vB Easy Archive - Blackjacks: Smartphone Connect Plans to be Disallowed

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Blackjacks: Smartphone Connect Plans to be Disallowed
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Posted by: viatorx

Just had a visit to the Cingular store today, and while discussing the Blackjack I questioned whether you could get away with using the Smartphone Connect plans. As luck would have it, the manager I was talking to said that they had just had a statewide conference call today to clear this issue up. Cingular made it very clear that Blackjacks require Data Connect packages, and that use of the Smartphone Connect plan was not a viable option. He also went so far as to say that sometime in the near future Cingular will be implementing some sort of "fix" to watch for Blackjacks on the system not using Data Connect plans. Which is to say, Blackjack users on the Smartphone Connect plan should keep an eye out. This was a Michigan store, but I assume this would be a nationwide endeavor for Cingular, even if it's carried out one region at a time. Thought I would share, even if it is just second hand information at this point I thought it was significant and HoFo Blackjack users might appreciate a heads up.

Posted by: map1978

this is why you go with the mediamax plans. i have mediamax 200 and it is MEANT for the BJ period.

Thats everyones best bet for the data plan for the BJ

Posted by: ivwshane

Quote:

Originally Posted by map1978

this is why you go with the mediamax plans. i have mediamax 200 and it is MEANT for the BJ period.

Did you just pull that out of your ***? Because that couldn't be further from the truth.

Posted by: map1978

No I just know about research and that plan is the way to go. All data plans work on the BJ but..well I dont need to explain myself..you all can figure it out on your own.

Posted by: viatorx

The gist of the conversation was that Cingular is aware of data package manipulation and they are going to start being proactive in trying to stop it from continuing. The bottom line (as it was presented to me) is that Cingular wants Blackjacks on PDA data plans.

FWIW, I wouldn't be surprised (and hope to) to see a revision on the data package nomenclature. Calling the packages "PDA Connect" or "Smartphone Connect" isn't accomplishing anything positive for any of the parties involved.

Posted by: dawggiedawg69

I heard that higher up's want reps to keep track of the blackjacks, and all other PDA's sold and make sure the customer did not switch to Media Max or another data plan. If they did, reps are going call and let them know that they would not be able to use that plan

Posted by: SprintNewbie

what cingular needs to do if its really worried about how much data you use is instead of all these subjective terms, just sell data in buckets. maybe something like 50 mb for 10 (edge phone users), 100mb for 15 (3g phones, light smart phone user), 250 for 20 (normal smart phone user, light PDA), 500 for 30 (normal PDA use), 2 gigs for 40 (heavy PDA, some tethering), and unlimited for 50. And the real kicker should be that these buckets include tethering, data is data, doesn't matter if its 10 mb to your phone or laptop. Something like this would stop all the confussion, give us costomers more control over how much we want to spend for data, and cingular would have more customers watching their data use, thus not abusing unlimited.

Posted by: cyberdrakula

I love my unlimited plan. I use well over 100 mbs a day in bandwidth. I squeeze every bit out of the mega bucks they charge me. Keeps me and my laptop juiced 24/7.

.

Posted by: BTwannabe

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberdrakula

I love my unlimited plan. I use well over 100 mbs a day in bandwidth. I squeeze every bit out of the mega bucks they charge me. Keeps me and my laptop juiced 24/7.

.

i'm with you. i pay these barstiges almost $200/month (i'm a heavy phone user - big minute plan). i better not hear any nonsense about limiting my unlimited data usage. i'll be glad to take my $200/month somewhere else.

Posted by: tdawgmd

That sounds like an idle threat to me--more of a scare tactic to influence you into changing your plans. I was told the same thing when I got my blackjack 4 months ago--"oh no, you can't keep your mediamax plan with the blackjack--they will figure it out and make you change your plan, or your media functions won't work." Well it hasn't happened.

I honestly think that they will have to sell new subscribers on that idea, rather than try to force currents into higher priced rate plans. I would think there would be ground for some class action, or at the very least a lot of early contract terminations if they pulled a bait and switch on us.

