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How to get iPhone 3G WITHOUT 3G Data Plan?

quarmace said:
Do what I did. Keep a sharp eye on craigslist and wait for a good deal. A lot of people won't try to sell their iPhone for more then they bought it from apple for. I got a 2 month old perfect condition 3g for $225, unlocked it and put it on Tmobile without a data plan. Got my wife a brand new one for $150 and did the same thing. Couldn't be happier :)
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you are an exception to the rule

even broken phones around Los Angeles go for over $200 .


anyways can't we get a thread lock, this thread has some illegality to it
 
legality...? It was a question and the only legality was the IMEI which I quickly changed the subject.

also he was not an exception, just bought a new iphone 3g for $140.
 
nirav464 said:
thanks for all the replies guys.

I searched around and found out, yes you have at-home activation if you buy from AT&T website, but you have to activate the phone within a certain amount of days. They track this by the IMEI number.

So the question becomes :D How can we change the IMEI number of the phone so AT&T can't track it?
EDIT: Just found out changing IMEI is illegal>therefore not acceptable on this thread :( Just a yes or no would be sufficient

OR any other way to get around this.

Thanks, I really want to get this phone but don't want the stupid data plan :p
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They do not track your IMEI. I do not know why people think this.

I have a friend who is currently using a 3G with a $20 original iphone data plan. If they tracked IMEI's this would not be possible.
 
Applejuiced said:
I think you're mistaken.
They make sweeps and if people get caught using a data plan not meant for the iphone they contact the customer to put the appropriate data plan in their account or they put it for them.
If you dont have a data plan and not using data they wont say a thing.
My cousin is using an iphone 2G without data for over 8 months now without probs. She just connects thru wifi.
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I don't think you need a data plan anymore with the 2G.
 
Americans are basically slaves to their wireless carriers. Those who buy unlocked handsets are the revolutionaries.
 
Primejimbo said:
I don't think you need a data plan anymore with the 2G.
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Believe this is correct. I have a 2G and when I go into my account online and go to add features, it has the option for "I no longer want to add this feature." At first I was worried about having to have a data plan for it, but now I don't think it matters.
 
nirav464 said:
legality...? It was a question and the only legality was the IMEI which I quickly changed the subject.

also he was not an exception, just bought a new iphone 3g for $140.
Click to expand...

I know, iPhone's sell for prices like this more than people realize. There will be even more like it as it gets closer to the new iPhone release this summer.
 
Whats illegal is AT&T forcing me to have a data plan on my phone.
Unlike every other phone you have the choice of having internet or disabling it.
I should be able to decide wheather I need a particular service or not and to active it or remove it at any time I feel like it.
Thats how all other subsidyzed phones work.
I wouldnt be surprised if we see a class action lawsuit down the road against AT&T.


Dr. Cabrera said:
anyways can't we get a thread lock, this thread has some illegality to it
Click to expand...
 
Thats cool, hopefully they'll go the same roote on the 3G.
I unlocked my uncles 3G iphone and disabled his internet and he's been using it on AT&T for 3 months now. I dont think they'll say anything cause theres nothing illegal about it. He got the iphone on ebay and he's using it like any other phone but without 3G web acess, just Wifi.

Primejimbo said:
I don't think you need a data plan anymore with the 2G.
Click to expand...
 
ec51 said:
They do not track your IMEI. I do not know why people think this.

I have a friend who is currently using a 3G with a $20 original iphone data plan. If they tracked IMEI's this would not be possible.
Click to expand...

att isnt dumb, they most likely know your friend is using the wrong data plan but have not begun widespread enforcement yet.
 
Actually people have gotten warnings about using the $20 iphone data on the 3G, the media net data plan and other plans not meant for the iphone 3G.
So sooner or later if you're using the wrong data plan they'll tell you to contact them to switch it or they'll do it for ya.


ec51 said:
They do not track your IMEI. I do not know why people think this.

I have a friend who is currently using a 3G with a $20 original iphone data plan. If they tracked IMEI's this would not be possible.
Click to expand...
 
