I was browsing AT&T's site earlier and noticed that you can get an unlimited texting, messaging, and data plan for $30/month for a dumbphone. When I continued to process my cart it asked for my device's IMEI number.
Can I just put in a dumbphone's IMEI number and then just use my unlocked smartphone (Nexus S and/or HTC Titan)?
I understand that if you use a locked device with the wrong plan AT&T (or any other carrier) will make sure to catch you about it but I'm not sure about the case with unlocked devices.
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Can I use a data plan for dumbphones on an unlocked device?
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timchoi89's pick
This situation isn't the same, but when I tried to use my iPhone SIM card (with an adapter) in another smartphone, it didn't get data because iPhone smart plans are different than regular data plans. I'm not sure whether or not this applies for dumbphone dataplans, but I imagine it does. I don't think AT&T is likely to allow $30 unlimited plans for smartphones that normally require $100+ voice/data plans.
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timchoi89's pick
No. I just had to argue with AT&T yesterday because their policy is that if you use a 'Smart phone type device' you must have a data plan. It doesn't matter if it's unlocked, or that you're out of contract, or that data is turned off on the device. The network returns the type of device in use and they will add a data plan automatically for your convenience. Not the cheap one either, it's the $25/mo 2 GB plan to avoid any dad overage charges. Because if you don't want a data plan it makes sense to make sure you won't go over what you're not using. :-) I argued for 30 minutes and got nowhere other than the plan removed and a credit so I could put the SIM back into dumb phone.
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timchoi89's pick
Depends. There are reports amongst unlocked Nexus One users that they got notified to get a proper data plan. Since AT&T actually does offer subsidy for the Nexus S, I'm sure they would know, even if you use an unlocked version. You might have better luck if you are using a lesser known smartphones like Nokia S60 phones.
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I'm pretty sure that that plan is only for dumbphones. I mean you can always try it, but I'm pretty sure they'd catch it.
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Thanks for answer. I was hoping that I may be able to do with an unlocked Titan...oh well.
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I work for a authorized store; the network will see the IMEI when you try to make a call or use data and know that it is a smart phone. The only way around it is to not use cellular data, which then cripples a lot of the features of a smartphone. I've only had luck though with jailbroken iPhones.
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