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Just got off the phone with AT&T and confirmed you WILL lose your unlimited data plan

I would love to keep my unlimited data, but I know that I've never even reached 1GB of data usage. However, if I am told to switch or it happens I wouldn't really fight it :\ but if you guys do use more than 2GB then go for it.

I love how AT&T said they are trying to give people choice and not just have a 1-size fits all, yet we cannot have the choice of having unlimited data for those who do take full advantage of it. Tethering is a rip-off as well and it's a shame that those w/ unlimited cannot take advantage of it.
 
PLin said:
I called yesterday to ask the same question, and I was told that if I use a regular phone for a few weeks, I wouldn't lose my unlimited data plan unless I called to give them the IMEI number of the regular phone and asked them to remove the plan. She said that the plan would not be removed if I don't call them, but I would obviously have to keep paying for something that I'm not using.
Click to expand...

That's the original answer I got when I first talked to an AT&T rep...why such inconsistency in responses....at this point I wouldn't trust anything, so I'm going to put my sim into anything and just go phoneless for a couple weeks :)
 
I had mine removed when I started using a go phone by the AT&T rep and then re-added it befrore the 7th and as of today I still have it. Here's hoping that continues. Maybe if you had it before the 7th you would be ok.
 
g8orballboy said:
Ha, never noticed the call forwarding option...two questions....is it free? And how do I turn it off when I get the new phone?
Click to expand...

If you're forwarding, I think it's double-leg billing, so you'll be charged for the incoming call, and charged for the outgoing call.

Of course, if you're forwarding to another AT&T wireless number, it's "in-network," so you'll only be charged for the incoming call. And, of course, if you're receiving a call from another AT&T wireless number, that call is free as well.

We're only talking about two weeks of non-AT&T, peak-time, voice minutes used, so unless you're a heavy talker, you should cruise by until the 24th with no problem.

To turn it off, go back into Settings, Phone, Call Forwarding, and click to turn it Off.
 
BeyondtheTech said:
If you're forwarding, I think it's double-leg billing, so you'll be charged for the incoming call, and charged for the outgoing call.

Of course, if you're forwarding to another AT&T wireless number, it's "in-network," so you'll only be charged for the incoming call. And, of course, if you're receiving a call from another AT&T wireless number, that call is free as well.

We're only talking about two weeks of non-AT&T, peak-time, voice minutes used, so unless you're a heavy talker, you should cruise by until the 24th with no problem.

To turn it off, go back into Settings, Phone, Call Forwarding, and click to turn it Off.
Click to expand...


Sweet, my work phone is an ATT BB Bold, so I should be good to go. Thanks for the advice :)
 
PLin said:
I called yesterday to ask the same question, and I was told that if I use a regular phone for a few weeks, I wouldn't lose my unlimited data plan unless I called to give them the IMEI number of the regular phone and asked them to remove the plan. She said that the plan would not be removed if I don't call them, but I would obviously have to keep paying for something that I'm not using.
Click to expand...

That's right.. Don't rock the boat and you probably won't lose it. I've been using a GoPhone for almost two months now and my account still has the iPhone unlimited data plan on it.
 
PLin said:
I called yesterday to ask the same question, and I was told that if I use a regular phone for a few weeks, I wouldn't lose my unlimited data plan unless I called to give them the IMEI number of the regular phone and asked them to remove the plan. She said that the plan would not be removed if I don't call them, but I would obviously have to keep paying for something that I'm not using.
Click to expand...

^This is correct.

I just called and got the same info. Only if you call them and have them switch your IMEI number to a non-iPhone, will your data plan be dropped. Ive been using my dumb phone for almost 2 weeks already and have had no issues with losing my data plan.
 
Upgrade cost

BeyondtheTech said:
Want to keep or get an unlimited data plan even after June 7th?

  • Grab an old iPhone 2G.
  • Put your SIM card in it.
  • Restore iPhone.
  • Activate iPhone on iTunes with the $20 unlimited 2G data plan + 200 texts.
  • Hang out with iPhone 2G until the 24th when your iPhone 4 comes in.

If you don't want to use your iPhone 2G or just borrowed one to get the plan back on:
  • Go to Phone options and forward your calls to another number.
  • Pull out SIM card, leave in drawer.
  • Give iPhone back.
  • Tell people not to text you until the 24th when you activate your new iPhone 4.

When you activate your iPhone 4, you'll have the option to choose the $15 DataPlus, $25 DataPro, or the grandfathered $30 unlimited data plan.

Have a nice day.
Click to expand...

Would this also allow me to upgrade at the fully subsidized price of $199 and $299 as those with 3g and 3gs phones are getting? I just recently signed a 2 year contract and am only eligible for the reduced prices of $399 and $499 currently but have an 8gb 2g I could reactivate.

