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AT&T Wifi only, no dataplan

carbon3c

Newbie
Jul 18, 2010
25
0
My son wants a phone that allows wifi access, but no dataplan on AT&T. I've heard that we can buy a phone from someone else, insert his sim card, and then he can use it without a dataplan. Is that possible? What if the phone was originally sold by AT&T, will that still work? Can all the Android configuration be done over Wifi instead of a dataplan?

Thanks.

carbon
 
I've heard that we can buy a phone from someone else, insert his sim card, and then he can use it without a dataplan. Is that possible?

That is correct. Just make sure that the phone is unlocked and is quad-band.

What if the phone was originally sold by AT&T, will that still work?

Yes. I'm not 100% sure on this, but I don't see why it wouldn't.

Can all the Android configuration be done over Wifi instead of a dataplan?

Yes.
 
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Thanks, Ussj!

Ok now an even trickier question...

If I buy an AT&T phone directly from AT&T for my wife, but she doesn't use it, instead gives it to my son, calls AT&T and tells them that her sim card is back in her old phone, so they need to cancel her dataplan. Then once canceled, she "sells" the phone to my son who unlocks the phone and inserts his sim card....

Will AT&T force him to get a dataplan, or can he skate by with wifi only? We're all on the same AT&T account, so I'm worried that they will see the recently purchased phone and trigger a dataplan.
 
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Moved to the AT&T forums.

I think that AT&T will require a data plan on any smartphone like other US carriers do.

Per their ToS FAQs AT&T Wireless Customer Agreement - Wireless from AT&T

an eligible tiered pricing data plan is required for certain Devices, including iPhones and other designated Smartphones. Eligible voice and tiered pricing data plans cover voice and data usage in the U.S. and do not cover International voice and data usage and charges. If it is determined that you are using a voice-capable Device without a voice plan, or that you are using an iPhone or designated Smartphone without an eligible voice and tiered data plan, AT&T reserves the right to switch you to the required plan or plans and bill you the appropriate monthly fees. In the case of the tiered data plan, you will be placed on the data plan which provides you with the greatest monthly data usage allowance. If you determine that you do not require that much data usage in a month, you may request a lower data tier at a lower monthly recurring fee.
 
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I think that AT&T will require a data plan on any smartphone like other US carriers do.http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/articles-resources/wireless-terms.jsp
This. If they recognize your IMEI as a smartphone (Android, Blackberry, iOS, WP7), they can just add a data plan to your account. Might not happen right away but they do system sweeps so you can probably expect a data package added to the account sooner or later.

As far as I'm aware, the only major carrier that doesn't require a data plan if you bring your own device is T-Mobile.
 
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This. If they recognize your IMEI as a smartphone (Android, Blackberry, iOS, WP7), they can just add a data plan to your account. Might not happen right away but they do system sweeps so you can probably expect a data package added to the account sooner or later.

As far as I'm aware, the only major carrier that doesn't require a data plan if you bring your own device is T-Mobile.

Happens as soon as you install the AT&T SIM, and register an AT&T branded "smart phone" on the network.
 
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This. If they recognize your IMEI as a smartphone (Android, Blackberry, iOS, WP7), they can just add a data plan to your account. Might not happen right away but they do system sweeps so you can probably expect a data package added to the account sooner or later.

As far as I'm aware, the only major carrier that doesn't require a data plan if you bring your own device is T-Mobile.

I guess I was wrong, or maybe it's different in Canada. I had a friend use an iPhone and a Nokia N96 on Rogers prepaid a few years ago without any issues.
 
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Just buy a unlocked smartphone that's NOT AT&T branded on amazon, ebay, etc. and then have your son drop his sim card in it. There are some basic Nokia smartphones with WiFi on amazon and they should work fine on AT&T, without the system automatically adding a data plan to it.

My son wants a phone that allows wifi access, but no dataplan on AT&T. I've heard that we can buy a phone from someone else, insert his sim card, and then he can use it without a dataplan. Is that possible? What if the phone was originally sold by AT&T, will that still work? Can all the Android configuration be done over Wifi instead of a dataplan?

