Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How To Avoid Data Plan & Data Charges?

J

Jenny22

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 12, 2008
5
0
My Status: I've had an ATT cell phone, on an ATT family plan for yrs. I'd prefer to stay w/ ATT. I'm eligible for a phone upgrade soon.

What I want: I want to get an iphone and use it for the phone and sync it to my imac to use as an ipod, contacts, calendar, wi-fi, ect.

What I don't want: I do NOT want (1) the edge or 3g network, (2) the monthly data plan, or (3) any data charges.

My Questions:

(1) Can I avoid the monthly data plan and all data charges ? And does the answer change depending upon whether I buy (1) a used 1st generation iphone, (2) a used 3g iphone, or (3) a new 3g iphone?

(2) After I buy the iphone, what do I need to do to get the phone service activated and avoid the monthly data plan charges and data use charges? Again does the answer change depending on whether I buy (1) a used 1st generation iphone, (2) a used 3g iphone, or (3) a new 3g iphone?


Thank you very much for any helpful advice.
 
Thanks for the suggestion,

But, I would prefer to have one device for my phone, ipod, calendar, contacts, etc.

I guess I was hoping for a way around the data charges....
 
The 1st gen iPhone is the only model of the iPhone where you can drop the data plan.
 
for people saying that there is no way around that, that is not true!! just get an iphone 3g and put ANY AT&t sim card in it for the states and Rogers for Canada. It will work without a data plan except the iphone uses data on its own so data costs can screw you over

What i did was jailbreak mine and install boss prefs and disabled 3G and Edge data connection, this way it disables the iphone from using data

hope this helps
 
matsundinn said:
for people saying that there is no way around that, that is not true!! just get an iphone 3g and put ANY AT&t sim card in it for the states and Rogers for Canada. It will work without a data plan except the iphone uses data on its own so data costs can screw you over

What i did was jailbreak mine and install boss prefs and disabled 3G and Edge data connection, this way it disables the iphone from using data

hope this helps
Click to expand...

there is a thread on macrumors, about how to get rid of the data plan. I did it in the same method and I have a 3g iphone. Just call ATT and tell them you're planning to return the iphone, and use a regular phone and don't want data on it because its useless, but you want to keep the account. They'll ask you for the serial number for the regular phone, give it to them and after the process is done, just switch the SIM cards back and you should be fine. One thing you want to make sure to do is ask them to WIX BLOCK the data so you don't get charged every time you click Safari button. it works trust me and has been done a number of times by others. Sometimes you'll have to do it more than once with different reps but definitely works
 
matsundinn said:
for people saying that there is no way around that, that is not true!! just get an iphone 3g and put ANY AT&t sim card in it for the states and Rogers for Canada. It will work without a data plan except the iphone uses data on its own so data costs can screw you over

What i did was jailbreak mine and install boss prefs and disabled 3G and Edge data connection, this way it disables the iphone from using data

hope this helps
Click to expand...


Can't we just call ATT and tell them to disable the data network.
I did this with my other phone (not an iphone though), it seems to work fine... I've got no data network.
 
From what I understand, the visual voicemail uses some data, so it would be difficult to avoid having at least a small data charge.
 
freediverdude said:
From what I understand, the visual voicemail uses some data, so it would be difficult to avoid having at least a small data charge.
Click to expand...

once you have WIX BLOCK visual voicemail no longer works, instead you get directed to the standard one, which work fine for me. and you get a notification in the mail app just like you would for visual voicemail
 
Thank you for all the suggestions.

I am trying to figure out the best plan for me. After reading all the suggestions and comments, I have morphed them and have developled a potential plan:

(1) I currently have ATT service with a ATT phone that is internet capable (SAMSUNG SYNC). I do not have a data service plan, but am charged per kb if I manually connect it to the internet. I call ATT and ask them to WIX BLOCK my SAMSUNG SYNC phone to remove the abiltiy to have an internet connection. (I am assuming that will WIX BLOCK the SIM card in it).

(2) Buy an iphone.

(3) Take my SAMSUNG SYNC SIM card and stick it into the iphone.

Intended Result:

(1) The iphone works fine (without the EDGE or 3G internet and without visual voicemail).

(2) The iphone is still locked or not jailbroken.

(3) I don't have a new ATT 2 year contract.

(4) I have no written data plan contract.

(5) The SIM card has WIX BLOCK - which prevents the use of EDGE and 3G internet.

Potential Problems:

(1) Would this plan work?

(2) Would it work for both a 1st Gen iphone and/or 3G iphone?

(3) Would I need to "activate the iphone through I-Tunes?

(4) Would I be able to install Apple iphone updates through I-Tunes.
 
OK here is how to disable data from the iPhone

8-9-2008%204-05-58%20PM.png
 
SleepyHead157 said:
there is a thread on macrumors, about how to get rid of the data plan. I did it in the same method and I have a 3g iphone. Just call ATT and tell them you're planning to return the iphone, and use a regular phone and don't want data on it because its useless, but you want to keep the account. They'll ask you for the serial number for the regular phone, give it to them and after the process is done, just switch the SIM cards back and you should be fine. One thing you want to make sure to do is ask them to WIX BLOCK the data so you don't get charged every time you click Safari button. it works trust me and has been done a number of times by others. Sometimes you'll have to do it more than once with different reps but definitely works
Click to expand...

SleepHead. Thank you very much for your suggestion.

One reason I am a bit leary of your suggestion --> If you buy a 3G iphone and sign up for a new 2 year contract, doesn't the 2 year contract require you to keep the ATT data plan for 2 years as well? And if so, why would ATT rep let you out of the data plan part of the contract?
 
Hey Tech Is Cool.

