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So I never updated the IMEI but it's on my online account

bwag717

Sep 28, 2009, 8:22 PM
So I never updated ATT with the E71x I just switched to from a BB Bold. Lo and behold, when I went to my ATT online account the E71x is now the phone online. Hmmmmmm. They also switched my data plan as well. I was under the impression that everyone who was on this site knew that this would happen, but when I read old posts all I hear is how if you don't change your IMEI ATT will never know what you are up to. I have just called your bluff.
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ATnT Cellular

Sep 28, 2009, 8:58 PM
Your online account will always show the phone you are using, even if you don't call in to update your IMEI. You still need to call in to update your IMEI to ensure the best possible service on your handset.
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toaster oven

Sep 29, 2009, 12:32 AM
The website will show the phone you're using, even if you only have your sim card in for a couple hours. It won't update your data plan though. I have a hard time believing it updated that.
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ATnT Cellular

Sep 29, 2009, 7:59 AM
toaster oven said:
The website will show the phone you're using, even if you only have your sim card in for a couple hours. It won't update your data plan though. I have a hard time believing it updated that.


It doesn't do that. I had a blackberry on my IMEI and changed to a dumbphone after I sold the blackberry. The system did not change my plan despite showing the dumbphone, I had to call in, change the IMEI and change data plans.
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toaster oven

Sep 30, 2009, 2:01 AM
Which I agree with. It would be a real pain if the system updated your imei and features every time you put a sim in a different phone.
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mrpmpfan

Sep 29, 2009, 6:38 AM
We at AT&T due sim sweeps to catch people who might have "forgot" to call us with the new IMEI. Reason why? Your new phone requires a higher data plan due to its increased ability to rack up a data charge. Also just to let you know if you try to change your IMEI back you have to switch your sim card back to your old phone or it will change again and again.
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Sigma1570

Sep 29, 2009, 10:52 AM
So the data plan is higher for the e71x? Or are you just another uneducated CSR rep?
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shada123

Sep 29, 2009, 3:06 PM
the e71x is considered a PDA phone and so the data plan for that phone would be 30.00 per month
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ccareatatt

Sep 30, 2009, 10:25 AM
Uneducated. We dont change IMEI's. The online account manager pulls from the Enterprise Directory the type of phone you are using. The billing system doesnt change IMEI's at any time or features at any time. The website will list the features that are available for the phone your sim card is in but it hasnt actually changed your data plan. The only phone right now where data plans can be added at any time is the Apple IPhone. (Due to the contract signed when you purchased the phone.). This sweep the CSR is talking about is nothing but a restriction sweep. Whereas it restricts data on a line with a PDA being used and the billing system shows they are using a non-smartphone. The customer would have to call into Customer Care to get th...
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shada123

Sep 30, 2009, 11:17 AM
are you sure you know what you are talking about because we do not change them in the system i know ppl that call in and are using i phones and the system recognizes it and will send the cust a text message about excessive internet use but the billing system will not automatically change the phone or data plan.

Now if the cust does not change the imei number will he have a very large bill yes he will and he will have to change to the appropriate plan or the cust will have to pay for those charges.

sorry for no punctuation its faster that way
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Jayshmay

Sep 30, 2009, 2:30 PM
The only # a GSM carrier HAS to have is the sim card #. Other than that it's none of ATT's business what handset you have. I have a Nokia N95 for almsot 2yrs now, and before that I had a Sharp V903, neither of which ATT had the IMEI # to, it's my phone, not theirs, they don't need it.
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toaster oven

Oct 1, 2009, 1:39 AM
I get the feeling you didn't share your toys when you were younger.
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Jayshmay

Oct 1, 2009, 1:44 AM
Your talking about the difference between giving a corporation information they don't need and sharing toys with childhood friends.

Comparing a corporation to childhood friends isn't a very good comparison.
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ccareatatt

Oct 1, 2009, 11:04 AM
Yeah we can pull the IMEI from unbilled calls so AT&T already has that information. The reason reps ask for it is because most reps dont go above and beyond and try to understand the billing system etc. And yes, we can also tell if a call terminated normally or dropped.
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Jayshmay

Oct 1, 2009, 11:14 AM
But if it's not a handset that ATT carries, then the IMEI isn't in they're system then right?

I know when I download Skyfire or Google Maps they know that my phone is the Nokia N95-3.
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ccareatatt

Oct 1, 2009, 9:53 PM
We can see the IMEI the billing system hasnt been updated with the universal specs of all equipment just AT&T branded.. If we entered the info on a Non AT&T phone it would say Unknown Manufacturer. The actual IMEI can be seen tho. However the biller considers it a generic GSM device.
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spmfox

Oct 6, 2009, 8:35 AM
Well good luck with this. The billing system provisions 3G to phones that need it, sometimes if you are using a 3G phone without updating it in the billing system, 3G isn't provisioned. Also its important for instances regarding data, messaging, and voicemail. So if you choose not to, its up to you. But the information is available to anyone that wants to look; so you might as well keep ATT up to date.
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BeachSlapped

Oct 1, 2009, 1:45 AM
So what happens if I buy an unlocked BB Bold and I NEED to use the internet/email on it. Do you really think I'll be able to get any emails if I don't update the IMEI?
This whole "My phone, My way" is ridiculous. Sometimes you HAVE to let your carrier know what phone you have, otherwise your service will suck.
It seems like AT&T is updating IMEI's anyway. I'm using a K850i and when I go online it doesn't show my previous phone (TILT) anymore. I guess it updated to the K850 IMEI, but since it's not in the ATT's systems it does'nt show any phone///
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Jayshmay

Oct 1, 2009, 1:53 AM
Precisely, if it's not in ATTs system then your phone nor mine will show up. Using the BB Bold probably isn't a good example because it's in ATTs system. My phone, the Nokia N95-3 isn't.

And with reguards to email, if I had a BB I wouldn't feel compelled to HAVE to have BB email. I use MMS as email. And Yahoo.
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BeachSlapped

Oct 1, 2009, 1:56 AM
If I was to buy an unlocked BB Bold (it's IMEI) still wouldn't be in AT&T's system. It would update it, but it recognize exactly what kind of BB it is...
I know this because I have an unlocked w810 that att.com doesn't recognize either..
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ccareatatt

Oct 1, 2009, 11:06 AM
Its pulling the IMEI in the Enterprise Directory... but the billing system hasnt actually been updated. Online doesnt pull from the billing system when it comes to the Phone/Device section.
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sangyup81

Oct 1, 2009, 10:35 PM
Get a compatible unlocked phone from another carrier and you're good.
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Jayshmay

Oct 2, 2009, 10:55 AM
Yep, I have higher standards than ATT, I like Nokia NSeries handsets. So I have a phone that is too good for ATT (N95-3). Which isn't in they're system.

One poster compared the carrier having my IMEI # to a cable company having the serial # to they're cable box. Lots of problems with that analogy. First is cable box belongs to the cable company, my cell phone belongs to ME, it's my property. Secondly, the sim card is more like an acct verification device as is the cable box, not the phone. So I see a cell phone no different than an HDTV, cable companies don't NEED to know which HDTV I have, nor do GSM wireless companies NEED to know which cell phone I have. SIM card # is all that's necessary.

The last time I bought a handset from Cingu...
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spinster

Oct 6, 2009, 11:34 AM
Learn grammar, in this context THEY'RE is incorrect, it should be THEIR!!!!
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shada123

Oct 6, 2009, 4:21 PM
have not read the other post but it is not a bluff. Call into cust. care and ask them what phone they have in the billing system and then you will know it is not a bluff
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