Iphone 2G or 3G without data plan

[lemonbutter]

AT&T says that as of Sept 9, 2009, all Smartphones require a data plan. I have been with AT&T since 2007 (don't think I signed their 2009 Smartphone contract) and have never had a data plan or texting, just basic $39.99/ month service. I would like to get an iphone (actually my brother would like to give me one of his old ones - he has a 2G and 3G he wants to rid of) but I don't want AT&T to tack on the data plan.

- Can either of these phones still be used as a phone without the data plan by jailbreaking and disabling Edge?
- Can I still use it via wi-fi?
- And is the 2G or 3G easier or better to do this with?
- Is there a way to keep AT&T from detecting the iphone on my plan and how do I activate the phone without going through AT&T?

thanks in advance!

 

[MaxBurn]

No you must get data, they detect and add it automatically. Maybe you could get around this on a prepaid SIM, not clear on that.
Can use wifi whenever you want.
Is either phone unlockable? You could try tmobile.

 

[Applejuiced]

You will get away with a 2G iphone, 3G and higher models they will add a data plan to your account.
Unless you go prepaid AT&T gosim like said above or unlock and go to Tmobile.

 

[martiansoldier]

You will get away with a 2G iphone, 3G and higher models they will add a data plan to your account.

Since when has AT&T been doing this?

My wife has used her iPhone 3G for over 2 years until the end of September 2010 without a data plan. She has been out of the country since the end of Sep 2010 and her line has been suspended since she left. She'll be back in 3 weeks and I'd like to know if they'll tack on data when her line is re-activated.

 

[lemonbutter]

How do you "get away" with it with a 2G and not 3G?

 

[Applejuiced]

Since when has AT&T been doing this?

My wife has used her iPhone 3G for over 2 years until the end of September 2010 without a data plan. She has been out of the country since the end of Sep 2010 and her line has been suspended since she left. She'll be back in 3 weeks and I'd like to know if they'll tack on data when her line is re-activated.

Most likelly they will.
A few get lucky and get away for a while but they eventually catch on cause their system does scans for iphones with no data plans.
It has been going on since the summer of 2010 and on.

How do you "get away" with it with a 2G and not 3G?

I guess with the 2G they havent been adding data plans automaticly to people just people with 3G, 3GS and iphone 4 models.
Maybe cause its Edge data only or they dont classify it the same as the other smartphones out.
All you do is install a fake apn on the phone and block all carrier data. www.unlockit.co.nz
And use data only thru wifi.