So I've read enough about the GS4 being Sim unlocked from Verizon. We are traveling to St Maarten in the Caribbean in April, and I'm just trying to confirm that its really as simple as purchasing a local sim and popping it in. My GS4 is unlocked and rooted since the MDK bootloader, but my wife's is a work provided phone, and I'm not allowed to touch it (although she always asks me how I tether....sorry dear...I'm not allowed to touch yours). Our resort has wifi but only in the lobby, and I'm not interested in data (I'll be on vaca) but I want to just be able to text my wife if need be while exploring the island.
Anyone know what I can expect to pay for a local sim? Don't even need a lot of minutes....just be able to text back and forth if we need to.
My FIL is on my Verizon plan. He's leaving in a few days for Aruba and Curacao.
He contacted Verizon and was told he could pay $5 for cheaper phone and texting rates while on his trip. I think it is $1.49 or $1.99 per minute for calls and .50 to send text and .05 to receive them.
Data is crazy expensive ($25/100mb with Int'l plan or $22ish per mb without) so I would turn off data sucking apps or seriously limiting it (turn off background sync, etc) even if you opt for the Verizon data plan. Also, if you don't turn off the data before you leave you will most likely get hit with data charges as soon as you land.
I would recommend getting local data sim and using Hangouts or some other non-texting data based chat service instead of texting each other.
gadzooks64 said:
My FIL is on my Verizon plan. He's leaving in a few days for Aruba and Curacao.
He contacted Verizon and was told he could pay $5 for cheaper phone and texting rates while on his trip. I think it is $1.49 or $1.99 per minute for calls and .50 to send text and .05 to receive them.
Data is crazy expensive ($25/100mb with Int'l plan or $22ish per mb without) so I would turn off data sucking apps or seriously limiting it (turn off background sync, etc) even if you opt for the Verizon data plan. Also, if you don't turn off the data before you leave you will most likely get hit with data charges as soon as you land.
I would recommend getting local data sim and using Hangouts or some other non-texting data based chat service instead of texting each other.
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Hangouts I can do....but that uses data. And I'm not going to have wifi on the beach.....MAYBE the beach at our resort....but I've read over and over that wifi is only in the lobby....so who knows where the range will end until I get there. I guess your saying leave data off until I get a local sim in it. Once the local sim is in it, I'll stop getting my verizon data? or will I have to stop gmail, and disable all other data apps?
I know what my phone does, and what apps use what data....and how you can set some up for wifi only....but my wife is clueless tech wise. I guess I'm not going to find a local sim with unlimited texting huh (or even a reasonable number of texts).
Once you replace the Verizon sim (keep it and make sure you know which is yours and which is the wife's because it does matter and you'll be putting them back in as soon as you get home) then your connection to Verizon is gone.
As soon as you install the local sim you will have data and/or phone coverage based on what you bought. If you can get two cheap data only sims that would be the way to go. Then use data services for doing instant messaging to contact each other.
All your data using apps will work just as they did at home. They don't care how you connect to the internet. GMail, Hangouts etc will all work as long as you have a data service.
Enjoy.
gadzooks64 said:
Once you replace the Verizon sim (keep it and make sure you know which is yours and which is the wife's because it does matter and you'll be putting them back in as soon as you get home) then your connection to Verizon is gone.
As soon as you install the local sim you will have data and/or phone coverage based on what you bought. If you can get two cheap data only sims that would be the way to go. Then use data services for doing instant messaging to contact each other.
All your data using apps will work just as they did at home. They don't care how you connect to the internet. GMail, Hangouts etc will all work as long as you have a data service.
Enjoy.
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Ok, I gotcha now. I would love to find a data only Sim. It will be pretty easy to tell which sim is which upon return... I'll just make a test call to see whose phone rings when I dial my number :laugh: Thanks for your help. I don't want to pay Verizon $25 for 100MB as I'm sure some app I forget about will run me over.....and my wife's phone is run by her work....so local sim is the only way to go....or bring her rezound along.....but I'm not sure that phone was ever truly SIM unlocked without a specific Rom...and my rezound hacking days are long behind me.