Thank you.

That is very impressive!!!!!!

One question - Do you have to jailbreak the iphone to disable the network????

Thanks.
 
this thread is so useful. I am planning to do exactly what people say above.
I gonna buy an Iphone on ebay and then use my At&T sim.
But when I install soft to jailbreak iphone and disable its 3G. I must connect to the internet and is it through WIFI or 3G network as I am planning to WIX Block on my AT&T account.
 
i jailbroke and installed boss-perfs on both my 1gen and 3g iphones disabling edge and 3g. this way i have control at my finger tips instantly if/when i need the data network, calling customer service obviously takes a little longer. i do have data, but not unlimited. ;) i've reviewed my account regularly when i first got the iphone(got both used, hence not needing to sign a contract) and it only counted for used data that i intentionally requested for. i also checked the phone usage under setting > about...yup, zero data sent, zero data received.:D wifi is where i do my web browsing(not common for me to do) and app installs and updates.
 
just keep in mind your mileage may vary on this. AT&T is very clear about the fact that they intend to charge anyone who uses an iphone on their network for an iphone data plan. They can tell it's an iPhone from the serial number that gets transmitted. They absolutely know you're using an iPhone and can start charging you for the data plan again at any time. Just because they haven't done it to the folks on this thread, doesn't mean they won't.

please don't flame, I just want to make sure the OP is aware of this.
 

Attachments

  • iphone.jpg
    iphone.jpg
    59.4 KB · Views: 238
You mentioned something about being eligible for an upgrade soon. I recommend you do it and get the 3GS since you plan on staying with At&t. When you get the phone activate it and then swap the sim to another phone and call AT&T and cancel the data plan. Tell the rep that you no longer have the 3gs. Next step would be trying to disable edge and 3g and you should be set.

Now one thing I remember, didn't AT&T made data plan mandatory on the 3gs. You might want to ask.
 
Lakerfan210 said:
You mentioned something about being eligible for an upgrade soon. I recommend you do it and get the 3GS since you plan on staying with At&t. When you get the phone activate it and then swap the sim to another phone and call AT&T and cancel the data plan. Tell the rep that you no longer have the 3gs. Next step would be trying to disable edge and 3g and you should be set.

Now one thing I remember, didn't AT&T made data plan mandatory on the 3gs. You might want to ask.
Click to expand...

Look at the date he wrote it though. I think he no longer qualifies =)
 
dukebound85 said:
why not get the ipod touch...

you have to get a data plan with the iphone, no way around it
Click to expand...

That is not true. I have a 3G iPhone with no data plan. No data charges either. Just have your carrier block IPX connections totally for your sim card, you phone will try to access data but will get denied.
 
Jenny22 said:
Thank you for all the suggestions.

I am trying to figure out the best plan for me. After reading all the suggestions and comments, I have morphed them and have developled a potential plan:

(1) I currently have ATT service with a ATT phone that is internet capable (SAMSUNG SYNC). I do not have a data service plan, but am charged per kb if I manually connect it to the internet. I call ATT and ask them to WIX BLOCK my SAMSUNG SYNC phone to remove the abiltiy to have an internet connection. (I am assuming that will WIX BLOCK the SIM card in it).

(2) Buy an iphone.

(3) Take my SAMSUNG SYNC SIM card and stick it into the iphone.

Intended Result:

(1) The iphone works fine (without the EDGE or 3G internet and without visual voicemail).

(2) The iphone is still locked or not jailbroken.

(3) I don't have a new ATT 2 year contract.

(4) I have no written data plan contract.

(5) The SIM card has WIX BLOCK - which prevents the use of EDGE and 3G internet.

Potential Problems:

(1) Would this plan work?

(2) Would it work for both a 1st Gen iphone and/or 3G iphone?

(3) Would I need to "activate the iphone through I-Tunes?

(4) Would I be able to install Apple iphone updates through I-Tunes.
Click to expand...

last i heard starting Sept 6th any smartphone purchase from AT&T requires a $30 per month data plan
 
I suggest you avoid buying a new iPhone and get a used one instead (I suggest vers. 1). Because you'll have to jailbreak, there's always the possibility of bricking the phone. However, most people seem to not have this problem; so, you might be all right.

Best of luck.

Jenny22 said:
Thank you for all the suggestions.

I am trying to figure out the best plan for me. After reading all the suggestions and comments, I have morphed them and have developled a potential plan:

(1) I currently have ATT service with a ATT phone that is internet capable (SAMSUNG SYNC). I do not have a data service plan, but am charged per kb if I manually connect it to the internet. I call ATT and ask them to WIX BLOCK my SAMSUNG SYNC phone to remove the abiltiy to have an internet connection. (I am assuming that will WIX BLOCK the SIM card in it).

(2) Buy an iphone.

(3) Take my SAMSUNG SYNC SIM card and stick it into the iphone.

Intended Result:

(1) The iphone works fine (without the EDGE or 3G internet and without visual voicemail).

(2) The iphone is still locked or not jailbroken.

(3) I don't have a new ATT 2 year contract.

(4) I have no written data plan contract.

(5) The SIM card has WIX BLOCK - which prevents the use of EDGE and 3G internet.

Potential Problems:

(1) Would this plan work?

(2) Would it work for both a 1st Gen iphone and/or 3G iphone?

(3) Would I need to "activate the iphone through I-Tunes?

(4) Would I be able to install Apple iphone updates through I-Tunes.
Click to expand...
 
OK - In summary, is it or is it not possible to get rid of the data plan at least after a month or 2?

I have a friend that wants one but doesn't want the data part. Just the phone and wifi. She just can't afford the $30 a month.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back