Someone needs to tell the AT&T offices how easily "any" unlocked device will work on their network. I brought an unlocked HTC TyTN II to them to open an account, and not only did they *still* force me to get a two-year contract, but then they had one devil of a time getting it to actually work. I stood there for over an hour and a half.
Or, how about having an "unlimited" data plan, only to find out you have to pony up 15 more bucks a month so you can get email on your Blackberry? I guess "unlimited" just means different things on an "open" network, huh?
Hi Jerry - for unlocked, unbranded devices, your best bet is to go on forums so you don't have to go into the store. Data network configs can be found online. That being said, if you want Blackberry push service, they charge you $15 more bc it's proprietary for the blackberry service. The two yr contact thing is complete garbage, especially when you didn't buy the phone from them.
What do you mean it took forever to work? Put in SIM card. HTC's Connection Setup will start up. You select AT&T, it'll automatically install MediaNET connections for you. I know since I put original stock TyTN II firmware on my Tilt and go to XDA-Devs's forums regularly.
If putting in a SIM card and click next when the "Configuration Setup" program starts is too complicated for you, then I'm not suprised you fell for it, when they said you'd need a 2 yr contract. It's salesperson talk, you need a 1yr or 2yr contract for all AT&T features. Not on the phone, but features like upgrading your phone (what Verizon calls New Every 2-NE2)
@Shortfuse- I see why you call yourself Shortfuse. It had nothing to do with me sticking a stupid SIM card into the phone. While their guy was making sure that their network would recommend my phone, it would not, since the HTC TyTN_II was not yet recognized on their network. Nothing to do with SIM. Their drone has to put a phone type into the system, *even though it should not make any difference*, before it will allow that phone to work on their "open" data network. I finally got him to just plug in another phone model, and I was on my way.
@ jerry they were doing something wrong then because all the system should ask for is the imei and it figures out the make/model based on that or just says "unknown device" and moves on. if it didnt like the imei for some reason, all 9's will work as an override.
WTF happened with your setup? I moved my month-to-month 3G Cingular sim over to the Kaiser and voice/3Gdata worked just fine.
Cingular phone rep even told me beforehand that any 3G device will "just work" by moving the SIM (pretend it's a 8525 when talking to them). They only want to know about it so they can limit you to the pricier data plans. If you got locked into a 2 year contract, you're even more gullible.
In both cases, you have told me you moved a phone over when you were already on their network. I started a new account on their network at the same time, and ATT had their heads up their collective arses, and they absolutely insisted on a 2 year contract. Not a troll, just a fact. Read the post next time.
You cannot be forced into a 2 year contract, though. One year contracts exist--you should've known that.
That doesn't diminish the "openness" of their network, your experience is just testament to unscrupulous, untrained sales officials and a customer that doesn't know how demand what he's due.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jerry @ Dec 6th 2007 8:21AM
Someone needs to tell the AT&T offices how easily "any" unlocked device will work on their network. I brought an unlocked HTC TyTN II to them to open an account, and not only did they *still* force me to get a two-year contract, but then they had one devil of a time getting it to actually work. I stood there for over an hour and a half.
Or, how about having an "unlimited" data plan, only to find out you have to pony up 15 more bucks a month so you can get email on your Blackberry? I guess "unlimited" just means different things on an "open" network, huh?
Bernie @ Dec 6th 2007 11:36AM
Hi Jerry - for unlocked, unbranded devices, your best bet is to go on forums so you don't have to go into the store. Data network configs can be found online. That being said, if you want Blackberry push service, they charge you $15 more bc it's proprietary for the blackberry service. The two yr contact thing is complete garbage, especially when you didn't buy the phone from them.
ShortFuse @ Dec 6th 2007 11:40AM
What do you mean it took forever to work? Put in SIM card. HTC's Connection Setup will start up. You select AT&T, it'll automatically install MediaNET connections for you. I know since I put original stock TyTN II firmware on my Tilt and go to XDA-Devs's forums regularly.
If putting in a SIM card and click next when the "Configuration Setup" program starts is too complicated for you, then I'm not suprised you fell for it, when they said you'd need a 2 yr contract. It's salesperson talk, you need a 1yr or 2yr contract for all AT&T features. Not on the phone, but features like upgrading your phone (what Verizon calls New Every 2-NE2)
Jerry @ Dec 6th 2007 11:55AM
@Shortfuse-
I see why you call yourself Shortfuse. It had nothing to do with me sticking a stupid SIM card into the phone. While their guy was making sure that their network would recommend my phone, it would not, since the HTC TyTN_II was not yet recognized on their network. Nothing to do with SIM. Their drone has to put a phone type into the system, *even though it should not make any difference*, before it will allow that phone to work on their "open" data network. I finally got him to just plug in another phone model, and I was on my way.
youngcalihottie @ Dec 10th 2007 6:46PM
@ jerry
they were doing something wrong then because all the system should ask for is the imei and it figures out the make/model based on that or just says "unknown device" and moves on. if it didnt like the imei for some reason, all 9's will work as an override.
NuShrike @ Dec 6th 2007 5:29PM
WTF happened with your setup? I moved my month-to-month 3G Cingular sim over to the Kaiser and voice/3Gdata worked just fine.
Cingular phone rep even told me beforehand that any 3G device will "just work" by moving the SIM (pretend it's a 8525 when talking to them). They only want to know about it so they can limit you to the pricier data plans. If you got locked into a 2 year contract, you're even more gullible.
Stop trolling.
Jerry @ Dec 6th 2007 6:00PM
In both cases, you have told me you moved a phone over when you were already on their network. I started a new account on their network at the same time, and ATT had their heads up their collective arses, and they absolutely insisted on a 2 year contract. Not a troll, just a fact. Read the post next time.
derX @ Dec 6th 2007 6:28PM
You cannot be forced into a 2 year contract, though. One year contracts exist--you should've known that.
That doesn't diminish the "openness" of their network, your experience is just testament to unscrupulous, untrained sales officials and a customer that doesn't know how demand what he's due.