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heymax777

Contributor

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3 Messages

Mon, Sep 19, 2011 5:31 AM

Transferring Grandfathered Data Plan to New Device

I have an iPhone 3G with a grandfathered unlimited data plan. I was thinking about getting a new phone and keeping the same plan as is. I checked my wireless account and it shows "Data Unlimited for iPhone." I know a phone ugrade through AT&T would require a new data plan along with a 2-year contract, so I'm avoiding that since my contract is over. My question is, if I were to purchase an unlocked gsm smartphone elsewhere, can I just remove the sim card from my iPhone and pop it into the new phone? Would this work? Would this allow me to keep my same plan and everything else? I just wanted to verify before purchasing a new phone. Thanks in advance.

Max

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youngjm

Master

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7.1K Messages

9 years ago

As long as you stay with any smartphone, you can keep your unlimited data. You will need to make sure it is the right data plan for the phone but you are grandfathered to keep your unlimited data.

_____________________

For service or support questions including existing order status, call:
Customer Support: 1-800-331-0500

Information on iPhone unlocking can be found here by copying this link into your browser:
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/client/en_US/

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coolstorybro

Scholar

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289 Messages

9 years ago

As long as the frequencies work and it works with att (of course, duh lol) it will work. 😄 You can still keep your data plan as stated above as long as you have a smartphone. Att will just change you from "Unlimited iPhone" data plan to "Smartphone/Blackberry" unlimited data plan depending on which phone you get.

If you upgrade online or at an authorized retailer, it may not give the option to keep your unlimited data plan (though i've seen the option online via att.com, but not sure how much they've updated it since i haven't guided anybody throught upgrading/purchasing a new device). Att reps can change the data plan from smartphone to smartphone.

😛

heymax777

Contributor

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3 Messages

9 years ago

Thanks for everyone's input. I feel more confident now in upgrading my phone and keeping my plan. I appreciate it! Smiley Happy

Chewy

Mentor

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4 Messages

9 years ago

I have a similiar question. I have the unlimited blackberry plan. I am waiting for the new 4g samsung galaxy. Is this transition of granfathered plans ok if I go from a 3g unlimited plan to a 4g smartphone? I do live in a 4g area. Thanks!

youngjm

Master

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7.1K Messages

9 years ago

@Chewy wrote:

I have a similiar question. I have the unlimited blackberry plan. I am waiting for the new 4g samsung galaxy. Is this transition of granfathered plans ok if I go from a 3g unlimited plan to a 4g smartphone? I do live in a 4g area. Thanks!

No difference....You are going from a smartphone to a smartphone!!!!!!

StarofG0D

Contributor

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1 Message

9 years ago

Hi all,

What about an LG phone? And I tether. 😕 However, this is the only internet we can get down here other than dialup! So I am so thankful for this plan! But I am eligible for an upgrade.

Thanks.

heymax777

Contributor

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3 Messages

9 years ago

Here's an update on my recent cell phone upgrade. I upgraded my phone through Best Buy. I went with the LG Thrill and renewed my contract with AT&T. I was able to get the phone for $49 after price match. The regular price is $99. For those who want to get it even cheaper, check out Walmart.com and you can get the phone for $19.99 with contract right now!

Now back to my upgrade with Best Buy....I was able to keep my unlimited data plan along with my original calling plan. My new LG Thrill truly outclasses my old iPhone 3G on every level except the battery life. I highly recommend this phone to anyone looking for a nice upgrade. Furthermore, the folks at Best Buy didn't hassle me with any extras or expensive packages, so it was a pleasant experience. The LG Thrill is expecting to get the Gingerbread update this month, so go out and get this phone while the price is right! Smiley Happy

wingrider01

Expert

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12.2K Messages

9 years ago

@StarofG0D wrote:
Hi all,

What about an LG phone? And I tether. 😕 However, this is the only internet we can get down here other than dialup! So I am so thankful for this plan! But I am eligible for an upgrade.

Thanks.

If you are tehtering on the unlimited data plan expect to get a email or a text from ATT, tethering is not permitted on the unlimited data plan, if you end up in the top 5 percent of grandfather unlimited data plan users the bandwidth will be throttled heavily until you next billing cycle

RicoLX

Professor

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7.8K Messages

9 years ago

@heymax777 wrote:

Here's an update on my recent cell phone upgrade. I upgraded my phone through Best Buy. I went with the LG Thrill and renewed my contract with AT&T. I was able to get the phone for $49 after price match. The regular price is $99. For those who want to get it even cheaper, check out Walmart.com and you can get the phone for $19.99 with contract right now!

