non at&t smartphone on at&t - mandatory data plan?

[vshah]

I want to get my wife something like an unlocked tmobile LG optimus T to use on at&t, since I can find them easily for under $100 and all unlocked feature phones in that price range are crap.

Will at&t still be able to recognize it as a smartphone & enforce a data plan?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I do believe it's doable. You can just make sure the data is disabled.

I've done it with an iPhone, but someone here may have tried it more recently and gotten caught. Unfortunately there aren't many who try this, so we need definitive confirmation.

 

[AkumaX]

i was told by a friend who works @ AT&T that "it depends". AT&T has the right to put you on a data plan for feature phones like the Optimus T (although it would only be 2G). but it takes them forever to scan/audit their users, so you probably wouldn't get caught. probably.

 

[ImDonly1]

If it is an unlocked international phone, then they probably won't be able to tell. You can use it without data. Lots of people do or they use the feature phone data plan that is $15 or so instead of getting the $30 smartphone one.

There have been some instances where they can tell an unlocked international phone is a smartphone. It depends on the phone really. Google "phone name medianet att" and see what results you get. I know the SGS2 international version could be used on ATT without them knowing. Since yours is a t-mobile phone, it won't get 3g on att. I don't think they would flag it. This guy has been using it. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29380685&postcount=289

Unless you are on a family plan, you might as well go prepaid and use any smartphone (ATT branded or not) without a data plan. They don't care on prepaid.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Can someone explain this one to me?

If you aren't using a subsidized phone, then what damage is the company reasonably avoiding by 'enforcing'a data plan?

If the phone is subsidized, it is perfectly reasonable to include a clause about a data plan.

If not, how does this not border on criminal?

 

[basslover1]

Can someone explain this one to me?

If you aren't using a subsidized phone, then what damage is the company reasonably avoiding by 'enforcing'a data plan?

If the phone is subsidized, it is perfectly reasonable to include a clause about a data plan.

If not, how does this not border on criminal?

That's my thought process as well. When I had AT&T back before data plans were mandatory on smartphones I used a Samsung Blackjack for a while without data and eventually bought an original iPhone on eBay. For about 3 months they didn't force me onto a data plan when I was using the iPhone. I did eventually add it myself because back then Wi-Fi hotspots weren't common so it was kinda useless without it. Even after about 2 months of use of the iPhone with data, I called up to try and save some money and they took the data plan off for me.

I don't know if they'll do that now, but I can't see how they can force you to change your contract when you aren't subsidizing the equipment from them. Plus, it's not like you want to freeload on data, you just want to use the phone without data, it's not really a harm to them because they aren't out any money on equipment subsidies.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Can someone explain this one to me?

If you aren't using a subsidized phone, then what damage is the company reasonably avoiding by 'enforcing'a data plan?

If the phone is subsidized, it is perfectly reasonable to include a clause about a data plan.

If not, how does this not border on criminal?

They just want your money. It's ridiculous right? It's like saiyng I bought an HDTV and now Comcast will shove every HD plan down my throat even if I'm not going to access the HD channels. While it *could* make sense (just like why buy a smartphone without data), what I use is what I use, so they shouldn't be able to do this. It IS borderline criminal.

I can understand this if it's tied to the subsidy, but unsubsidized phones? Don't freaking touch my plan for a phone I bought full price.

Also, my ex-gf has a Windows Phone she bought unsubsidized from aT&T and they allowed her to use it without a data plan.

 

[3chordcharlie]

They just want your money. It's ridiculous right? It's like saiyng I bought an HDTV and now Comcast will shove every HD plan down my throat even if I'm not going to access the HD channels. While it *could* make sense (just like why buy a smartphone without data), what I use is what I use, so they shouldn't be able to do this. It IS borderline criminal.

I can understand this if it's tied to the subsidy, but unsubsidized phones? Don't freaking touch my plan for a phone I bought full price.

Also, my ex-gf has a Windows Phone she bought unsubsidized from aT&T and they allowed her to use it without a data plan.

For me, if I didn't email so much, I would probably have an iPhone, without a data plan.

It would make a great talk/text phone + ipod + wifi internet.