[Q] Cutting the Voice Plan and living solely on the Data Highway - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note I717

Hi guys,
I find myself exclusively using Talkatone for all my calling needs, both receiving and making calls. I text through Google voice, but mainly use whatsapp for my messaging needs. Further I travel a lot out of the country so I find that I am not using my voice/text plan at all.
Before I would justify keeping my ATT plan because I'm grandfathered with unlimited data. We all know it's not really unlimited but I figured it was worth keeping.
Now I figure it's time to cut costs by getting rid of my voice plan and just having a 3 GB a month prepaid data plan. It's cheaper and I would only pay for the months I am actually in the country. That's big savings right there.
So before I go down this road, I wanted to know which tablet my Galaxy Note should pretend to be when I sign up for the ATT tablet plan. I can't tell them it's a Galaxy Note because then they will insist on me having a voice plan because it's a smartphone.
Any ideas and where would I find the APN settings needed to make the Galaxy Note work with whatever device you guys recommend I ask for.
Thanks.

Your phone will tell at&t what it is. You can't bypass that. APN settings won't help either. As soon as you register your device on the network your phone sends your IEMI number.

rangercaptain said:
Your phone will tell at&t what it is. You can't bypass that. APN settings won't help either. As soon as you register your device on the network your phone sends your IEMI number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I travel to other countries,I can buy a USB modem with a prepaid plan and then I take the sim out of the modem and put it into my phone. I then configure the APN and my internet starts working.
Can't I do something similar with ATT? I asked at ATT if I needed to bring my "tablet' and they said no, just to tell them what I have, and they had IMEIs the could use to provision it.
That's why I thought there would be a good tablet my Note could pretend to be. I was thinking a Galaxy Tab since it's a Samsung as well.

The reason you can do that out of country is because those companies don't have at&t imei numbers stored in their databases.
You can give at&t whatever imei you want to try to use. However, as soon as you put that sim in your note, its going to report back exactly what it is and your plan will be changed automatically.
Another option would be T-Mobile prepaid. $30/month for 5gb data. If you don't live in a refarmed area, you'd have to flash a T-Mobile modem to your phone for 4g speeds, otherwise you'll be stuck on edge.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

Maybe the answer is buying an ATT Hotspot device. Would mean carrying two devices though. But maybe I can live with that. One plus is I wouldn't have to swap sim cards in my phone when I travel. I would just put the device away and turn off airplane mode when I go out of country and begin using the other sim card.
chrstndsgnr said:
The reason you can do that out of country is because those companies don't have at&t imei numbers stored in their databases.
You can give at&t whatever imei you want to try to use. However, as soon as you put that sim in your note, its going to report back exactly what it is and your plan will be changed automatically.
Another option would be T-Mobile prepaid. $30/month for 5gb data. If you don't live in a refarmed area, you'd have to flash a T-Mobile modem to your phone for 4g speeds, otherwise you'll be stuck on edge.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

slocko said:
When I travel to other countries,I can buy a USB modem with a prepaid plan and then I take the sim out of the modem and put it into my phone. I then configure the APN and my internet starts working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I leave the US I buy a local sim card and buy data credit. Why buy the modem?
---------- Post added at 11:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------
slocko said:
Maybe the answer is buying an ATT Hotspot device. Would mean carrying two devices though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the price of a hotspot data plan more costly than a voice+data smartphone plan?
If dollars is the bottom line then move to Straight Talk. Its a little cheaper and its pay as you go.

When I started travelling a few years ago, usb modem was the easiest way to do it. I was actually surprised when I was able to remove the sim card from the modem and put it into my iphone at the time. It even had a phone number associated with it and I was able to buy voice credit for it.
Now I have a voice/data plan abroad.
rangercaptain said:
When I leave the US I buy a local sim card and buy data credit. Why buy the modem?
---------- Post added at 11:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------
Isn't the price of a hotspot data plan more costly than a voice+data smartphone plan?
If dollars is the bottom line then move to Straight Talk. Its a little cheaper and its pay as you go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Has it been confirmed that the AT&T Note will not work on an AT&T prepaid tablet plan, or are we being theoretical?
I want a Note as a second (third, fourth,... ) device but don't yet want to rely on the TMobile refarming in Chicago, can't find a TMobile Note 1, don't want to pay Note 2 prices, and don't want to flash a new radio.
I've considered the international Note but they run noticeably more and I really do prefer the other's layout.
Worst case scenario, I jump on the next clean $250 AT&T Note I see, give it to my girlfriend as a mini wifi tablet, get MY SGP 5.0 back from her, and sell that thing.

If memory serves, it was confirmed by quite a few people in this forum when the phone came out a year ago.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

Bummer. How about the international version? I could activate the sim in my 7.0+.

