I want to Use iPhone 3GS without Data PLan

[dr_dan]

I know I can't be the only person with this problem. I don't need a data plan as I have wifi everywhere i am... a data plan is "required" by at&t if i have an iphone though... and they can see that i am using an iphone and automatically charge me for a data plan... how can i spoof them so they don't know i am using an iphone? is unlocking the phone the way to go? is it even possible?

[shockwaver]

You should be able to just stick a sim in to your phone without a data plan. You can turn data off in the settings (You may need to jailbreak+unlock, but I'm not 100% sure). Just be SURE to turn celluar data off, otherwise you will be charge huge sums of money.

[i.Annie]

If you have a prepaid plan w/o data that will work. Probably have to jb and unlock cuz sometimes even AT&T prepaid wont work without the unlock.

[Trooper Sam]

AT&T does scan for IMEIs on their network, that's how they identify that you have an iPhone.

They send a text to you when they attach a data plan to your phone. When you receive this text, eject your SIM from your iPhone, and put it in a non-iPhone cell phone. Call 611, tell them that you received the text, and are confused as to why you received it, as you don't use an iPhone. The CS rep will see the IMEI of the phone you're calling them with, and likely will agree with you and remove the data plan.

No further action should be required. Repeat as necessary. Check your account frequently.

[eyeRobot]

Ditch AT&T and go to verizon.

You will of course need to JB and unlock though - should take about 5mins.

[Trooper Sam]

Ditch AT&T and go to verizon.

You will of course need to JB and unlock though - should take about 5mins.

Um....HUH?!?!?!

Verizon is a CDMA carrier. You can't just unlock an iPhone and expect it to work on an incompatible network.

An iPhone needs a GSM network to operate. An unlocked iPhone can operate on GSM networks other than AT&T in the US. Here's a list of GSM carriers in the US...there's more than I thought:

GSM Coverage Maps | United States

EDIT: Okay, if there's anything I hate more than being wrong, it's actually MAKING myself wrong. However, the very list I've referenced here shows that Verizon operates a couple of GSM networks that it must have bought up. Who knew?

[nebo1ss]

There are only two options in the US for GSM service ATT and T-Mobile anything else would be a small regional carrier in one town.
T mobile 3G frequency is not compatible with the Iphone but you can use EDGE without any problem. Both ATT and T-Mobile pay and go plans work with the Iphone but they do not offer any data. Since you want to avoid data they are ideal for you.

While ATT may detect that you are using an Iphone they cannot add a data plan to a pay and go SIM. I used a pay and go SIM on ATT for five months while I was waiting for an unlock on 3.1.3 FW with 5.12.1 baseband and never had any issue with ATT. I am now using T-Mobile.