Cell Phone Question

[npd4432]

Well, I will try to make a long story short here so here it is. I have AT&T wireless service and am pretty pleased with their service. About 7 months ago my phone broke and my sister in law gave my her old iphone 3 as she upgraded to the iphone 4. I transfered the sim card from my old phone to the iphone and all was well, the only thing that did not work was the data/internet service which I do not need or want. I like most of the features of the phone, but most of all I like the I-pod within the phone as I do not have to carry two devices, they are combined into one. Well here is the problem, AT&T text messaged me and infomed me that if I wish to have an iphone I have to subscribe to the data/internet service. I received my bill and was billed for it without my consent, I spoke with a service rep and they removed the charge, but told me I cannot use the iphone without the service so I will be billed in the future for a service I do not need or want. So here is my question is there any phone on the market that is similar to the iphone through at&t that does not need the data service. I need to purchase a new one and would like to continue to have the features of the iphone without the cost of the data/internet service that I do not use or want to pay for. Any suggestions would help.

 

[mcgyver210]

Re: Cell Phone Question

It is catch 22, To have any Smart phone AT&T forces you to have a data phone unless you are Grand Fathered with an existing one.

I have 3 IPhones with unlimited Data Plans & one BlackJack

 

[scipper77]

Re: Cell Phone Question

It's funny how they act like the only option is for them to charge you more for the data package!!!

You would think the other option would be for them to stop providing regular service to you. It's all about using whatever means necesary to squeeze more $$ out of you with wireless providers.

Do you realize that texting non stop uses something on the order of 1/100'th of the bandwidth that you use talking on your cell. You are saving them $$ by texting instead of talking and they are charging you more $$ for texting on your plan.

 

[Bucks45]

Re: Cell Phone Question

I have Sprint service. I pay for the unlimited data package and have a smart phone (the EVO). They still require you to pay an extra $10 per month to have the 4G phone. It's ridiculous, but I get a discount through my employer and my bill is cheaper than other providers.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Cell Phone Question

Just another example of why I won't ever use AT&T again. Overpriced, under-serviced, and think they own the world. Find a new carrier is my advise.

 

[mscher]

Re: Cell Phone Question

If the only extra you need is music and your files are MP3s, there are many cell phones that that have MP3 players, some that stink and some that are pretty good.

Provided they are unlocked, accept your SIMM and are in the GSM bands, most should work. DW had an Nokia Express music model, that a a nice phone with a decent MP3 player. They are not cheap though, even used.

AT&T has an unhealthy obsession with the iphone. It's their biggest money maker, they still own exclusive rights to is use and they are not giving anything up for it use.

Love the iphone - hate AT&Ts dismal service.

 

[npd4432]

Re: Cell Phone Question

Well, I dont really want to switch service as both me and my wife have phones through AT&T and pay about $68 a month for usage of both without any overage fees, and I dont want to start an AT&T bash thread here, as I am a little troubled as I cannot get the service I am requesting, but I do need a new phone and am looking for suggestions on what to get. Price really is not too much of a problem but I do not want to pay for data service I do not want or use.

All of my music files are in itunes, and would like a phone with similar features of the iphone.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Cell Phone Question

Well, I dont really want to switch service as both me and my wife have phones through AT&T and pay about $68 a month for usage of both without any overage fees, and I dont want to start an AT&T bash thread here, as I am a little troubled as I cannot get the service I am requesting, but I do need a new phone and am looking for suggestions on what to get. Price really is not too much of a problem but I do not want to pay for data service I do not want or use.

All of my music files are in itunes, and would like a phone with similar features of the iphone.

Are the music files .mp3 format, or copy-guarded .aac format?

 

[npd4432]

Re: Cell Phone Question

Most are mp3

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Cell Phone Question

Any multimedia phone will support .mp3 music files. Some things other than Apple support aac files, but probably not if they are copy protected file from the Apple store.
Only an Apple product will be able to use the itunes program, but the music files are stored separately on your hard drive and can be loaded on any device.