I came across this site and while it doesn't say how much the sim will cost to purchase, it gives me an idea of the data packages I'll need to buy.
http://wiredsailor.com/new/broadband-internet/3g-services/
318sugarhill said:
Ok, I gotcha now. I would love to find a data only Sim. It will be pretty easy to tell which sim is which upon return... I'll just make a test call to see whose phone rings when I dial my number :laugh: Thanks for your help. I don't want to pay Verizon $25 for 100MB as I'm sure some app I forget about will run me over.....and my wife's phone is run by her work....so local sim is the only way to go....or bring her rezound along.....but I'm not sure that phone was ever truly SIM unlocked without a specific Rom...and my rezound hacking days are long behind me.
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I just did this last week in the UK - stock GS4 running MK2, with a SIM from ekit.com.
All I did was to insert the SIM, set the phone to GSM mode, define the APN, and you're done. Finding a cheap carrier for data in the Caribbean is tough, however.
k1mu said:
I just did this last week in the UK - stock GS4 running MK2, with a SIM from ekit.com.
All I did was to insert the SIM, set the phone to GSM mode, define the APN, and you're done. Finding a cheap carrier for data in the Caribbean is tough, however.
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So I've been reading on some travel forums about queen of SXM. She is a part time resident of St. Maarten that does rental phones. I emailed her and for $8 for the week I am renting a SIM card. Any voice/data must be added after that in $5 increments. But data is mostly 2g (and expanding to 3g but likely not widely available). It's only $0.55 per day for the data and it's unlimited (since its so slow, its not like your going to be using a lot anyway). So basically for $13 a phone I can get data and no voice so we can message back and forth. Is Hangouts or what's app going to be reliable on a 2g network? I've read that wechat has designed their app for better use on 2g networks (in places like India and other emerging markets). On my Rezound I was able to force the phone into 1x only mode, but not so much on the S4 to be able to test it.....unless I can find an area with a really crappy signal.
Related
Hi everyone. I just wanted to mention that I am new to unlocked phones and was wondering if I can get some assistance on this issue. I tried reading the topic regarding the data plan below mine, but I didn't quite understand and not sure if it could answer my questions.
I recently received an Unlocked HTC Aria from Amazon for $339, but the box in which the phone was stored looks like an ordinary AT&T box, so I am doubting whether or not my phone is actually unlocked.
The Aria came with all the AT&T applications like AT&T Hotspot, AT&T Navigation, etc., so this puts me into further doubt.
I currently have an AT&T $10/month unlimited data plan for my Samsung Impression (non-smartphone, and did a SIM swap into the Aria. Everything was going smoothly until I decided to check out Google Navigation. I then received two text messages: The first one indicating that AT&T knows I'm using a smartphone and then one saying that AT&T automatically changed my data plan (I'm assuming to the $15/mo 200MB data plan). I went to my AT&T account and changed the HTC Aria back to the Samsung Impression, hoping maybe they will change it back automatically.
So, I have a few questions:
(1) Was the HTC Aria I received from Amazon actually unlocked?
(2) How can I avoid being detected my AT&T if I swap my SIM card again back into the Aria? Am I able to just use Wi-Fi and limit the amount of data I use?
(3) Should AT&T recognize my IMEI even if my phone is unlocked or will they know regardless because HTC Aria is supported by them?
(4) Even though I switched the phones back in the AT&T online account, will I still have to call them up?
I apologize for all these questions, but if anyone can please assist me, it'll be greatly appreciated.
I think you need to go back in and take a closer look at your account online and see what they actually did to your features, you may have just been screwed. When they transfered you over to the $15 200MB play i think you lost your $10 unlimited plan and may never get it back.
They still know you have your Aria on the account, you have to put your chip back in the old phone, wait about a few hours then check it online to see if it picked it up correctly, then call them and have them remove the data plan and put back your old plan "which they may not be able to do". After that switch back your sim to your Aria. If you get another text alert call them up and tell them you do not have a smartphone on the account and give them your Samsung Impression IMEI number.
