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New data plans and how they effect people upgrading to the new iPhone
- Thread starter weezite
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Well, you just clip or trim the SIM card to make it into a microSIM.
No they don't need to know that. Remember, a hand me down is already activated, no need to reactivate it. All you need is insert a new SIM with the right plans and ready.
Huh? Not sure I understand what you're saying. The SIM doesn't have a plan on it, the account does. And the account cannot have the code for an iPhone data plan added unless an iPhone IMEI is currently active on the account.
Any idea if those of us upgrading from an original (non-3G) iPhone can keep our current unlimited data? I'm paying $20 a month now, can I upgrade to unlimited at $30 or will I be limited to a cap?
But, again, how do you get the iPhone 4th gen? Apple/AT&T have never allowed new launch iPhones to leave the store without being activated on a new or current line of service? So you'd either have to add a new line of service to an existing contract, or upgrade an existing line, and if you do that, you would have to choose one of the new plans, losing the unlimited plan (assuming they DON'T allow grandfathering onto an upgrade to the iPhone 4th gen).
Exactly... The account has a data plan for phone number 453-555-1234. The SIM is linked to that same number. Hence AT&T doesn't need an IMEI number to add a data plan. In fact they don't need an IMEI number to add anything to your phone. All you need to do is call AT&T and tell them I want x plan on my number.
They will it add it and you will receive it thru your SIM.
Well, you go to Apple and ask for a new iPhone (or AT&T) and tell them your information. Then as AT&T promised you get grandfathered in. Not Rocket Science.
That's not the case. The system locks the CSRs from performing certain steps on users accounts unless certain prerequisites are in place. I know because I've run into this before.
Keep trying all you like, but I'll bet you won't be successful until you pop your SIM into an iPhone or at the very least provide them an IMEI from an iPhone.
Like I said, this method works because 3 of my friends already did it (one of them never has had an iPhone). They sold their 3Gs in anticipation of the new one (thanks to Gizmodo) and did away their data plans like 2 weeks ago. Now, they heard about AT&T's new data plans and asked me what do. Told them what I told you guys here. Call AT&T, ask them to put a $30/month data plan because you got a hand me down.
And is the last part of that story that the CSR complied and was able to add the plan w/o an iPhone being on the account?
Yes... read HAND ME DOWN. As in, I am not inserting a SIM in their because I'll get raped on data charges before calling AT&T.
That wouldn't prevent you from powering on the phone and providing the IMEI. So saying "hand me down" over and over means absolutely nothing.
The real question here is do they truly need an iPhone on the account to add the iPhone data plan or not. Based on what you're saying I guess they don't, but that's not how I've understood it in the past when I trade between my BB and iPhone.
Maybe it depends on the region you're in, and the system they are using? (I know originally after the AT&T/Cingular/Bell South merger stuff that different regions of the nation were running different legacy computer systems). I know that any time you call in to change a data plan here in GA, you cannot finalize the change until you give an IMEI of an appropriate device. I know this because I frequently switch back and forth between my 3GS and Nexus One (plan originally has iPhone data plan listed), and almost every time I switch to the Nexus One, within 3 days the AT&T system kicks me off the "iPhone data plan" to the generic smartphone unlimited plan and I lose Visual Voicemail. When I switch back to the iPhone, to get my visual voicemail back, I have to call in and tell them to add the iPhone data plan back to my account. Each time I do this I am required to give the IMEI of the iPhone, and they won't proceed without it. Just had to do it last Friday going back to my iPhone.
