AT&T Now Offering Data-Only iPhone Plan for $20/Month
by Jody Mitoma on May 13, 2008 at 12:43 am
According to Erica Sadun of TUAW.com, AT&T is now offering a data-only iPhone plan for $19.95 per month. With this plan, you literally get “unlimited” data transfer using the iPhone’s EDGE internet (and possible the next generation iPhone’s 3G internet, too).
Keep in mind, this data-only plan will only get you the internet part of your phone. You will have to pay for actual cellphone usage on top of this fee. Erica states that you can either got $0.25/minute, or $1.00/day, plus an additional $0.10/minute. It’s your choice.
TUAW explains how to make use of this plan:
Next, you hacktivate your iPhone. iLiberty+ or any of the other tools out there allow you to stick in an AT&T SIM and activate the phone. This is not unlocking; this is adding authorization files directly to the phone. Your iPhone’s modem remains unaffected and pristine.
Finally, you call 611 and enter the new phone number and your PIN. Tell the mechanical lady that you want to “Buy Features” and when she asks, “Data Packages”. Choose the Unlimited MediaNet option. This costs $19.95 against that already-purchased $100 amount, and you’re good for an entire month of unlimited data use.
What are the drawbacks? First, you *must* watch your dates and times carefully. When you go past your 30 days, you start paying at the outrageous standard data rate of $10/MB. Read that again. If you use the iPhone without the data-plan functioning, you might spend $20 to view a 2MB picture of a dog — the way I did back in September.
Second, PAYG plans are not sanctioned by Apple. That means your non-AppleCare warranty coverage is practically non-existent. Caveat Emptor. It’s not much worse than buying an iPod touch, but you will be SOL if you need any kind of Apple support.
Finally, if you plan to use data every single month, you’ll need to keep adding money to your account every 5 months. The $100/one year arrangement only works until the money runs out. Make sure you’re ready to re-fund that account as needed.
If you’re willing to put up with all these negatives, you end up with a contract-free unlimited-data iPhone with the option of making calls for just $20/month or so. It’s an amazing deal. You don’t need a doctor’s note. It works for both the hearing and hearing impaired alike. Just keep careful track of the plan and you’re good to go.
(Source: TUAW)
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Posted in Miscellaneous, Tutorials & Help, iPhone Related
October 6th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hey Erica, I understand the concept of having $100 pre-paid, and then the data-only being $20 per month, subtracting from that $100, but I’m a little confused as to what you meant by “after 30 days, you start paying outrageous standard data rate …”
Does that mean the $20 is not automatically deducted at the end of each month from your pre-paid amount?
If so, do you just call 611 again and ask to deduct another $20 from your pre-paid amount for Unlimited MediaNet? Also was wondering, is there a way to do this with a 3G iPhone? Thanks for all of the info so far!