Posted by: lopezpm

Can MediaMax and Smartphone Connect get to the same sites? Also can you use Xpressmail with mediamax? One more thing is MediaMax an "Approved Cingular Plan" for the BlackJack?

Posted by: Laser47

I dont understand why cingular would say that we need a media plan in both the instruction manual and the software on the blackjack itself, then turn around and say you need a PDA plan. And also how are we supposed to access CV on the blackjack when their site says that you need a media plan to do so.

Posted by: importluva

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laser47

I dont understand why cingular would say that we need a media plan in both the instruction manual and the software on the blackjack itself, then turn around and say you need a PDA plan. And also how are we supposed to access CV on the blackjack when their site says that you need a media plan to do so.

Before they implement any changes they'll have to change that or else they're shooting themselves in the foot.

Posted by: Foxbat121

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laser47

That's what got Cingular into current mess of data plans in the first place. They can't even agree upon the terms internally.

All data plans work the same on BJ and CV works as well.

If Cingular really want to mess with your data plans, they have all your information on record. They know exactly what phone you're using (yes, your IMEI is transmitted to Cingular everytime you use your phone on Cingular Network) and what data plan you subscribed to. There is really no point of setup additional 'monitoring' process. It is a simple database query to list all the offenders.

Bottom line is Cingular has been threatening us for years and some how still don't know how to do it

Posted by: kb9nvh

Funny, when my kid lost her 1 week old D807 (dont ask), I called cingular and asked if they could see if that imei number was being used anywhere. They told me they were unable to do that and that phone was lost to whoever found/stole it as long as they put their card in it.

Stupid cingular!!! (and my wife for insisting on buying an expensive phone for an 11 yr old)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxbat121

Posted by: MyPyle

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb9nvh

Funny, when my kid lost her 1 week old D807 (dont ask), I called cingular and asked if they could see if that imei number was being used anywhere. They told me they were unable to do that and that phone was lost to whoever found/stole it as long as they put their card in it.

Stupid cingular!!! (and my wife for insisting on buying an expensive phone for an 11 yr old)

they dont have a blacklist like the carriers overseas do

Posted by: rytr23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxbat121

If Cingular really want to mess with your data plans, they have all your information on record. They know exactly what phone you're using (yes, your IMEI is transmitted to Cingular everytime you use your phone on Cingular Network) and what data plan you subscribed to. There is really no point of setup additional 'monitoring' process. It is a simple database query to list all the offenders.

If this is the case then they are truly just incompetent or just a**clowns.. They have never ever had my correct IMEI number when I have called them..

And if its just a simple query then this nonsense about which data plan your on with what device your on would have been a non starter ages ago. It would take a week to find the mismatches and send out letters or call every customer.

God I wish there was real competition..

Posted by: Foxbat121

It's a typical case of left hand doesn't know what right hand is doing. Incompetent is the right word for Cingular. In this case, I believe you can continue to take advantage of whatever data plan you can get on knowing it will be probably another decade before Cingular figure out how to run that simply query I pointed out in year 2007

Posted by: tdawgmd

Agreed with rytr--they still have me down as a v551 I bought 3 years ago when I call CS. I added the blackberry connect plan for my pearl, and the CS rep acted like he couldn't believe there was this magical thing called "ebay" where you could buy phones out of contract.

Posted by: LunaC

What is this ebay you speak of and how do I buy one?

Posted by: DaveTreo300600

When I talked to Cingy earlier this week about the DST patch for my BJ, they said that they could not help me because of my plan (I am grandfathered on the great old Media Works plan). They said that if I were to have any problems with my internet, they would not be able to help be bc of the plan I am on. (Fortunately, I was able to get it sorted out without their assistance.)

Posted by: maevro

I would have to assume that most people purchase the smartphone plan because thats what the rep sells them too when they purchase the phone. When I speak to most of my clients who happen to have the BJ as I do, they all pay $40 per month for data and didn't know about the MM200/MM1000 plans.

