The continuing quest for a data-only iPhone
Every now and then I check back in with AT&T to see whether they've launched a data-only plan that I can use with my iPhone. The word from AT&T is always that plans are phone specific. As far as they're concerned you must purchase a plan that was designed for a particular phone. Thus, the Blackberry $45/month data-only plan cannot be offered for the iPhone.
What I'm particularly interested in are two data plans: SmartPhone Max ($30/month, unlimited data, 1500 SMS) and MediaNet Unlimited ($20/month, unlimited data, no SMS). AT&T reps say they cannot offer these plans without voice (the cheapest voice plan is $40) and that even if they did, they must be matched to certain phones, like the Nokia 61024.
I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to disable voice and I'd love to be able to do so without canceling my data--at least for a while.
I know that some TUAW readers have succeeded in using their non-iPhone SIMS with existing AT&T accounts in their iPhones. Do any of you have data-only plans? And if so, how much are you paying?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Angela said 5:35PM on 9-12-2007
Erica rocks!
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Allan Marcus said 9:23PM on 9-12-2007
Other then the extra costs, what is the difference? If you just don't make calls with the phone and turn off the ringer and either turn off voicemail, or set your message to "don't call me at this number", is there a difference?
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one2102 said 5:44PM on 9-12-2007
Why don't you find out if TMobile has a data only plan?
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Jon said 5:50PM on 9-12-2007
Doesn't a data-only plan = an iPod Touch?
(Well, ok, it doesn't have EDGE but EDGE is pretty crappy anyway and most people try to avoid using whenever they can)
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Joseph said 6:01PM on 9-12-2007
This is the most asinine thing I've ever read in my entire life.
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Aron Trimble said 6:09PM on 9-12-2007
@3 - I use EDGE throughout the day everyday. It is plenty fast enough for sending/receiving emails, reading RSS feeds, and doing general light browsing.
@4 - Is that seriously the most intelligent comment you could come up with? If you're going to be a moron - at least try to be relevant.
Erica, if you have a generic smartphone could you not just put your iPhone SIM in and take it to AT&T and tell them you want the smartphone max plan or the medianet unlimited plan?
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Russ said 6:23PM on 9-12-2007
Haven't you ever heard of forums?
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Mike said 6:34PM on 9-12-2007
They actually do that because RIM, Goodlink, and whomever else get a kickback for those plans. I'm very sure Apple is getting money for the iphone plan as well. Goodlink charges more than RIM, but yes, it sucks.
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Christopher Price said 6:36PM on 9-12-2007
Already figured out how to get a data-only plan for iPhone. Details:
http://www.phonenews.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2313
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Big John said 6:57PM on 9-12-2007
Christopher, I'm seeing wait 16 months, account balance of $500, out of a month of service... that's honestly nowhere near a practical option for what people are looking for. Thanks for the post whoring (you made the post on the linked site) but let's try and keep it in the realm of reality here.
I used to buy phones out of contract (from eBay, GSM Phone Source etc.) on GSM all the time. There were points where the plan I was paying did not match the phone I had. I'm sure that breaks some kind of rule somewhere, but I never had service shut down. I haven't been on a GSM carrier for about two years now, so things may have changed. I never did data-only, but I was able to keep old plans for much longer than I should have that way. I know this worked when I was with T-Mo and Cingular (pre-AT&T buyout).
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Bogey said 7:30PM on 9-12-2007
Using an unlocked iPhone, you should be able to do this... just activate a SIM with the plan you want, then put that SIM into the iPhone. I've done this (SIM swapping) several times when I've upgraded phones, but didn't want to lose my unlimited data plan rate....
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signal360 said 12:30AM on 9-15-2007
I just want to also say, Erica you rock. Seriously. My girlfriend and I were just talking about how awesome it must be, to be able to contribute so much to a wide community. I know there are other ways one can reach their community, (we volunteer on the weekends). But it's always amazing to see someone else do something that seems so effortless, and be so successful at it.
Seriously, thank you for all you've given to the community here and around the net.
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Nate said 9:06PM on 9-12-2007
I'm gonna have to agree here with Joseph.
WTF?
So you want to own and iPhone... and not use it as a phone?
The article is written as if a "data-only iPhone plan" have been a much talked about and wanted concept. I haven't heard anything. At the very least the article should have started out with an explanation of why someone would own and iPhone without the phone part. I'm all ears.
Nothing against you, Erica. I love your articles. This is just the first one that made me turn my head to the side like a dog seeing something he doesn't understand.
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BobbyW said 9:15PM on 9-12-2007
Boys -
Not every post is of interest to everyone. Don't slam the author because you're not interested. I was interested.
I'll never understand the rude people who permeate virtually every tech blog. I have to wonder if they're the same rude people I see out in the real world or if they're especially gutless rude people hiding in their anonymity.
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All Evolve said 9:17PM on 9-12-2007
Wanting a data-only plan makes a lot of sense for some people. My parents are both deaf and currently use Blackberry data-only plans as a way to communicate (via AIM, SMS, and Mobile Email). There is a huge market for this. Every year my parents go to huge Deaf Expos where many of the cell phone companies set up tables to sell the newest smart-phones with data-only plans. My parents were using a data-only T-Mobile Sidekick until last year when they switched over to a data-only Blackberry from Spring. They've have been drooling over my iPhone lately and really want a couple of themselves, but they're waiting for a data-only plan to appear.
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All Evolve said 10:05PM on 9-12-2007
Yes, there's a difference. With a data-only plan, you only pay for the data and none of the voice minutes. It can save as much as 2/3 of what a regular voice+data plan costs.
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universalevolution said 10:19PM on 9-12-2007
Other than the cost - no there isn't much of a difference, but the cost is a HUGE difference...some data-only plans are 2/3 less than some voice+data plans.
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stephen said 10:18PM on 9-12-2007
Trade your iPhone in for an iPod Touch. That is, if you really aren't concerned about "talking" to people, you're usually near a WAP, and would rather send emails than sms text messages, its the perfect solution. Without any monthly fees, the iPod touch will cost much less in the long run, and will allow you to access some of the iPhone's best features, for free. So I guess the question is, can you give up some of the iPhone's features and the monthly bill with them?
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marcosmalo said 11:30PM on 9-12-2007
I'm starting to believe the MS fanboi lies that Macs are for people too stupid to use a regular PC after reading a few of the comments here.
@12 Bobby, The lack of civility really makes me want to kick some asses. Whomever comes up with a way to stab someone in the face thru a computer screen is going to be a millionaire.
It's not just about bailing on voice because of the cost, although that's the major part of it. If I'm thinking what Erica's thinking, it's all about the VOIP. Am I right, Erica? Are you now, as I type, poring over a dock pin out diagram?
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Frank said 11:35PM on 9-12-2007
Erica, TMobile has a data only plan for $39
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