No Data Plan Requirement for Secondary Line iPhone 4S Upgrade on AT&T Premier?

[qinggu1127]

I just upgraded my primary line of my familytalk plan to an iPhone 4S a few days ago with a mandatory monthly data plan through AT&T Premier. Today when I tried to look into upgrading another line to another iPhone 4S, there was no data requirements any more. I tried to check out the device step by step and I found out that I really can do it! (Stop right before agreeing the TERMS and hitting ORDER) 

I was wondering if there is anyone can actually get an iPhone without a data plan? I know it doesn't make any sense to own a smartphone without a data plan. But I am just cuorious if the evil AT&T will add a data plan when I activating the device?

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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qinggu1127 wrote:

I just upgraded my primary line of my familytalk plan to an iPhone 4S a few days ago with a mandatory monthly data plan through AT&T Premier. Today when I tried to look into upgrading another line to another iPhone 4S, there was no data requirements any more. I tried to check out the device step by step and I found out that I really can do it! (Stop right before agreeing the TERMS and hitting ORDER) 

I was wondering if there is anyone can actually get an iPhone without a data plan? I know it doesn't make any sense to own a smartphone without a data plan. But I am just cuorious if the evil AT&T will add a data plan when I activating the device?

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data plan required, either you add it or they will, sometimes the online app will miss it until you check out

[Captain Quantum]

If you do get away with it, it'd be a good idea to put the phone in airplane mode so that it doesn't connect to AT&T's cellular network. And then you can still use the Wi-Fi connection. With the iMessage app and other apps for messaging/calls you would fare ok, but still it might not work. 

If they catch you, they WILL add a data plan. Good luck!

[qinggu1127]

Good idea, Captain! I may try it out this week and give an update of the situation if AT&T catch me or not. It seems like there will be no harm to try.

[BadBadLeroyBrown ACE - Warrior]

I wouldn't even bother with this. As soon as you activate the phone, AT&T will recognize that you have one on that line and they will add a data plan. It doesn't matter if there was a hiccup in the online upgrade system - there are ZERO exceptions granted for the data plan requirement on smartphones, and there is no way to escape this with an iPhone.

[aristizzle]

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Captain Quantum wrote:

If you do get away with it, it'd be a good idea to put the phone in airplane mode so that it doesn't connect to AT&T's cellular network. And then you can still use the Wi-Fi connection. With the iMessage app and other apps for messaging/calls you would fare ok, but still it might not work. 

If they catch you, they WILL add a data plan. Good luck!

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That's a fantastic idea, just put your phone in airplane mode so you can't make/receive calls, text, or data. Just bought a shiny new $199.99 phone for wifi!

AT&T will find out, there's no tricks to get around it. Trust me.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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qinggu1127 wrote:

Good idea, Captain! I may try it out this week and give an update of the situation if AT&T catch me or not. It seems like there will be no harm to try.

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One point - airplane mode turns off wireless also, that is a requirement of the FCC, if you want to make and recieve phone calls. Wirless connection is not allowed on aircraft either.

[qinggu1127]

I just wanted to give an update and wrap things up.

1) It turned out that I could check out my second iPhone without the data plan because I hadn't activated my first one. Once I activated my first one, then the data plan became mandatory for my second line upgrade.

2) Since I activated my first iPhone before ordering the second one, I don't know if AT&T will force me to pick a data plan if I checked out another iPhone without data plan. I guess they will.

3) @wingrider01 Actually you can turn on iPhone's Airplane Mode and keep the wifi. Yes, the wifi will be off once you turn on the Airplane Mode. But you can manually turn on the wifi and keep staying in the Airplane Mode.

Thanks for the comments.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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qinggu1127 wrote:

I just wanted to give an update and wrap things up.

1) It turned out that I could check out my second iPhone without the data plan because I hadn't activated my first one. Once I activated my first one, then the data plan became mandatory for my second line upgrade.

2) Since I activated my first iPhone before ordering the second one, I don't know if AT&T will force me to pick a data plan if I checked out another iPhone without data plan. I guess they will.

3) @wingrider01 Actually you can turn on iPhone's Airplane Mode and keep the wifi. Yes, the wifi will be off once you turn on the Airplane Mode. But you can manually turn on the wifi and keep staying in the Airplane Mode.

Thanks for the comments.

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interesting on 3, guess that is why the flight attendants are becoming more strict on electronic devices in aircraft. seems to me a dangerous loophole that needs to be patched

[qinggu1127]

hmm, I don't think the airlines consider it as a loophole since they are all selling the wifi on the flight. Their requirement is to turn all the electronic devices completely off before reaching 10k ft. So it doesn't matter if we can use wifi or not in the airplane mode. We are not suppose to use ANY mode when our devices are completely off.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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qinggu1127 wrote:
hmm, I don't think the airlines consider it as a loophole since they are all selling the wifi on the flight. Their requirement is to turn all the electronic devices completely off before reaching 10k ft. So it doesn't matter if we can use wifi or not in the airplane mode. We are not suppose to use ANY mode when our devices are completely off.

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not all airlines,, not all flights, figure about 10 percent of the flights I am on in a month have wifi. If you believe people turn their phones off in a flight cabin I have a piece of land in ocean front property in arizona that Iwill seel you, the amjority of travelers just set airplane mode. They still take it seriously though, flew overseas last week, flight was delayed two hours while they "escorted" a teenager and their parents off the flight for refusing to listen to the flight attendants about electronic devices.

In any respect it is a moot point - smartphones reuqire data plans

[ormom51]

Wingrider, what can a cell phone actually do to the plane?  A young man next to me on a plane turned on his cell phone and made a call while we were approaching the airport for the landing.  It made me nervous but I did not say anything because I didn't know what a cell phone can actually do to the plane's operation.  Someone once told me that cell phones really aren't going to cause a problem, the airlines are just being overly cautious.  I have no clue, so what is the truth about cell usage on a plane?  Thanks!

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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ormom51 wrote:

Wingrider, what can a cell phone actually do to the plane?  A young man next to me on a plane turned on his cell phone and made a call while we were approaching the airport for the landing.  It made me nervous but I did not say anything because I didn't know what a cell phone can actually do to the plane's operation.  Someone once told me that cell phones really aren't going to cause a problem, the airlines are just being overly cautious.  I have no clue, so what is the truth about cell usage on a plane?  Thanks!

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can't remember if it is a FAA or FCC regualtions but bottom line, it is their law and a federal violation to ignore it.

http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=6275

[ormom51]

Thanks, wingrider.  So that guy should not have been using his phone as we approached for the landing.  We made it, so I guess his phone did not interfere too much.  I'd rather be safe than sorry, though, so next time I will speak up and ask the phone user to wait.

[farhad2010]

Sorry guys unfortunately AT&T system does a sweep for smartphone, and if you are connected to the network with a smartphone. It will automatically add a data plan for that phone, if you did not have a data line already added. They are getting very sneaky trying to steal your money. So they will just basically send their money stealing software and steal $30 bucks a month. In this country there is no regulation for the service provider. All for the consumer.