Your Aria may not be unlocked just full price off contact, to see if its unlocked put a Tmobile or another non ATT sim in it and see if it picks up a signal.
I had a similar experience with the scanning process removing a feature and putting on the data plan here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7146488#post7146488
That's exactly what I did. As soon as I got the 2 text messages, I removed the SIM from the Aria and put it back the Samsung Impression. I actually changed the phone manually on my AT&T online account as AT&T did know that I was using the Aria. However, I do not have the option to change my data plan back to $10/mo unlimited as only the $15/mo 200MB data plan option is available. So, I will be calling AT&T in the morning to have it switched back.
I read your other post, but I do not think I have the Medianet bundle. I'm running on a Family plan with Unlimited Family Messaging and Unlimited Family Data ($10/mo for each non-smartphone). I checked the other phones on the plan and nothing has changed in terms of messaging/data plan. Only my phone was affected by the smartphone data plan.
Is there a way to get around this or is it just luck? I don't mind paying $15/mo for 200MB, but if I can avoid it, then why not?! Is it possible to completely disable 3G when Wi-Fi is in use? I heard some Aria owners who said that their 3G was actually still in use even though Wi-Fi was connected. From what I saw on my Aria, there was a check mark under 3G instead of the 2 illuminated arrows when Wi-Fi was connected. How about yours?
My Aria constantly have the chcek under the 3G icon when wifi is on, the only time the 2 arrows show up is when i send or receive a MMS. To disable 3G data there is a mobile data option when you hold down the power button after the unlock screen. There is also an option inside menu - settings - wireless & network - uncheck mobile internet to disable 3G data and use wifi only.
The check just means you are connected to the network it has nothing to do with wifi and data transmission on 3g has up/down arrows.
There's no sure fire way to avoid the at&t data nazis especially since they've already caught you once.there's another topic about aria with no data with more info.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
So I contacted HTC and gave them my S/N. They told me the HTC Aria "unlocked" I purchased at retail price was still locked. Now, I'm trying to figure out whether or not there are even unlocked HTC Aria's out there!
call the place you bought it from they will usually send a replacement next day free of charge samething happened to me with my phone not the aria though
Unlimited MOBILE WEB is an entirely different thing from a DATA plan. A mobile web restricts 3g usage to specific applications on the Impression while a data plan allows any app downloaded to use AT&T's network.
Your phone doesn't sound like it was unlocked but even if it was, AT&T can immediately tell which phone is connected to the network via your SIM. There's no real practical way to get out of paying 15 dollars a month. You could try turning off 3g on the Aria, which you can do allowing you to still send/receive calls and texts, but limits you to wifi for any apps that require the internet. Even if you turn it off though i have a feeling AT&T will still charge you 15 for the data plan just because it is a smart phone.
To be quite honest what is 5 more dollars anyway? That's my opinion...
Well, the Aria is branded under AT&T, so there is no such unlocked Aria right now. The HTC representative told me the only way to obtain an unlocked Aria is to actually have someone physically unlock it via unlock code.
As far as I can tell, the phone purchased through Amazon is not unlocked. It actually never was listed as Unlocked, so it was a mistake on my part.
I don't know if I will be able to return the phone though. I guess I can always tell them that there is something wrong with it and then they might allow a refund.
Oh, I don't mind paying the extra $5/mo. It's just that 200MB of data is not enough for me and of course unlimited beats it. However, if I do decide to keep the Aria, then I won't have a choice but to pay the $15.
Even if you get an unlocked Aria you will be saddled with the data plan for smartphones since it is an At&t branded phone the imei is in their database and eventually it will either scan it or if you use data services not covered by your existing plan it will switch you.
I was able to bypass the smartphone data plan and pay the $30 for unlimited data and messaging for non-smartphones but it was because I was using an unlocked T-Mobile G1 over EDGE.
Anyone have experience with the HTC Desire and AT&T non-smartphone data plan?