I don't think so, but the real savings are realized when you can just pay for the hotspot plan as needed versus paying every month.
Assuming you can use the prepaid data plans on the Note, which I don't you can, the cheapest prepaid voice that allows you to add a data plan is $25 a month and the most logical dataplan offered for prepaid smartphones is $25 for 1 GB. That's $50 a month for a lousy 1 GB.
The hotspot plan is $50 a month for 5 GB. I didn't see any mention that it required a contract. There is an option for monthly if you buy the device full price.
Keeping my contract plan I would have to pay $70 a month on the cheapest plan, and no flexibility to only pay the months I'm in the US.
Once I'm back in country, I'll look into this more.
The other option would be to skip the hotspot and use the $200 towards the galaxy tab and use a tethering app. But then you don't know if they are going to catch you tethering.
rangercaptain said:
When I leave the US I buy a local sim card and buy data credit. Why buy the modem?
---------- Post added at 11:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------
Isn't the price of a hotspot data plan more costly than a voice+data smartphone plan?
If dollars is the bottom line then move to Straight Talk. Its a little cheaper and its pay as you go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

slocko said:
The other option would be to skip the hotspot and use the $200 towards the galaxy tab and use a tethering app. But then you don't know if they are going to catch you tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will catch you, and send you a text asking you to buy a tether plan. They wait a few days then cut you off. Possibly there's a tether work around for the tab.

Hot Spot it is
So I decided to test Tmobile and ATT in my area where I live, now that I"m back in the states.
I bought Tmobile 4G hotspot first because they offer lower tiers of data, starting at 2 GB I think and they are prepaid, so the plan cancels automatically without having to call to cancel it.
Only received 2 bars and down was 6 and up barely 2.
Returned it and bought the ATT LTE myfi hotspot. I was resisting because it's bigger to carry around and the plan starts at 5 GB and while it's month to month, you have to call and cancel before your new billing cycle begins, else you will be charged.
This thing is fast. 8-10 down and 4-5 up.
So this will work for my needs. I will have to get used to carrying it around to use my phone, but I am only here max 2 weeks at a time.
UP next, I will experiment installing the hotspot sim into my Note. Even if this works, I notice I get a much stronger and better LTE signal on the myfi, than my galaxy note. maybe the note 2, will be better.

