AT&T forcing customers to have data package for iphone by tracking IMEI

[phung717]

So is it true that AT&T is starting to enforce that customers with smart phones have the "necessary" data package in order for our phones to be "functional." My g/f recently received a text from ATT saying that she doesn't have a data package and she should call 611 and add a data package by sept 14. I have asked a friend from ATT about it, and his boss said that ATT is now tracking everyone's IMEI and comparing it to their plans. If their IMEI requires a data package, whether it be an iphone or blackberry, ATT will automatically start adding the necessary package accordingly w/o notifying you starting sept 6. I have been using my iphone with the data package for almost a year now, and i don't want to get charged.

I'm wondering if anyone has any more info on it, or is it just another one of ATT's hoaxes in order for them to gain more money. I also heard from a friend from T-mobile that they are starting to do the same.

[Imahottguy]

AT&T has bots that check your account, and add/delete features that you should/should not have. Some say that they cannot force you to have data, but they are actively doing so. They use the IMEI of your phone in order to determine what phone you are using. That's why it was convenient to change your IMEI in the 1.1.4 days.

It is part of the current ToS that certain phones may require data, so they do have the 'right' to add the package.

I think it will take some sort of legal action before we can cancel data on an iPhone.

[cpjr]

They can force you as its in the "fine print" of the contract you signed.

[sursture]

The discussion is getting a bit defocused.
AT&T can NOT force you to anything - UNLESS you have a phone still subsidized by AT&T.

Actually - you can request DATA block on yr phone plan. AND, you can use any phone you wish - unlocked/Jailbreaked or not. This is something AT&T does not display. (Unlocking/Jailbreaking is though in the "greyzone" when it comes to Apple's SW rights - still to be verified through a court case!)
Obviously as they WANT you to add a Data Plan. However, they CAN NOT FORCE YOU!

As a matter of fact - I got approval for activating my unlocked iPhone WITHOUT Data Plan. This after a heated discussion with them after a faulty charge due to a bug in their Data Network.

Some more background; WARNING!! AT&T Bug!!!

[phung717]

Only reason why i worry is because after hearing about this, i did some research on the "fine print" of a typical AT&T contract, and it does include in there that iPhone must be used in addition to a data plan.

I just want to see if any of you guys out there, like me who does NOT have a data package and using a jailbroken iphone and only using wifi when available is worried about ATT automatically adding a data plan to my service.

What happens when i find out they do, should i discontinue the use of the iphone, or should i just call them up and fight it?

Thanks for the replies so far.

[Simtech]

If you are not using any data plan, I don't think they will bother you.
They are just interested in the ones that are using the mediamax plans and using lots of data.