Thanks,
Joshua
 
I've had to use a regular phone numerous times since the original iPhone and the dataplan never left my plan. As long as you don't tell them you changed your phone, they don't care.
 
christyn said:
Some people are losing their data, some people aren't.

It's hit or miss, just depends on whether you're willing to gamble with it, I've already had a friend who not only lost her data plan, but they also took away her upgrade since she's no longer an iPhone user in AT&T's eyes.

I personally will go all 1990's with no cell phone until the 24th to be on the safe side.
Click to expand...

THIS. You run the risk of loosing your upgrade as well as your unlimited data plan.

millerb7 said:
wow... well per "Kevin" at AT&T corporate they WILL drop your unlimited data plan if you put the sim into another phone.

He told me that if they hadn't done it yet, they do periodic checks (wouldn't give me any time of time frame) on the phone plans on accounts, and when they notice it, they drop you off since you don't need it any longer.

He then told me if this happens, you CANNOT get the unlimited plan back. No if, and, or buts... just not gonna get it back.

Anyways, that's what I got when I just called 30 seconds ago.
Click to expand...

This is true. Once you loose the unlimited code, it is no longer available in the system to be added back.

saccento said:
then in this case could we still get early upgrades if we have one in 2010?
Click to expand...

No, that rule applies to iPhone accounts.

BeyondtheTech said:
Want to keep or get an unlimited data plan even after June 7th?

  • Grab an old iPhone 2G.
  • Put your SIM card in it.
  • Restore iPhone.
  • Activate iPhone on iTunes with the $20 unlimited 2G data plan + 200 texts.
  • Hang out with iPhone 2G until the 24th when your iPhone 4 comes in.

If you don't want to use your iPhone 2G or just borrowed one to get the plan back on:
  • Go to Phone options and forward your calls to another number.
  • Pull out SIM card, leave in drawer.
  • Give iPhone back.
  • Tell people not to text you until the 24th when you activate your new iPhone 4.

When you activate your iPhone 4, you'll have the option to choose the $15 DataPlus, $25 DataPro, or the grandfathered $30 unlimited data plan.

Have a nice day.
Click to expand...

BINGO! This is exactly correct.

g8orballboy said:
Ha, never noticed the call forwarding option...two questions....is it free? And how do I turn it off when I get the new phone?
Click to expand...

They charge you for the minutes. Just go into settings and turn it off.

saccento said:
they might take the iphone data plan off, and put the bb plan on.. watch out.
Click to expand...

Any smartphone unlimited plan is grandfathered, so no biggie....unless they put on a new capped plan. Either way, he was talking about forwarding.

ulbador said:
That's right.. Don't rock the boat and you probably won't lose it. I've been using a GoPhone for almost two months now and my account still has the iPhone unlimited data plan on it.
Click to expand...

Not true. There are stories from plenty of MR users that they were hit by a system scan. They didn't rock the boat. This is an automated process and nobody knows how often they run it.

Speedracer04 said:
^This is correct.

I just called and got the same info. Only if you call them and have them switch your IMEI number to a non-iPhone, will your data plan be dropped. Ive been using my dumb phone for almost 2 weeks already and have had no issues with losing my data plan.
Click to expand...

See above...this is incorrect. You can be dropped if they catch it via one of their random scans.

i-John said:
I've had to use a regular phone numerous times since the original iPhone and the dataplan never left my plan. As long as you don't tell them you changed your phone, they don't care.
Click to expand...

Not true, you just didn't get scanned during the time it was in your phone. I do this as well when I go to the lake, but since I do it for such short periods its doubtful I'd see a change. You'd have to have some really bad luck if they ran the scan during that short period you made the switch.

joshuahandrich said:
Would this also allow me to upgrade at the fully subsidized price of $199 and $299 as those with 3g and 3gs phones are getting? I just recently signed a 2 year contract and am only eligible for the reduced prices of $399 and $499 currently but have an 8gb 2g I could reactivate.

Thanks,
Joshua
Click to expand...

Maybe, it's worth a try. Nobody knows though.
 
joshuahandrich said:
Would this also allow me to upgrade at the fully subsidized price of $199 and $299 as those with 3g and 3gs phones are getting? I just recently signed a 2 year contract and am only eligible for the reduced prices of $399 and $499 currently but have an 8gb 2g I could reactivate.

Thanks,
Joshua
Click to expand...
No, the example of using the original iPhone instead of a dumb phone or a GoPhone, was to keep an iPhone on a line while they sold their iPhone 3G or 3GS.