Related

Data plan on upgrade

I currently have an infuse 4g and still have my unlimited data plan. I know a couple of ATT reps are on the forum here, do you know if I will be able to stay grandfathered into unlimited data if I upgrade to the note? I was able to when I upgraded from my captivate to the infuse, really hoping I can with the note.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
From what I understand, yes, but your safest bet is to go into the store to preorder to make sure it happens (I think). I've also read you want to be sure to call customer service when you receive your phone and talk to them BEFORE you activate -- I guess some people have also lost unlimited data this way.
Still kicking myself for dropping my unlimited data last summer to "save money" for vacation
I wont be preordering, as I need to wait for summer to build up some excess cash. Ill be using my dad's upgrade, then switching the phone to my line. There isn't LTE in my area yet, but I know there will be in the future, and I don't want any caps if at all possible. I usually use at least 2 gigs a month already, and the hspa+ in my area is really only marginally faster than 3g. Once I'm on LTE I know that I will definitely use more than 3 gigs a month, so hopefully I will be able to keep unlimited.
Anybody who has unlimited and is upgrading, please weigh in to confirm.
If I can't keep it, I may try to convince my parents to switch to sprint where I can have unlimited and stay future proof as data speeds increase.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
welchertc said:
I wont be preordering, as I need to wait for summer to build up some excess cash. Ill be using my dad's upgrade, then switching the phone to my line. There isn't LTE in my area yet, but I know there will be in the future, and I don't want any caps if at all possible. I usually use at least 2 gigs a month already, and the hspa+ in my area is really only marginally faster than 3g. Once I'm on LTE I know that I will definitely use more than 3 gigs a month, so hopefully I will be able to keep unlimited.
Anybody who has unlimited and is upgrading, please weigh in to confirm.
If I can't keep it, I may try to convince my parents to switch to sprint where I can have unlimited and stay future proof as data speeds increase.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you know before you go making big decisions, there have already been speculations of Sprint stopping their unlimited plans for LTE phones. And since WiMax is now dead, their other 4g phones will be relegated to their current coverage with no expansion, which isn't that great IMO. I also think they will not be grandfathering people from their current unlimited plans as they didn't with the hotspots. Other carriers carried over grandfathered plans on hotspots and so they did with phones but sprint just said, Sorry we don't offer it anymore and all the sudden people lost unlimited data. Though they did offer people relatively cheap options to buy out of their broadband contracts it still blows
If you're not using your own upgrade to get the Note then there should be no worry of losing the unlimited data from upgrading your dad's line. I would definitely call customer service and let them know before you put your SIM card in the note. Tell them what you're doing and that you want to make sure you don't lose your unlimited data when activating the new phone.
this phone so far is not able to be pre-ordered in any AT&T store (unless they changed in the last 4 hours.)
Liq is correct, i spoke with a gal at AT&T Premier support whilst i was pre-ordering the Note on the AT&T Premier website and she wrote down on my "file" that i am mostly concerned with losing my grandfathered-in unlimited data plan. she said as long as i call them back after i receive the Note in the mail and have THEM activate it that i will not lose the grandfathered-in unlimited data plan. to activate it yourself is where you can lose the grandfathered-in unlimited data plan...total crap IMO but there it is.
tx --- art.
welchertc said:
I currently have an infuse 4g and still have my unlimited data plan. I know a couple of ATT reps are on the forum here, do you know if I will be able to stay grandfathered into unlimited data if I upgrade to the note? I was able to when I upgraded from my captivate to the infuse, really hoping I can with the note.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes grandfathered, different data plan / billing code to support LTE but still unlimited none the less. Also the LTE android devices usually have visual voicemail like the iPhones included in the data plan unless you request to opt out of it.
- Dan
---------- Post added at 06:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:24 PM ----------
ARTAQaf said:
this phone so far is not able to be pre-ordered in any AT&T store (unless they changed in the last 4 hours.)
Liq is correct, i spoke with a gal at AT&T Premier support whilst i was pre-ordering the Note on the AT&T Premier website and she wrote down on my "file" that i am mostly concerned with losing my grandfathered-in unlimited data plan. she said as long as i call them back after i receive the Note in the mail and have THEM activate it that i will not lose the grandfathered-in unlimited data plan. to activate it yourself is where you can lose the grandfathered-in unlimited data plan...total crap IMO but there it is.
tx --- art.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always the case, but when it does happen is usually for 1 of 2 reasons. 1.) you just put your sim card in the new phone and never called at&t to have the IMEI number updated on your account and the correct corresponding unlimited data plan added changed over. P.S. Galaxy note requires a LTE SIM... (SIM ONLY SHOWS GLOBE DOESN'T SAY AT&T ON IT) 2.) You upgraded online, especially when through a third party such as Amazon, and didn't pay attention to the radio buttons and choose lets say 3GB instead of unlimited.
AEDan1977 said:
Yes grandfathered, different data plan / billing code to support LTE but still unlimited none the less. Also the LTE android devices usually have visual voicemail like the iPhones included in the data plan unless you request to opt out of it.
- Dan
---------- Post added at 06:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:24 PM ----------
Not always the case, but when it does happen is usually for 1 of 2 reasons. 1.) you just put your sim card in the new phone and never called at&t to have the IMEI number updated on your account and the correct corresponding unlimited data plan added changed over. P.S. Galaxy note requires a LTE SIM... (SIM ONLY SHOWS GLOBE DOESN'T SAY AT&T ON IT) 2.) You upgraded online, especially when through a third party such as Amazon, and didn't pay attention to the radio buttons and choose lets say 3GB instead of unlimited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work for AT&T on the business side, and cosign what Dan says.
Sent from my hand crippling Epic 4g Touch
I Pre ordered online and the only way it would let me add the phone to cart was to select a data plan. Im grandfathered and lte personal smart phone unlimited was one of the options. Any guess to which one I picked. Lol.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
I had to choose a new data plan when I pre-ordered 2 of them on Sunday. Unlimited 4G/LTE personal data plan for $30/month was one of the options. So I chose that. There were about 5 other Unlimited plans available as well.
comma, i noticed several "unlimited" plans as well...i thought AT&T did away with those for new plans. is it just a play-on-words that they are stating that for a new data plan now??
commakazee said:
I had to choose a new data plan when I pre-ordered 2 of them on Sunday. Unlimited 4G/LTE personal data plan for $30/month was one of the options. So I chose that. There were about 5 other Unlimited plans available as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do it like this, you don't lose your unlimited data. Anyone who had unlimited data, and felt like they had to change to a 3 gig plan or something else simply missed the option.
The reason it makes everyone choose a "new" data plan, is because the system codes are different from unlimited 3g/hspa+ and unlimited LTE. (and unlimited iphone for that matter.)
ARTAQaf said:
comma, i noticed several "unlimited" plans as well...i thought AT&T did away with those for new plans. is it just a play-on-words that they are stating that for a new data plan now??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They only show up if you currently have an unlimited data plan, if you are not on unlimited, you will not see the options. Just like any new customers only see the 300MB/3GB/5GB Data, and not the 200MB/2GB/4GB data plans anymore for the $5 difference, which is a better deal anyways vs $10 additional regularly.
- Dan
Weird, I'm currently on a grandfathered unlimited plan, yet when I attempt to do a pre-order, there is no option for me to choose "unlimited" at all, just the limited plans... :/

[Q] What to do about setting up Note on AT&T $50/unlim plan...?'s...

