Can I unlock and not buy a data plan?

**stclair49** · 06-03-2012, 08:03 PM

You can use an Iphone you buy off market and use it on AT&T prepaid service. You will have voice and messaging. You don't have to buy data or subscribe to a data plan. You can use it on wifi for all the data usage.
Just make sure it is a GSM model Iphone, it could even still be an AT&T locked Iphone. Any smartphone used on AT&T's prepaid side do not require a data plan.

**Droiiiiiiiiid** · 06-03-2012, 09:14 PM

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1446373

Have fun!

**veriztd** · 06-04-2012, 06:14 AM

If anybody buys a phone as suggested, make sure it has both 850 and 1900 mhz frequencies for At&t's mobile network.

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**choisir** · 06-06-2012, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by XFF

As a rule of thumb, any model phone not sold by AT&T will not be recognized and thus the data plan requirement cannot be enforced.

Is this really true? Any smartphone that AT&T has never sold will be detected? When I talked to them on the phone they made it seem like they're able to detect any smartphone ever (sounds implausible, but just want to make sure before I take the plunge and buy something unsubsidized).

I live in a city where you can barely go anywhere without having wifi access, so for me, data is just an extra fee I'm paying every month for buying an AT&T phone.

**veriztd** · 06-06-2012, 07:21 AM

As a former CS rep, they can determine the model of the phone many, but not all of the time, even if the customer never provided the IMEI or model of phone. The key is that previously it was not strictly enforced but now it is more enforced. There are well known cases where smart phones are not detected as mentioned by XFF.

**ROKstrr** · 06-06-2012, 08:18 AM

answer(s) provided are CORRECT - AT&T will detect the iPhone & add a data plan.

The market for iPhones is still there & any iPhone can be sold online (Craigslist, etc). I currently use a NOKIA N8 which would fulfill your requirement & NOT require a data plan (I use $10 unlimited dumbphone / feature phone data) with wifi @ home. You may be able to sell the iPhone for the same price as an unlocked phone... or use a prepaid sim !

**vietalogy** · 06-06-2012, 09:49 AM

Best way to use a iPhone is to use it on AT&T prepaid via straight talk.

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**choisir** · 06-06-2012, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by veriztd

As a former CS rep, they can determine the model of the phone many, but not all of the time, even if the customer never provided the IMEI or model of phone. The key is that previously it was not strictly enforced but now it is more enforced. There are well known cases where smart phones are not detected as mentioned by XFF.

Is there a list anywhere of the IMEIs they look for? Thanks

Ed I saw the list of phones they don't detect posted earlier but looking for the reverse

**veriztd** · 06-06-2012, 01:00 PM

There is no database list of IMEI's that will get swept available for a consumer. The general rule of thumb is if it was never carried by At&t it won't be detected. Unbranded Nokia phones and Sony Ericsson phones are rarely swept in my prior experience as a CS rep for At&t.

**deecee52** · 06-07-2012, 08:17 AM

I have been on Att for years transitioning from an old moto stumble through an Cingular branded startek and Google nexus n1. With the startek, I had a cheap media net plan which I used with the n1 for four months until it was "swept" by AT&T. I've never been able to get the dumb plan back, even switching back to the startek.

Now my 92 year old mother has a pantech dumb phone that is capable of going on the internet. We had a few data disasters with that so we put a data block on it. The phone still gets mms on it even though she can't figure out how to see our use it. Lol

I've also data blocked another phone on the line. Speak to customer service and see if they will do it for your iPhone. Don't see why not. It could still be used on a pre paid or internationally with a different sim. Alternately provision another old phone, data block line and switch phones.

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**Sam73065** · 06-07-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by deecee52

I have been on Att for years transitioning from an old moto stumble through an Cingular branded startek and Google nexus n1. With the startek, I had a cheap media net plan which I used with the n1 for four months until it was "swept" by AT&T. I've never been able to get the dumb plan back, even switching back to the startek.

Now my 92 year old mother has a pantech dumb phone that is capable of going on the internet. We had a few data disasters with that so we put a data block on it. The phone still gets mms on it even though she can't figure out how to see our use it. Lol

I've also data blocked another phone on the line. Speak to customer service and see if they will do it for your iPhone. Don't see why not. It could still be used on a pre paid or internationally with a different sim. Alternately provision another old phone, data block line and switch phones.

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If it is a recognized smartphone, ATTM mandates a data package. It's not an option to simply add a data block.

**pjr300** · 06-07-2012, 09:43 AM

I have been with AT&T since 1998 (first as America One, then Ameritech, Cingular, and finally AT&T)... but with all this mandated data issue, I wonder the value of staying with them. Even with a corporate discount that I get for voice, their data packages are driving them out of play. T-Mobile looks more and more like a viable alternative.

**pjr300** · 06-07-2012, 11:35 AM

P.S. Family Plan at T-Mobile: $5 per user for data if you bring a phone, otherwise $10 per user. 200 MB per month i believe....

**aneftp** · 06-07-2012, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by pjr300

I have been with AT&T since 1998 (first as America One, then Ameritech, Cingular, and finally AT&T)... but with all this mandated data issue, I wonder the value of staying with them. Even with a corporate discount that I get for voice, their data packages are driving them out of play. T-Mobile looks more and more like a viable alternative.

If you have one line (or two).

It is not cost effective to stay with AT&T or Verizon.

Much better going prepay. Only family plans with at least 3 lines can really justify post paid carriers like AT&T and Verizon.

**pjr300** · 06-07-2012, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by aneftp

If you have one line (or two).

It is not cost effective to stay with AT&T or Verizon.

Much better going prepay. Only family plans with at least 3 lines can really justify post paid carriers like AT&T and Verizon.

I have the Family Plan with 4 lines. It is respectable for voice and text.... but the data is a killer. $80 bucks per month for data for people who don't really need it? Are you kidding me?