Can't Use Smartphone Sim in IPad?

[styroe]

I have been using my modified sim card in my iPad for some time to utilize the data plan I already pay for. Recently my data plan was blocked for doing so, I called and had it restored with no problem. However, AT&T was telling that it's against policy to do so and that they had always blocked data plans that did this but that their was a glitch in the system was the reason I got caught and that they must have finally caught up with me

I was told this was done because it's not possible to use it in the IPad, not true otherwise my data plan wouldn't have been blocked. Then I was told that it was for my "protection" so I didn't go over my data limits, and no you can't opt out of the protection. Finally I was told that it's because the plans operate differently and it has something to do with prepaid versus my current plan.

Frankly I think they are pulling the wool over my eyes and trying to sneak away with making my contract materially adverse. It's my data plan and I should be allowed to use it how I want it as set forth in my agreement. I looked over the agreement but I don't see anything that says I can't use it in this manner.

Can anyone substantiate that the data plans work differently? Can this be an instance of materially adverse since they are blocking functionality? I got a 25 dollar credit for my trouble and was offered an iPhone 4 for 200 bucks but I didn't bite... I already have an iPad.

 

[sygyzy]

You seem like a pretty smart guy and have it mostly figured out but you are thinking too hard. Whether or not the data plan on an iPhione vs iPad are materially different are of no consequence. In other words, why does it matter? The fact remains, it's AT&T's policy to not allow it.

Before iPhone vs iPad there were smart vs dumbphones. Companies like A&T would have a cheap ($5) dataplan for dumb phones and a $15-$20 plan for smartphones. The idea is if you had a bigger screen and keyboard you would consume more data. This actually makes a lot of sense because anyone who has used a shitty flip phone will tell you, you don't want to be online with it for more than a few minutes. Anyway, what people would do is sign up for the $5 plan and pop the sim into their Palm Treo or Blackjack, or whatever. The pipe and even the APN's were 100% identical.

 

[styroe]

You seem like a pretty smart guy and have it mostly figured out but you are thinking too hard. Whether or not the data plan on an iPhione vs iPad are materially different are of no consequence. In other words, why does it matter? The fact remains, it's AT&T's policy to not allow it.

Before iPhone vs iPad there were smart vs dumbphones. Companies like A&T would have a cheap ($5) dataplan for dumb phones and a $15-$20 plan for smartphones. The idea is if you had a bigger screen and keyboard you would consume more data. This actually makes a lot of sense because anyone who has used a shitty flip phone will tell you, you don't want to be online with it for more than a few minutes. Anyway, what people would do is sign up for the $5 plan and pop the sim into their Palm Treo or Blackjack, or whatever. The pipe and even the APN's were 100% identical.

I don't see the policy anywhere and I had my smart phone before the iPad hit the streets, seems like the policy is a bit ex post facto...

 

[zerocool84]

I don't see the policy anywhere and I had my smart phone before the iPad hit the streets, seems like the policy is a bit ex post facto...

You signed up for the data on the smartphone NOT the iPad. The smartphone would be on the contract. If you had the iPad on the contract you'd use the data for that and wouldn't be allowed to use it for the smartphone.

 

[styroe]

You signed up for the data on the smartphone NOT the iPad. The smartphone would be on the contract. If you had the iPad on the contract you'd use the data for that and wouldn't be allowed to use it for the smartphone.

Technically the smart phone isn't on the contract nor does it link the contract to the phone. Hence the whole point of the SIM card.

 

[gorcorps]

Technically the smart phone isn't on the contract nor does it link the contract to the phone. Hence the whole point of the SIM card.

TECHNICALLY AT&T doesn't care. The fact remains that you signed this contract with their understanding that you'll use it on the smartphone only. When you use it on the ipad, they see that and block the data. It's the same thing when people buy a non-subsidized iphone without a data plan. They see they're using an iphone, and then add the data plan. They won't let you use the iphone without the data plan.

It's not fair, and there's no technical reason it can't work... but that doesn't change the fact that AT&T doesn't allow it. No need to keep analyzing it, it's simply a business move to ensure you buy separate data plans. It's awful but there's nothing you can do.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

this is the same reason why AT&T can suck dick.

The point of a GSM network and the SIM card is so you can swap devices anytime you want. Unfortunately, US devices like the iPad and iPhone are documented by AT&T so you can't just get away with it. It sucks, but meh. The only other way to get around it is to spoof your device, which would be illegal.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Wrong thread.