Greetings fellow forum peeps!
I am a virgin to both the Note and especially AT&T (coming from Sprint). Please don't flame but I am confused, I've seen/heard many different ways to set up service.
What's the best way to get the prepaid service for the $50/unlimited everything plan?
I bought the phone out-right from Worst Buy because AT&T wouldn't sell it unless I signed up for a 2-year deal.
I have an old cheapy AT&T prepaid phone that I bought for $5 and from what I understand, I can use that phone w/the SIM from my Note.
Thanks for all of your help!
Sorry. Not familiar with that. Are you sure that the plan is available for the Note? Maybe call ATT.
Strange, my local AT&T stores sell the note without a two-year commitment for $100 less than Best Buy does. And as far as I know, you can stick the SIM into your Note and use it, but you may have to switch around the APN settings to get data access (I've heard that has to be done on iPhones, at least). Depending on what network technology your old cheapy phone used, you may be limited in your data speeds and what cell towers you can connect to by using that SIM. Many years ago I took the SIM from an EDGE phone I had and put it in a 3G phone; it was unable to connect to 3G towers without upgrading the SIM.
You can NOT use the AT&T Note on the $50 unlimited everything plan. AT&T will recognize what kind of device it is and force you to upgrade. You can, however, use the European Note on the $50 unlimited plan which is what I do
Sent from my DROID3 using xda premium
joshnichols189 said:
You can, however, use the European Note on the $59 unlimited plan which is what I do
Sent from my DROID3 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Then you might want to change your sig.
Where can I get the European version
joshnichols189 said:
You can NOT use the AT&T Note on the $50 unlimited everything plan. AT&T will recognize what kind of device it is and force you to upgrade. You can, however, use the European Note on the $59 unlimited plan which is what I do
Sent from my DROID3 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I get the European version of the note.
---------- Post added at 08:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:41 PM ----------
Lets just say that if the network does not recognize your device you can technically get the $10 or $15 unlimitted data plan on the device. Just get a line of service normal line with a non-smartphone and get teh $10 or $15 unlimitted data plan. Then put the sim card into your european version of the phone or tablet and it will work. I have done this before and it works. .. Now on a few occasions you may get a text message stating you need to be on a compatable data plan.... Just pop the sim card into the non smartphoen for a few hours and then you won't get any of those text messages again. I have done this recently and it works........
1.. get plan with non smartphone
2. get $10 or $15 unlimtted data plan
3. pop sim card into tablet or galaxy note
4. use net and phone features
5. when the first text comes about switching to data plan take sime card and put it back into your non smartphone (keep it there for abotu 1.5 hours)
6. put sim card back into tablet or galaxy note
7... you are all done..
I did this 3 months ago and mine is still going strong.
YOU MUST HAVE THE OVERSEAS (INTERNATIONAL VERSION) OF THE DEVICE NOT A USA VERSION.
You can use it on the $50 plan, but you won't get data access. It will be talk/text only. There used to be an APN hack that would enable data, but it's long been patched. You can purchase up to 500mb of 3g/4g (hspa+ only I believe) for $25/mth on that plan and it will work with the note (but again, I don't think LTE will work)
link12245 said:
You can use it on the $50 plan, but you won't get data access. It will be talk/text only. There used to be an APN hack that would enable data, but it's long been patched. You can purchase up to 500mb of 3g/4g (hspa+ only I believe) for $25/mth on that plan and it will work with the note (but again, I don't think LTE will work)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get HSPA+ with my International Note on AT&T Prepaid. In fact, I'm using it right now. $50 a month for unlimited everything. HSPA+ included.
Also, you can get an international Note from the marketplace here on XDA, or Expansys-USA.com
---------- Post added at 05:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:29 PM ----------
kimtyson said:
Really? Then you might want to change your sig.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where it says "DROID 3"? That's my Note. I changed the build.prop file to make it look like a Droid 3 so I could get Gameloft games to work. I just never bothered to change it back because it doesn't hurt anything to leave it at that.
sorry to go off topic(sortof
Sorry to go off topic about another phone, but will thus work with a european variant of the EVO 3D. I'm not trying to cause any war on which phone is teh awsomez, I just want to know if it is possible

