Becoming Annoyed

Steelersfan1 · ‎08-28-2008

I have been an AT&T customer for the past 4 years (I left Verizon because of their shady business practices of crippling phones). Anyway two things have happened recently that have made me become very annoyed with AT&T. First - They FINALLY get the Sony c905, and what do they do? In Verizon-like form they CRIPPLE the wifi. Ok, fine when I am up for renewal in May I will just get one, debrand it, and unlock the wifi but then what happens...they DISCONTINUE the phone. Really? Why? They tell their reps to say "The phone didn't sell well". { word filter evasion } It was consistently one of the best selling phones on Amazon. I talked to a rep (nice guy straight shooter) and he said it sold very well and he said "They discontinued it because it was the last good dumb phone AT&T offered, from now on they are going to put out crap phones unless you want to pay $30 a month extra for a data package". I also think AT&T pulled the c905 because of the massive debranding to enable the wifi in which they CRIPPLED. So I will be out of contract soon and my AWESOME phones to choose from (that don't require me to shell out $30 extra a month for) are: LG Shine II, Nokia Mural, Sony w518...all of them are CRAP! Hey AT&T not everyone NEEDS a $30 data plan. I spend 95% of my time at work or at home, both places I have high speed internet access, so listen to your customers and quit trying to force people to shell out extra money for a data plan just so they can have a decent phone. I will probably just go on ebay and pick up an unlocked c905 for $200, I am just disappointed in AT&T, they are becoming the new Verizon.

emfpir · ‎03-27-2010

the CEO of att said that he would ensure each customer with att will be paying a hundred dollars a month. your point is very well noted. hard to image them wanting everything to be cheap and simple when even the FCC thinks that the american market is not very competitive. this is where i go from fact to opinion but the FCC seems to work too close with the phone markets causing regulations to slide for the companies. And they are the ones pointing out things aren't competitive.

tszefr · ‎12-09-2005

Sorry that's the way it is. They have been using "custom" firmware for a long time. My first decent phone was the W810i and it had Jack Splat on the Activity key, doing only "trot of to the internet and spend money" instead of provide a useful menu. From that one to the C905, S/E mail tool is replaced with the inferior "Mobile Email" product. As you know, de-branding cures them. The C905 actually got me back into a bit of a contract extension, but if they have no respectable follow on, we will be back out of contract and stay that way. Fortunately there are sources for S/E phones including Sony Style store. Just watch the bands to make sure you get a compatible model.

mlife · ‎02-07-2003

this may be good or bad new to you then but the $30 plan is about to go away...

http://m.gizmodo.com/5553418/att-just-killed-unlimited-wireless-data-and-screwed-everybody-in-the-pr...

Steelersfan1 · ‎08-28-2008

Just picked up a brand new debranded c905 on ebay for $165, a good deal considering this phone has been going for between $190-$210 in auctions. Can't wait to use the wifi and the camera. I am eligble for upgrade from AT&T next week, I will get a W518a (for free), sell it for $100 brand new in box on ebay and end up only paying $65 for my debranded c905, better deal than if I would have bought the c905 from AT&T.

JohnnyWalkerBlue · ‎10-02-2007

mlife wrote:
this may be good or bad new to you then but the $30 plan is about to go away...

http://m.gizmodo.com/5553418/att-just-killed-unlimited-wireless-data-and-screwed-everybody-in-the-pr...

Do you see anywhere in the rate plan changes that effect non smart phones. I don't think so.

Talking abour the C905 here. I'll still have my WiFi and GPS along with a $15 data plan.

mlife · ‎02-07-2003

JohnnyWalkerBlue wrote:
mlife wrote:
this may be good or bad new to you then but the $30 plan is about to go away...

http://m.gizmodo.com/5553418/att-just-killed-unlimited-wireless-data-and-screwed-everybody-in-the-pr...
Do you see anywhere in the rate plan changes that effect non smart phones. I don't think so.
Talking abour the C905 here. I'll still have my WiFi and GPS along with a $15 data plan.

Well, actually its about the plan and not any specific phone.., or at least thats how I read it when the OP said "Hey AT&T not everyone NEEDS a $30 data plan" ...so anyone educated on the data plans would realize that this would no longer be an option for ANY phone... not just limited to the "smart" ones.... and with at&t being GSM that would mean for users like my self or even for users in the OP's position whom have a non smart phone but would still like to have more capable devices (regardless of the data plan you may have) this can effect you. Also, if the C905a was really dropped due to the large number of users debranding it (which I personally don't believe) then the current $15 option vs. the up & coming $15 option may or may not be of interest to users in this same situation. I for one (although not often) do use my Nokia N86 to tether (with my PSPgo).... this would no longer be a viable solution as this more often than not puts my usage up/over 300mb.

Now back to my original point... Ill spell it out as I guess you missed what I was saying.... My reason for the link was to point out that this may or may not impact a user whom does NOT want to be "forced" into a $30 data plan based on the available selection of "good" devices. If you choose to use wi-fi over the data plans then just get a 200mb plan ... YOUR NO LONGER REQUIRED TO PAY $30..... buy any "good" phone and select a $15 plan (same as you pay now) and save the other $15/month.... at&t did this to regain some control over the current iPhone data usage but I believe it will also provide a more cost effective data option for everyone else... a win - win if you will.

Steelersfan1 · ‎08-28-2008

Quick question, I honestly don't care about having MMS (I know by doing what i am going to say I will not be able to recieve or send them), so if I call AT&T and have them block data on my account, anywhere my c905 can pick up an unsecured wifi signal, I can get free internet on my phone, correct? My house, a bar, the ballpark, work, etc. Most places have free wifi available these days. There is NO way they can charge me for data, if they "block it".

mlife · ‎02-07-2003

Steelersfan1 wrote:
Quick question, I honestly don't care about having MMS (I know by doing what i am going to say I will not be able to recieve or send them), so if I call AT&T and have them block data on my account, anywhere my c905 can pick up an unsecured wifi signal, I can get free internet on my phone, correct? My house, a bar, the ballpark, work, etc. Most places have free wifi available these days. There is NO way they can charge me for data, if they "block it".