Posted by: eimajuno

I have been using my media works unlimited plan for years with many PDA phones. No problems so far. IMO $40 for mobile data is crazy especially since it does not even inlcude text messages.

Posted by: samantha101

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberdrakula

I love my unlimited plan. I use well over 100 mbs a day in bandwidth. I squeeze every bit out of the mega bucks they charge me. Keeps me and my laptop juiced 24/7.

.

wow...that's a lot of data...how much do you do on average a month? Do you have the LaptopConnect plan or PDAConnect?

Posted by: petard

Wirelessly posted (HTC Wizard (Cingular 8125) WM6: SAMSUNG-SGH-I607/I607FG1 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; Smartphone; 320x240))

They wont force people to $40 plans bcausethe would loose many people. I think $20 is a lot for moble data. I use 100MB at most and DSL is only $30 and I download gigs upon gigs.
If they were to force me into a $40 plan, I would cancel it and not subscribe to internet anymore.
I may even switch to T-Mobile, they have great coverage in my area and would cost just as much as I pay now. I just got new phones for all lines on my family plan (ended up not costing anything because I got them from premier and sold the old ones) that I could sell to make up the ETF and more.

Posted by: RF9

Quote:

Originally Posted by viatorx

He also went so far as to say that sometime in the near future Cingular will be implementing some sort of "fix" to watch for Blackjacks on the system not using Data Connect plans. Which is to say, Blackjack users on the Smartphone Connect plan should keep an eye out.

I'd be willing to be the "fix" is that the system won't let a store rep or CS person add "smartphone connect" to an account that has a Blackjack on as record of 'the phone' the customer has. I don't think it's some system that audits accounts or phones in some way.
I've heard doom stories for years about some some magic auditing system that will take care of people using PDAs with the wrong plan. I believe it's simply not cost effective to try to implement some system like this. Not with the way the give price breaks left and right to corporate employees.
I can log in to premiere right now and get $40 PDA connect for $22 because that's the discount you get with my company's FAN. You can chose this with a new rate plan when you upgrade a device. That's on top of breaks on the rate plan, plus service discounts. But I chose Media max because I want the 200 text messags and $5 unlimited M2M messaging.
I don't see why they'd be so concerned with a small percentage of people getting away with their own creative discount as a full price paying consumer.

I think it's a lot of smoke blowing and scare tactics. They've screwed up the marketing of the Media Max plan with the blackjack and someone at corporate in sales got it in their head that a blackjack is a PDA, not a smartphone. So they're trying to enforce this at the sales level. That's my opinion.

Posted by: BTwannabe

Quote:

Originally Posted by RF9

I think it's a lot of smoke blowing and scare tactics. They've screwed up the marketing of the Media Max plan with the blackjack and someone at corporate in sales got it in their head that a blackjack is a PDA, not a smartphone. So they're trying to enforce this at the sales level. That's my opinion.

that sounds about right.

Posted by: importluva

The only way I see changes happening is due to AT&T having full ownership of the wireless company now. Meaning that rate plans will change.

Posted by: Cowboyshootist

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivwshane

Did you just pull that out of your ***? Because that couldn't be further from the truth.

Really? You should take a look at the manual for the BJ. They mention MediaNet all over the place. They don't mention Data Connect at all.

Posted by: Cowboyshootist

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveTreo300600

When I talked to Cingy earlier this week about the DST patch for my BJ, they said that they could not help me because of my plan (I am grandfathered on the great old Media Works plan). They said that if I were to have any problems with my internet, they would not be able to help be bc of the plan I am on. (Fortunately, I was able to get it sorted out without their assistance.)

You should call Cingular back and tell them that since they can't help you then you won't be able to help them with a check every month for the service. Someone was blowing smoke up your backside. You pay for a service. I have never seen any indication in the T & C of the contract that support was not included. There is no service difference between Unlimited MediaNet and MediaMax. Same network, same service, different pricing.

