AT&T to iPhone Users: Be On the Proper iPhone Data Plan?
Not long ago TiPb reported AT&T forcing every iPhone user who is not using a iPhone data plan onto the correct plan and possibly hitting you with extra charges. Now it seems AT&T is finally making good on that promise as Erica Sudan, over at TUAW, is now reporting AT&T is planning on dumping iPhone GoPhone accounts. TiPb thinks this is AT&T finally flipping the switch on iPhone users subscribed to non-iPhone data plans and GoPhone accounts are also falling victims in all of this. The following text message is being sent to various AT&T customers:
AT&T Free MSG: A new software upgrade for iPhone will be available on 6/17. This upgrade may affect your data service. Please visit att.com/iphone or call 800-901-9878 for a representative. If you download the software and are not on an approved iPhone data plan, your data service will be interrupted.
So AT&T is using the 3.0 software as it's excuse to flip the switch, but exactly how would they know what software you currently are on? The only way would be if iTunes reported back to Apple and then they give the information to AT&T. That scenario is highly unlikely.
Anyone not on a iPhone data plan and using an iPhone get this text message yet? Be warned fellow GoPhone and non-iPhone data plan users...
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I'm on an unsupported pay as you go plan with AT&T and I did not receive this email. AT&T knows I have an iPhone since the customer service rep told me that she knew but wasn't going to do anything about it the last time I called AT&T for something else. I am on 25c/minute talk and pay $20 for 100MB data, and using an original iPhone (so I'm paying for exactly what I'm using). Hopefully they won't make it so my 'plan' doesn't work.
@Chris, be sure to let us know once you update to 3.0...
Hello,
I am planning to switch carriers this weekend and plan to get the new iphone being released on Friday. I have 2 basic questions. 1. Based on what your comments were, should I go with the iphone plan or the AT&T data plan. (I may also be traveling abroad within the next year).
2 I currently have a palm TX with a ton of contacts on it. How do I go about transferring my Palm address book, calendar and Word Memos to the new iphone?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, thewvsheik
@thewvsheik I don't know about your first question, not being in the US, but as for your second one...check funambol, I think they have support for Palm, and I know they have support for iphone...that's how I keep my phone in sync with my desktop.
@ thewvsheik, I don't think you have an option. You have to go with the iPhone plan unless you have an unlocked phone and can get around the service plan. The Apple store or ATT should be able to transfer your contacts, but plan on 1) your contacts transferring wrong (happened to my wife) or 2) not being able to make the transfer (happened to me with a crackberry). I've now switched to google for all my contacts and it talks/syncs perfectly with the iPhone (contacts, calendar).
I had the problem when I installed the 3.0 GM version that was release. My internet was no longer working and I could not receive email, use Safari, or log into the App Store. However, I had an older version of the carrier file and the 8.2.0.10 version of iTunes (which allows you to specify which file to update from, carrier files included). I reverted back to an older version of the carrier file from AT&T and I got it back up and running. To me, it sounds like they are updating their APN's with the newer 3.0 release, but there may be a way around it using an older version of iTunes and the carrier files. I will let you know how it goes on Friday once I have the official release of 3.0 and the new 3Gs.
@thewvsheik
You have to add the iPhone Data Plan. For international use, AT&T has a "World Traveler" plan for calling and a data package which allows you to buy international data, but it's kind of pricey.
I will say that if you travel internationally, your data plan will still work, but if you use data on the iPhone liberally, plan on spending a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on data usage.
I'm confused, are non-iPhone data plans somehow cheaper? Also AT&T probably already can do this, but are changing their policy in coordination with OS3.0 just for PR purposes
@a1by - Yes, non iPhone plans are cheaper. I've been running a $15 MediaNet Unlimited plan for the past two years on my Treo 750. Starting Friday, I'll be paying $30 for the iPhone plan once I upgrade my phone... unless I can get around it like i did with the Treo. But I've saved enough money over the past two years to justify the increase to $30 from $15.
Same here Steven except I've ha the iPhone 2G for two years lol
I never received a text but I used to have no problem using my BlackBerry data plan on my iPhone. I have been swapping my SIM between the 2 for a year. Or I did until I updated to OS 3.0 GM. All of a sudden, the data stopped working. I had to call ATT to move to an iPhone plan.
Is AT&T trying to set the record for annoying iPhone users in June? No subsidized upgrades, no MMS, no tethering, no more prepaid plans, hey - why not chose now to threaten those on non-standard data plans. If I knew that within 6 months the Pre landscape was going to look the same as the iPhone landscape in terms of compelling apps... I'd skip my $199 + $200 + $18 + $18 3GS upgrade and pay $175 to cancel and $199 for a Pre. Their monthly plans are cheaper to boot. If there is a way for the iPhone to start ceding market share in the US, AT&T will find the way.
