Grandfathered ATT Voice Plan on Blackberry -- Iphone 3G switch possible?

[sbl1984]

All,

I currently have a grandfathered voice plan (North America 800) with a blackberry data plan. I have access to an activated Iphone 3g. If I can get a 3g sim card from att (tell them I bought a 3g phone in Europe) would it be possible to use that 3g sim card in an activated Iphone 3g? I understand that ATT scans to see if the data plans are correct. Following, if ATT saw i was using a Iphone 3g on an old voice plan and incorrect data plan, would they switch the data plan, but leave the voice plan intact? Frankly, I'm only interested in keeping my grandfathered voice plan...what att does with my data i couldn't care less.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Thanks!

 

[Diode]

Is that a blue (Old AT&T) plan?

If so I think your out of luck. You could always try calling and asking ... or visiting a store.

If it is a blue plan and you want to get a iphone you might try talking with retention and seeing what counter deals they could offer.

A majority of the feature codes floating around were originally targeted at compensating old AT&T customers to get current plans (easier on the billing system).

 

[baaron]

I don't think this will work, as the SIM cards have a RTB feature, where they call home and report the IMEI, which would not jive with the big T's records.

 

[KD110]

I also have a voice plan that is no longer available (1100 family) and was able to keep it when I got my iphone, so you should not have any issue with keeping your current voiceplan.

 

[liquidtrend]

i dont think a company can force a certain plan on you. especially when you have been with them for so long (i dont see how they would want to risk it either).

but thats just me. if i were a provider i wouldnt want to risk losing your service whom has been with me for X amount of years because i want you to go on a different plan.

although i see how they would talk you into a new updated (more expensive) plan, saying something such as "that plan doesnt work with our 3g chips" or something of that unrealistic nature.

 

[goosnarrggh]

IANAL, YMMV.

Your contract with AT&T is binding on both parties, and changes to the contract can generally only be undertaken with the knowledge and consent of both parties. If you take an action that doesn't conflict with the terms you and AT&T have mutually agreed to, then AT&T has no more contractual grounds for terminating or modifying your service than they would have if you hadn't taken the action in the first place.

On the other hand, if you do something that is actually in violation of the terms of your existing data plan, then there can be trouble. An example of this might potentially be a provision in the data plan contract stating that it can only be used in conjunction with a Blackberry, or that you can only use GPRS (as opposed to EDGE or 3G) data services.

As a starting point, it would be a good idea to make an inquiry with AT&T to get a copy of the actual terms and conditions of the contract you have.

Also, to couldn't hurt to find out what policies AT&T has on replacing a "damaged" SIM card, and whether it is possible to do this without modifying your plan. (AT&T probably doesn't keep a stock of obsolete cards available for such replacements, so if a replacement SIM were possible, it would most likely be 3G-compatible by default.)

 

[sbl1984]

thanks for the replies.

i do have a 3g-compatible sim card in a blackberry on an older "blue" plan. i did try using it briefly in a friend's 3g iphone and was able to access data and voice features.

however, the question remains, if att did realize that my iphone had a blue account attached...would they simply change my bb data plan to iphone 3g data plan or would they change my voice plan to some arbitraty one AND change data plan to the iphone plan? the former i do not mind, the latter would be a disaster.

thanks.

 

[KD110]

is your data plan less than $30 per month? If so it will probably need to be updated for the iphone data plan. I would go in / call att and explain you want to keep your voice plan and move your crackberry to an iphone. They will tell you what your options are, althouth they did not do anything to my voiceplan when I got my iphone

 

[jisaac]

I have a plan that one of my friends got me some 8 years ago; 1000 anytime rollover, ulm n&w, ulm M2M, no roaming etc... 39.99/mo pre-FAN discount. I got the plan when m@m was not standard nor were rollover. I have renewed it every time and am currently using it with my iPhone 3G. I don't see why you cant keep the current plan.

Perhaps the best way to do it would be going into a store saying you lost your phone but already have another from a friend. They will give you a new SIM for free. If they pull out a 2G just spit something about thinking the new phone uses 3G but you're not sure. Stupidity gets you everywhere...

 

[atc4usmc]

I have a plan that one of my friends got me some 8 years ago; 1000 anytime rollover, ulm n&w, ulm M2M, no roaming etc... 39.99/mo pre-FAN discount. I got the plan when m@m was not standard nor were rollover. I have renewed it every time and am currently using it with my iPhone 3G. I don't see why you cant keep the current plan.

Perhaps the best way to do it would be going into a store saying you lost your phone but already have another from a friend. They will give you a new SIM for free. If they pull out a 2G just spit something about thinking the new phone uses 3G but you're not sure. Stupidity gets you everywhere...

How did you do this? I have tried and tried to make AT&T add data and texting to my plan but they will not do it! Who did you talk to?