Posted by: samantha101

Quote:

Originally Posted by eimajuno

I have been using my media works unlimited plan for years with many PDA phones. No problems so far. IMO $40 for mobile data is crazy especially since it does not even inlcude text messages.

Maybe I'm on the wrong plan...I have PDAConnect unlimited. How much data do you use every month on average???

Posted by: b3p0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboyshootist

Really? You should take a look at the manual for the BJ. They mention MediaNet all over the place. They don't mention Data Connect at all.

MediaNet and MEdiaMax are two completely different things. MediaNet is thier generic portal, media max is a PLAN. Show me where the manual refers to media max (or any other) data plan.

Posted by: KingJ2002

lol... maybe they will watch out for media max users on pda's... but seriously... this is their own fault for not releasing simpler data plans that's easy for customers.

an unlimited plan for phones (2G / 3G)

an unlimited plan for pda's

just cut the 1MB, 5MB out... cingular prides itself on reputation with it's customers... it's like the main focus of the company... but these plans are confusing to customers that aren't computer literate... and it will hurt our reputation when you have the competition giving you simpler unlimited plans... then have an ongoing problem with explaining a bill on how they went over their data plan... it's frustrating to both parties (customer and representative)

going at&t people will start to compare packages and feel screwed... dsl packages aren't as expensive as these pda and blackberry plans. with things going 3G and phones becoming mini pc's... i hope cingular winds up phasing out media basic / works plans... while making the max packages more affordable.

and with WM6 on the way... the smartphone package will be somewhat obsolete anyway. so i hope a new pricing structure will be available

at&t just added new international data packages for pda's... but it just adds another tier to the almost endless amount of plans and then affordability is always in question

long story short... a simple data plan for all pda's instead of a breakdown by OS would be more beneficial in the long run.

Posted by: MarkK

B3P0 - on your BlackJack, press Start, select (5) Cingular Music, select (4) Streaming Music. This screen, built into the phone itself, specifically recommends a Media Max plan.

Posted by: RF9

LOL. Walk in to a Cingular store, ask for Media Max. When they refuse, say "But I want to play streaming music and it says I have to have Media Max" and show them the screen.

Posted by: philpeeps

actually, it says they "strongly recommend" the media max plan

Posted by: RF9

So strongly recommend they give you the media max plan

Posted by: didefresh2006

I have MEdia Max on my blackjack. It's a lot cheaper than the PDA connect plan and I have 200 texts. If they were to entice the customers into getting 1000 texts or unlimited c2c texts or something in that range, i'm sure that more people could get on the proper plan. And that's without paying the extra $10 for that.

And if they force me to switch to the PDA connect, i'll stop using data altogether because $39 a month is too steep compared to $19.

Posted by: mantra2

I just signed up for the Media Max 200 plan for my blackjack.
Can i setup email with this plan? (i.e. yahoo, gmail) ?

Posted by: solo118

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantra2

I just signed up for the Media Max 200 plan for my blackjack.
Can i setup email with this plan? (i.e. yahoo, gmail) ?

Yes, Its actually pretty neat once you get the hang of it

Go to the messaging icon then scroll down to New Account and take it from there.

Posted by: KDuniverse

Ok. I've been reading all these posts, including the other "mega" thread. This is insane. I went to the Cingular store today, and was told no smartphone plan, at all for Bj. I even called when I got back, and the rep couldn't even tell me, she had to put me on hold for 10min, and ask someone else. No reasoning behind it, other than....actually nothing. There is none. I looked at the site, and do not see mediamax anymore. I did a search, and it's not available with the phone. From the brouchure I got in the store today, the PDA Max is 54.99, with unlimited data, video, and 1000 messages. Oh, I get a $5 discount on a voice plan as well. There seems to be no getting around using this PDA Max plan, that I know of anyway.

