So apparently in the US, if you use an iPhone regardless of where the SIM comes from, with ATT they can / will detect the IMEI and charge a data plan price for this... It seems that there is a way to change the APN to block data, but that does not stop ATT from recognizing the device as an iPhone, and again charging for data... Only solution is to change the IMEI which I am gathering is illegal as it is a unique identifier. Why do I care ?- Well, I got the iPhone 4 and got a 3GS a year prior that is in exquisite shape, that I figured I would give my son... he has no need whatsoever for data usage, already has texting on the contract, and can use WiFi if needed for anything else... But ATT just used their smartphone clause in the contract and just started charging us for an "approriate" data plan (even though it is only 0.4 Kb) in the last 6 weeks) about 3 days after I made the switch... Seems like the FCC would ban a companies ability to do this. I can understand insisting on a purchase for a new phone, but a used phone that is already paid for, and you don't even want the service - I want data turned off - #1 - they WON'T do it, #2 - they CAN'T do it - when the network detects the iphone IMEI - a data plan is automatically attached to the phone, and reps (even if they agree with me - which they do) CAN'T turn off the data charge, or block data from the phone - not in their list of options - they are prevented by their own system from doing so - you have to change the sim to another phone, read them that IMEI, then they can turn it off and block it... So, if anyone has good suggestions or can point me somewhere - I'm not interested in breaking the law, but I am interested in being able to use a product I paid for, in a manner that I want to use it, not one that ATT dictates... I'd appreciate it. I guess that is why so many people put these on E-bay - maybe I'll have to do that... drag....
This is what you need to do, get an IMEI off an old phone, RAZR go phone whatever doesn't matter just make sure it's an att IMEI, call customer service and tell them you "have lost your iphone and I'm now using my old device, here's my IMEI"... Give them the "Fake" IMEI. After that ask them to place a "WIX (Data) BLOCK" SAY DATA BLOCK THOUGH! on the line, that will block all data transfers (including MMS photos) but will allow the phone to operate 100% other then that... This isn't illegal and the worst that will happen is att may see the iphone still and start charging again, but I have had my wife on my old iphone for 6 months now and as long as the "wix block" is there they won't recognize it!
Also make sure the phone is off and do not turn it on until both the data block has been added and the IMEI changed, at that point you can go ahead and use as normal.. (-MMS and data)...
Apple says you can use that phone without a SIM card / carrier... Link I'd have an iPhone 4 if it weren't for the data plan requirement (I'm too cheap to pay it, so I'm carrying a cheapo phone and an iPod Touch for the time being... )
@1337 brian -Thanks for the help. Yeah, I am giving them the IMEI of a real phone - just an old one to get the data off - I'll try the WIX data block and see what happens. I guess when you connect to the network though, ATT still sees the IMEI - maybe with the WIX data block it does not set off a trigger - I'll hope... @KGameLover1 - Unless there are some apps that you know of through cydia - jailbreaking it won't do anything. And the APN thing just blocks data transfer (as far as I can tell) - there was a pretty good write up on the whole Fake APN thing - but the questions of whether ATT can still see the phone through IMEI and charge data was never really answered... But, I'll certainly look through cydia, unless you are aware of some apps that will do what I need them to do? @drlebs - yeah - I know - but then it is essentially a touch with a camera - and I'd really like to be able to have the phone available - especially where kids are concerned - that is the new "modern" kid leash...