I'm glad AT&T is doing this. I've been on a legitimate iPhone plan since the day that the 3G came out. AT&T's network is the reason that they are unable to add MSS and tethering right away and getting everyone to pay their fair share of data costs should help them get their network in order sooner. I am stoked for 3.0!!! Tomorrow will be awesome!!
*MMS
how is paying for the amount of data you use not paying their fair share of data costs? If someone does not even use that much and prefer a pay as you go plan like they have had for years now they should be able. AT&T is going to lose alot of customers in the long run if they keep screwing us over
I use my 1st Gen iPhone on AT&T's Pay As You Go, and received no such email or text.
I accidently upgraded to 3.0 and i had the medianet data plan and now it wont let me go on the internet, what can i do to get this to work again? will jailbreaking or unlocking it help? or do i have to downgrade? somebody please help me!!!
I called upgraded today and my $15 data plan was no more. iTunes did report something because i called in At&t and they said there was a Data Block on my Phone. But i use another phone for that Data. They removed the Block but still on either phone the one allowed to have the $15 data or iPhone says denied access or no celuar plan is aviable. I called them back again and they said no block was on this time so am currently waiting to see if it comes back on for either phone but am using the right phone first then change it back to iPhone.
I swap my BB sim card to my 3G iPhone. I upgraded to 3.0 and no data. I get the message that I need an iPhone data plan to enable data. I'll try calling and talking first then jailbreak second I guess. I pay for the data I just want to pick which phone I carry and when. That's the only reason I have an AT&T phone.
I put my sim card back in my BB bold and data works fine so the blocking is not taking place by a hold on my account or the BB wouldn't work now also.
go to this website and make a custom carrier to allow the data block to be off http://www.unlockit.co.nz/unlockit/?tag=apn
it should take up to an hour, if anything call At&t to have the block removed, only call if you use the $15 data plan for another phone, but use the SIM in your iphone
I am using an original iPhone with the GoPhone service, and I received this text message. However, my phone is unlocked and I have the EDGE network disabled; I only use wireless internet for data transmission. I wouldn't think this issue will affect people who use their phones this way, since there is no indication that telephone service will be discontinued, only the data network connection.
Where can i get a $15 data play sim? can some one help me get one. I've got an original iphone unlocked and will be using it in the USA. How can i get hold of a $15 data card that is activated and ready to go - so that it works when i land in the USA?
That should read data plan sim and NOT data play sim. Sorry guys.
i have been using the medianet plan for the last 3 months and it was working fine on my iphone. I just upgraded it a few days ago, making the mistake of leaving my sim card inside while it was upgrading. Since then, i have not been able to access the internet on my phone, but have been able to on every other phone that is not an iphone. when you upgrade your iphone, make sure you use a valid iphone data plan user's sim card to upgrade your iphone. can anyone help me with this though??
everything should be free, anyway. screw At&t.
I got one question!! What happens if I purchase an iPhone 3g (u know wit the 30$ data plan) and I switch the sim card into another phone like an (lg vu) will the data plan work for that phone??
yeah I got another question ! You know how you can transfer your old number from your existing carrier ! Can you change your number but still use that same account that you wanna transfer??
I gotta agree with Al. I have been paying for a legit plan and feel it is totally worth it. I really do not see, in this case, how bucking the system has any benefit!?!? What? Less money? Yes but at the price of my own peace of mind?. Not worth it.
Example: I cheat system>>AT&T blocks my workaround>> I find a fix>> AT&T comes back with another block>> I am getting very angry at all the time I need to invest to keep saving a mere 15 amonth>>AT&T charges my account for back usage>> now I feel violated! Is all this worth it to me? Hell no! Plus all the time AT&T spends on trying to recoup these costs could be spent on improving the network. Everyone loses.
So, IMHO, pay your fair share. If you feel it is not fair find a service that you feel is. Again, this is only my opinion on this particular subject, not a judgement on people as a whole. So try not to take my comments personally.
Just got this Free Text Msg from AT&T:
"We need your help regarding your iPhone account. Your iPohne does not currently have the necessary data plan required for all iPhones. Please call us by Sept 14."
How do they know that I have an iPhone? My SIM card is from my old Sony Ericsson phone.
@robert
They know because of the IMEI would be my guess.
I also just got this text message from at&t this morning:
We need your help regarding your iPhone account. Your iPohne does not currently have the necessary data plan required for all iPhones. Please call us by Sept 14. Just dial 611. We appreciate your business.