Posted by: lopezpm

Quote:

Originally Posted by solo118

Yes, Its actually pretty neat once you get the hang of it

Go to the messaging icon then scroll down to New Account and take it from there.

Will there be a charge for every email retrieved or is it included? Is there a seperate charge to have xpressmail with it?

Posted by: mantra2

Quote:

Originally Posted by lopezpm

Will there be a charge for every email retrieved or is it included? Is there a seperate charge to have xpressmail with it?

Yes, I would like to know this as well.

Posted by: philpeeps

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDuniverse

Ok. I've been reading all these posts, including the other "mega" thread. This is insane. I went to the Cingular store today, and was told no smartphone plan, at all for Bj. I even called when I got back, and the rep couldn't even tell me, she had to put me on hold for 10min, and ask someone else. No reasoning behind it, other than....actually nothing. There is none. I looked at the site, and do not see mediamax anymore. I did a search, and it's not available with the phone. From the brouchure I got in the store today, the PDA Max is 54.99, with unlimited data, video, and 1000 messages. Oh, I get a $5 discount on a voice plan as well. There seems to be no getting around using this PDA Max plan, that I know of anyway.

Media Max -

http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-...atId=cat1470005

Posted by: KDuniverse

I did find it. But, you can't pair it up with the BJ online. I would have to buy the phone, and plan at seperate times. Correct?

Posted by: mantra2

what about xpress mail? can that be used with the media max plan?

Posted by: solo118

I dont see why not, But this method is easier to use so I hear

Posted by: ryank401

ok, so u know how on the cingular site, you add your phone to your account. Well, when I go to "manage features", I see all the MediaMax options and Smartphone Connect Unlimited... If BJ is a smartphone, couldn't you just argue that fact?

So I don't confuse myself, has any of you using the MediaMax 200 been billed any extra for data overages?

I went to talk to a CSR as well and they told me the MEdia basic plan I was using wouldn't work with the pitiful 1MB, (I was using the same service for my previous phone) yet after using internet, it registers usage on their website. If I can get unlimited internet with MM200, i'll cancel out the MBasic and take MM200.

Posted by: kb9nvh

I added smartphone connect unlimited to my blackjack via the website for 20bucks a month extra...after reading all this on here I called and asked if I was going to be billed extra for anything I was doing...they said no that I had unlimited data and not to worry.

I'm still worried .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryank401

ok, so u know how on the cingular site, you add your phone to your account. Well, when I go to "manage features", I see all the MediaMax options and Smartphone Connect Unlimited... If BJ is a smartphone, couldn't you just argue that fact?

So I don't confuse myself, has any of you using the MediaMax 200 been billed any extra for data overages?

I went to talk to a CSR as well and they told me the MEdia basic plan I was using wouldn't work with the pitiful 1MB, (I was using the same service for my previous phone) yet after using internet, it registers usage on their website. If I can get unlimited internet with MM200, i'll cancel out the MBasic and take MM200.

Posted by: ryank401

hmmm... well, i'm wasting money on this crappy plan, might as well try the MM200 and see what happens.

Posted by: mantra2

What is the difference between the Smartphone plan and the Media MAx 200 plan? Both are $20

Posted by: PhoenixTX

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryank401

So I don't confuse myself, has any of you using the MediaMax 200 been billed any extra for data overages?

120MB a month for the last 3 months ... no overage charges at all. Enjoy.

Posted by: PhoenixTX

Quote:

Originally Posted by b3p0

Show me where the manual refers to media max (or any other) data plan.

How about their own advertising that refers to Media Max ... and says you can get the rebate with it!

Posted by: happycamper847

Cingular is a disloyal, un-ethical, and money hungry company. I SAY IT AGAIN CINGULAR IS A DISLOYAL, UNETHICAL, and MONEY-HUNGRY COMPANY. This organization does not care about its customers. They mis-inform their existing and potential customers (lie?) get them tie to a more costly BUT UNNECESSARY plan. Here is my story:

Up until today I had been a Cingular customer for more 3 years. For all those years I have migrated through one Cingular-supplied phone (V551) and three unlocked (non-Cingular) phones. For all of these phones I was able to maintain my voice plan ($39.99 per month) and unlimited Internet access including modem dialup using my laptop and Bluetooth-enabled devices ($19.99 per month).

