iPhone and no-term plans

[Throckmorton]

I was hoping to get a data only or cheap prepaid + data plan for my iPhone but it's not possible. I just had this chat conversation with an ATT rep:

Matthew G.: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?
Me: hello. i have an iphone that i cancelled service for and paid the fee
Me: and i want to know if i can get a data only plan for it
Matthew G.: I would be more then happy to assist you with that today!
Me: or use Pick Your Plan plus the $20 data plan
Matthew G.: No you cannot, it requires a voice plan on a contract plan.
Matthew G.: It cannot be used on a prepaid plan.
Me: it requires a contract even though i've already paid a cancellation fee?
Matthew G.: It requires a contract plan, with the monthly min plans, but you would not have a two year contract.
Me: i could cancel whenever i want without a fee?
Matthew G.: Thats correct.
Me: what is the cheapest voice plan i can get?
Matthew G.: $39.99 for 450 minutes + the $30 data plan, so $69.99/mo is the lowest you could possibly get the iPhone for.

 

[Swivelguy2]

Thank you for making a thread to inform us all of something that's clearly available on the AT&T website.

Did you have a question?

 

[Throckmorton]

Clearly available where on the AT&T website?

Do this for me. Google "iPhone Pick Your Plan". You will find a lot of articles claiming that AT&T approves of using an iPhone with PYP, just not Pay As You Go. That's false information.


Now do this. Google "iPhone no term" or "iPhone no contract". You will find hundreds of posts on forums asking whether you can get an iPhone without a contract, and conflicting information from responders about always needing the 2 year contract, $800 unlocked iPhones, etc. Is that because the information is clearly available on the AT&T website?

 

[pm]

You can definitely use an iPhone with T-Mobile without a contract. I did it for 18 months. And you can definitely use an iPhone with T-Mobile's prepaid plan - my sister is doing that right now. I'm pretty sure you can get some data-only plan for it as well - although it wouldn't be 3G data.

If you don't like the terms that AT&T is dictating, you can take your business elsewhere. Or use a different phone.

 

[Swivelguy2]

Is it an original iPhone or 3G?

I don't see much conflicting information. AT&T's official stance is that you shouldn't be using an iPhone on prepaid of any sort:

http://forums.wireless.att.com/cng/...thread.id=64897&view=by_date_ascending&page=2

It's therefore natural that an AT&T representative isn't going to tell you any different over the phone, so you shouldn't be surprised. The $20 PYP data option has a list of compatible phones that doesn't include any iPhones.

I'll bet it would work to get a PYP plan with the $20 data option and then swap the SIM card into an unlocked iPhone (you eat the cost of buying a $50 GoPhone you don't need). It may or may not work with your non-unlocked iPhone. Also, AT&T may or may not be able to tell that you've done so and cut you off. But you're not going to get a representative to confirm that it's possible, because it's against the "rules" and they don't want you to do it.

Yes, the American wireless carriers are evil gold-diggers. No surprises there either.

More clarification:

http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/att-angers-prepaid-iphone-gophone-users-20090616/

 

[pm]

Right. I'd do what Swivel said - borrow a GSM phone, or buy one - sign up for a prepaid plan, swap SIMs into an iPhone and then wait for them to tell you you can't do that. For all that people talk about AT&T doing "sweeps" they seem to take a very long time to find people doing this.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Well from what I read on HoFo, the sweeps happen every few months or so. You don't get very far before getting caught.

 

[Throckmorton]

What bothers me is that the $40 voice plan is required for an iPhone. I switched to using Tmobile prepaid but I miss the internet capability of the iPhone. Data only would be ideal, but they could at least offer an option like $30 data + $20 voice.

 

[alm99]

So, does t-mobile allow the iPhone on their network with their newer no contract plans unlimited plans they just rolled out?

 

[secretanchitman]

So, does t-mobile allow the iPhone on their network with their newer no contract plans unlimited plans they just rolled out?

yep i would think so. of course you wouldnt get visual voicemail and 3G, but im sure you knew that already.

 

[alm99]

yep i would think so. of course you wouldnt get visual voicemail and 3G, but im sure you knew that already.

Yeah, wifi would be fine for that. I don't have VVM now so no biggy.