Question about prepaid service, and SIM cards

Hello,
My contract just ended on my i777 and it's brand new
I want to get the BEST possible prepaid service that would work
in Southern California. I dont need a lot of minutes, at all... Just GOOD FAST
DATA
Any recommendations? I was thinking to just go to walmart on my lunch break and pick up the cheapest prepaid phone that comes with a SIM card. Stupid ATT wants me to sign another 2 year contract with them for shoddy as capped service. I told them they better start treating me right towards the end of my contract, but NOOOOOOOOOO... the service provider is always right Stupid capped data text message was the last straw... I have "Unlimited" and I never went past 2gb... the ONE time I use netflix, I got the text
LOL... Thanks!
I gave quite a fair warning to ATT towards the end of my contract too... My account is a business account for SONY and I even mentioned that I will contact the administration department regarding their ****ty service and no one cares ...sooooooo, they shut my service off because I am not going to pay a 90 dollar month to month capped service fee that doesnt even work in my area.. (At home I get about half mb MAX DL speed).. when I go to work (about 5 miles away) I get 4 MB... One mile away from that, Id be lucky to get 200kb lol. Its just shoddy as service and its time I start sticking it to the MAN Lol
ssmr2t said:
Hello,
My contract just ended on my i777 and it's brand new
I want to get the BEST possible prepaid service that would work
in Southern California. I dont need a lot of minutes, at all... Just GOOD FAST
DATA
Any recommendations? I was thinking to just go to walmart on my lunch break and pick up the cheapest prepaid phone that comes with a SIM card. Stupid ATT wants me to sign another 2 year contract with them for shoddy as capped service. I told them they better start treating me right towards the end of my contract, but NOOOOOOOOOO... the service provider is always right Stupid capped data text message was the last straw... I have "Unlimited" and I never went past 2gb... the ONE time I use netflix, I got the text
LOL... Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your contract is up, and you still have "unlimited" data...stick with that. You're not gonna find anything better by going prepaid.
Its not unlimited dude... unlimited is unlimited. Id understand if you advertise unlimited service within reason, but thats not what I was sold about 5 years ago with my original Iphone.. Im on a gradfathered plan that doesnt mean anything. Its code slang for "These people are stupid and old since they have been with us for so long so lets rape them some more"
I dont even need a lot of data... just enough to get by... MAX is about 4 GB in a BUSY ASS MONTH LOL, (traveling etc...which is NEVER really)
ssmr2t said:
Its not unlimited dude... unlimited is unlimited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clearly. That's why I put the word in quotes. What I'm telling you is, even though it's crappy, you're not going to get any better service by going prepaid. In fact, it'll be worse. From what I can tell, you can't even get HSPA+ data on a prepaid plan...only 3G. Maybe even only EDGE, I'm not sure. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
mattdm said:
Clearly. That's why I put the word in quotes. What I'm telling you is, even though it's crappy, you're not going to get any better service by going prepaid. In fact, it'll be worse. From what I can tell, you can't even get HSPA+ data on a prepaid plan...only 3G. Maybe even only EDGE, I'm not sure. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the US, you're only going to get prepaid through AT&T or T-Mobile. Our phones can only use Edge on T-Mo.
Keep the service (for now) until you find something better. As stated in the earlier posts by other, there is no better plan that what you got ATM.
I am on a 2GB plan with AT&T and I still feel that I am getting throttled. Your "unlimited" plan will let you go up to 5GB for $25 before they throttled you, that better than mine at 2GB for $30.
BeenAndroidized said:
Keep the service (for now) until you find something better. As stated in the earlier posts by other, there is no better plan that what you got ATM.
I am on a 2GB plan with AT&T and I still feel that I am getting throttled. Your "unlimited" plan will let you go up to 5GB for $25 before they throttled you, that better than mine at 2GB for $30.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you have those prices reversed. The unlimited plan has traditionally been $30, and the 2GB plan is now $25.
Prepaid service
Hey im a few months late in this thread but ive been weighing my off contract cell service options and looks like you could use some help...you actually have a few much much better choices out there that will save money and still keep you off contract...
ok, i currently use H20 wireless right now and it is $60 a month with 2 gigs of data...they just started to downgrade data speeds with this plan from 4g to 3g after 500mb of useage. They stared this about 1 month ago :/
And unfortuneately they completely cut off the data after 2 gigs
The great thing about H20 however is that it is more or less an ATT sim card with an H20 logo...100% exact same coverage...Also you dont need to unlock your AT&T phone to use with H20 =)
Now your second and perhaps best option that i have found is to go with Straight talk...
they offer prepaid service that uses att´s, t mobile´s, and verizon´s service coverage depending on the plan you choose (just like h20 it is 100% the same coverage you would get with those companies).
The plans cost $45 a month for unlimited Talk Text & data and they do not cut off your data and apparently dont throttle either! They are selling Sims now on their website...(you would want to get the ATT compatible sim for your i777
you could cut your bill in half and stay off contract...id go with straight talk for sure...good luck!
STEvFIN said:
Hey im a few months late in this thread but ive been weighing my off contract cell service options and looks like you could use some help...you actually have a few much much better choices out there that will save money and still keep you off contract...
ok, i currently use H20 wireless right now and it is $60 a month with 2 gigs of data...they just started to downgrade data speeds with this plan from 4g to 3g after 500mb of useage. They stared this about 1 month ago :/
And unfortuneately they completely cut off the data after 2 gigs
The great thing about H20 however is that it is more or less an ATT sim card with an H20 logo...100% exact same coverage...Also you dont need to unlock your AT&T phone to use with H20 =)
Now your second and perhaps best option that i have found is to go with Straight talk...
they offer prepaid service that uses att´s, t mobile´s, and verizon´s service coverage depending on the plan you choose (just like h20 it is 100% the same coverage you would get with those companies).
The plans cost $45 a month for unlimited Talk Text & data and they do not cut off your data and apparently dont throttle either! They are selling Sims now on their website...(you would want to get the ATT compatible sim for your i777
