Didn't they pass a law recently that you have to be able to transfer your number to a different carrier? I thought I heard something like that awhile ago, but maybe I'm just crazy.
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AT&T's iPhone FAQ and Policies
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Didn't they pass a law recently that you have to be able to transfer your number to a different carrier? I thought I heard something like that awhile ago, but maybe I'm just crazy.
I bet it is mandatory because so many people would opt out of it because of the EDGEiness.
Oh well, not much we can do about it - yet
Did you watch the video?
As I explained in my post, the Apple video shows a procedure where you cannot "transfer" your phone number from one AT&T line to another AT&T line. I can get multiple contracts, and can cancel the old month-to-month contract, but then I would have a different phone number.
You know, it sounds to me as though you have not watched Apple's video about the activation procedure. You are arguing from "common sense" when the whole point is that Apple seems to have implemented an iTunes-based procedure that violates common sense in depriving us of some options that would be routine if we were dealing with a human who could adapt his response to our needs. I understand that you "don't think" it should be this way, but you are only explaining what you think, not what Apple has shown us.
As I explained in my post, the Apple video shows a procedure where you cannot "transfer" your phone number from one AT&T line to another AT&T line. I can get multiple contracts, and can cancel the old month-to-month contract, but then I would have a different phone number.
You know, it sounds to me as though you have not watched Apple's video about the activation procedure. You are arguing from "common sense" when the whole point is that Apple seems to have implemented an iTunes-based procedure that violates common sense in depriving us of some options that would be routine if we were dealing with a human who could adapt his response to our needs. I understand that you "don't think" it should be this way, but you are only explaining what you think, not what Apple has shown us.
Right, that's what I was referring to. If AT&T (by oversight so common to cell carriers) has forgotten to make a way for you to transfer an existing AT&T number (that is not under contract of course) to a NEW iPhone plan, just sign up for service with another carrier (one with free cancellation for 30 days) and take your number with you. Then transfer your number back when you activate the iPhone on a new plan. Sounds convoluted? That's life sometimes.
And you just keep ignoring what I said in my original post, as though I were somehow ignorant of your actual concern. As I explained when we first started this conversation, I understand how ignorant and frustrating AT&T can be, it's in their nature. Just transfer the number to another service first, then cancel that service. I know it's a hassle, but probably one that's well worth it to keep your phone number, right?
I would guess either sign up as a new customer (cause you're not under contract) or just add the data plan to your existing plan and call to change it to the iPhone plan. No reason for them to deny this request.
The safest will be to just go into the store and tell them what you want and let them figure it out.
I think they've covered the vast majority of customer situations with the iTunes thing, but it can't possibly catch every situation.
Here's a question... Just like stated above I will purchase an iPhone on the family plan but I will want to add a standard phone as the second phone. Cost should be $100.00 forr iPhone 1450 min and unlimited data plus 9.99 for the standard phone sharing the 1450 min. I would activate online, but the video shows only activating a family plan with 2 iPhones. There does not seem to be a way to activate within iTunes for 1-iPhone and 1-Standard phone. Am I missing something???
I think you might be making it more complicated. Just add the IPHONE data to your existing line...log into your cingular/at&t account online and remove any of the excess things (like 200 text you might be paying for 2.99 etc and your other data plan). you can easily modify your plan within the contract. you just have to HAVE a contract. Adding and removing features and plans is a part of any contract and it can be done online very easy.
you actually end up saving a little money by having an existing plan (i'll be getting my normal 600 minutes unlimited for the price of the 450/5000.
I think it will be a lot clearer after Friday. Personally I'm planning to wait until next week when all these questions are answered. If it really ends up not being part of the iTunes activation, I'm sure you'll just call to alter the plan. Obviously, since they take the time to mention getting a family plan with 1 iPhone, there's going to be a clear way to accomplish this. (Where "clear" means, someone knows how they're planning to do it, right now as I write this).
To have a regular phone and iPhone a family plan, it seems to be the iPhone family plan + $9.99.
Metro atlanta.
Drive a nice car in downtown Atlanta. For some reason a white guy in a suit looks unable to defend himself.
