Do you HAVE to set up an AT&T account?

[dscuber9000]

My dad got an iPhone for Christmas and we're trying to set it up right now. The problem is, he already has a cell phone and he gets all the calls he wants for free, so obviously, he doesn't want to spend $60 a month for something he doesn't need. Is there a way we can activate the iPhone for movies, music, etc. without having to set up a phone account?

 

[avaloncourt]

It sure sounds like if he doesn't want an actual iPhone that he'd be much better off with an iPod Touch. It has everything you describe that he wants, has the same iPhone interface and has the same jailbreak ability. You can also get twice as much memory for the same amount of money.

Who bought him an iPhone knowing he didn't want to use it as a phone? That's a bit useless. Is there any possibilty of a return? Obviously, if you're trying to "set it up" right now, you've opened it. There are threads about getting around iTunes activation but it is and will always be a kludge for him. He ended up with the wrong gift.

 

[dscuber9000]

Well, he saw my iPod touch and thought it was awesome. So he said to my step-mom how cool it would be to have an iPhone. I guess he wasn't being completely serious.

Anyway, his work is reconsidering his free phone and will instead just pay for a phone bill, so if they do that, he will activate his iPhone so we just have to wait and see, I guess.