Best data-only iPhone plan

**gocards44** · 02-04-2012, 07:24 PM

I'm buying an iPhone that I'm going to only use for data (no voice or SMS). I'm not sure how much data I'd use - I check my email, Twitter, etc and read articles on my phone a fair amount but don't watch videos on my phone, and have wireless at home and in the office.

1) What is currently the cheapest unlimited data-only plan? If the cheapest one includes voice, that's fine too. I currently use prepaid SMS/voice on Page Plus, so I'm open to any carrier

2) Which carrier has the best data network in San Francisco?

I'm sorry, I'm sure these questions get asked a lot. If you could point me to some good posts/articles I'll read those and delete this one.

Thanks,
Kevin

**efparri** · 02-04-2012, 07:35 PM

Each of the authorized carriers in the United States offering iPhones require a voice plan along with the data plan. There is only one carrier, Sprint, offering unlimited data. You would have to configure the settings to use the iPhone on any nonsupported carrier.

**daleraver** · 02-04-2012, 08:09 PM

It's too bad you cannot get an iPad 2Gb $25 plan for your phone.

I wonder if it were activated on an iPad, the put in an iPhone if it would be picked up on their system?

**efparri** · 02-04-2012, 10:32 PM

If it worked, it would only work with AT&T. Verizon activates the iPad itself.

**veriztd** · 02-04-2012, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by daleraver

It's too bad you cannot get an iPad 2Gb $25 plan for your phone.

I wonder if it were activated on an iPad, the put in an iPhone if it would be picked up on their system?

Yes, it would be picked up by the billing system. Won't work.

**gocards44** · 02-05-2012, 01:50 AM

What about an unlocked phone?

**XFF** · 02-05-2012, 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by gocards44

What about an unlocked phone?

You can take that to an unsupported carrier if there is one in your area that offers better plans and/or service. Some people like to run their iPhones on T-Mobile, although they lose 3G data when doing so.

**stonedcold** · 02-05-2012, 04:01 AM

A while back I had activated an ipad2 microsim. Didn't even need the device just a valid imei number and AT&T website.

Once active placed micro sim in 3gs locked to AT&T. Didn't even need an adapter as the microsim was not punched out from it's original card.

For 3 months it worked perfectly fine, an iPhone on just a data plan. I eventually abandoned not because anyone shut me down but because VoIP calls use a ton of bandwith and eat up all your data.

Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

**veriztd** · 02-05-2012, 09:30 AM

And unfortunately, "a while back" is the operative phrase. Not as easy to do today. With At&t and Verizon, it will most likely be identified by the billing system once the device tries to connect to the cellular data network.