I called the local AT&T store and they had no idea about the new plans and had no idea how an upgrade would work. Before I hung up, they thanked me for informing them
. When I spoke to corporate customer service, they were a little more informed but were also prying me for any news!Here's my deal: My iPhone was stolen a few weeks ago, so rather than buy a new one with the 4G around the corner, I just had my old clam-shell reactivated. The AT&T rep canceled my data plan at that time as I wouldn't be using it, but as the wording on the new rates was somewhat equivocal, I wanted to make sure I was still an "iPhone user" so that I could continue with the same unlimited plan that I've had for the past few years. The corporate rep told me that I was no longer an iPhone customer because the local AT&T rep had switched me back to the clam-shell, however she said she would reinstate my data plan (pro-rated) and that would keep me listed in the system as an iPhone user and therefore eligible for the grandfathering. Fingers crossed they keep their word!
As my data has never come close to the 2gb cap, I'm not too concerned about going over if I switch to the $25 plan. But I want to see how the new functions and apps work first, and find out exactly how much data they will be sucking up.
Although I've never really had any issues with AT&T in the past, selling the 3G iPad with an unlimited plan and then canning it within a few weeks seems pretty sleazy. I can't help but wonder if the grandfathering users will find the same thing happening to them a couple of months down the road.
I called the local AT&T store and they had no idea about the new plans and had no idea how an upgrade would work. Before I hung up, they thanked me for informing them
Problem is exactly this. WHY do people always insist on calling a store or CSR the minute new is released? They usually are very badly informed if informed at all when things like this are announced.
Stop bugging the CSRs. Give this a few days to settle in and for them to get properly trained.
I called the store because they were the ones who assisted me in switching back to the clam-shell. I then called CSR and they were able to get things fixed up. I'm not sure I see your problem and neither one made it seem like I was bugging them, nor was I insisting anything.
I actually work for a large company like this and we periodically roll out sales and deals as well. But generally, we are trained and up to speed before the news is released so that we can field calls as they come in -- releasing the news and then training the staff seems a little bass-ackwards. Anyhow, I was just posting my experience -- which was positive as the guy in the store referred me to the person who could address the issue.
Even the facebook page, where all of this information started from, when people specifically ask about upgrading to the 4G iphone, the reps claim "We don't have anything to announce on a new iphone and you'll have to check with Apple on that. Thanks!"
It very well might be that you can keep the plan when upgrading to the new iphone, but it seems that it's still not cut and dry yet - and won't be until Apple makes the iphone official.
I called the store because they were the ones who assisted me in switching back to the clam-shell. I then called CSR and they were able to get things fixed up. I'm not sure I see your problem and neither one made it seem like I was bugging them, nor was I insisting anything.
I actually work for a large company like this and we periodically roll out sales and deals as well. But generally, we are trained and up to speed before the news is released so that we can field calls as they come in -- releasing the news and then training the staff seems a little bass-ackwards. Anyhow, I was just posting my experience -- which was positive as the guy in the store referred me to the person who could address the issue.
While I was replying to you, I wasn't really thinking of your situation. There are tons of people that call just for the information. They don't really need to make a change.
And that's great that your company is well trained, but the fact of the matter is that this is not usually the case with wireless carrier CSRs.
I'd say typical. My wife hasn't gone over 150 MB in the past 6 months, and my daughter hasn't gone over 500 MB in the past 6 months.
In addition, I think at&t said that only 2% of their customers go over 2GB.
This is true. I got a rep to allow me to upgrade to a 3GS at $199 even though I wasn't elligible for the $199 price (bought a 3G 10 months earlier). Every rule can be broken, you just need to find someone to do it.
Why do I get the feeling AT&T is setting the 98% up for some reason? You think there's some killer app around the corner which they know people will jump on big time, but sucks data like crazy? Like the video chat someone mentioned?
And as someone else asked...any news on the 2G owners with unlimited plans? Will we be grandfathered into the 4G unlimited, albeit at the 3G $30 rate?
Update: As seen on MR's front page, it looks like 2G owners will be allowed to upgrade to the unlimited $30 plan.
But they repeatedly said that you will be able to keep your $30/mo unlimited plan through future upgrades. Of course they can't confirm that there will be a new iPhone; they'd get into all kinds of trouble with Apple for that. This is what they said about a half hour ago: