iPhone Without Data Plan?

[illidian]

Hi all, I'm kind of clueless on the unlocking process and how the iPhone pricing works.

I'd like to get my iPhone to run more like a Touch with Phone functionality - meaning I do not want the data plan (as wi-fi access is fine for my limited web use).

If I was to buy a used iPhone, am I able to just insert my AT&T SIM card and go about using the iPhone?

Or would I be forced to unlock the iPhone to pull this off, even though I'm still on AT&T?

Thanks.

 

[puckmaggie]

You have to unlock even if you are with at&t. It is really not hard to do just follow the tutorials for the pwnage tool and you're good to go.

 

[danny_w]

You can activate the current iPhone with at&t, which requires a 2 year contract and $20 data plan, but you can cancel the data plan after the 1st month (or maybe sooner); make sure you call at&t to completely disable network data on your phone, though. Who knows if this will be possible with the 3G iPhone (probably not would be my guess).

 

[jarvxd]

I'm in a similar situation as the OP. I want the 1st gen iPhone but would like to not have to pay for the data plan. Today I actually called ATT customer service three different times and talked to three different reps.

The first rep said I could activate an old iPhone but would have to choose a data plan in the activation process. I told him I didn't mind activating it w/ a data plan but wondered if there was the possibility to remove the data after it was activated, he said that was not a problem and could be done.

The second rep I called said the same and when I tried to clarify w/ him that it could be removed he asked me to hold and either sat there a picked his nose or talked to his manager or something but came back and said that the data plan could not be removed.

The third rep was similar to the second... same explanation on why I didn't want it, put on hold, came back and said it was required.

SO... are they bluffing, b/c if you search around there was obviously a time where you remove the data plan:

http://www.talkiphone.com/dont-need-data-remove-it-125/

don't know if this still holds true or not but thats the best evidence I've found that shows it is optional. Plus, all of them seemed to know and mention that Visual Voicemail wouldn't work w/o accessing the data network.

Anyone w/ a 1st gen iPhone and has their data plan removed w/o unlocking their iPhone? I might start a new post to see who has their data plan removed or has the option in their ATT online account to remove the data plan if they do have data plan.

 

[danny_w]

I have a 1st gen iPhone and data plan, and was seriously thinking about removing it. A few days ago I checked my account and I know that I saw an option to delete the data plan, but now that option is gone from the online account management. Perhaps theya re gearing up for the 3G iPhone and removed the capability for the suer to remove the data plan in the process. I wish now I had removed it a few days ago while I still had the chance.

 

[sonicwind]

I'm sorry I just cannot understand the logic in AT&Ts approach to this. They are apparently thinking they will make more money by "bullying" people into paying for the data plan who don't want it. The alternative if for people to just not have any plan/not use the iPhone or to unlock the iphone and possibly not even use AT&T at all. Would you rather have a customer the just buys some of your services, or not have a customer at all? Or to have a customer that pretty much hates you? AT&T marketing strategy: make less money, and pave the way for making even less money.

 

[sleepybaby]

yes it's possible,but can be time consuming

I'm in a similar situation as the OP. I want the 1st gen iPhone but would like to not have to pay for the data plan. Today I actually called ATT customer service three different times and talked to three different reps.

The first rep said I could activate an old iPhone but would have to choose a data plan in the activation process. I told him I didn't mind activating it w/ a data plan but wondered if there was the possibility to remove the data after it was activated, he said that was not a problem and could be done.

The second rep I called said the same and when I tried to clarify w/ him that it could be removed he asked me to hold and either sat there a picked his nose or talked to his manager or something but came back and said that the data plan could not be removed.

The third rep was similar to the second... same explanation on why I didn't want it, put on hold, came back and said it was required.

SO... are they bluffing, b/c if you search around there was obviously a time where you remove the data plan:

http://www.talkiphone.com/dont-need-data-remove-it-125/

don't know if this still holds true or not but thats the best evidence I've found that shows it is optional. Plus, all of them seemed to know and mention that Visual Voicemail wouldn't work w/o accessing the data network.

Anyone w/ a 1st gen iPhone and has their data plan removed w/o unlocking their iPhone? I might start a new post to see who has their data plan removed or has the option in their ATT online account to remove the data plan if they do have data plan.

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Sleepy'z answer:

yes my friend,might be hard to believe,but it's possible
i myself bought a 1st generation iphone from ebay in late september,i activated my iphone via itunes,but had to agree to the $20 min. for data plan.
the next day i called att,and told them i wanted to have it dropped.
the rep. said it wasn't possible,because it shows up on their system that i had an iphone,and stated it was required. so i told her,being that the case i would switch back to my old razr,and sell back the iphone to "my friend"
she said if that was the case,she would drop it then,but requested the inei number found on the back of cellphones...so i got my old razr and gave it to her...she then said,it was dropped and she would credit me the $20 back to my acct.,but then there was a little problem. my voicemail didn't work,i tried several ways of resolving this,by avoiding contacting att
but,after 2 days i called the rep,but before i did this i got the sim out of the iphone and put it in my razr,just in case. it took them nearly an hour to fix the problem,they tried several things,but at the end i have an iphone,with no 2 yr agreement,no data plan,no visual voicemail but i have the basice voicemail back...