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Unlocked IPhone

mikemam

Aug 26, 2009, 1:27 PM
OK,Is there anyone out there with AT&T using an unlocked iPhone and not paying for the data service? I would love to have an iPhone but I just can't afford the data package with it. I was going to buy an ipod but I thought why not buy an unlocked iphone instead and kill 2 birds with one stone. Is this ok to do?
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sangyup81

Aug 26, 2009, 8:01 PM
i think at&t will put the plan on if they find out you are using the iPhone since they can see IMEIs

its worth a shot though I think
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 3:12 PM
Do they actually check IMEI's? I'v been using an unlocked Nokia N95 for 21 months. ATT doesn't know which handset I use.
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Chromemember

Aug 27, 2009, 7:32 PM
They know which handset you're using. I think because they don't sell the N95 though they can't technically charge you the $30 PDA package, I may be wrong though...
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DaCoach

Aug 27, 2009, 7:39 PM
DING DING DING...we have a winner 🙂
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 7:50 PM
Well I don't know what to say, I guess I should be glad they don't do any IMEI checks. I've been using the Nokia N95 since December of 07.
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sangyup81

Aug 27, 2009, 8:57 PM
if you log in to your online account, they know what handset you are using as long as its an at&t IMEI

since yours is unlocked, you'll be ok
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toaster oven

Aug 26, 2009, 10:48 PM
It's not worth it. You may be able to get away with a couple weeks of using the iphone without the data plan, but they can tell what phone you're using, and the system will automatically put the data plan on for you.
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acdc1a

Aug 27, 2009, 8:34 AM
You're better off buying the i-pod separately...unless you're porting to T-mobile. That's probably the only way you'll get away with it. Good luck.
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 3:14 PM
Reall, they can tell??? I've been using an unlocked Nokia N95 for 21 months, ATT doesn't know what handset I use. Nor is it any of they're business. I pay my bill in full and on time, that's all they need to be concerned about.
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toaster oven

Aug 28, 2009, 10:52 AM
They can tell if you're using an iphone. If you're using a non at&t phone they can still get the imei but may not know what it is because it's not in the system as they only have at&t phones. Right now they only care about the iphone because it's the only phone at&t requires to have a data plan. Once sept 6th rolls around who knows? If you make one call, of leave your sim card in the phone for more then a few minutes, they know what phone you're using.
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urworld...delivered

Sep 7, 2009, 11:18 PM
the system won't automatically add anything however if you don't have a data plan on the Iphone you'll be charged ppu data charges .01/kb which adds up quickly! So ur right, def not worth it since Iphone is almost always connected to data.
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toaster oven

Sep 8, 2009, 1:33 AM
The system WILL automatically add the iphone data plan. Idealy it would. Maybe you or somebody you know has an iphone without the data plan, but the system is supposed to do a sweep, recognize you're using an iphone, send you a text saying you need to add the feature, then automatically adding it if you don't.
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mikemam

Aug 27, 2009, 10:55 AM
What I don't understand is why won't AT&T let someone use an iPhone without data service. The only real reason I can come up with is pure greed. I can use my Blackberry without having to pay for data, why not an iPhone? I realize that is changing for new users next month but I am grandfathered in.
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PhonemanJ

Aug 27, 2009, 11:27 AM
Unfortunately you will not be grandfathered in. The requirement for the data package on an iPhone has been has been there since day 1. The new policy changes only new customers to Blackberries, Windows Mobile phones, Palm, and Symbian phones with full keyboards that were not required to have the data package before.

The reason for the data package is that an awful lot of what the phone does accesses the internet. This allows you to take advantage of all of the services that the phone has to offer, but not have a bill the size of the National War Debt.