All of these came to end yesterday when I was suggested by Cingular representative that I need to upgrade my 2G SIM to 3G SIM to get access to Cingular Video. Prior to the upgrade I asked the salesperson if this SIM change would have an impact on my connectivity. The answer I was provided was that “SIM card change does not impact your account whatsoever”.

The 3G card was installed, the old 2G was returned to me no longer valid (which I expected). I noticed that I suddenly could no longer able to dial from my laptop to Internet via my phone over Bluetooth. I checked the connection using a USB cable connection to my phone and also experienced the same problem. I also checked the SIM card in my other phones and experienced the same problems.

I MUST SAY THAT PRIOR TO NOW THESE OPERATIONS HAVE WORKED CONSISTENTLY FOR ME OVER THREE DIFFERENT PHONES USING THE SAME NUMBER AND THE OLD 2G SIM CARD.

I spent my lunch at the Cingular POS office (and POS is not point of sale) chasing down what have happened to all these connection errors. Guess what, what the salespersons and I found out is that Cingular has used the 3G SIM upgrade to prevent my device from being used as a dialup modem. THAT‘S RIGHT! CINGULAR POS HAS PREVENTED MY PHONE FROM BEING USED AS A MODEM, SOMETHING I HAD BEEN FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS! I was asked to call Customer Care because there is nothing POS can do for me.

After spending two more hours on the phone with Cingular CUSTOMER CARE POS, I was told that I need to get the PDA Unlimited Connect to make that phone into a MODEM and that PLAN WILL COST $44.99/month! I asked the representative, Tamara, why? Will have more bandwidth for my data connect? Her answer was no. I asked for them to revert my phone back to 2G. The answer was “it was not possible to do so because we no longer have 2G SIM cards”.

After two hours of alternative discussions and trials, we were at a stalemate. Cingular BOLDLY offered a discount of $34.99/month for three months for the same POS service that I was getting for $19.99 per month. The Supervisor (Janice Lark) finally came on and said that there is nothing else they can do for me, either take the deal and end the call. THIS WAS A BIG INSULT OF MY INTELLIGENCE. WHY DO I WANT TO DO THAT AND REWARD DISLOYALTY? The conversation ended at that point. I will never WORK WITH COMPANY AGAIN!

Why is it UNETHICAL? The right thing that Cingular should do is to recognize their mistake and either revert or provide the PDA Connect Plan at the same cost as the original MediaNet for $19.99 especially when the PDA Connect Plan does not create any additional value beyond the original cost.

Here is my advice to ALL data plan users out there with Cingular, YOU ARE BEING RIPPED OFF BY CINGULAR. THEY ARE THIEVES. IF YOU ARE PAYING FOR A DATA PLAN, YOU SHOULD SWITCH B/C CINGULAR IS RIPPING YOU OFF.

You can switch to T-Mobile and get the same outcome for the same amount of money ($29.99 voice + $29.99 Unlimited data plan). They do not restrict you and even unlock your phone after three months. I checked today and everything work as it should.

TMobile is how phone providers should be. This rigging practice of cell phones to manipulate endusers into higher pricing bracket with no addition gain is SIMPLY HIGHWAY-ROBBERY.

I WILL POST THIS LETTER TO EVERY GSM FORUM I AM A MEMBER OF. THIS PRACTICE IS CLEARLY UNETHICAL, and MAY EVEN BE ILLEGAL. I THINK I MAY EVEN FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FCC!

GOOD RIDDEN CINGULAR POS.

I will take my Nokia E65 Smart Phone to TMobile b/c these people treat me FAIRLY!