Now back to my upgrade with Best Buy....I was able to keep my unlimited data plan along with my original calling plan. My new LG Thrill truly outclasses my old iPhone 3G on every level except the battery life. I highly recommend this phone to anyone looking for a nice upgrade. Furthermore, the folks at Best Buy didn't hassle me with any extras or expensive packages, so it was a pleasant experience. The LG Thrill is expecting to get the Gingerbread update this month, so go out and get this phone while the price is right!

Heymax you are right! As long as your upgrade is another smartphone, you will keep your grandfathered unlimited plan! Aint that great?! Ive made an upgrade from a Tilt2 to the Dell Streak which was ordered direct from Dell.com and not ATT, and still, the entire transition was seamless and nothing was lost or discontinued! Cool huh!?

projectpaki

Contributor

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1 Message

9 years ago

My situation is slightly different. I used to have an old non-smartphone and had $10 unlimited data i think back in 2008. Then my brother gave me his BB and I never was forced to get the BB Connect plan. Last year I bought a Captivate off of a friend. So I am using that now with $10 non-smartphone unlimited data without a problem. Note, I have been without a contract for past 2 years now. So if I renew will I run into any problems? The advantage of being off contract is that if they ever forced me to change my data, I could easily sale ship considering I'm not contracted.

RicoLX

Professor

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7.8K Messages

9 years ago

@projectpaki wrote:
My situation is slightly different. I used to have an old non-smartphone and had $10 unlimited data i think back in 2008. Then my brother gave me his BB and I never was forced to get the BB Connect plan. Last year I bought a Captivate off of a friend. So I am using that now with $10 non-smartphone unlimited data without a problem. Note, I have been without a contract for past 2 years now. So if I renew will I run into any problems? The advantage of being off contract is that if they ever forced me to change my data, I could easily sale ship considering I'm not contracted.

You would think they would pick up on your device and how its accessing data. You say youve had the same sim card and using different devices since 2008? Is this unlimited nonsmart or smartphone unlimited are you saying you have?

wingrider01

Expert

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12.2K Messages

9 years ago

@projectpaki wrote:
My situation is slightly different. I used to have an old non-smartphone and had $10 unlimited data i think back in 2008. Then my brother gave me his BB and I never was forced to get the BB Connect plan. Last year I bought a Captivate off of a friend. So I am using that now with $10 non-smartphone unlimited data without a problem. Note, I have been without a contract for past 2 years now. So if I renew will I run into any problems? The advantage of being off contract is that if they ever forced me to change my data, I could easily sale ship considering I'm not contracted.

Yes you will, that is not a smartphone plan so it is not grandfathered, it is a medai-net plan wheich never was valid for smarthphones but whrere added in error sometimes, so do not expect to be able to retain it

RicoLX

Professor

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7.8K Messages

9 years ago

If hes got his eyes set on the new iphone 4, yep, either hes paying full non contract or hes going to have to sign up for two years and the plan that goes with it.

ICUairguy

Contributor

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1 Message

9 years ago

I am also wanting to upgrade from a BB Bold 9000, unlimited plan, to a Galaxy S II, talked to a rep on 611 and she said yes you keep your unlimited data, after she talked to supervisor. She said just order online and it will be taken care of. I went through the motions online, only had 3 plans to pick from. Called 611 they said no your unlimited data plan is not grandfathered. Another 611 rep said yes your plan is grandfathered and told me to call an 866 number and they would walk me through it. No problem. I chat with the lady at the 866 number and she said nope not eligable only if I get another BB... Are you kidding me?!?!

I dont want another BB!

RicoLX

Professor

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7.8K Messages

9 years ago

@ICUairguy wrote:
I am also wanting to upgrade from a BB Bold 9000, unlimited plan, to a Galaxy S II, talked to a rep on 611 and she said yes you keep your unlimited data, after she talked to supervisor. She said just order online and it will be taken care of. I went through the motions online, only had 3 plans to pick from. Called 611 they said no your unlimited data plan is not grandfathered. Another 611 rep said yes your plan is grandfathered and told me to call an 866 number and they would walk me through it. No problem. I chat with the lady at the 866 number and she said nope not eligable only if I get another BB... Are you kidding me?!?!
I dont want another BB!

You're getting conflicting responses back and fourth from CSR to mgrs. Call again speak with a mgr who will actually process the upgrade with you on the phone (if you already have the phone picked out,etc. ) Either you cant transfer the unlimited to "another smartphone" when ATT says you can or someone is providing misinformation to you.

Just call back, speak with a mgr who knows that it can be done, have them process it right then and there if you are ready, so that its finally settled. If the system at that time flags that it cant be done, then just see what they say they could or cant do. But i think as long as its another smart device, you can keep your unlimited.