To add up to the conversation, one thing you need to understand, the ATT $10 non-smartphoine dataplan is not grandfather and so you can still added up to a non-smartphone at anytime,the unlimited for $30 for smartphone is no longer availabel and so you will need to chose from the $15 for 200mbs or the on2 for $20 for 2gbs... in regards to the a smartphone been unlocked or not, it makes no difference to ATT or any other service provider, a smartphone is a smarphone and yes they detect this via the IMEI which is syncronyze in the databse thru the SIM card as soon as you device registers on their network...you can change the device you have registered at any time it makes no difference...why because you will still be using a smartphone...it is inevitable my friend! the only way I see it happening is changing the IMEI of your device or not using a smartphone at all...sad but true!
why would you buy an unlocked at&t phone to use on at&ts network?
if you put your sim card in any at&t phone, they will detect your IMEI number, find out if its a smart phone or not, and charge you accordingly. they will be more than happy to charge you MORE for using a smartphone, but they certainly will not charge you LESS because you switched back. if you don't plan on using the aria, just put your sim in your old phone, call at&t and get the data plan switched back to the not-smart-phone plan.
if you want a smartphone on at&t, but do not want to pay for the at&t data plan, your only real option is to get a t-mobile branded phone, such as the g1 or mytouch, and unlock it.
I am traveling to Jamaica, and I would like to disable data but still allow voice and sms. I know switching to airplane mode will disable all sms/voice/data.
Even for voice, make sure your aware of the international charges. ATT (and cell phone providers in general) are notorious with hitting you for insanely high bills when traveling internationally.
Their reps are also often wrong (if something sounds to good to be true, ask for it in writing) - for example my nephew believed it when they told him that he wouldn't be charged for receiving SMS/Emails overseas as long as he didn't open and read them. That was a flat out lie, and my sister had to pay the bill.
Personally, I always pop out my SIM card when traveling overseas and replace it with a Prepaid International SIM card, though purchasing one locally works as well. A number of such plans will disallow all data access.
Edit: Note that to use a prepaid SIM card, you need to SIM unlock the phone first. As long as you've been an ATT customer sufficiently long, they will give you the code if you call customer service and state that you'll be travelling overseas and need to use a local SIM card.
From a bill-paying standpoint, unfortunately no. ATT requires the device (and any smartphones in general) to have a monthly data plan in order to be active.
From a end user stand point: Menu>settings>data manager>data delivery>uncheck data enabled.
This will essentially turn off your data connectivity but you will still be charge the monthly fee.
work around: call att's customer care (611 from your mobile device) and have them perform an IMEI swap. You give them the info for an older device you have lying around that does not require data or a go phone. then remove your data feature from the account. Last step: keep that sim in the atrix and have voice/sms minus the data.
hope this helps
bl4ck0ut
If data roaming is disabled, no data should be used. It is disabled an many phones by default. I had several Android phones and I travel at least twice a year to Europe and I never had any data charges. If you want to be 200% sure, you can disable data completely, then follow bl4ck0ut recommendation.
"As long as you've been an ATT customer sufficiently long, they will give you the code if you call customer service and state that you'll be travelling overseas and need to use a local SIM card."
That WAS the policy but according to the AT&T rep I spoke to yesterday, that has been modified. Customers with new phones (newly released phones, such as the Atrix) will not be given an unlock code until ONE YEAR after the phones' release date.
That's just not right, if they're going to modify their terms, they should say that up front.
Is it possible to use my GS2 on att’s ‘go phone’ plan. I can get the ‘voice’ to work but not the ‘data’. I took the phone to att and they put in a sim card from a display phone and the data worked just fine. So I know my phone is not ‘broken’. But my rep said that no 4g phone will work with the data network. That I would need to buy a contract. But I just want a little data, not enough to warrant buying a contract. I’ll stick to Wi-Fi on my home network. But is there a way to still use my ‘go phone’ account with the data att sells for it?
I use my S2 on Gophone exclusively, and buy a data package as an option. It costs $25 for 500 MB, and you can roll over unused data with a monthly "Automatic Feature Package Renewal" for as low as $5. Check www.paygonline.com
My S2 works great on ATT 3G, HSPA+
I have a gophone SIM that I use whenever I'm in the US and I've used it in all my phones, not the SGS2 yet but I have used my last phone, an SGS.
