan (me being one of the many).
 
xsecretfiles said:
You should all specify in this thread, from what I gather you are all saying that AT&T knows that you DON'T have a data plan.

Guys, there is a work around that, no need to jailbreak. head over to the fake carrier over site, that's it

I have a jailbroken phone on a media net plan, unlimited and haven't received a single text/email/phone call whatever
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Hey xsecret, I have the same media net unlimited plan, when I pop in my sim card into my jailbroken 3g phone and try to go online it says I dont have the required internet service plan, phone calls work fine though, I'd really appreciate it if you can shed some light on this. Thanks.
 
Alright, I'm not going to wait for AT&T to change my data plan (as I know they can in the contract) and I know that changing to another phone is literally a 2-second fix as the IMEI number will automatically update the phone in their systems and put you back on the list.

So this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to use ZiPhone to change the IMEI number to my old phone (which was a foreign import but it should work for anyone) and see if that fools AT&T enough to think that it's a phone not in their rankings to them.

Congratulations, we've now found a reason to change the IMEI number for a reason other than stealing phones. I'll do this sometime this week as they give us plenty of time.
 
Shanesan said:
Alright, I'm not going to wait for AT&T to change my data plan (as I know they can in the contract) and I know that changing to another phone is literally a 2-second fix as the IMEI number will automatically update the phone in their systems and put you back on the list.

So this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to use ZiPhone to change the IMEI number to my old phone (which was a foreign import but it should work for anyone) and see if that fools AT&T enough to think that it's a phone not in their rankings to them.

Congratulations, we've now found a reason to change the IMEI number for a reason other than stealing phones. I'll do this sometime this week as they give us plenty of time.
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i am thinking about doing the same thing but i heard it only works for 1g and 2g. and it's not exactly "changing" the IMEI, it's "masking" it right? or maybe i'm just putting it in a way to make myself feel better about breaking the law haha. let us know if you successfully accomplished this!
 
thelatinist said:
Yep! Not stealing phones, just to committing fraud.
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Bingo.

Don't like the rules? Don't buy the phone!

This is like someone saying "I like baseball (the iPhone) but don't like the no steroid rule (data plan required rule). I think I will play baseball (iPhone) but use steroids anyway (no data) and try to get away with it."

Jesus people. If you don't like the data plan, a requirement of the phone, don't get the phone!
 
uberamd said:
Bingo.

Don't like the rules? Don't buy the phone!

This is like someone saying "I like baseball (the iPhone) but don't like the no steroid rule (data plan required rule). I think I will play baseball (iPhone) but use steroids anyway (no data) and try to get away with it."

Jesus people. If you don't like the data plan, a requirement of the phone, don't get the phone!
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Yup. So you can take your bat, ball, glove, etc (iPhone) and play in the backyard (with no data) or with your friends or anywhere else (T-Mobile) that has rules that you deem fair. After all, you bought the bat already didn't you?

I like that analogy! :D
 
Shanesan said:
Alright, I'm not going to wait for AT&T to change my data plan (as I know they can in the contract) and I know that changing to another phone is literally a 2-second fix as the IMEI number will automatically update the phone in their systems and put you back on the list.

So this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to use ZiPhone to change the IMEI number to my old phone (which was a foreign import but it should work for anyone) and see if that fools AT&T enough to think that it's a phone not in their rankings to them.

Congratulations, we've now found a reason to change the IMEI number for a reason other than stealing phones. I'll do this sometime this week as they give us plenty of time.
Click to expand...

You know changing or faking IMEI's in a phone is very illegal right? Also, using ZiPhone is very dangerous and can seriously mess your phone as well as truly make it a brick.

As for you, take my advice and pay up the $20/month to AT&T and get this over. If not, by all means go ahead and break your phone. See how you react to that. No you will not make a thread about it, you will simply post here how you failed miserably. And if you do succeed, well, when they catch you, you can post your story from prison.
 
Applejuiced said:
Yes, he'll be in an isolated cell next to Jeffrey Dahmer for changing his IMEI. :D
You people are rediculous..........
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Ok, if you don't believe us, then go ahead change yours and see what happens when your carrier finds out and reports it to the FCC. IMEI's are to identify you and your handset to the network. If you fake those, it's like faking your identity (which by the way is also a crime). So you can be charged for identity fraud, in which case, like many people here have suggested, ends you en jail, next to Bubba.
 
Yeah ok.
And the last time you heard someone going to jail for changing an IMEI is?
NEVER :D
You dont fake your identity you fake what cellphone you're using. They still know who you are and what phone number you're using to acess their network. You're clueless and paranoid and trying to spread misinformation and histeria over nothing.


jav6454 said:
Ok, if you don't believe us, then go ahead change yours and see what happens when your carrier finds out and reports it to the FCC. IMEI's are to identify you and your handset to the network. If you fake those, it's like faking your identity (which by the way is also a crime). So you can be charged for identity fraud, in which case, like many people here have suggested, ends you en jail, next to Bubba.
Click to expand...
 