you could cut your bill in half and stay off contract...id go with straight talk for sure...good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if you read straight talk's agreement look at the data section. They basically tell you what is ok to use data for and what is not, and that if you excessively use it and go over the average you can have your account canceled. I read through it and I think it even said no streaming of media of any kind(or maybe it was just video)
graffixnyc said:
But if you read straight talk's agreement look at the data section. They basically tell you what is ok to use data for and what is not, and that if you excessively use it and go over the average you can have your account canceled. I read through it and I think it even said no streaming of media of any kind(or maybe it was just video)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct, all prepaid services essentially may cut off your data completely at any time for any reason... it's in the contract...ridiculous hu?. However since the original poster says he almost never goes over his limit of 2GB, he shouldn't have any trouble at all. Also these companies send you numerous warnings before they cut you off (in my experiences- which i've had simple mobile and H20).
One thing that will set them off is tethering...more specifically when you are already past 2gb and are continuing to tether. Also I spoke to a rep he told me that it is unlimited and isn't throttled...but as we both know they do have the power to do as they want. As far a media streaming, they more so discourage it rather than forbid it...never have had a warning message for streaming content (netflix skype etc)
If you want to be off contract and do it cheap then straight talk will be the cheapest with the most data...there is no comparison
Are they, StraighTalk & H20, offering HSPA+ or even LTE in some area or just 3G and EDGE?
If they truly offer unlimited as they advertise, then it is a great deal.
Somehow, I keep thinking "it's too good to be true" and I don't want to be trapped into some kinds of fine print.
votinh said:
Are they, StraighTalk & H20, offering HSPA+ or even LTE in some area or just 3G and EDGE?
If they truly offer unlimited as they advertise, then it is a great deal.
Somehow, I keep thinking "it's too good to be true" and I don't want to be trapped into some kinds of fine print.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not believe they handle LTE but they do Edge, 3g and HSPA+ but it depends on your area as to what you can get. I have ST on my i777 and I get all 3. HSPA+ is preferred but in my area 3g is more what I get unless I am very near a tower. My town is restricted by there not being enough towers around but when I am near a better one I get H+ all day long.
Thanks for the confirmation, chris.
Still not really sure what unlimited means for Straight Talk as no one else really knows. I do know they will cancel you for using to much data. I have read that the most data is 2 gb a month,2000 to 5000 each for messaging and talk. I dont use to much data and never will use the other minutes up so this is a great deal for me. Under 48.00 a month. Beats almost the 80 I was paying. I do get H+ but I think thats only for data. Pretty sure 3g for everything else. Never had any problems with ATT. Just paying to much money!!! 15.00 for an ATT Sim and 330.00 for my GS2 priceless!!!!
REOGrand said:
Still not really sure what unlimited means for Straight Talk as no one else really knows. I do know they will cancel you for using to much data. I have read that the most data is 2 gb a month,2000 to 5000 each for messaging and talk. I dont use to much data and never will use the other minutes up so this is a great deal for me. Under 48.00 a month. Beats almost the 80 I was paying. I do get H+ but I think thats only for data. Pretty sure 3g for everything else. Never had any problems with ATT. Just paying to much money!!! 15.00 for an ATT Sim and 330.00 for my GS2 priceless!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlimited means that it is unlimited until ofcourse they decide you are using too much or too fast, which surely they have guidelins, but we will never know.
...the best approach to teathering would be to teather via an application
...It costs $30 with AT&T to utilize the teathering feature so obviously straight talk (running on AT&Ts network in this case) doesnt want customers using this feature.
...my Atrix (not yet rooted) cant utilize teathering with my H20 service (also uses AT&T´s network) because i get the "sorry you havent paid for tethering service bla bla bla)
...a good app to use would be pdanet... it will look as if you are just using a normal app (carriers have ways to detect if you are infact teathering).
-you can sideload pdanet with an excellent program called the sideload wonder machine ...just serch it in google
...If you use the AT&T´s stock teathering feature on your phone they will know you are teathering.
...i will try and call tomorrow and try to get some kindof breakdown of why they cap and shut off data...and in some cases accounts :/
hope this helps
ssmr2t said:
Hello,
My contract just ended on my i777 and it's brand new
I want to get the BEST possible prepaid service that would work
in Southern California. I dont need a lot of minutes, at all... Just GOOD FAST
DATA
Any recommendations? I was thinking to just go to walmart on my lunch break and pick up the cheapest prepaid phone that comes with a SIM card. Stupid ATT wants me to sign another 2 year contract with them for shoddy as capped service. I told them they better start treating me right towards the end of my contract, but NOOOOOOOOOO... the service provider is always right Stupid capped data text message was the last straw... I have "Unlimited" and I never went past 2gb... the ONE time I use netflix, I got the text
LOL... Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the best prepaid service Page plus might be good a good choice since it operates on verizon's network... Here in Florida verizon is by far the best without question. Although since it's a cdma network obviously you would have to sell your phone and get a verizon or something that has been flashed to verizon....
The plan isnt half bad either...
$55 unlimited talk text/picture messages
However they only give you 1gb of data but in your case it sounds like it may be sufficient for ya.
You can activate any verizon phone on Page plus except for the 4g phones... I haven't yet tried an iphone 4s but I will look into it.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA
redpocket is decent though
shoobiedoobiiwhompwop said:
redpocket is decent though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are indeed... $59.99 with 2gb data... Prettymuch 2nd best that I know of... H2O is only 1gb and no unlimited mms (comes out of your 1gb). Speaking of redpocket... I work at a repair/retail store and my boss was talking to a customer about the available prepaid options for AT&T and he says "and there is one that's pretty good I believe it's called Red Rocket" I laughed so hard I cried lol.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