I didn't even need to buy a data bundle, it just used my credit balance for data (must admit it eats through credit quite quickly so probably wise to buy a bundle)
Yes it is possible to use a Gophone SIM with the Galaxy S2. Depending on the rom, you may need to setup the APN manually. Something I just noticed is that I cannot download any app form the Market. Also, I cannot download from sites like wupload, filesonic, uploaded, etc.
FB, Pandora, Gmail, Youtube, G+, Twitter, the Kitchen, web Browsing work fine. Small downloads from the Slidme Market work, but bigger downloads break at random points.
is it possible to use my gs2 on att's go phone plan
I am interest in the answer. I'm looking at getting a att unlocked Gs2 and att told me my 3g go phone sim with 3g and data will not work on this phone.
Are you'll using att go phone sim and att unlocked phone?
Noticed one couldn't download app from market, anything else that doesn't work?
Lots of $$ to spend to find out it doesn't work.
I just got a Galaxy SIII and my mom wants to use my Vibrant as a dumbphone. When I put the SIM card in it keeps saying "searching..." for a signal. She doesn't have a data plan. Is there any way to allow my mom to use the phone just to make calls and texts?
Try calling T-Mobile. When I leave my contract, they said that my web may be taken off of my phone and I can keep my vibrant. (Unlike AT&T)
T-Mobile claims that you need a data plan to use the Vibrant unfortunately.
No data plan is needed. I use mine without one and it works just fine. Are you sure you have reception at the location you tried it? I think (I may be wrong) that it says "no sim" if it doesnt like the sim, and "searching" if its really looking for a signal.
You should just be able to swap a sim card in though. I've temporarily swapped family members cards into my vibrant with no problem.
You could use T-Mobile prepaid plan $30/month 1500minutes or text. If its an extra line, maybe its cheaper to just get her a cheaper phone that don't require data and sell the Vibrant.
indiemixer said:
I just got a Galaxy SIII and my mom wants to use my Vibrant as a dumbphone. When I put the SIM card in it keeps saying "searching..." for a signal. She doesn't have a data plan. Is there any way to allow my mom to use the phone just to make calls and texts?
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The vibrant does NOT require you to have a data plan. I had my phone cut off for awhile and decided to cut it back on but with no data plan. T mobile did make me buy a new sim card though, take the phone to them and tell them to activate it without data. If its anything like my experience you will just have to buy a new sim card even though yours is perfectly fine, not sure why they make you do that. You may also just be able to "unlock" you're phone and the sim card you have now might work, I have never unlocked my vibrant so you would have to google that. Good luck ...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
indiemixer said:
I just got a Galaxy SIII and my mom wants to use my Vibrant as a dumbphone. When I put the SIM card in it keeps saying "searching..." for a signal. She doesn't have a data plan. Is there any way to allow my mom to use the phone just to make calls and texts?
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Click to collapse
This may sound dumb.. but make sure the sim card is inserted in the right direction. I've been in a hurry myself a few times and put it in wrong. The first time I spent a few hours troubleshooting before figuring it out.
I felt pretty dumb afterwards lol
Also my wife uses her vibrant with no data plan just fine.
You do have to watch out though because on our plan T-Mobile refuses to block data so if you accidentally use something that pulls data using the phone data instead of wifi then they charge all sorts of overages.
The way we got around that was using the built in miui firewall to disable phone data for everything and allow Wi-Fi.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
It is definitely possible. I've been doing that for the past 5 years with my smartphones (yeah I know I'm cheap). I am always around a wireless hotspot so I figured...do I really need a data plan? No!!! I am currently using a pay as you go plan with my Gnex on Tmo I only pay for the number of minutes i may need and text are like 15¢ or something. The best part about it is that I have saved hundreds of dollars not paying for a useless data plan (at least in my case). So yeah back to your question yes you can use your vibrant without a data plan. You may just have to visit your local Tmo store so they can get you on a pay as you go plan or a similar prepaid plan that does not require a a data plan. They will give you a new sim card and you may be able to keep you number but you must ask them. The guy or girl at the Tmo store will try to convince you to stay on the data plan and will probably say that it is necessary to have one on every smartphone...but that is bull**** so just ignore them...good luck. One more thing just to save you the hassle you also have the option to buy a sim card activation kit online at T-Mobile.com but I don't know how that works.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Very possible. I was on T-Mobile and just switched sim cards without telling them. I used mine without a data plan for half a year with no problems. Just makes using it on the road or while driving a little harder.
