Filed under: iPhone, Jailbreak/pwnage
T-Mobile stops offering prepaid Sidekick data service to unlocked iPhone users
Over the past week, some T-Mobile iPhone customers noticed that their data service suddenly stopped working. Users with unlocked iPhones had been paying $1 a day for unlimited data and text messaging using the Sidekick data plan. It was a great value.Customers who contacted T-Mobile support received mixed answers. Representatives stated that service was down in their area or that they needed to upgrade to their normal data plan.
Yesterday, T-Mobile sent a tweet on their official Twitter account that they would no longer service iPhone customers using the prepaid Sidekick plan. So just like AT&T cutting off prepaid GoPhone service to iPhone customers, T-Mobile has now eliminated an affordable data option for unlocked iPhones. At this time, it appears that Android-specific data plans remain unaffected.
TUAW has contacted T-Mobile for an official statement on the matter but we have not heard anything back yet.
Thanks Gabe for the tip!
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eric Warnke said 11:19PM on 8-11-2009
Correction, the Sidekick data plan was shutdown for everyone on port 80. Sidekick devices and services that don't use port 80 appear to be working ( for now ). While this was clearly targeted to iPhone users it affects everyone who was using the hack.
This hack was also highlighted on fatwallet the other week as $1 3g broadband by using a 3g phone capable of tethering.
It was being abused and unfortunately a lot of users are being caught in the wake.
Reply
Eric Warnke said 11:40PM on 8-11-2009
For more information please read this thread as well as poke around in the forum as there are a few others that might shed more light on the shutdown.
http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1558806
ASEVENSEE4 said 12:52PM on 8-12-2009
iPhone users targeted? We don't even use T-Mobiles 3G.
Stop being so self centered, it affected all non-SK devices
Jason B. said 11:21PM on 8-11-2009
I hope that this won't be an ongoing thing with unlocked phones.
Reply
Jason B. said 11:23PM on 8-11-2009
My post is now meaningless after reading Eric's post.
LAGal said 5:03PM on 8-12-2009
so long as the phones are illegally unlocked, expect weird things. Like it or not, T-Mobile is not authorized to service the iphone. if they do things that promote the notion of unlocking they could get into a lot of trouble. at the least it might encourage Apple to give ATT the extensions they are asking for.
Grodesh said 11:25PM on 8-11-2009
I don't understand what is the matter with the telcos... I mean, if I pay for bandwith, why should it matter what phone I'm using to get access to it? Isn't it a bit like if ISPs started to give different Internet plans at different prices depending on if you're using Windows, Mac or Linux?
Bandwith is bandwith. Access to it shouldn't be discriminated.
Reply
Eric Warnke said 11:42PM on 8-11-2009
They were not paying for bandwidth they were paying for the "Sidekick data plan". If t-mobile listed it as unlimited* 3g access $1/day then you would be correct.
* terms and conditions ALWAYS apply
Grodesh said 11:57PM on 8-11-2009
Yes I understand. But what is a data plan exactly, if not simply bandwith? I don't see the need to make different data plans for different phone except for screwing customers.
Howie Isaacks said 12:17AM on 8-12-2009
Just another consequence of hacking an iPhone. Meh... Moving along now.
Reply
F00n Marani said 1:26AM on 8-12-2009
Idiotic comments, just another consequence of your mother giving birth to you.
Jomadscebu100 said 12:47AM on 8-12-2009
How about Aussie "Factory/Officially" unlocked iPhones?
TIA
jm
Reply
NoAndThen said 12:59AM on 8-12-2009
I'm still rocking my 5.99 tzones plan and it's the best thing ever at that price. And from what I've read, it's not any slower than the full data plan. Anyone have evidence otherwise? I really see no reason to upgrade unless they pull this on my plan as well.
Reply
oliver hart said 2:43AM on 8-12-2009
Yes the pricier data plan is a bit faster (YouTube especially), but not worth paying the extra cash. $5.99 for mediocre EDGE is A OK for me. Man I feel sorry for my friends paying over $100 a month for an iPhone plan on AT&T. It's wallet rape at it's finest/worst. Whichever fits
Rob said 4:36PM on 8-12-2009
This is clearly related to the recent release of T-Mobiles myTouch 3G. They are getting everyone on the appropriate (obviously more expensive) data plans - wouldn't want any myTouch users on the less-expensive Sidekick plan.
The effect on iPhones is just a byproduct of this policy change.
Reply
Michael said 4:41AM on 8-12-2009
What really annoys me as a non-American: This used to be the one nationwide prepaid data plan for the iPhone I could find. I own a legally netlock-free iPhone, and on my visits to the states could just pop in the T-mob SIM card.
In most European countries you can get prepaid data plans for the iPhone, so if you travel a lot, you just exchange SIM cards. Not so in the US.
Reply
Maple said 4:47AM on 8-12-2009
So what was in the news today... apparently in Holland you pay $18/month for a "medium" usage service plan that will cost your US phone $600.
Something about economy of scale, more people = more expensive phones.
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/08/11/canada-cellphone-rates-expensive-oecd.html
Reply
Anthony said 12:44AM on 8-13-2009
That's really bad!
Doesn't matter, it can probably get tweaked with that hacking app cydia or whatever.
Reply
4555057 said 10:30PM on 8-14-2009
Why is the claim that this is only effecting prepaid users? I am not on a prepaid plan. I have been on the monthly sidekick plan with voice for over 5 years now and was using it without any problems on the iPhone for the last 2 years.
My data stopped working recently so I switched to another plan (web2go) for the same $19.99 (unlimited data/txt) price and it is working fine.
I was told I was grandfathered in at $19.99 for data and text and will continue to get that rate. We'll see. Personally I do not think I should be punished because I upgraded my phone from the sidekick. My data has not skyrocketed since my SK days. I use wifi whenever I am home.
I know MANY T-Mobile users with the grandfathered $19.99 Blackberry unlimited data/texts plans and I think if u have been a loyal customer (with them for years) they shouldn't try to force you onto a more expensive plan when you are trying hard to stay with them to save money. Otherwise AT&T and a cheaper iPhone than what I buy used online starts to look like a better deal than Tmo. They shouldnt be in the business to lose customers and revenue. So in trying to squeeze $15 more out of iPhone users they might lose ALOT more $ than they gain.
Reply
KO said 8:24PM on 8-14-2009
My internet stopped working on my iPhone but email keeps working. Anyone else iPhone does this?
Reply