Confirmed: 3G iPhone works out of the box with PAYG

Does the iphone 3G have to be activated for this to work? or could I used a unactivated iphone?

I've been using a 3g iphone on PayG for over a month now. My 3g speed data stopped working today ;-( and Edge only works half the time. I wonder if it is just the chip in my phone, or if AT&T shut off access. Is anyone else experiencing this problem?

If so, it may be the end of 3g access for us non-contract users. It has been a very sad day for me. Please reply with updates on your phones.

hey ive noticed this awhile ago. i have pay as you go from att (it's the pick your plan package). a friend got me an iPhone 3G i popped that sim card in and was good to go....

MY only question is....when can i update it to 2.1 firmware and still have it work??

Few observations/questions ...

1. How do I get the Nokia referb phone with donor SIM and $100 PAYG card for $80? My cart shows $100?
2. So what about the whole itunes activation issue? What happens when I connect it to a PC? Do I have to do the 999-99-9999 social security trick? Or does it just work?
3. Don't see a problem walking out of an apple/att store with a $199 locked iphone ... just tell them it's a gift. None of their business what I do with it after that.
4. I'd want to choose the $.25/min plan with the $20 unlimited data. Can anybody confirm they have that with an iphone 3G? Since I plan to go VoIP via Fring/Skype for voice, all I want is data. (Yes I know I can't use 3G VoIP without a hack) but I plan to use an aircard to provide wifi pretty much anywhere/everywhere.

Erica -- does it still give that annoying message after each data transaction ("the last transaction cost you...")?

Erica on your discussion about prepaid data plans, you talk about plans ranging from 1MB to 5MB. However, here you talk about 5GB. I suppose the MB one is the right one, can you please confirm?

Sure I had read about this on phonenews.com a few weeks back, too, but it is always nice to hear of someone who knows what they are doing add a confirmation with their experience.

I am definintely looking forward to using a PAYG sim with an iPhone 3G. Right now I'm trying to decide if it will take longer to wait until they are available contract-free in the store, or wait to see if a 32GB model becomes a reality.

Also, if one decides to take that Nokia deal that comes with a $100 refill card for just $80 shipped, another charity you could donate the extra phone to is 'Cellphones for Soldiers.'

Erica,

Thanks for that - I was wondering if it would work. I followed your instructions for the PAYG 2G and thats how I've been using my iPhone for the last few months and its great since I don't use voice.

Can you confirm whether you can receive SMS notifications on the 3G w/ the PAYG Unlimited Data & a text package? With my 2G I don't get any SMS messages, not even the "please go to this site to view your pictures" message. Sometimes I'll get the "The last transaction cost 0.00. Your account balance is XX.XX USD" and thats how I know someone sent me something - but most of the time nothing, the messages just go into the abyss.

regular texts come in fine - its only when someone tries to attach a picture that it never makes it.

Thanks!!

Cool, and everything, but now, how do I get an iPhone without the contract? If I could get data-only service for a reasonable price I'd probably buy one.

Does anyne know if this also works with a 1st Gen iPhone with any AT&T plan or PAYG service after already being activated or does it still require being pwnd? Thanks for sharing this info Erica!