AT&T sweeping and forcing data plans on all iPhones, CSR computers can't disable

[co.ag.2005]

They were much better when I had them before, and probably wouldn't do things like force a data plan on unsubsidized phones, or phones out of contract. Stop exaggerating what I wrote and embarrassing yourself.

a little testy, huh? ATT must really have you on edge. I didn't exaggerate what you wrote, I was only agreeing with iphone.aggie that people on this forum think if the iPhone was on Verizon there would be zero problems with service and that service would some how come at a very low rate and everyone would get a free puppy too (sarcasm)... guess what, Verizon wants to make money too. Whatever helps their bottomline, they will do it. Your situation sucks, and I'm sorry, but you don't know for sure they wouldn't charge you a data plan on an unsubsidized phone, you are only speculating. Good luck, though.

 

[avediswolf]

I will check this out again, thanks. Unfortunately I am told that the computers were modified to not allow these changes no matter what. I will check about the IMEI change though, thanks.

On a side note not directed at you NewsPaperBoy: It's amazing how many people chimed in here without knowing anything about what they are talking about. I wish people would only make educated comments....



With the original iPhone you were not on the hook for the data plan as you were with the 3G, or if you paid full price for the 3G. The point of the post is that you can't cancel the data plan no matter what, and if you pull the SIM card switch trick, they will simply turn on pay per use and force you to pay up big fees at the end of the month without telling you they did it. This is why I dislike AT&T. And yes, I am in the minority, but there have been many people in many forums that have turned off data since they have mobile wifi, or simply are around wifi hotspots constantly. This trick that may cost many a lot of money is why I'm posting.



I can not remove myself from the contract, I tried that and they said "absolutely not, sorry." Another reason I dislike AT&T now, and hope Verizon is different. Like I said before, I was on Verizon before, and they helped with many issues; I wouldn't see them doing this.

Install the fake APN. It will block all data (except for wifi) so you won't get charged. Also, it does NOT require a jailbreak. Go here: http://www.unlockit.co.nz

Problem solved.



Thank you Spaz, I will check this out later on.

I was with Verizon for 8 years before coming to AT&T. Yes, they have smartphones that Require data plans as well.

 

[question fear]

When you call customer service, select the option for "speak to someone about cancelling your service" that should get you results, as it will take you right to a rep whose job is solely to keep you from cancelling your contract.

And make sure you are telling them it is the original EDGE iPhone...customer service reps are not always educated on every phone (or every version of a phone) so if you aren't being clear they may hear "2G" or "2.5G" and think you mean "3G", because that's the closest to their knowledge base.

It's not a knock on the reps, but consider that in the last 3 years AT&T has carried at least a few hundred phone models...so they're trying to keep track of a great deal of information in addition to the relatively simple iPhone line. So being super duper clear to make sure you're both discussing the rules for the right model is important. And make sure when you get escalated to a manager they are super clear as well. If they jumped mentally to 3G, they could be giving you the wrong answers all over the place and not realize it.

 

[Phil A.]

I can't not use the data plan. The iPhone will automatically use it with certain third and first party software. For example, if I accidentally click the Mail app, it will automatically check the mail and download it even if I have it set to manual. If you are on pay per use, it is impossible to not use some data. And at $1 per 100 KB, it is expensive.

If you absolutely do not want to use data or get a data plan, the best solution would be to jailbreak the phone. Once you've done that, there are plenty of apps available via cydia that will let you turn off Edge and GPRS so the phone will never make a connection except via WiFi. I agree you shouldn't have to do this but if that's what AT&T are now mandating it seems like your only option - trying to fight them will just end up costing you lots of money!

 

[K3mp]

They were much better when I had them before, and probably wouldn't do things like force a data plan on unsubsidized phones, or phones out of contract. Stop exaggerating what I wrote and embarrassing yourself.

Verizon would be totally cool that you don't need data because you have Wi-Fi. Verizon is perfect so the need of Wi-Fi is not a big deal.

 

[TheSpaz]

If you absolutely do not want to use data or get a data plan, the best solution would be to jailbreak the phone. Once you've done that, there are plenty of apps available via cydia that will let you turn off Edge and GPRS so the phone will never make a connection except via WiFi. I agree you shouldn't have to do this but if that's what AT&T are now mandating it seems like your only option - trying to fight them will just end up costing you lots of money!

...or just change the APN settings and skip the jailbreak all together.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I was with Verizon for 8 years before coming to AT&T. Yes, they have smartphones that Require data plans as well.

I thought the exact same. All of these people pissing and moaning about how Verizon will be better are in for a super rude awakening.

 

[samcraig]

"trying to fight them will just end up costing you lots of money"

No.. it won't cost anything but patients and maybe more than one rational and level headed phone call to someone who actually has the knowledge and authorization to settle the matter as per the contract agreed upon.

And as long as it's done immediately, the OP has every right to refute any charges that rack up by referring to his case # or entries in the customer database which documents each call he makes into the system to get assistance.

