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Captivate doesn't require Data plan (ATT)?

qwertyaas

Android Enthusiast
Aug 8, 2010
373
20
I was looking at my upgrade options and total pricing with regard to the Captivate. When I added the phone as an upgrade, not only did it not make me choose a data plan, it didn't even give me a choice to pick a data plan (at the moment I have just minutes and texts).

Is this an error on the ATT system or you can get the phone and the data plan is only set up once you use the phone?

Because what I am thinking is upgrading 2 lines on my family plan - my line with an iPhone which requires data when you purchase the phone, and the Samsung on the line that will not get Data. I will only use one phone (the Samsung on my line) and sell the iPhone brand new in box. Will that work or will ATT realize when I only have one phone in use on my plan even though I 'upgraded/renewed' two lines?
 
I see. I was actually planning on either giving the iPhone to my brother or selling that one brand new - so as long as I don't use either phone on the second line that I won't be getting a data plan on - it won't be an issue (so I will be renewing two lines but only want a data plan on one - and will only be using one of the phones)?

I'm still confused as why for an iPhone you are required to select a data plan when you purchse the phone, but for the Captivate it's only once you actually use the phone.
 
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Yes, I have a family plan at the moment but with no data plan on any line. I have not upgraded/renewed yet.

Although I looked into it a bit and not sure this would work as I believe there is a different data plan for iPhones - and if I were to use the Captivate on my line I would have to call and switch to the 'regular' data plan - which would probably raise a couple eyebrows about why the iPhone isn't activated (someone correct me if I'm wrong :)).
 
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data plans are required. AT&T was the only network that didnt require it up until a few months ago. If you already had an existing plan with an iphone it likely put you under a $30 PDA plan when you switched to the captivate. The only thing you are grandfathered into is your unlimited plan if you already have it. OR if you already had a smartphone (other than iphone) before the change was made and you keep it, you do not need a data plan.

If you have a smart phone, do not have a dataplan, and you are missing the grandfathered data opt out feature, you will see a data plan appear on your statement. It will more than likely be the 2gb for $25 plan.
 
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data plans are required. AT&T was the only network that didnt require it up until a few months ago. If you already had an existing plan with an iphone it likely put you under a $30 PDA plan when you switched to the captivate. The only thing you are grandfathered into is your unlimited plan if you already have it. OR if you already had a smartphone (other than iphone) before the change was made and you keep it, you do not need a data plan.

If you have a smart phone, do not have a dataplan, and you are missing the grandfathered data opt out feature, you will see a data plan appear on your statement. It will more than likely be the 2gb for $25 plan.

The odd thing is now I have a Blackberry but no data plan. When I add the Captivate, it doesn't even allow me to choose a data plan. With the iPhone, I must choose a data plan before checking out (on the website).
 
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The odd thing is now I have a Blackberry but no data plan. When I add the Captivate, it doesn't even allow me to choose a data plan. With the iPhone, I must choose a data plan before checking out (on the website).


that is odd, but when you switch devices it will put it on... The system will catch its mistake so you may as well just add it from the get-go.
 
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Bumping this thread as I don't want to start another. Again, I went to the AT&T Premier site and added the Captivate to cart for $199 but with no option to add or upgrade plan options.

If there is no option to even add or upgrade features/plans, is this even contract renewal or the price of the phone (the only price is shows is $199 - no discounted price, nothing)?
 
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So, what if I am on an old plan, using a Nokia E71 "smart phone" that I purchased on my own with no data plan. I can add unlimited data for $15. If I want to purchase new Captivate thru AT&T or Walmart will I be able to keep unlimited data? I added data yesterday, should I call and let them know that I am currently using a smart phone? Thanks, Nelson
 
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The $15 unlimited data plan is not one for "smartphones". It won't work on the Captivate.

If you have that plan and then get the Captivate, AT&T's system will automatically pick this up and change it. You can't get around it. Their system knows what kind of phone you have by the IMEI number and will cross-check that with what plans are allowed and not allowed.
 
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The $15 unlimited data plan is not one for "smartphones". It won't work on the Captivate.

If you have that plan and then get the Captivate, AT&T's system will automatically pick this up and change it. You can't get around it. Their system knows what kind of phone you have by the IMEI number and will cross-check that with what plans are allowed and not allowed.

This is what they told me when I tried to buy it off contract in the store. I had been using a Tilt2 I bought on eBay with a $15 unlimited family data plan that was added in February 2010 when I got the phone. I called and made sure it was legit since the Tilt2 was considered a smartphone and it showed up as my device in my online account even though I bought it elsewhere. I figured the rep didn't know anything or that they considered a Tilt2 "unimportant".

When I talked to the store rep when buying a Captivate, he said I had to change my data plan since it didn't cover smartphones. When I asked why since I had been using unlimited data on my Tilt2 for months, their system showed that I had been using a Samsung dumbphone (that I upgraded to a year before). They kept insisting I change since "they'll find out and change my plan", so I went to BestBuy and bought it there with no fuss whatsoever. Since then I've used data like a mofo and my "Check Data Usage" contact says 397.1 (mb) of Unlimited. I still get HSDPA speeds and max upload speeds (compared to other non-HSUPA devices).

I guess I just got lucky.
 
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So those being grandfathered in with unlimited data had a "smartphone" plan that no longer exists or is visible on AT&T's site? Thanks for clearing this up. Nelson

Correct. They had the old $30/month "unlimited" (5GB) data plan for smartphones. AT&T is letting users who already had that plan prior to its discontinuation keep it on their line, even if they upgrade/replace phones, but users who don't have it already can no longer get it.
 
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Bumping this thread as I don't want to start another. Again, I went to the AT&T Premier site and added the Captivate to cart for $199 but with no option to add or upgrade plan options.

If there is no option to even add or upgrade features/plans, is this even contract renewal or the price of the phone (the only price is shows is $199 - no discounted price, nothing)?

As noone answered this, I took a screen of my 'upgrade' page. See how the Samsung doesn't mention anything about contract [this is a premiere account by the way].

attx.png
 
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See where it says View details and offers? The data plan requirement is listed there. When you go thru the whole ordering process, it will ask about the data plan, if you do not add it.

Nope, not for phones other than iPhones. Even if I want to add a data plan, it will not give me the option. I would have to manually add it from my account.
 
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Per my friend who owns the AT&T store that I bought my phone from. I couldn't buy the phone without a data plan. But there is a way for him to remove the data plan later if I did not want it. I asked him if they checked by IMEI number and he says they only look at iPhones.

I think it's BS that they require data plans with these phones. Nearly every will be a smartphone at some point...
 
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Per my friend who owns the AT&T store that I bought my phone from. I couldn't buy the phone without a data plan. But there is a way for him to remove the data plan later if I did not want it. I asked him if they checked by IMEI number and he says they only look at iPhones.

I think it's BS that they require data plans with these phones. Nearly every will be a smartphone at some point...

Ya, I think for any phone other than iPhone (if your account is 'eligible [?] for it), it will only add a data plan if you put the sim card in. If you buy the phone but never use it on that line, I don't think it will upgrade to data.


I currently have at&t and was looking at this Samsung. I have the unlimited plan (5gb) now for my Iphone 3gs which I am grandfathered in. If I get this phone and root it, will it be comparable to a Jailbroken Iphone 3gs? Or if I change carriers what does a typical data plan run per month say with Sprint or Verizon?

The plans should be around the same ($30/month). But if you already have unlimited on AT&T, you should be able to keep it but just call them and make sure you tell them you still want it.
 
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