I think you wrong. I cant imagine apple making completely different phone for other markets. Im pretty sure its gonna be exactly the same phone. So why go with the hassle of locking the phone on hardware level?? That would juds add to overall cost of production. I can bet my left testicle that within two weeks someone will hack it to work with any SIM card. Except of visual voice mail of course, but I dont think its a big issue
All this talk about not being able to change your plan is just plain silly. I have been a Cingular customer for years and I can tell you for a fact that on the AT&T website, when you login to your wireless account, there is a big blue button that says "Change My Rate Plan." I have been successful using this method even while on contract. I have also changed features and subtracted a line from a family plan over the phone with their customer service people, also while still on contract. They have never given me a problem about changing rate plans, contract or not.
I understand that the iPhone must be activated through iTunes, but I find it very hard to believe that you can't log in to the AT&T account website and update account information / view your bill at any time. Unless of course Apple is handling all of the accounts... but from what I've read, this isn't the case.
I understand that the iPhone must be activated through iTunes, but I find it very hard to believe that you can't log in to the AT&T account website and update account information / view your bill at any time. Unless of course Apple is handling all of the accounts... but from what I've read, this isn't the case.
Ok... so let's say that it isn't locked on a hardware level, just software. If indeed it is unlocked by someone, do you think Apple will allow it? The next time it is plugged into your computer to sync with iTunes (or even a software update) it will lock down again, probably with a different code/procedure. The phone is an AT&T exclusive for five years and people just need to accept that fact and move on.
No, probably somewhere in South Atlanta
Naysayer(s): you know it's true so don't even try to play it off.
Well they dont mind
TV being hacked. Granted its a little different situation but frankly I dont think they will fight it like Sony with PSP. And considering European market with som many different providers it would be overwhelmingly complicated to try to block your phone every time you connect it to your computer. No I think that we will see unlocking codes flying around very soon. At least I hope so I need a phone with exchangable SIM. Not gonna pay some crazy roaming charges 6 months a year. Time will tell.
Not necessarily-they're just saving you the step of popping the SIM out of the little card and installing it in the phone. My guess is if you're a current ATT subscriber, you could install your existing SIM.
As for unlocking, separate issue. Presumably the phone can be unlocked, but it's going to be difficult to do so. Most phones need at least a code supplied by the cell co. Why would this be different?
AT&T has posted a FAQ for the iPhone and service activation. Much of the information was known, but clarifies activation policies:
- $499 for 4GB, $599 for 8GB iPhone
- 2-year service agreement required
- iPhone is not eligible for Wireless Phone Insurance; iPhone is covered by Apple Warranty
- No business discounts
- iPhone must be activated before it can be used. Pre-installed SIM card.
- Activates "within a few minutes"
- 14 day return policy. If opened, there is a 10% restocking fee.
- Existing AT&T wireless customers will need to add an iPhone Data Plan.
awesome!!! all i have to do is add a data plan.... Well hey its better than having to buy a new plan right? i'm also shocked about the so called "sim tray" that was pronounced at the beginning. I wanted to be able to swap out sim cards... However, i will be buying my iPhone friday, and wait till Gen 3 to upgrade again. Hopefully by then they will have a true sim tray.
Thanks
!! I Can't wait any longer!missing link
But what if one person's drivel being consumed on somebody's iPod is another person's vaunted creative output of his beloved Mac? Any cognitive dissonance about that? Eh?
But what if one person's drivel being consumed on somebody's iPod is another person's vaunted creative output of his beloved Mac? Any cognitive dissonance about that? Eh?
To me the most interesting thing about this FAQ is that there is no limitation on who can buy an iPhone, even if you are currently under contract to AT&T. I'm currently on AT&T and out of contract, I get upgrade to a new family plan, get 2 free phones today, then buy the iPhone next week and migrate the plan to that iPhone for an extra $20 a month.
The benefit of me doing this of course is that I can sell the 2 new phones I got for free on Ebay for close to $300 and put that money towards the iPhone, essentially creating my own phone subsidy.
Yep, this is definitely what I'm going to do.
The benefit of me doing this of course is that I can sell the 2 new phones I got for free on Ebay for close to $300 and put that money towards the iPhone, essentially creating my own phone subsidy.
Yep, this is definitely what I'm going to do.