Applejuiced said:
Yeah ok.
And the last time you heard someone going to jail for changing an IMEI is?
NEVER :D
You dont fake your identity you fake what cellphone you're using. They still know who you are and what phone number you're using to acess their network. You're clueless and paranoid and trying to spread misinformation and histeria over nothing.
Click to expand...

No its called being cautious, and one can never be too cautious. As far as IMEI changing it is illegal.

Why do you think the iPhone community hated Zibri's ZiPhone? Think beside the stolen work and code. Yes, that IMEI ability. In Europe and many places it's illegal if not in a gray zone.
 
My wife and I have been looking into getting iPhones now that our current contract with Verizon is ending. According to AT&T's website the data plan is mandatory. No way around it. At the moment we can't justify paying 60 extra bucks per month for data on top of the voice plans.
I think that message the OP received just means they're going to start charging everyone for the data plan whether you use it or not. It would be a change of service for many people so it would be an opt-out deal for them, but not for any new purchasers.
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/packages/packages-details.jsp?q_package=sku3190234
 

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killerrobot said:
My wife and I have been looking into getting iPhones now that our current contract with Verizon is ending. According to AT&T's website the data plan is mandatory. No way around it. At the moment we can't justify paying 60 extra bucks per month for data on top of the voice plans.
I think that message the OP received just means they're going to start charging everyone for the data plan whether you use it or not. It would be a change of service for many people so it would be an opt-out deal for them, but ... snip...
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It's always been like that for the iPhone ever since it's been capable of 3G. However, AT&T just issued a warning to all smartphone customers that they will have to carry a mandatory plan as of 9/8/09.
 
does anyone know if you put your simcard in while the iphone is turned on that at&t won't be able to detect that you are using an iphone? i read someone posting that somewhere but i have my doubts.
 
jav6454 said:
Ok, if you don't believe us, then go ahead change yours and see what happens when your carrier finds out and reports it to the FCC. IMEI's are to identify you and your handset to the network. If you fake those, it's like faking your identity (which by the way is also a crime). So you can be charged for identity fraud, in which case, like many people here have suggested, ends you en jail, next to Bubba.
Click to expand...

I am curious, what are the terms of the jail sentences that have been awarded in the United States for this act? I just googled, and I wasn't able to find anything.
 
I think people are just paranoid. I'm just going to wait till 9/14 (date of ultimatum), use a different phone for the day (I have some cheap GoPhone's around) and switch back to iPhone on 9/15.

Then I'll see if they still force me to get the data plan. If not, hooray. If yes, I might consider getting the 3GS. I've been using my original iPhone since Oct. 2007, and I don't think I can change back to a normal phone :(
 
I just received an email from ATT regarding this issue

I just sign up for 3Gs iphone last night, so I'm ok.
My wife has the other line with NO DATA plan, we (or ATT) put a block on the data stream, and we bought the EDGE iphone not from ATT. I think we should be OK too, because ATT's threat is "Your voice and SMS services will continue to work; however without data services, you will not be able to email, surf the Web or receive Visual Voicemail" which my wife does not care about (the data plan)


att.png
 
siliconhybrid said:
I just received an email from ATT regarding this issue

I just sign up for 3Gs iphone last night, so I'm ok.
My wife has the other line with NO DATA plan, we (or ATT) put a block on the data stream, and we bought the EDGE iphone not from ATT. I think we should be OK too, because ATT's threat is "Your voice and SMS services will continue to work; however without data services, you will not be able to email, surf the Web or receive Visual Voicemail" which my wife does not care about (the data plan)


att.png
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wait...so that basically means we can still use the iphone without data plan! right? i guess we'll just nagged by at&t to get the data plan but as long as they allow us to use voice and text without automatically adding the data plan to the bill or cutting us off, then it's all good.
 
sunnysideup said:
wait...so that basically means we can still use the iphone without data plan! right? i guess we'll just nagged by at&t to get the data plan but as long as they allow us to use voice and text without automatically adding the data plan to the bill or cutting us off, then it's all good.
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im guessing since there is no real punishment for people if they still do it, why not just do it if you can live without the data plan.

You have Wifi, so you can just hit hotspots...
 
Yeah, today at 9:09AM I received the following message:

"AT&T Free Msg: Important information! Your iPhone does not currently have the necessary data plan required for all iPhones. Please call us by Sept. 14 to avoid an interruption of your data service. Our reps are ready for your call. Just dial 611. We appreciate your business."

This message is identical to the one I got on Aug. 18 except for the "to avoid an interruption of your data service. Our reps are ready for your call." part. I don't care if they stop my data - I'm not using it now and I'm not planning to anyways. :cool:
 
that's weird how they would say "interruption of your data service" when clearly the message was sent because you didn't have a data service -___-
well i just checked my at&t bill and i don't own an iphone (yet) but it even says this:

Data Plan Requirements for Smartphones
An eligible data plan is required for Smartphones (including
iPhone, Blackberry, and PDA devices) per AT&T's Wireless Rate
Plan Terms and Wireless Data Service Terms and Conditions at:
www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/legal/plan-terms.jsp
If you are using a Smartphone without an eligible data plan,
AT&T reserves the right to add an eligible data plan to your
account and bill you the appropriate monthly fee.
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so i'm still somewhat skeptical.
 
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