Does gophone work on unlocked sgs2?

Sgs2 Sgh-i777
Can somebody tell me if the gophone plan for 50$ works and does it have internet?
Thanks.
Mom's AT&T go-phone ($25 plan) runs on call minutes. Not sure about $50 plan or T-Mobile, but I think internet is a no-go on go-phone.
Of course, you could go Google go-phone and find out... I just wanted to say no-go go-phone...
Since GoPhone is an AT&T service:
1) No need to unlock. However:
2) AT&T will detect that it is a smartphone based on IMEI and will block the $50 unlimited plan.
Entropy512 said:
Since GoPhone is an AT&T service:
1) No need to unlock. However:
2) AT&T will detect that it is a smartphone based on IMEI and will block the $50 unlimited plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile does the same... I have [email protected] phone with tmobile unlimited plan with tzone but it only gets edge.. And I want to move to 3g or 4g data. I am looking into this http://www.straighttalk.com/
It appears to be a great and cheap unlimited plan, do not know if it will work with 3g or 4g network..
secret GoPhone user? Entropy?!?
I didn't start that rumor...
Najuto9tail said:
Tmobile does the same... I have [email protected] phone with tmobile unlimited plan with tzone but it only gets edge.. And I want to move to 3g or 4g data. I am looking into this http://www.straighttalk.com/
It appears to be a great and cheap unlimited plan, do not know if it will work with 3g or 4g network..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible but difficult. The carrier used by ST varies from phone to phone - some are T-Mo, some are AT&T, some are CDMA!
Also, many have SIMs that are device-locked (kind of the opposite of a SIMlocked device).
As I understand it, there are two $200 Nokia models that you can purchase which have non-locked AT&T-compatible SIMs. These will work in unlocked (and maybe locked?) AT&T phones. HOWEVER - you must NEVER activate another SIM in the original Nokia - if you do, your old SIM will get deactivated. So the $200 Nokia needs to sit collecting dust.
A few guys in the Infuse forums did this, I never did though.
Entropy512 said:
It's possible but difficult. The carrier used by ST varies from phone to phone - some are T-Mo, some are AT&T, some are CDMA!
Also, many have SIMs that are device-locked (kind of the opposite of a SIMlocked device).
As I understand it, there are two $200 Nokia models that you can purchase which have non-locked AT&T-compatible SIMs. These will work in unlocked (and maybe locked?) AT&T phones. HOWEVER - you must NEVER activate another SIM in the original Nokia - if you do, your old SIM will get deactivated. So the $200 Nokia needs to sit collecting dust.
A few guys in the Infuse forums did this, I never did though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a conversation via email with support from straight talk and they will send me a sim card for use with at&t network using their 45$ unlimited plan. They explained to me with details how it works and I am really happy for their support.
Compared to the offer they give here where I live 50+ 25 of data= 75$ and the same with them for 45. I am saving 30$ every month.
Najuto9tail said:
I had a conversation via email with support from straight talk and they will send me a sim card for use with at&t network using their 45$ unlimited plan. They explained to me with details how it works and I am really happy for their support.
Compared to the offer they give here where I live 50+ 25 of data= 75$ and the same with them for 45. I am saving 30$ every month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait... They sent you a SIM card to use with an arbitrary smartphone???
That surprises me...
gotta watch data usage tho on st. theyll kill the card first time warning then they kill the phone
Entropy512 said:
Wait... They sent you a SIM card to use with an arbitrary smartphone???
That surprises me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah they advertise this every where....
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
Najuto9tail said:
I had a conversation via email with support from straight talk and they will send me a sim card for use with at&t network using their 45$ unlimited plan. They explained to me with details how it works and I am really happy for their support.
Compared to the offer they give here where I live 50+ 25 of data= 75$ and the same with them for 45. I am saving 30$ every month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind, can you pls post the ST info in detail?
I've never heard of ST until lately but couldn't find any info about it.
All I know that people keep saying ST has $45/month UNLIMITED but have no clue how that unlimited got defined.
Thanks
Update:
Got it here, StraigthTalk plan but still wondering it is truly unlimited or any restriction behind.

[Q] LTE on Prepaid?