Working around the problem via "illegal" means will null and void any argument he can make against ATT when/if caught. And furthermore does NOTHING to help the actual problem for any future customers faced with the same issue. If ATT continues to get legitimate calls about this policy and how it breaks the agreement many people made, then they will have to revise their software or procedure to accomplish the required tasks. If ATT isn't notified and/or solutions aren't reached in the proper way then they will NEVER fix the "system" because they don't know it's an issue.

 

[darngooddesign]

Thus, beware everyone. AT&T is presently acting like a big ass, I only hope Verizon gets the iPhone in 1/2010. With Verizon before I switched, and with AT&T up to now, everything was great. Now I am one of those who hates AT&T. I should not be forced to have a data plan if I payed full price, period.

Are you kidding? Verizon will disable wifi to make you use their data and disable GPS to make you use their nav software.

 

[Phil A.]

...or just change the APN settings and skip the jailbreak all together.

Great point - sometimes the simple solutions are the best

 

[Johnnybrav0]

It doesn't matter which phone company you go to...the whole point is that their out to make money...if the Iphone is going to be on Tmobile....Ver....and Sprint...they going to force you to get their data plan...plain and simple....

So if you want something cool you got to pay the price....it's like buying a Luxury car....it cost a lot for gas and maintenance...you don't buy a Benz and put 87 do you?

I would like to thank the Ops for letting us know....I knew the day will come when they start to do this....because it looks like all US cellphone company are doing it with their smart phones.....

 

[larock]

It sure is a bummer they are tightening up on iPhones and data plans. Not everyone has a need to always be connected.

I have both AT&T and Verizon. I have smartphones on each. With Verizon I had to choose a data plan when I purchased the Palm Centro, but called and had data block the next day. No questions or surprise bills.

My only reason for signing up with AT&T was to get the iPhone. The phone is great and having the data plan is a must, for me. But if I were stuck in my office all day, where I have unlimited wifi, I could see doing the sim swap and apn change. It should be an option to not have a data plan (but I can understand why it's not officially).

If the iPhone makes it over to Verizon (which I doubt) and they don't cripple it, I will dump AT&T. Where I live Verizon has better network coverage (and it will be cheaper for me to only pay for one phone plan).

 

[zhenya]

I was a Verizon customer for 8 years and held off until the 3g iphone because I had been convinced of their network superiority. Obviously it all depends on where you use your phone the most, but so far AT&T has much better service for me in 98% of the places I go (especially all over the Mid-Atlantic and New England). Verizon dropped calls just as much if not more than AT&T, and worse, in an area that I worked from, and relied on getting my calls in a timely manner, my Verizon phones would only ring about 1/2 of the time, despite having full signal. AT&T works perfect there. Don't kid yourself that things are going to be so much better with Verizon - this is the same company that gets custom versions of phones made without wifi so you HAVE to use their data network. They aren't going to be cutting you any slack either.

 

[xsecretfiles]

I had the first gen iphone for two years obviously. I was on a Medianet unlimited package the whole time, so I could do mms. I had no problems whatsoever...I'm planning to do the same with the 3gs I hope that works

 

[SFStateStudent]

All CARRIERS want a piece of you. Tell 'em to take a number....

 

[robbrick]

ATT did change their rules and require everyone with an iPhone to have a data plan. Verizon required me to have a data plan on my Treo 700w I had with them; T-Mobile made me pay a data plan to have an unlocked Treo that I didn't buy from them have a data plan to use on their network; T-Mobile made me pay a data plan to use my Sidekick on their network - see the pattern?

Paying full price for a phone DOES NOT excuse you from having to pay for a data plan. If their policy states that to use 'X' device on their network requires a data plan, then no matter what, you're paying a data plan to have that device on their network. No ifs, ands or buts.

I am sure that if you carefully read the contract you're signing or agreeing to, you'll probably see that ATT reserves the right to change the terms as they see fit no matter what or if you're still bound by the contract. Nobody fully reads these things, so they are uninformed.

To make sure you don't have a data plan, get an iPod Touch and a regular phone without data. I am sure this is one reason Apple made the iPod Touch - for people that don't want data, but want an iPhone-like device.

 

[notjustgc]

When I left Verizon three years ago, I felt as though I had freed my very soul from the grasps of hell itself. IMO, Verizon Wireless has a kind of inherent sinister evil that makes AT&T seem downright nice. They will do ANYTHING to suck another penny out of you and keep you from using your phone for anything that might cost them a teeny-tiny bit of bandwidth. Beware.

 

[SFStateStudent]

When I left Verizon three years ago, I felt as though I had freed my very soul from the grasps of hell itself. IMO, Verizon Wireless has a kind of inherent sinister evil that makes AT&T seem downright nice. They will do ANYTHING to suck another penny out of you and keep you from using your phone for anything that might cost them a teeny-tiny bit of bandwidth. Beware.

+1 ^^^ I totally agree; and though I came from Sprint after 10 years, they knew exactly what they were doing. Change to text messaging = 2 year extension to your contract on all 5 phones without you knowing it; any change to your equipment or plan requires a 2 year extension to your plan. That's the only way we stayed with Sprint for 10 years....

