T-mobile data plan on unlocked phone

[titisuru]

I am on an out-of-contract family plan and I want to get a newer phone for my son. If I buy an unlocked BB Bold, will T-mobile charge me for the data when I put in my sim card from my old dumbphone?

Sorry, I've spent more than an hour on the Forum trying to find an answer to my question to no avail... And I am sure it already has been answered...

[ctrad45]

You have to have a data plan with T-Mo from what I understand. What carrier is the Bold from? Is it a 9700? These things will determine whether it'll be fully functional or not on T-Mo's network.

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[titisuru]

Originally Posted by ctrad45

You have to have a data plan with T-Mo from what I understand. What carrier is the Bold from? Is it a 9700? These things will determine whether it'll be fully functional or not on T-Mo's network.

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Thank you, ctrad45. We only pay $20 for unlimited text and I didn't buy the Bold yet (I intend to look in CrackBerry Marketplace). Are there some details I need to be aware of before I buy the phone?

[ctrad45]

If its not a T-Mo branded phone you will not be able to use 3G. The other carriers use different bands from each other.

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[Artemis68]

Originally Posted by ctrad45

You have to have a data plan with T-Mo from what I understand. What carrier is the Bold from? Is it a 9700? These things will determine whether it'll be fully functional or not on T-Mo's network.

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This is incorrect. Currently, you can buy unlocked devices, T-Mobile branded or not, and be able to use them on T-Mobile's network without data.

The only time you are REQUIRED to have data is when you get the phone at a discount (2 year) price from T-Mobile.

[titisuru]

Thank you, ctrand45 and Artemis68 for answering my question.

[mandony]

Without a data plan:
To not be charged for data the phone must be set to
mobile network options> data services "OFF".
otherwise you will be charged for data use,

[shfjcs]

I just switched to AT&T from T-Mobile (after 8 years) and can tell you from experience that T-Mobile doesn't care if you put your dumbphone sim card into a BB. And nothing has to be changed in the phone's settings either. Artemis68 is absolutely correct also, data is only required on a subsidized BB.

If you plan on adding the data plan later with T-Mobile, then it matters which phone you purchase to get 3G. Only the T-Mobile branded 9700 (for now) can get 3G. AT&T phones (Bold 9000 & 9700) and all other BB will work but only get EDGE (2G) with the data plan, edge without. But if the phone has wifi, you can still surf the Internet free.

After I switched to AT&T, I tried my sim card in another (unlocked) BB and immediately got a text message saying I needed a data plan if I did not already have one. They immediately knew it was put into a smart-phone. T-Mobile was way more flexible and for now, doesn't care what you put your sim card into.

[titisuru]

Thank you all for your answers.

[gileadkid]

Originally Posted by mandony

Without a data plan:
To not be charged for data the phone must be set to
mobile network options> data services "OFF".
otherwise you will be charged for data use,

This is incorrect. If you don't have a data feature, you won't be able to use data. You won't be charged for anything.

[Artemis68]

Originally Posted by gileadkid

This is incorrect. If you don't have a data feature, you won't be able to use data. You won't be charged for anything.

This was true in the past but I believe it may have changed now.

T-Mobile recently instituted a PPU (pay per use) model for data. It's 1.99/MB. It's on the site, listed as a data option for dumbphones. My guess is that it may also apply to unlocked smartphones that don't have a data plan.

[ctrad45]

^^^^ Correct, Artemis. I was going by the old setup. I stand corrected.

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[cwong15]

Originally Posted by Artemis68

This was true in the past but I believe it may have changed now.

T-Mobile recently instituted a PPU (pay per use) model for data. It's 1.99/MB. It's on the site, listed as a data option for dumbphones. My guess is that it may also apply to unlocked smartphones that don't have a data plan.

I imagine if it's an option, that means its optional and you won't be charged if you don't need it. Are you sure it's mandatory?

I've had T-Mobile since it was Omnipoint, and never had unrequested data plan charges. I am off-contract on a voice-only plan and own an unsubsidized Curve 8900. Most of the time, I don't have a data plan active. Sometimes I activate a data plan (from the phone or web site), use it, then turn it off again. T-Mobile has always only billed me for the days I have the data plan active (i.e., the charge is prorated). I still don't do anything special to disable data services, yet I don't see data charges unless I manually activate a data plan.

[rhvaorna]

I use an unlocked 8900 that I bought through Amazon when they first became available. I believe it was a tMobile Germany phone, since the default language was German. I use the t-Mobile unlimited calling + blackberry unlimited data plan.

One important thing to know is that UMA (wifi calling) will not be enabled and will not work unless the phone is from tMobile USA. I spent about 2 days total on the phone with tier 1, tier 2 and blackberry specialized support groups at tMobile. They all swore up and down that it was impossible for a phone not from tMobile USA to support UMA.

After half a day of searching online, I figured out how to enable it myself. Had to use a key generator script to generate my code to get into my service screen, then had to upload tmobile certificates, then setup the UMA server URLs, etc, etc. Was fairly complicated, but overall took about 60 minutes to setup.

My takeaway from all that was that tMobile support is either incompetent, dishonest, or kept in the dark, take your pick.

[Artemis68]

Originally Posted by cwong15

I imagine if it's an option, that means its optional and you won't be charged if you don't need it. Are you sure it's mandatory?

I've had T-Mobile since it was Omnipoint, and never had unrequested data plan charges. I am off-contract on a voice-only plan and own an unsubsidized Curve 8900. Most of the time, I don't have a data plan active. Sometimes I activate a data plan (from the phone or web site), use it, then turn it off again. T-Mobile has always only billed me for the days I have the data plan active (i.e., the charge is prorated). I still don't do anything special to disable data services, yet I don't see data charges unless I manually activate a data plan.

Well, this relatively new, so I'm still unsure about it as well. Just wanted to let you know so you don't get hit with a big bill.

You may want to call in to T-Mobile when you don't have a data plan and make sure that NO data can be used so you can't get charged. I wonder if T-Mobile has a sort of "data block" option for people so they can make sure they aren't be billed at 1.99/MB.

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