vB Easy Archive - Unbranded Centro Data Plan?

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Unbranded Centro Data Plan?
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Posted by: lmhw

My Centro is unbranded, to be used on our existing ATT family plan. I'd like to add a line. I've read mixed answers on this forum regarding when a phone requires the $30 PDA plan or the $10 media net (family plan with unlimited msg).

The phone is not 3G, uses the Edge network...unbranded. Not much internet use but will have email delivered. Obviously I think it should be the less expensive data plan.

Does ATT require me to tell them what the phone is so they can determine the correct data plan?

What does ATT require when you add an unbranded phone and new line to an existing plan?

Thank you.

Posted by: mbranscum

If your phone is unbranded call and get the MediaNet Unlimited for $15/month. The system will only recognize it as an unknown because it is not a branded ATT dedvice.

Posted by: efparri

The Palm Centro was only offered as a GSM model for AT&T Mobility. Does your phone have the AT&T logo? Changing the firmware does not change the IMEI. If the phone was originally issued by AT&T Mobility, it is an AT&T Mobility phone forever.

Posted by: mbranscum

Wirelessly posted (Nokia E71-2: Opera/9.60 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.2.13918/482; U; en) Presto/2.2.0)

Quote:

Originally Posted by efparri

The Palm Centro was only offered as a GSM model for AT&T Mobility. Does your phone have the AT&T logo? Changing the firmware does not change the IMEI. If the phone was originally issued by AT&T Mobility, it is an AT&T Mobility phone forever.

Not true. Palm also offers an unbranded version for $199.

Posted by: lmhw

The phone was purchased by me directly from Palm for $199.

When I go to add a line, won't they ask me what kind of phone it is?

Is there a functionality difference between the speed and ability to do things on the different data plans, or are they the same other than cost?

Since ATT also sells a Centro, will the IMEI identify it as a Centro to Palm?

The only reason I hesitate to just put it on the $30 plan (other than the cost) is that this phone is not 3G or wifi and it really doesn't seem to do any more than the new feature phones they are putting out on ATT for the lower cost plans...Centro actually does less (streaming tv, radio, etc) than the Impression or the Xenon which are on the lower cost plans. Can anyone tell me what distinguishes the Internet ability on this phone to qualify it for the higher plan so it doesn't feel like I'm being taken? I do not do much on the internet on my phone other than very occasional looking up weather or location and having email delivered.

Posted by: adgrant

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmhw

The phone was purchased by me directly from Palm for $199.

When I go to add a line, won't they ask me what kind of phone it is?

Is there a functionality difference between the speed and ability to do things on the different data plans, or are they the same other than cost?

Since ATT also sells a Centro, will the IMEI identify it as a Centro to Palm?

The only reason I hesitate to just put it on the $30 plan (other than the cost) is that this phone is not 3G or wifi and it really doesn't seem to do any more than the new feature phones they are putting out on ATT for the lower cost plans...Centro actually does less (streaming tv, radio, etc) than the Impression or the Xenon which are on the lower cost plans. Can anyone tell me what distinguishes the Internet ability on this phone to qualify it for the higher plan so it doesn't feel like I'm being taken? I do not do much on the internet on my phone other than very occasional looking up weather or location and having email delivered.

It "qualifies" for the higher plan because of the Qwerty keyboard. If you pay the $30 you are being "taken" but if you had the AT&T branded device, you would have no choice. However, with the unbranded device you can probably get away with the $15 plan.

Posted by: efparri

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmhw

Go to http://selfcare.mycingular.net:8082/scgui/ , enter your phone number and see what phone model, if any, shows up. If it shows as the Palm Centro, you will not be able to purchase any other data plan than the PDA. If it shows up as unknown or your previous model, you can purchase whatever is permitted by that model.

Posted by: lmhw

Just to update: today I was at the ATT store to replace my daughters ruined phone and upgrade my son phone. They both wanted the Xenon so we added a line and did the buy one get one free xenon promotion. Representative put her sim in one of the new xenon. This left an old Krazer to hold the new line sim card until my contract expires from work after end of May at which time he said come back to port the new number .

I noticed that online, both the kids new phones show up as xenon right away, and the new sim shows up as the Krazer (once I turned it on). Then I put the new sim in the unbranded centro to see if its identified and it says device unknown. Back to the old att Krazer, and it shows up as the Krazer again.

Therefore, the $10 data plan will be available to add to the line even when the sim is in the unbranded centro because it shows up as a unknown device. My kids are both using a LOT more internet on Xenons that I will ever use on the slow centro...both types of phones have qwery keyboards, the Xenon is 3G the centro is not, etc.

Posted by: FormerRuling

Yes....The account manager online offers you the cheaper data plans when your phone is listed as "unknown" to the system.