The old original iPhone activation loophole was closed back in July 2008 shortly after launch of the iPhone 3G. :(

Dave
 
dave006 said:
No, the example of using the original iPhone instead of a dumb phone or a GoPhone, was to keep an iPhone on a line while they sold their iPhone 3G or 3GS.

The old original iPhone activation loophole was closed back in July 2008 shortly after launch of the iPhone 3G. :(

Dave
Click to expand...

I think he's thinking more of the current 6 month bump that all iPhone accounts got. You don't think it's possible they will scan again?

(I liked that loophole :))
 
I used a flip phone from probably around 1938 for a while and didn't lose my data plan, granted I have a 3GS now so I can't guarantee they wouldn't of yanked it off; they just hadn't in the time that I used the phone.

Other than that all I have to say is "you can lose your rope if it is tied too loose." ;)
 
Geckotek said:
<Snip>
Click to expand...

So I guess bottom line is that no one really knows for sure...people are getting conflicting reports on both sides. So to say someone is right or wrong seems like a moot point.

All I know is that I sold my 3G and hope that no funny busisness happens with my account before the 24th. ;)
 
joshuahandrich said:
Would this also allow me to upgrade at the fully subsidized price of $199 and $299 as those with 3g and 3gs phones are getting? I just recently signed a 2 year contract and am only eligible for the reduced prices of $399 and $499 currently but have an 8gb 2g I could reactivate.

Thanks,
Joshua
Click to expand...

Geckotek said:
I think he's thinking more of the current 6 month bump that all iPhone accounts got. You don't think it's possible they will scan again?

(I liked that loophole :))
Click to expand...
No and No.

He was asking he could get the full subsidy by using an original iPhone on the contract he just started. He already got the 6 month bump, that's why he was offered the $399/$499 for the new iPhone 4 even on his recent contract.

Recall, the 6 month bump is only going to get the "Early Upgrade" pricing if the line's upgrade date is after Dec. 31, 2010 (with some restrictions). The full subsidy is / was for iPhone lines that already had an standard Upgrade Eligible date on or before Dec. 31, 2010 (aka this year and high MRC customer) :D

Dave
 
So, how do you sell your old iPhone 3GS? Take the SIM out? Put in a GoPhone SIM? I would like to do this before the 24th, but not sure how. Is it considered "unlocked" if I pull the SIM?

Any help is appreciated.
 
Geckotek said:
Any smartphone unlimited plan is grandfathered, so no biggie....unless they put on a new capped plan. Either way, he was talking about forwarding.
Click to expand...

hey guys, long time reader but new poster to these forums. I agree with Geckotek.

I was on the phone with an ATT rep yesterday and asked about this very issue. I recently sold my iphone 3g and temporarily switched to a blackjack II and kept a smart phone unlimited data plan. I was asking whether or not i would be able to keep my unlimited data plan when i switch back to an iphone and they said that switching from any smartphone unlimited data plan would be grandfathered in when i go back to the iphone. She read it right of an "official" document they had, and gave me examples such as going from a blackberry to an iphone, or an iphone to a blackberry, or a blackjack to an iphone, etc..

I think as long as your going from a smart phone device to a smartphone device, there should be no issues.

hope this helps!
 
I am using a bb just sold my iphone 3gs i am on a family plan and im not the main account holder. You think i would be caught by a scan? or would be a little luckier than the rest?
 
swap your sim into another phone ie: razor or bb whatever.

login to your mywirless account and it will still think your using an iPhone 3G or 3GS whatever you have. Your unlimited data will not be taken away as of June 7th.
 
Kawjumper201 said:
I am using a bb just sold my iphone 3gs i am on a family plan and im not the main account holder. You think i would be caught by a scan? or would be a little luckier than the rest?
Click to expand...

Caught by the "scan?" Probably. Will it affect your unlim plan? No, not according to the above poster indicating that youre safe going from smartphone to smartphone.

When Ive put my SIM in another smartphone i. e. an HTC Tilt, within several days the picture will change from iphone to TILT, therefore, AT&T does detect a new phone.
 
mlyon said:
So, how do you sell your old iPhone 3GS? Take the SIM out? Put in a GoPhone SIM? I would like to do this before the 24th, but not sure how. Is it considered "unlocked" if I pull the SIM?

Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Pull the SIM...wipe the data ("Erase Content and Settings")...hand it to the buyer. It's NOT unlocked. They need to put their SIM in it.

Loves2spoon said:
swap your sim into another phone ie: razor or bb whatever.

login to your mywirless account and it will still think your using an iPhone 3G or 3GS whatever you have. Your unlimited data will not be taken away as of June 7th.
Click to expand...

Since we have people on the forum that have reported otherwise, I'm going to say you are wrong and need to stop telling people to do this.
 
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