Data and messaging are separate of each other.... I believe only CDMA carriers (Verizon and sprint) limit "picture mail" if you block data.... With at&t (feel free to correct me anyone, if this is not 100% true) MMS is totally separate than your "data" / "internet" on the at&t network... you can block data and still have full access to the MMS servers. So, in short, if you block data your only option for internet access would be via wi-fi which is indeed free... the short answer to your question is "YES" any where you can get a wifi signal you would have free data access and would not need the data pack if you choose not to use at&t's EDGE/GPRS/UMTS/HSDPA network.

wilcre · ‎06-01-2004

mlife wrote:
Steelersfan1 wrote:
Quick question, I honestly don't care about having MMS (I know by doing what i am going to say I will not be able to recieve or send them), so if I call AT&T and have them block data on my account, anywhere my c905 can pick up an unsecured wifi signal, I can get free internet on my phone, correct? My house, a bar, the ballpark, work, etc. Most places have free wifi available these days. There is NO way they can charge me for data, if they "block it".
Data and messaging are separate of each other.... I believe only CDMA carriers (Verizon and sprint) limit "picture mail" if you block data.... With at&t (feel free to correct me anyone, if this is not 100% true) MMS is totally separate than your "data" / "internet" on the at&t network... you can block data and still have full access to the MMS servers. So, in short, if you block data your only option for internet access would be via wi-fi which is indeed free... the short answer to your question is "YES" any where you can get a wifi signal you would have free data access and would not need the data pack if you choose not to use at&t's EDGE/GPRS/UMTS/HSDPA network.

Unfortuantely with ATTM if data is blocked so is MMS, one can not be had without the other unfortunately.

AT&T's return policy has changed effective 10/07/12. You have 14 days to return the device & cxl without a ETF. Policy info HERE.

Where is Justin Timberlake when you need him?. I need him to billed me a bridge to get a cross all these tears from complainers.This post is protected under the laws of the United States & other Countries. Unauthorized duplication, Distribution may result in civil liability & criminal prosecution.The OP gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of: The mods, Fellow forumites, Canada, The United States Of America, Mexico, USVI & Europe. As well as James Bond.

When the going gets rough, hide in a pillow fort and pretend you don't exist.

Steelersfan1 · ‎08-28-2008

I found a way to still have MMS and make sure that I don't access Media Net (if you look on the postings someone posted the steps). Anyway I can definitely see what caused this phone to get discontinued...the massive debranding (any AT&T rep that says otherwise is lying). I have been using this phone for a few weeks now and it is pretty much a smart phone, with an awesome camera, that doesn't require you to pay for data. I set up a dummy account on my phone and I have used wifi for free internet and been able to pick up a singal pretty much anywhere I go that I would use it (except in my car on the road, no biggie). Anyone out there that is sick of paying AT&T for data (and they are even capping it now) and think they can get by with data usage in wifi areas, drop your smartphone, put $30 a month back in your pocket and pick this phone up. The camera is awesome and I honestly like the way the browser looks and functions better than my friends "Blackberry" browser. I have had no issues using You Tube or viewing any websites. One question though, can I get Pandora on this phone?

Springboard · ‎05-17-2010

Someone enlighten me about the "WiFi wherever you go" thing. If I'm at work or home, I have a computer and don't need WiFi (or 3G or Edge) on my phone. If I'm out and about, mainly the only places I can get WiFi are at coffee shops. Are people that are cancelling their data plans residing in cities that have some kind of free city-wide WiFi?

tszefr · ‎12-09-2005

Cancel data for wifi? No, not for me. Wifi is fine but a pain. The data is just there, at least wherever as they say Cingular did not raze the bar. Since there is inadequate signal at my house, I usually turn on the wifi and use it. Comes in handy when computer is not turned on or is out of reach. Cancel SMS/MMS definitely though. If you are debranded mail tool does it all. Thus all you need is the $15 unlimited data plan. It is the data plan and debranded S/E that keeps me on board.

Steelersfan1 · ‎08-28-2008

I never had data to begin with, I know the wifi doesn't "replace" data but when you never had data it is nice to have. So far I have been able to use my wifi to get free internet at numerous bars, the ball park, and even walking down the street in some areas of the city I live in. That is all I was saying in regards to the internet usage. Obviously I can't use my wifi on the road to use GPS or anything like that.

Springboard · ‎05-17-2010

Tszefr, how can you cancel SMS/MMS? I see the phone has messages and emails under messaging, and the messages can be viewed in standard form or in conversation form (very nice). But aren't the messages coming from the text/MMS allotment? Are you saying there's some way to count them as data?

jett456 · ‎04-24-2007

I can send picture messages on my 760a and I have medianet turned off. Can't I do the same thing on the C905. I am going to get one on ebay asap!!!

Steelersfan1 · ‎08-28-2008

I have a Black c905i and I can send and recieve MMS just fine, you have to create your media net account under (picture messaging) to allow your phone to send/recieve them. If you look elsewhere in the Sony forum you will find the settings, they worked just fine for my phone. Also for your internet connection, you will want to create a dummy account and set your phone to access that to connect to the net. That way when you use wifi, if you drop signal your phone won't connect to media net (which would cause data charges). I have had my phone over a month, and have used wifi a ton for internet use. I just got my first bill and had 0 data useage. I would suggest buying this phone, it is definitely a step up from the w760a, it is however bulkier and heavier.