So, if I just bought a iphone 3g off of craigslist. So now if I take out the sim thats in the iphone and replace it with a regular sim card with no 3G data plan, will that work?

thanks
 
You gotta make sure data is shut off on the iphone thru sbsettings or bossprefs etc....
If not the iphone will use data and they'll charge you an arm and 2 legs.

nirav464 said:
So, if I just bought a iphone 3g off of craigslist. So now if I take out the sim thats in the iphone and replace it with a regular sim card with no 3G data plan, will that work?

thanks
Click to expand...
 
aok1975 said:
You could just buy the phone with a 2yr contract and after the first month call and cancel the data plan. Before calling switch your sim into a cheap phone. Ask them to clock all data access on your account, then switch back to the iphone. I have been using my 3g without a data plan for a while now. I did this because I was using less than 300mb a month, it was a waste of my $30. I have so far saved $210.
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This technique works. To be sure, I changed the APN also so no data connection is possible.
 
I agree it sucks being forced to buy a dataplan. Something I would never use.

I would buy an iPhone if the mandatory data plan included unlimited texting...but it doesnt : /
 
I recently canceled my data plan (about 3 weeks ago) and received a text message saying that I was required to have a data plan. I called and complained and went back and fourth with the representative. She said she would send me to a "resolution specialist" but I was on hold for about 20 minutes and hung up.

I still haven't had it added on to my account yet (I also put a block and don't see the EDGE logo in the upper left hand corner).

We'll see what happens...
 
Applejuiced said:
Actually people have gotten warnings about using the $20 iphone data on the 3G, the media net data plan and other plans not meant for the iphone 3G.
So sooner or later if you're using the wrong data plan they'll tell you to contact them to switch it or they'll do it for ya.
Click to expand...

The only reason people are getting those warnings is because they originally bought and activated a 3G and the "3G tracking" feature was added to their account. For whatever reason, even if you change phones this remains which I have noticed with a family line of mine.

If you are using a 3G with the $20 plan, the 3G tracking feature causes the texts/emails to go out, but as long as you supply them with a valid 2G IMEI there's no problem.
 
Applejuiced said:
Whats illegal is AT&T forcing me to have a data plan on my phone.
Unlike every other phone you have the choice of having internet or disabling it.
I should be able to decide wheather I need a particular service or not and to active it or remove it at any time I feel like it.
Thats how all other subsidyzed phones work.
I wouldnt be surprised if we see a class action lawsuit down the road against AT&T.
Click to expand...

There is nothing illegal about enforcing a contract which you voluntarily agreed to. No one forced you to enter into the contract, if you wish to have a 3G and sign the contract, then you agree to the terms & conditions of owning an iPhone 3G with At&t.

You dont want the data plan, dont get a 3G. Or remove it illegally.

But its not illegal to enforce contract terms you agreed to.
 
ec51 said:
The only reason people are getting those warnings is because they originally bought and activated a 3G and the "3G tracking" feature was added to their account. For whatever reason, even if you change phones this remains which I have noticed with a family line of mine.

If you are using a 3G with the $20 plan, the 3G tracking feature causes the texts/emails to go out, but as long as you supply them with a valid 2G IMEI there's no problem.
Click to expand...

att will still see you are using an iphone 3g
 
Gigahurtz said:
I recently canceled my data plan (about 3 weeks ago) and received a text message saying that I was required to have a data plan. I called and complained and went back and fourth with the representative. She said she would send me to a "resolution specialist" but I was on hold for about 20 minutes and hung up.

I still haven't had it added on to my account yet (I also put a block and don't see the EDGE logo in the upper left hand corner).

We'll see what happens...
Click to expand...

They wont allow you to cancel the data plan if they know you are using the iphone. I use my iphone for 27 days out of the month, the other 3 days I use an old motorola phone. I dont want to have my sim in the iphone when the ATT computers generate my bill. SO far its worked for 6 months and counting.
 
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