Yes, it's possible. I've used my Vibrant on pay as you go all along. I'm actually on prepaid plus the unlimited text plan (extra $15 a month).
firefly6240 said:
This may sound dumb.. but make sure the sim card is inserted in the right direction. I've been in a hurry myself a few times and put it in wrong. The first time I spent a few hours troubleshooting before figuring it out.
I felt pretty dumb afterwards lol
Also my wife uses her vibrant with no data plan just fine.
You do have to watch out though because on our plan T-Mobile refuses to block data so if you accidentally use something that pulls data using the phone data instead of wifi then they charge all sorts of overages.
The way we got around that was using the built in miui firewall to disable phone data for everything and allow Wi-Fi.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Tmobile refuses to block data for you, really? I have two smart phones without data plans, and I simply had to just tell them to remove pay as you go data from those lines, and include something called data blocker feature (forget what exactly it's called). After that, it wasnt possible for me to use data anywhere but at a hotspot.
I live in the USA and will be spending 6 days in Edmonton in August. My Verizon plan doesn't include any international roaming/data benefits, and I don't want to call Verizon and risk them forcing me to "upgrade" my ancient plan to a current plan (i.e. more expensive, less benefits) in order to get roaming. I only need it for a week anyway!
The other thing I was thinking was just to turn my Rezound radio off and buy a pre-paid phone from a local Wal-Mart once I arrive, and only use my Rez on Wi-Fi. Someone suggested I buy a pre-paid SIM with a small data allowance and pop it in my Rezound. Will that work without a Global ROM?
I've never needed to deal with this situation before, what should I do? I want to avoid modifying my plan if at all possible. I think buying a temporary pre-paid phone is the best option...
Thanks!
md303 said:
I live in the USA and will be spending 6 days in Edmonton in August. My Verizon plan doesn't include any international roaming/data benefits, and I don't want to call Verizon and risk them forcing me to "upgrade" my ancient plan to a current plan (i.e. more expensive, less benefits) in order to get roaming. I only need it for a week anyway!
The other thing I was thinking was just to turn my Rezound radio off and buy a pre-paid phone from a local Wal-Mart once I arrive, and only use my Rez on Wi-Fi. Someone suggested I buy a pre-paid SIM with a small data allowance and pop it in my Rezound. Will that work without a Global ROM?
I've never needed to deal with this situation before, what should I do? I want to avoid modifying my plan if at all possible. I think buying a temporary pre-paid phone is the best option...
Thanks!
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Click to collapse
yes but you can buy just the sim card for alot cheaper than buying a phone with sim in it...i only ever really used the rezound here in the USA with a gsm network with no issues...
REV3NT3CH said:
yes but you can buy just the sim card for alot cheaper than buying a phone with sim in it...i only ever really used the rezound here in the USA with a gsm network with no issues...
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Ok, so I guess the main question then: I'm running CM10.1, does that ROM work in Canada or do I need a "Global" patch of some kind?
Actually it's a moot point - the company I'm working with up there will provide me with an iPhone for the week! :good:
I recently visited Canada with my Rezound (CM11) and regular US plan. The following are some potentially useful notes:
Verizon users can use SMS (to US numbers) while in Canada at no additional charge. Soon after crossing the border, Verizon automatically sent me a SMS confirming this.
Before crossing, I turned off mobile data and kept it off until I got back.
MMS messages use data, so there would be an additional charge. Disabling data also blocks notifications that a MMS message is available.
I forgot if I had to select a different network setting (CDMA, GSM, etc). However, I had no signal issues once I had the right setting.
I use Google Voice. When I had access to WiFi, I could check voicemail and from my laptop I could place calls (to US or Canada numbers) for free.