Posted by: importluva

Cingular makes it clear which data plans you should go with, but obviously, there are a lot of issues internally that they have to fix. I too think they should change the plans so it's a set price for unlimited data regardless of the device. Get rid of the 1mb and 5mb plans. Get a 50mb, 100mb, 250mb, 500mb, 1GB, 2GB, and unlimited plans at different prices. I think 1-2GB for $40 is fair.

Posted by: PhoenixTX

Quote:

Originally Posted by importluva

Cingular makes it clear which data plans you should go with

They do??? Where?

The employees don't even know which data plans we should be using ... obviously cingular doesn't make it clear for anyone or all of these stupid BlackJack/Smartphone/MediaMax/PDA threads wouldn't exist on HoFo

Posted by: RF9

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantra2

What is the difference between the Smartphone plan and the Media MAx 200 plan? Both are $20

They are identical except Media Max includes 200 messages, Smartphone does not. But in data they are identical.

Posted by: happycamper847

Smartphone and Media Max 200 is the same darn plan. None of this two plans give you the ability to connect your smart phone or dumb phone for that matter as a modem.

Blackjack will be JACKED into the $49.99 data plan realm so more of you will be screwed.

This company is so full of &*%, no wonder why they have the highest consumer complaint rate per user in the industry. Have you all hear of ARPU (Avg Revenue per User)? this is the metric that wireless providers use to measure business success, I think Cingular is operated on an AFPU metric (How much can they do to &*^% the consumer out of the same thing for nothing more).

I am so sof this company and now they are AT & T and PaytoGO with AT & T consumers are also getting the shaft.

Posted by: RF9

Quote:

Originally Posted by happycamper847

None of this two plans give you the ability to connect your smart phone or dumb phone for that matter as a modem.

incorrect.
http://www.gadgetech.info/wireless/cingular/data/ explains plan differences. (my site)

Posted by: BTwannabe

Quote:

Originally Posted by importluva

I think 1-2GB for $40 is fair.

i think 100 GB for $20 is fair. since when did "unlimted" become "not really unlimited". and i really don't care what the TOS says. that roll of TP is so convoluted it really does change "unlimited" to "limited".

i develop condominiums and when we write a prospectus, there's no fine print because its all about consumer protection and everything has to pass muster with the atty general. "special risks" get printed on the COVER of the book. if stinkular had to pass their advertising through the AG, there would be a giant disclaimer at the top of each ad truthfully telling you how limited they really mean their unlimited service is.

"SPECIAL RISK: UNLIMITED DATA IS ACTUALLY LIMITED IN USAGE - SEE PAGE _X_"

seriously...

Posted by: kb9nvh

I have a blackjack, the 20dollar smartphone plan w/no messages. I also have a sim card with the small 3g written on it (My old sim).
i can use mine as a modem (at least in the on 3G areeas)

Posted by: KDuniverse

Can someone please show me how, when purchasing online, you can buy the BJ with the appropriate voice plan, and the mediamax plan? It's not allowed, yet most have it. And, when I talked to a rep yesterday, they were pretty adamant in not allowing anything but pda plan. HOW??

Posted by: lopezpm

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDuniverse

Can someone please show me how, when purchasing online, you can buy the BJ with the appropriate voice plan, and the mediamax plan? It's not allowed, yet most have it. And, when I talked to a rep yesterday, they were pretty adamant in not allowing anything but pda plan. HOW??

Get the PDA plan and change it later on your online account.

Posted by: KDuniverse

and this will work for the rebate?

Posted by: KDuniverse

I talked to a manager, and she had to call me back because she didn't know herself. Turns out that if you don't go with the PDA package, you are missing on the capabilities of the phone, such as the speed, or the internet for that matter. Why is there such discrepency with the company and its plans?

Posted by: kb9nvh

well, why do i get 3G speeds and laptop tethering then?
is it due to my "non flaming 3G SIM?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDuniverse

I talked to a manager, and she had to call me back because she didn't know herself. Turns out that if you don't go with the PDA package, you are missing on the capabilities of the phone, such as the speed, or the internet for that matter. Why is there such discrepency with the company and its plans?