I have been using a 1st gen iPhone that was never registered with at&t for 2 years on my $15 a month data plan and never received this message before. This weekend I upgraded to a 3G that had previously been registered with at&t before and now I got this message. I have heard that they will automatically upgrade you to the #30 dollar plan if you like it or not!
I got around this with my Iphone. Buy 2 of the same gophones. Go online to activate at ATT. Activate the sims card from the 1st using the 2nd phones EMIE. This way the card won't be locked or "married" to the phone that it was package with. [ I bought the 1st phone authorized it the card, using the its EMIE turned it on, took out the card and it didn't work in the Iphone only in the gophone. Found out that it was married to the phone, essentially the sims was locked for 180 days or something stupid. So I purchased a second one. ] With the second I first tried to authorize it with my Iphone EMIE but it didn't work (it said call error occurred call customer service…lol ..screw that), and so tried it using the EMIE from the 1st gophone that I had already activated ( ie…the one it wasn’t package with, I figured they’re both the same brand, model , why would ATT care about that) The authorization went through, so I popped the sims card out of the plastic credit card looking thing and straight into the Iphone (note … it never touched the gophone, its first use of service was the Iphone)...bam… 4 bars ATT logo and a 3G. I found out I lost the “15 start up minutes” that came with the phone because I didn’t use the original packaged phone to authorized (If you read the fine print, its in there and says when activated the sims won‘t function on antoher phone for a period of time…screw that…), so I put 30.00 in the account, got the data plan (19.99) and the 1 a day 0.10 minute plan...works great...
I’ve been keeping an eye on my data plan.. I noticed my bill data is 500000kb a month and this is what you want to keep an eye on even though my phone says I move close to 85 to 95 mg….I’m in WIFI a lot because of home and University settings but I knew I was drastically under there fake unlimited plan ( which is really 5 gb).
I’d say just buy one from the store and copy the EMIE from another package because there next to the sku number, but when I purchased mine at check out is when its electronically registered or something (something like authorizing, or activation came up on the register, even the Target employee commented that on they scan differently.)
I recently recieved a message from att saying i had high data usage they shut my internet service off . I have had this problem everyday for three days in a row ,every time I call them they say they have resolved the problem.I expect to wake up in the morning with no internet service. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM?
Mark, what software version of Iphone are you running?
Geoffroy- do you know if there is a way to revert back to an older software version. Thinking that might eliminate the data plan debacle.
Kyle, What ever happened with your 3.0 upgrade?
My name is Thomas Alexander Kearney and I work for a law firm that is filing a class action law suit against AT&T on behalf of iPhone users. If anyone has left the country with their iPhone after purchasing an international data plan, you might be a victim of fraud. If you would like to participate in a class action law suit against AT&T, please contact me at tkearney@ucsc.edu, or call the law firm, Ringler Kearney Alvarez LLP at (213) 473-1900, and ask for Thomas Alexander Kearney. If you have trouble reaching me through the firm, you can call my private number at (818)259-9946. You have legal rights. Thank you.
-Thomas Alexander Kearney
My name is Thomas Alexander Kearney and I work for a law firm that is filing a class action law suit against AT&T on behalf of iPhone users. If anyone has left the country with their iPhone after purchasing an international data plan, you might be a victim of fraud-especially if you kept the plan after your return to the states. If you would like to participate in a class action law suit against AT&T, please contact me at tkearney@ucsc.edu, or call the law firm, Ringler Kearney Alvarez LLP at (213) 473-1900, and ask for Thomas Alexander Kearney. If you have trouble reaching me through the firm, you can call my private number at (818)259-9946. You have legal rights. Thank you.
-Thomas Alexander Kearney
Did I read correctly? iPhone has no MMS capability? Odd as I sent my husband pictures from my iPhone (AT&T)of our pet after snapping them.
I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)Have you tried the ipad? you can get one free at FreshGiftCard.com
My name is Thomas Alexander Kearney and I work for a law firm that has filed a class action law suit against AT&T on behalf of iPhone users. If anyone has left the country with their iPhone after purchasing an international data plan, you might be a victim of fraud-especially if you kept the plan after your return to the states. If you would like to participate in a class action law suit against AT&T, please contact me at ttomk40@gmail.com, or call the law firm, Ringler Kearney Alvarez LLP at (213) 473-1900, and ask for Thomas Alexander Kearney. If you have trouble reaching me through the firm, you can call my private number at (818)259-9946. You have legal rights. Thank you.
-Thomas Alexander Kearney
why pay for data if i dont want to? where are we in communist usa? u make me pay for service i dont want? yes there is a contract but u force people to get a service they dont want? i wanna pay for the service i want. dont impose what i have to pay. stop the abuse!