Using an iPhone without a data plan

[jryankennedy]

Okay, so I used to have an iPhone 3GS and had to get rid of it about 3 months ago because I cannot afford a data plan. Story of my life. Right now I'm using a Nokia E63 (which I can't stand) with the standard family plan/unlimited text. (I bought it off craigslist so no data plan with AT&T)

My question is, Could I use my old original iPhone without a data plan? I would jailbreak it and block edge entirely and just use wifi. I heard AT&T scans devices and if they found out i'm using the iphone, they would automatically add the data plan to my plan.

thanks in advance!

[Scoops98]

You should be able to use the iPhone without data. And you can't just block EDGE. I believe you have to change your carrier settings. I don't think AT&T requires you to have data.

[Melech518]

The data plan is required because of the price of a subsidized iphone. However, At&t would still try to require you to have a data plan when purchasing any iPhone, even at full price. But if you have an iPhone not purchased from At&t or Apple, you are not required to have a data plan. That being, if you do not tell them you have an iPhone, they are not going to charge you for the data plan. The phone will always operate.

[joemamawilder]

This is straight from AT&T's wireless site:

"Please note: AT&T is Apple's exclusive carrier partner for iPhone in the United States. An eligible data plan for iPhone is required. This data plan covers data usage in the United States and does not cover international data usage and charges. If AT&T determines that you are using an iPhone on your account without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right to add an eligible data plan to your account and bill you the appropriate monthly fee."

As soon as you put your sim in the iPhone and make a call/send text, AT&T will know what phone you are using. According to Melech's response, you should be in the clear, though AT&T's statement is quite broad. Call AT&T and ask to find out.

[confucious]

An iPhone without a data plan sounds awful!

That being said, I have heard of people having a Data plan added by AT&T without them requesting it which, I would have thought would be illegal (it certainly would be in Europe) and others being 'told' they needed a data plan as AT&T can see you have an iPhone.
The newer FW seems to re-enable data even if you disable it completely - probably to do with Push Notifications so be very careful that you don't install anything with push.
If your iPhone is out of contract than you should be able to use it without data - but didn't you have to take out a new contract with your 3GS?
You could consider T-Mobile who, I believe are cheaper for data. Here in the UK I pay just over £20/month for all my voice/text/MMS/Data/Tethering wtc on T-mobile which isn't to bad.

[angiepangie]

^
"If your iPhone is out of contract than you should be able to use it without data" - should be then

and to should be too
(sorry it's a really bad habit.. I've got to stop...)

I don't think they would add it to your bill without consent (I haven't heard of a single case of that happening), but they do send a message telling you that you NEED a data plan (or you have a choice of terminating your contract)
But since your iphone is a 2G, you should just take it on over to T-mobile which is cheaper than AT&T in pretty much every aspect (except you don't get rollover minutes on T-mobile)

[jryankennedy]

thank you so much for y'all response! I cannot switch to T-Mobile because I'm a student still on my family's Plan. Also, the iPhone I have is already activated and I can use it, I just can't let them add The data plan because I wouldn't be able to pay for it.

I know if i jailbreak the phone i can install "Sbsettings?" which there is a toggle to turn off edge connections entirely.

but i just dont want AT&T adding that data on my plan

[Scoops98]

The EDGE toggle in SBSettings doesn't actually disable EDGE if you are running FW 3.0+

[jryankennedy]

well, i am trying it now and we'll see how it goes. I just changed the apn settings to disable the data

[Melech518]

The EDGE toggle in SBSettings doesn't actually disable EDGE if you are running FW 3.0+

strange, it does for me

[confucious]

strange, it does for me

It does for some people - but best to read How To Disable EDGE (Maybe) On 3.0 | iPhone News, Help and Guides

[Scoops98]

strange, it does for me

I stand corrected. What threw is that I still have the EDGE icon and a Data IP when the SBSettings EDGE toggle is off. I for sure didn't have internet connectivity.