Hi All
I'm really excited to be back on these forums now that I'm ready (BEEN READY!!!) to move on from my HTC EVO 4G.
I've been reading up and doing my research and concluded that the Galaxy Note is going to be my next phone.
Ok, so here's where I need your help.
All you guys seem to have grandfathered AT&T accounts, so it's been difficult to gleam info in this regard that pertains to my needs/questions.
Question 1: Any new AT&T customers? How much are you paying each month?
Question 2: Is there LTE on any pre-paid providers? If so, which? AT&T prepaid?
Question 3: Given that the Galaxy I717 is AT&T (U.S.) LTE, I'm assuming that would be the one to purchase. Would AT&T recognize one of their phones and give me a hard time about it being on prepaid?
Basically, I'm looking to get the Galaxy Note with LTE (if possible) on as cheap a monthly plan as possible. Suggestions welcome.
Guys, I've spent hours and hours reading up here, and elsewhere. I really appreciate your help and guidance with this.
BTW- I am in Los Angeles, if that makes any difference.
THANK YOU!!!
Cmon guys, I'm sure someone here can answer a couple of these!
Thank you for your help!
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
I guess I was somewhat in your same shoes a couple weeks ago. I decided to make the Note the successor to my beloved but dying Nexus One.
My objectives were a cheap month-by-month plan that I could use with a Galaxy Note.
I purchased the Note GT-N7000 International version from Amazon for about $540. Also bought a StraightTalk pre-paid SIM for $45 per month. Unlimited talk, messaging and data, but the forums point to there being an unspoken cap of around 2GB. Used this configuration for a few weeks and like it, but the speeds were kind of slow.
I saw that T-Mobile had a deal for new activations for 100 minutes talk and unlimited data with first 5 GB at 4G speeds for $30 per month. Since I rarely use the phone for talking, this sounded reasonable for me as I could just use VoIP if I needed more talk.
Unfortunately the GT-N7000 isn't compatible with the T-Mobile network at all. The ATT version is compatible with a modem flash, so I decided to go pick up the I717 version at the local ATT store with the intent of returning the N7000. Retail price was $649 locally and on Amazon.
Got the I717 home and rooted, flashed with T-Mobile modem and Saurom, and I've been on that setup for about 2 days.
StraightTalk (ATT network) $45 per month
Pros: StraightTalk (ATT network)
- Works seamlessly with both N7000 and I717
- Unlimited Talk if you talk alot
- Probably better national coverage than T-Mobile
Cons:
- Only getting 3G speeds topping out at about 1.2M down and 200 up
- Possible unwritten cap at 2GB then shutdown data after that
T-Mobile Pre-Paid ($30 per month)
Pros:
- 4G speeds. At my location 3.5M down and 2M up
- Clear 4G cap which is easy to see via the online account management, then EDGE speed after that cap
Cons:
- Cannot forward calls, so using Google Voice for my voicemail is out...have to use T-Mobile voicemail
Now, for the hell of it, here's a comparison of the N7000 and I717:
N7000
Big Pro!! - Physical home button on front of phone. I didn't realize how much I would miss this button until I didn't have one
- More mature ROM's available for this. Several strong and stable ICS ROMs are out and I've used a few with good results
Cons
- Only 3G speeds with only ATT network.
- You have to order screen protectors specially for this version of the phone. Picked up a Zagg InvisibleShield at BB and was confused why it didn't have the cutout for the home button.
I717
Pros
- 4G speeds. Can't wait to travel around a bit where I have stronger signal to stress the 4G speeds on T-Mobile
- With modem flash, can be used interchangeably between ATT and T-Mobile just by swapping the SIM.
Cons
- Less mature ICS roms available now
- Lack of physical home button means you have to press the power button to wake and this is difficult if the phone is in a case
All in all, I think I'm going with the I717 and T-Mobile for a while to see how it works out. The ICS roms are getting better and the speed of 4G at $30 per month is pretty appealing. Now, if only I can figure out how to get Tasker to pull some shenanigans to get missed calls over to Google Voice!
Thank you so much to your reply!
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
Too bad it seems T-mobile does not offer that anymore.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
Here's a list of plans they offer and my plan is the 4th one down. I suppose they could vary by region...I'm in the Portland, OR area.
If you go to the main T-Mobile site, choose the very bottom link on the left column. That will take you to a secondary site. Go to "SIM Card" link and then Browse Plans. (I'd include the URL, but this forum doesn't let me for some reason.)
You order the SIM card online for 99 cents and then activate online. That plan is only available in Walmart, on Walmart.com or T-Mobile.com. Local T-Mobile store can't offer it.
Activating was a total hassle which involved several calls to Customer Support and being ping-ponged around overseas call centers. I was 15 minutes from giving up until I got a winner on the phone from Sales Order support who took care of me in 3 minutes.
uckfay said:
Too bad it seems T-mobile does not offer that anymore.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The $30 plan is exclusively for Walmart tmobile prepaid phones. so you have to buy a cheap $20 tmobile prepaid phone from walmart and then you can get the $30 plan with unlimited text, 5GB data and 100mins of talk. put the sim that came with tmobile prepaid phone into Gnote and enjoy.
I was able to activate the 100 min/unlim. text/5 GB HSPA+ data without buying a Walmart phone. I purchased a t-mobile SIM card online and activated it online.
estebond said:
I was able to activate the 100 min/unlim. text/5 GB HSPA+ data without buying a Walmart phone. I purchased a t-mobile SIM card online and activated it online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here.
PrePaid AT&T Galaxy Note I717
circuit.007 said:
same here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello i have an AT&T prepaid Galaxy Note i717 running 4.0.3 ice cream sandwhich, swapped out my iphone 4s 64gb that was also prepaid. I pay 50 a month for the unlimited talk,txt, and i had to add the 25 a month for data. They reconized the phone as a smart phone this time when i set it up. No problems with talking or data, had to change the apn a few times to find the right one, but i have had an issue with picture messaging taking forever to send.
firefighter0213 said:
Hello i have an AT&T prepaid Galaxy Note i717 running 4.0.3 ice cream sandwhich, swapped out my iphone 4s 64gb that was also prepaid. I pay 50 a month for the unlimited talk,txt, and i had to add the 25 a month for data. They reconized the phone as a smart phone this time when i set it up. No problems with talking or data, had to change the apn a few times to find the right one, but i have had an issue with picture messaging taking forever to send.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you able to add the $25 data plan? AT&T told me I cannot add this to the galaxy note because it does not support it. What APN did you use?
mha1021 said:
The $30 plan is exclusively for Walmart tmobile prepaid phones. so you have to buy a cheap $20 tmobile prepaid phone from walmart and then you can get the $30 plan with unlimited text, 5GB data and 100mins of talk. put the sim that came with tmobile prepaid phone into Gnote and enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong they still offer it its the top 2 plan on their monthly 4g plan. Second dont need walmart at all just get a sim from amazon and tell the 30 plan you want. I even got to keep my existing number from previous $50 monthly 4g plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Apn settings
felicity603 said:
How are you able to add the $25 data plan? AT&T told me I cannot add this to the galaxy note because it does not support it. What APN did you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i changed my apn after i added the data plan to my phone, i don't think it matters what order you do it in.
this is a screen shot of the apn seeting off my wife's galaxy note I717, after setting TechnoTradingHouse as the apn.
1) i set up an online go phone account
2) i went to add feature packages, and added the 1 gb (25.00) data plan to my account

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