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T-Mo Nexus on AT&T - detectable?

Well, they know a device is on the network and using data, if that's what you mean, but if you mean able to identify phone make and model and address it directly, no. They can't do that with the AT&T version either.

Incorrect. AT&T has all of the IMEI/ESN's of the AT&T Nexus Ones. They don't have the IMEI/ESN's of the other version of the N1, but they can detect it using parts of the IMEI and ESN when the device registers on the network. The level of data collected at the Cell Tower switches is staggering. I know, I used to have to parse through the RAW data from those switches when I worked for AT&T Wireless a few years ago.

IMEI = International Mobile Equipment Identity
ESN = Electronic Serial Numbers
 
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so at&t would figure out if a non-AT&T version of a Nexus is on their network? I ask since some have mentioned the HTC Desire (the Telus model) being "non-detectable" by AT&T from an IMEI standpoint. Had heard the AT&T Nexus One however was identifiable. But wasn't sure about the T-Mobile Nexus One (obviously, only on Edge though). I'd put up with Edge if it meant I could use a non-smartphone data plan based on using a device that at&t can't identify.
 
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Incorrect. AT&T has all of the IMEI/ESN's of the AT&T Nexus Ones. They don't have the IMEI/ESN's of the other version of the N1, but they can detect it using parts of the IMEI and ESN when the device registers on the network. The level of data collected at the Cell Tower switches is staggering. I know, I used to have to parse through the RAW data from those switches when I worked for AT&T Wireless a few years ago.

IMEI = International Mobile Equipment Identity
ESN = Electronic Serial Numbers

Interesting. When I asked the AT&T rep he said that the only way they'd get the IMEI from my phone is if I gave it to them.
 
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so at&t would figure out if a non-AT&T version of a Nexus is on their network? I ask since some have mentioned the HTC Desire (the Telus model) being "non-detectable" by AT&T from an IMEI standpoint. Had heard the AT&T Nexus One however was identifiable. But wasn't sure about the T-Mobile Nexus One (obviously, only on Edge though). I'd put up with Edge if it meant I could use a non-smartphone data plan based on using a device that at&t can't identify.

They may not be able to detect that it's a Nexus One, but they WILL know that it's not and AT&T phone and can dig further for information and just block you or force you to a smart phone plan.

Interesting. When I asked the AT&T rep he said that the only way they'd get the IMEI from my phone is if I gave it to them.

Yeah, those reps get enough training to sell you a phone and give you some support. VERY few, if any that the general public would run into, understand the way data flows from the cell tower switches to the monitoring/billing system. Unless you have actually logged into a switch and watched the files scroll through or taken captures to analyze, there is no way to really appreciate the sheer amount of data they collect instantly on everything that hits their towers. When you are driving down the road, not on a call, not using any data, your phone is constantly pinging towers to make sure it uses the best one in case you need to do something (that's how they can track your location and whereabouts, at any given time (you see them do this on CSI like shows)). The only way to keep this from happening, is to turn your phone off, and even that is tracked.
 
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They may not be able to detect that it's a Nexus One, but they WILL know that it's not and AT&T phone and can dig further for information and just block you or force you to a smart phone plan.



Yeah, those reps get enough training to sell you a phone and give you some support. VERY few, if any that the general public would run into, understand the way data flows from the cell tower switches to the monitoring/billing system. Unless you have actually logged into a switch and watched the files scroll through or taken captures to analyze, there is no way to really appreciate the sheer amount of data they collect instantly on everything that hits their towers. When you are driving down the road, not on a call, not using any data, your phone is constantly pinging towers to make sure it uses the best one in case you need to do something (that's how they can track your location and whereabouts, at any given time (you see them do this on CSI like shows)). The only way to keep this from happening, is to turn your phone off, and even that is tracked.

Well it looks like it's time to invest in a tinfoil jockstrap ... forget the hat, protect the important stuff.
 
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