 

[mrkgoo]

I sympathise with the OP. In NZ, the iPhone can be bought outright, and thus be used on a prepaid model. The problem is, the prepaid system also allows data use, which I imagine is the default setup - what happens when you have no plan in the US. Of course, in NZ, it's not as bad - it was actually very reasonable: NZ$1 (US65c) for the first 10MB per day, but only on days you used data. The issue was that you would use data on very small things. TEh assisted GPS, for example. Open ANY app that had location services, and you'd use a bit of data, activating your cost for the day. Ad-supported apps? Yup, data. Thus the reason for creating the fake apn.

You can't simply 'not use data'.

I don't think much can be done. A data plan can be disconnected, but I think it will just fallback ont eh pay as you go option, which wouldn't be that bad except the gouging at US$1 per 100KB. That's ridiculous.

 

[iphones4evry1]

I haven't seen this posted, and thought I would warn everybody.

I've had the original 2.5G iPhone for about 1.5 years now, and I of course bought it full price (i.e. not subsidized). I don't need data, since I have wifi everywhere but the road, and couldn't justify it so turned it off. When I did that I of course lost SMS, Visual Voice mail, and the "E" in the top left corner of the menubar disappeared. It was like this for the last 1.5 years, until 2.5 weeks ago.

I noticed the "E" had appeared again, but I still could not receive internet over the cell network. About two weeks ago though, I suddenly realized I had internet over the network. I called and spent quite literally 1 hour, then 2 hours on the phone with CSRs about the issue. It turns out AT&T has now mandated (and is blaming Apple for forcing this by the way, which is BS) that all iPhones, regardless of whether you bought them full price or not, have a data plan. They had turned on pay per use on my phone, and not told me about it. I now had a bill for ~$250 dollars of data ($1 per 100 KB). I told them I bought mine full price and shouldn't need data, the CSR said that the specific wording in the new manual was that all 3Gs have data. Having the 2.5G I said it doesn't apply. Her tech support and manager agreed, but their computer systems were modified to not allow them to turn off data, or to even put a data block on, it was impossible. They erased my ~$250 bill, but said they were only allowed to erase these types of charges once per customer ever. The conversation ended with bascially "tough, you have a data plan now." I, in a little anger, said I would swap SIMS and just have it turned off, then swap back the SIMS. Their response was that they are now sweeping for iPhones and doing this to everyone. And if they caught me doing this, I would not be able to erase the charges again.

Thus, beware everyone. AT&T is presently acting like a big ass, I only hope Verizon gets the iPhone in 1/2010. With Verizon before I switched, and with AT&T up to now, everything was great. Now I am one of those who hates AT&T. I should not be forced to have a data plan if I payed full price, period.

Nice. Thank you for posting this complaint.

For me, I could care less about paying for data and text (because I use a lot of data and text), but what pisses me off is that they require me to have a voice minutes plan of $39.99 for THOUSANDS of minutes every month that I never use (most people I know never use half of their minutes). They need to offer a $19.99 voice minutes plan. This minimum of $39.99 for THOUSANDS of minutes is the reason right now that I HATE AT&T!

update: I just went to their websites and discovered that Tmobile and Sprint have voice minutes plans starting at $29.99.

 

[samcraig]

Nice. Thank you for posting this complaint.

For me, I could care less about paying for data and text (because I use a lot of data and text), but what pisses me off is that they require me to have a voice minutes plan of $39.99 for THOUSANDS of minutes every month that I never use (most people I know never use half of their minutes). They need to offer a $19.99 voice minutes plan. This minimum of $39.99 for THOUSANDS of minutes is the reason right now that I HATE AT&T!

Really? You get 1,000s of minutes for 39.99. Or perhaps you mean 450 anytime minutes and 5000 nights/weekends?

I do agree that it shouldn't matter what voice plan you have as long as you have a data plan though...

 

[mbob]

I gave my 3G to my wife after I got a 3GS and disabled the data in the profile from a link I found here.

Anyways, they have not auto forced the data plan on her phone and I suspect they will not. This phone was properly upgraded and is not any different than the Nokia she was using before. She even qualifies for an upgrade that will be my next iPhone when it releases

 

[iphones4evry1]

You see, I avoid this detection by tethering my iPhone to my RAZR, which then connects via it's own SIM card to the network. haha

 

[ckd]

You see, I avoid this detection by tethering my iPhone to my RAZR, which then connects via it's own SIM card to the network.

Assuming you're not simply joking, how exactly are you doing so? As far as I've been able to tell, iPhone OS has no support for Bluetooth tethering as a client using either the DUN or PAN profiles. If it did, there'd be a bunch of very happy iPod touch 2G owners around.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Assuming you're not simply joking, how exactly are you doing so? As far as I've been able to tell, iPhone OS has no support for Bluetooth tethering as a client using either the DUN or PAN profiles. If it did, there'd be a bunch of very happy iPod touch 2G owners around.

I'm guessing he jailbroke it.