Thanks.

carbon
 
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I don't know if this would help but I have an app called "Toggle net switch widget" which allows you to turn off the wifi, 3g, bluetooth, etc. If you installed it and turned off the 3G so it was never on, then At&t wouldn't detect it on it's network, maybe :thinking:
As AT&T doesn't look at the data use but rather at the IMEI, this isn't really any help. My dad's dumb phone wasn't getting any signal so I put my dad's postpaid SIM inside my LG Quantum with cellular data disabled for like 5 minutes to test if it was the phone or SIM with the problem and the next day, the LG Quantum showed up on the account page. Promptly switched it back to his actual phone so was never hit with a data plan. Besides, I don't think AT&T can just add a data package to your account right away. As far as I'm aware, they still need to notify you first (could be via text, email, bill) before they can add one to your account.
 
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Sorry if I'm hijacking, so I just received a Samsung Galaxy S2 (the at&t model) from my aunt. If I do not want to get charged for data, I have to unlock it or would I have to return it and get the international version?

Neither will work for long. AT&T does not permit a smartphone on its network without a data plan. They will identify the model by IMEI and add it to your plan.
 
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Thanks, Ussj!

Ok now an even trickier question...

If I buy an AT&T phone directly from AT&T for my wife, but she doesn't use it, instead gives it to my son, calls AT&T and tells them that her sim card is back in her old phone, so they need to cancel her dataplan. Then once canceled, she "sells" the phone to my son who unlocks the phone and inserts his sim card....

Will AT&T force him to get a dataplan, or can he skate by with wifi only? We're all on the same AT&T account, so I'm worried that they will see the recently purchased phone and trigger a dataplan.


U will have a dataplan. No way around it. Just get ur son a gophone plan and use let him use that, gophone smartphone plans don't require data. $50 unltd talk/text. Unlimited wifi
 
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Neither will work for long. AT&T does not permit a smartphone on its network without a data plan. They will identify the model by IMEI and add it to your plan.

Hmmm, what if I get an unlocked? (So I could use it for T-mobile) I really want to invest in an Android because I think the Wi-fi comes in handy a lot for me, but there isn't any point if I buy it but won't be able to use the wifi
 
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Yep, what they said. As soon as your device connects to AT&T's network, the system can see the IMEI and SIM info for the device. They usually will start charging you for a data plan that they automatically add to the line right away. I don't think they are even required to notify you of this at the time, because it is spelled out in AT&T's terms and conditions of your contract.

If your son wants a WiFi-only device, you might want to consider getting him something like an iPod Touch, that can connect to WiFi but does not require a data plan. Otherwise, you'll just have to accept that like death and taxes, it is a certainty that AT&T will charge you for a smartphone on their network.
 
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Hi! I'm thinking about getting an unlocked Samsung Galaxy Mini Android. I do not want to pay for data (I just want to use WIFI) because I'm around wifi 90% of the time. If I buy one that is unlocked can I just insert my sim without AT&T automatically charging me data? Is there something I can do to the phone so AT&T doesn't charge me?
 
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Hi! I'm thinking about getting an unlocked Samsung Galaxy Mini Android. I do not want to pay for data (I just want to use WIFI) because I'm around wifi 90% of the time. If I buy one that is unlocked can I just insert my sim without AT&T automatically charging me data? Is there something I can do to the phone so AT&T doesn't charge me?

No, not really. You phone will be itentified as a smart phone and a data plan will be required.
 
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I've purchased an unlocked quad-band Android OEM (non-branded) smart phone directly from China manufacturer to replace my old ATT Nokia 2600 without data plan.

The new device recognizes a Nokia SIM card but unable to connect ATT network.
I called ATT customer support and a guy asked me to insert SIM card into Android to look what version SIM card is of.

Then he replied I need a new SIM card from local ATT store. He doesn't mention a data plan or whatever similar. Tomorrow I will know how it works if it will.

Selection of what handheld to use, smart or regular is my right and limiting me in this issue is my consumer right violation. In case ATT will insist, I'll file complaints to FCC and our state Attorney General.

Know your rights and protect them.

You will need a data plan if you get a SIM card from AT&T.

Filing a complaint to the FCC will do nothing, as they do not regulate business, and it is completely legal for companies to make whatever rules they want. It isn't a law to own a cell phone, so therefore AT&T can do whatever it wants.
 
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