Posted by: solo118

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDuniverse

Thats what they all say....

Posted by: KDuniverse

unfortunately, i do not know enough about the speeds to put up a good argument. wish i did though.

Posted by: happycamper847

How? unless you referring to the lack of messaging. But the key discussion here is the use of the phone as a modem.

From your site:
MEdia Max For use with standard phones with micro browsers $20 /month

Smartphone Connect For use with (non PDA) smart phones. This plan is just another name for MEdia Max plan without included messaging. $20 /month***

"Therefore when using Cingular connect software, laptop card, or any method of tethering with a Media Max or Smartphone connect software, make sure you re-configure it to use the wap.cingular access point."

Your FACTS are not entirely accurate as the SIM Card type plays a key role in the data connectivity. CINGULAR cannot block 2 G sim card b/c the device type cannot be sent to Cingular. Therefore, users with 2 G SIM cards can use Media Max and Smart Phone Connect as modem by getting UNDER the radar. 3G SIM card WILL NOT allow it b/c when inserted, the device type is sent to Cingular. This prevent the user account be blocked from modem access. I tested all the data plans at my Cingular store where my buddy worked so I know firsthand!

This is why CINGULAR is pushing so hard to convert 2G users into 3G SIM. I did it for 2+ years. With 3G SIM (and CINGULAR WILL NOT TELL YOU THIS), these two plans CANNOT be used as a modem for either laptop or gateway for a BT device, unless you buy the PDA/Laptop Connect Plan!

Now, if you figure a hack for the 3G SIM, please post it so we can use it too. There are tons of members who would love to get this information.

If I drive a Mercedes and drive it on the toll road, why should I pay more compare to a guy who drive a Kia? Everyone drives on the same highway. And I did not even get a dedicate lane with the PDA Connect Plan. That is the practice that Cingular is doing.

Posted by: bartolo5

I have a $20/month grandfathered media max plan that I've had for years, and I'm using it now with the blackjack and a 3G sim card with no issues whatsoever. Speeds are very nice in the order of 900kbits/s. Ping times are good too.

Have been using the plan for months now either with the blackjack or by tethering and I've never heard a thing from cingular. The bills come with al the data I've used and i still pay $20 a month.

Posted by: RF9

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDuniverse

and this will work for the rebate?

If you send in for the rebate right away, they'll approve the rebate within 3-4 weeks. After that just log in and change from PDA to Media Max.
However, people on here have been getting the rebate anyway with Media Max (without PDA.) I got the rebate on the Treo 750 with media max. No garuntees, though.

Posted by: fsuscotsman

Happycamper, if you are correct, why do I have to tell Cingular what kind of phone I have EVERY time that I call? I've got an 8525 and they can't seem to figure that out no matter how many times that I call.

Posted by: kb9nvh

Also, if you are right (happycamper) then why am I able to tether with my blackjack, 20/mo plan, and 3G (nonflaming) sim????

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsuscotsman

Happycamper, if you are correct, why do I have to tell Cingular what kind of phone I have EVERY time that I call? I've got an 8525 and they can't seem to figure that out no matter how many times that I call.

Posted by: BTwannabe

additionally, my wife has a flaming 3g sim (that came with my blackjack

) that she uses in her 2125 and she's able to tether with no problems. of course, no 3g, but that's due to the phone, not the sim.

Posted by: solo118

Does it have to be a flaming 3g? Mine only says 3G but it is a 64k card i got about a year ago

Posted by: chillinCHiEF

I purchased a Blackjack and extended my contract on 3/19 a a Cingular store in Philly.

The CS tried to sell me on th PDA connect plan, but I told him since I was getting a smartphone I'd rather get smartphone connect. He said fine, but instead of giving me the $20 plan I thought he would, he gave me some $30 plan that has unlimited data and 1000 text messages and shows up as /SMRTUNL_ALL4 under the add remove features page of the website. Is this something new?