If you do not want the data package, but want the features of the iPhone, the simplest thing to do is get an iPod Touch.
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Copper Emeritus

Aug 27, 2009, 1:56 PM
I think he was talking about his Blackberry being grandfathered. My daughter has a Blackberry on my family plan and does not have the data plan because she did not want it. She wanted it for the ease of texting. I realize if I make any big changes to our plan it will have to be added, but we will cross that Big Muddy when it happens.
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PhonemanJ

Aug 28, 2009, 1:14 PM
I understand that he was talking about his current Blackberry not having a data plan. But the iPhone has always required a data plan on it. The original iPhone had a $20 plan that was required on it. The 3G and the 3Gs also have always required the $30 data plan. Blackberry users, up until 9/6/09 could still purchase their phones and use them without a Blackberry plan of some sort. Same with PDA phones with other operating systems. However, the iphone has always required a data plan put on them.
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 3:16 PM
We had this conversation in the news section of Phone Scoop last week. It's the USER that determines the USAGE. And this perticular user wants voice, and music. Not internet.
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toaster oven

Sep 8, 2009, 1:38 AM
I wouldn't call it greed. Why get an iphone, with one of the best (if not the best) web browser on a phone ever, and not use it for the internet? Just get an ipod touch, or a walkman phone of you plan on using it as just a phone and an ipod.
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sangyup81

Aug 27, 2009, 8:59 PM
Remember, the iPhone was the first device on at&t to be data required. The agreement at&t signed to sell the iPhone had a LOT of strings attached.
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wizardofCroz

Aug 28, 2009, 11:05 AM
Here is the reason...

iPhone 8GB no commitment pricing: 499.99

iPhone 8GB 2yr contract pricing (with data): 99.99

All other phones that AT&T sells, let's say, the BOLD for instance:

No commitment: 549.99

2yr Contract: 299.99 after 100 MIR.

The 30 data is required for two reasons: To recoup the money lost at point of sale, that being 400 dollars, and to prevent users from experiencing high overage charges. The iPhone is like no other device, it constantly transmits data without you even knowing. Applications are constantly updating in iTunes, which uses data.

It doesn't come down to greed. It is pointless to have an iPhone without a data plan, and no representative (apple or AT&T) will sell you that device without the ...
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stiben0202

Aug 27, 2009, 11:02 AM
reason is that if your using an iphone your as going to use the web and without the data plan your a going to end up with a high bill and complaing to customer service and demanding a credit to be applied to your a account and this happens alot with people who just swith their sim card to a iphone and think they can get away with using the phone without a data plan
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acdc1a

Aug 27, 2009, 12:01 PM
Somebody's been listening to their meetings. I have to go with pure greed on this one. You CAN disable data service on the device.
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 3:19 PM
yeah, there's a lot of people on Phone Scoop that are brainwashed by corporate policies and forget what it means to be an actual consumer!
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mikemam

Aug 27, 2009, 4:33 PM
Exactly!!! If a person likes a phone that is sold, that person should not be forced into a data plan, pure and simple. Like I said, why do they force a data plan only on the iPhone? Pure greed is the only answer because so many people want the iPhone. I have a friend who has an iPhone unlocked with T-Mobile and does not have a data plan and the phone works great with no extra charges. Surfing the internet is great with wifi. Maybe I need to start looking at T-Mobile, I would hate to because I really do like AT&T but at the same time I need to be happy with my phone also.
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 4:57 PM
I gotta warn you though I heard that if you update an Iphone thru Itunes your Iphone will get locked again. So might as well get the newest Iphone, the 3G S so that your all up to date with the software then unlock it.
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thecleaner62

Sep 9, 2009, 4:29 PM
and everyone says microsoft acts like big brother, watching over your shoulder, like seriously, if the iphone pulls and transmits data constantly, are you sure you have privacy?
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Jayshmay

Sep 9, 2009, 6:50 PM
Speaking of controlling (big brother) check this out, appearently Palm has the ability to remove apps from Palm Pre's!!!

https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 5:42 PM
Actually there was a headline both on Phone Scoop & Boy Genius Report that said AT&T will start mandating data on all smartphones starting I think September 6th, unless of course your smart enough to get an unlocked smartphone.

And yes it amounts to nothing more than greed. Don't believe anything these wireless employees tell you, they're brainwashed by corporate policies and have forgotten what it means to be a real world consumers.
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DaCoach

