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MGMetz327

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 28, 2009
4
0
Can I jailbreak an iphone, then get a Data only plan from verizon so I can get the free call apps from the app store? This would make the calls go over the 3G connection.


Someone please tell me if this will work, Thank you
 
Verizon won't be able to activate the data plan on an iPhone, it's an incompatible phone, different technology. And even if they could, a data plan still uses cell signals. The closest you can get to using an iPhone on Verizon is by getting a MiFi or whatever it's called and using that as a portable WiFi hotspot, then always using WiFi only on your iPhone.
 
Actually, this is possible if you get the Verizon MiFi. It provides a wifi connection to your iPhone.
 
Actually, this is possible if you get the Verizon MiFi. It provides a wifi connection to your iPhone.

I bought a MiFi just a few days ago and ported my number to T-Mobile today for voice and SMS.

The device isn't perfect, and could use a firmware update to fix some bugs with charging and LED status lights, but being able to walk around NYC and get up to 2Mbps on the iPhone, with no carrier-imposed caps on mobile apps or downloads, is almost like a dream. Plus, sticking it to AT&T is icing on the cake. :p
 
I bought a MiFi just a few days ago and ported my number to T-Mobile today for voice and SMS.

The device isn't perfect, and could use a firmware update to fix some bugs with charging and LED status lights, but being able to walk around NYC and get up to 2Mbps on the iPhone, with no carrier-imposed caps on mobile apps or downloads, is almost like a dream. Plus, sticking it to AT&T is icing on the cake. :p

I'm doing the same thing and finding it pretty great so far. What kind of battery life are you getting? Also, are you having problems with the MiFi going to sleep, and having to wake it up every 30 minutes or so? It re-connects very fast, so its not much of a problem. Also, with its rated battery life of 4 hours, you probably don't want it wasting battery life when your iPhone is asleep.

I live in Montana, where we don't have AT&T, but of course I'm in love with the iPhone and couldn't live without it. I am using an unlocked iPhone 3G and a local GSM carrier for voice/text. The problem with this local carrier is that they don't allow data roaming outside of Montana. (Well, they allow it, but at ridiculous rates.)

Since their data plan was already $30, I find it well worth it to pay an extra $30/month and get fast EVDO speeds and nationwide roaming. Also, I can use the MiFi to connect my laptop for work.

Sure, I have to carry an extra device, which is a bit of a pain. But the MiFi is very small. Call me crazy, but I just bought a wallet that I believe will hold the MiFi, so that its not just loose in my pocket:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250439971100
 
I'm doing the same thing and finding it pretty great so far. What kind of battery life are you getting? Also, are you having problems with the MiFi going to sleep, and having to wake it up every 30 minutes or so? It re-connects very fast, so its not much of a problem. Also, with its rated battery life of 4 hours, you probably don't want it wasting battery life when your iPhone is asleep.

Battery life is... acceptable. But I happen to walk around with a murs... er, messenger bag and I ordered the Tekkeon MP1800 external battery so it'll stay charged for an additional 10+ hours: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017KH6OU/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

One thing I've sort of figured out is that the MiFi can only do two of three things at a time: power EVDO, power WiFi, or charge the battery. So if you keep hitting the wifi, particularly with streaming apps, you stand a good chance of switching off the charging cycle for at least a few minutes. I believe this is a heat-related limitation with 3G chips in general, since running NetShare on my iPhone makes it hot enough to cook on.

As for the power-down thing, you can change the 30-minute standby mode in the web admin page (192.168.1.1). But I've found that the wifi occasionally dies anyway and I have to reboot. My device might be faulty, still not sure.

Since their data plan was already $30, I find it well worth it to pay an extra $30/month and get fast EVDO speeds and nationwide roaming. Also, I can use the MiFi to connect my laptop for work.

Way I see it, I've been paying AT&T $30/mo to get utterly craptastic speeds, often down to <100kbps in midtown Manhattan. Paying $60/mo to get 700kbps-1.4Mbps on average is a far better deal, and doesn't feel like a waste of money!
 
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That sounds like a real pain in the rear though......

Well, I weigh it against constantly turning Airplane Mode on and off just to get back to 3G, not being able to download an app because it's over 10MB, not making out YouTube videos because they've been downsampled to hell, subconsciously learning not to browse CSS/AJAX-heavy sites because they take minutes to load... and the pain in my rear is reduced to a dull throbbing thanks to the MiFi. :D
 
The whole "MiFi" idea seems like the most absurd thing I've ever heard in my life. Is it THAT important to you to have an iPhone on Verizon?

Technically my iPhone's on T-Mobile. And it's important to me that my data speeds reflect what I'm paying for. Not sure how coverage is in your area but everyone I know in New York with an iPhone 3G is ready to throw it against a wall.
 
The whole "MiFi" idea seems like the most absurd thing I've ever heard in my life. Is it THAT important to you to have an iPhone on Verizon?

Other than giving up on having an iPhone, I'm not aware of a better alternative for someone living in Montana who wants nationwide roaming for data. No national GSM carriers provide service in Montana. The local carrier only gives local EDGE data, and charges crazy prices for roaming. I travel for work and need nationwide roaming.

This solution works for me. Not absurd at all, given my constraints.
 
You aren't serious are you?

24" Aluminum iMac, 3.06 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 1 TB GB HD
16 Gb Second Gen Ipod Touch
Powerbook G4
LG Voyager

I believe he actually is, though I don't know how people can be so oblivious sometimes. This question has only been asked how many times? It's not like he's new to Apple either... :rolleyes:

I guess you always have a little something more to learn about technology, eh?
 
Other than giving up on having an iPhone, I'm not aware of a better alternative for someone living in Montana who wants nationwide roaming for data. No national GSM carriers provide service in Montana. The local carrier only gives local EDGE data, and charges crazy prices for roaming. I travel for work and need nationwide roaming.

This solution works for me. Not absurd at all, given my constraints.

You live in Montana, I live in New York, and we both have the same workaround for AT&T. Kinda funny. :D
 
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