Hi Rob,
I have an iphone4 and 4 additional phones on a family plan with AT&T. My iphone 4 is on a unlimited data plan and the 4 other phones are 9.99 each. We share 1400 roll over minutes and we have unlimited texting for like $29 a month. So I a paying out about $170 a month to AT&T with all the taxes. I started with the original iphone, then 3g, then went to the 4.
Basically I pay my dues to AT&T. So my iphone 4 is jailbroken and I gave my oldest daughter my 3g which was jailbroken. We simply inserted the sim card from her old phone and all was well. No issues from AT&T.
About 4 months ago I came into another 3G iphone for my youngest daughter. I jailbroke it and all was well until... About 2 months ago my daughter some how activated the 3G and cell data setting. She received a text from AT&T that they detected an iphone 3g and they are now charging her (me) $15 a month for data package as all data phones used on AT&T networks must have a data package.
I immediately turned of the the data and 3G but the $15 charge continued. In addition her phone broke and she went back to her old phone for a month, the $15 a month charge continued. Now the 3G phone is fixed an she is using it again with data off. Again I am still getting the $15 fee.
So I do not want to rock the boat completely with AT&T, but if my kids decide to use WIFI networks for data, AT&T really does not deserve to get $15 for a data plan so I wrote a letter to AT&T asking about the $15 data fee on my daughters 3g.
I received the following response.
Dear David H,
Thank you for contacting AT&T about your wireless service. My name is Jessica H. and I am more than happy to assist you today with your inquiry regarding Smartphone data charges for the line ending in 3949. I can definitely understand your frustrations with seeing Smartphone data plan charges on your bill that you did not expect. AT&T, just like our major competitors, now requires that all users of Smartphones (BlackBerrys, PDAs, iPhones) have both a voice and data plan. The reason for this change is, Smartphone users tend to consume a higher amount of data services for activities such as advanced e-mail, mobile Web, games, and applications. A Smartphone data plan ensures customers can take full advantage of their device features without worrying about a fluctuating or unusually high bill. If you would like more information about Smartphones, it can be found at: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/articles-resources/smartphone-data-plans.jsp The Smartphone data plan requirement policy applies to new activations, upgrades, and device/SIM swaps performed by the customer. This policy is systematically enforced, meaning that the system reads the SIM card and tells us which device is being used with that SIM card. Upon review of your account, I show that the line ending in 3949 is using an iPhone 3G. If the user of this line is no longer using the iPhone 3G, please provide us with the IMEI number of the non-Smartphone that they are using so we may update the equipment information for that line. Once the equipment information is updated, we will be able to remove the Smartphone data plan. David H, if you have any additional questions about Smartphone data charges for the line ending in 3949, please respond to this e-mail. If you have a question about another issue, please send us a new e-mail via the Contact Us link in the lower left-hand corner of your myAT&T account. Thank you for choosing AT&T; we appreciate your business. Jessica H eCare Customer Service Specialist AT&T Business Solutions Customer Care Business Care: 611 or 1-800-331-0500 Online account management: http://wireless.att.com
They claim that her phone is a 3G and if it is not a 3G just send them the IMEI number of the non Iphone. So my question is:
What are my options?
Can AT&T really tell that I have an Iphone on her account if I am not sending data?
Can they see the IMEI number?
If I switch her back to her old phone send them the IMEI number for the phone and then switch her back to the Iphone will they be able to tell?
If so is it because they have now associated her current IMEI number as a iphone 3G in their database?
Is there cydia software that can spoof the IMEI number or make the phone look like a basic phone on the AT&T network?
Regards,
David
Hi David,
Per your questions
What are my options?
Not a lot of options if you want to use that iPhone - you need to make sure data stays turned off.
Can AT&T really tell that I have an Iphone on her account if I am not sending data?
It is really not if they can tell if you have an iPhone or another smartphone but are you using data. Which was the issue above all was ok until you started using data and that is what triggered AT&T to change your plan - per their terms of service you agreed to.
Can they see the IMEI number?
Absolutely - 100% - YES. Each time you use any phone on AT&T your IMEI number is transmitted to them.
If I switch her back to her old phone send them the IMEI number for the phone and then switch her back to the Iphone will they be able to tell?
Yes - they would be able to tell if they checked. That said people switch between phones all the time - so likely they would not notice. There is nothing to keep you from switching between phones that are just feature phones. The big issue is not using a smartphone - especially one that uses data.
If so is it because they have now associated her current IMEI number as a iphone 3G in their database?
No, it would likely be because you turned data on again.
Is there cydia software that can spoof the IMEI number or make the phone look like a basic phone on the AT&T network?
Spoofing IMEI numbers in some countries is considered illegal so I will not even go there.
For example, in the United Kingdom, under the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act, changing the IMEI of a phone, or possessing equipment that can change it, is considered an offence under some circumstance.[3] Such an action is also considered a criminal offence in Latvia.
My recommendation is what you are already thinking of - and that is putting the SIM card back in her original feature phone - getting the IMEI number and sending that to AT&T. Then wait a week or so AFTER they change your plan and remove the data plan fee. Then making sure DATA is turned OFF on the iPhone - transfer the SIM card to the iPhone again.
Also tell your daughter if you turns on data again no more iPhone for you!!!!
Good Luck.
Rob W