Aug 27, 2009, 7:36 PM
The one thing I find hilarious about this whole conversation is the statement about greed. Did everyone forget that we live in a capitalistic system? AT&T charges what people are willing to pay. I know some of you don't want to pay for an iphone plan, so don't. Go to Jay's method. Buy an unlocked PDA and ge the 15 buck data plan, or even the 10 buck plan if you have unlimited messaging. You won't be pulling anything over on the company. They will know that you have the device, they simply won't care, as they didn't sell you the phone and won't have to support it and not a large enough percentage of customers do that. It does not affect the bottom line enough to worry about chasing down the Jay's of the world who insist on thinking they are p...
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 7:46 PM
I get what your saying, if ATT wanted to they could check peoples IMEI's. And what you said about "people are willing to pay" I think a majority of Americans aren't good consumers. I know this doesn't have to do with the wireless industry but I think that people are willing to pay $1.79 for a measley 20oz soda is a good example that people are really, really bad consumers. I say let it sit there, I'll buy an Arizona Iced Tea for .99 cents. Cause I'm a smart consumer who doesn't like being ripped off. I just think people don't shop around enough.
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DaCoach

Aug 27, 2009, 7:50 PM
I could argue that you are not a smart consumer for paying 99 cents for a bottle of tea. You could make tea at home for much less and buy a reusable bottle.

Consumerism is exactly that. You pay for what you want. If you don't want it, don't pay for it.

If AT&T was really ripping people off, people would stop paying for the service.
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Jayshmay

Aug 27, 2009, 7:54 PM
Well heck I don't think .99 cents is all that bad for a 23oz can of Arizona Raspberry Iced Tea.
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Menno

Aug 28, 2009, 8:12 AM
Considering that same soda is more expensive in europe, and more expensive in a lot of other countries (when you convert currency/compare it to their national GDP)

Is that high for soda? Of course it is, but that's why you buy 2-3 liters instead of 20oz bottles. (around here you can get a 2liter for .99 quite often, or a 3liter offbrand for the same place) Arizona tea is great, but if you were a really smart consumer, you would buy the tea bags/sugar and make it yourself. It's dirt cheap then. 😁

When you get something in a small container like that, you'll pay a premium. Both because of the increased waste generated (the amount of plastic used to make that 20oz bottle instead of all that soda going into a larger container) and th...
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acdc1a

Aug 28, 2009, 8:27 AM
If phones weren't locked into a particular carrier and there were no contracts I would have no problem with AT&T saying that data was required for smart phones. That would mean I could take my phone to a competitor who would allow me to activate it without data. Since that's not the case this is not capitalism at work.
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wizardofCroz

Aug 28, 2009, 12:46 PM
When did 30 dollars per month ( a dollar a day) become outrageously expensive? So because a company offers contracts, and has phones that only work on their network, it isn't capitalism? Of course it is!

You want an iPhone? You think the iPhone is pretty? You want to only pay 99 dollars for that iPhone? YOU GET THE DATA PLAN!! My previous post in this thread explains it a little more in depth, but people, seriously, if you collected your cans from buying .99 cents worth of pop, you'll gather up 30 friggin dollars.

Just because you're a consumer and "economy this and that", doesn't mean you make the rules.
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PhonemanJ

Aug 28, 2009, 1:35 PM
The $30/mo data plan being required is just a incurred cost of having a PDA phone. Greed does not have anything to do with it. Here is an example:

I want to buy a new car. I can go to my local Kia dealer and get one of their base sedans for $18,000 or I can go to the BMW dealer and pay $50,000 for a new 5 series. There are are several things that I know right up front. First of all, I know that the monthly payments on the BMW are going to be 2 1/2 times as large as the Kia. I know that the insurance is going to be 3 times higher than the Kia. I also know that it is going to cost more to fix the BMW if it needs repairs and that the cost of Premium unleaded fuel for the BMW is going to be higher than Regular for the Kia. I know that there i...
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wizardofCroz

Aug 28, 2009, 1:49 PM
😢 yeah but I want to drive a BMW but I don't need all those fancy gagets. I just want a BMW because it looks pretty. And I want a free warranty. Aaand, I want free on-star because I'll probably never use it. You know what? Just go ahead and throw in those free leather heated seats, although I might not use them either, it's still good to have around in the winter time.

On second thought, I really don't even need tires for my BMW, I have a little civic that I drive around so I just want everyone in the neighborhood to know I own a BMW.
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PhonemanJ

Aug 28, 2009, 4:46 PM
Besides, I have owned cars for 200 years, so it should be free. 😁
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shada123

Sep 11, 2009, 11:14 AM
ok mike man to answer your question for one if you try to get the unlock code you cant because apple does not provide on for the iphone they are complete @ssholes about it
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