AT&T pricing and functionality

[Sha're]

Hello,

Moto Q Newb here. I have a couple of questions for anyone that might be able to help.

I'm totally in love the my new toy and totally pi$$ed at AT&T. No one seems to know what they are talking about.

I just renewed my contract with AT&T. Had the media max 200 bundle ($19.99/mo) for my palm treo. When I got the q I was told I had to take the "PDA Personal Max PDA Connect Unlimited data usages plus 1500 integrated Bolt-on for PDA devices only package ($39.99/mo). What does Bolt-on mean? For the extra $20.00/mo I DO NOT have access to Cellular Video "because it's a pda" as I was told by the Customer Service Rep. PAY MORE GET LESS!!!!! On the cheaper plan I had access to Cellular Video, what's up with that? Will the Q work on the cheaper plan?(for Cellular Video) If so I'd like to change it back online. I will NEVER use 1500 text messages, but would use Cellular Video for news and such. Is there a difference between a pda phone and other phones that would make it so the pda/smartphone won't work on anything but the more expensive plans (or is that just their way of trying to make even more money than they already do?)

Question #2: If I unlock the phone (got the access code from them and will unlock using prepaid TMobile Sim card) will I still be able to access their 3G, Cellular Video, use their MMS, SMS, etc. even though I'm using their plan/package or will that go away. I'm not planning on leaving them YET, so I wouldn't do anything but unlock it for any additional phone features.

I can't seem to get an answer from anyone at AT&T and am getting conflicting answers from the forums I am reading.

If anyone out their can give me a definative answer I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks so much.

[Englrdr]

Be aware that not all AT&T reps are knowledgeable.

I bought my Q Global back at the beginning of November (switched from a V3xx with 1500 msg + 5 MB data plan). I'm on the PDA plan that you described (unlimted data + 1500 msg) and I'm watching CV right now.

Are you able to watch CV?

If not, check your Opera settings. Open Opera -> Menu -> Tools -> Settings -> General and make sure that the Identify as selection is set to "Handheld device" (I've seen posts in the AT&T forums where this has been an issue).

If the above setting is correct, you may want to call customer service. I've also seen posts in the AT&T forums that there are two PDA plans with 1500 msgs and unlimited data in the computers - one works with CV and one does not. The plan I'm on shows up as "PDAPERUNL1500MSG " when I look at my account online.

Hope this helps!

[Sha're]

Originally Posted by Englrdr

Be aware that not all AT&T reps are knowledgeable.

I bought my Q Global back at the beginning of November (switched from a V3xx with 1500 msg + 5 MB data plan). I'm on the PDA plan that you described (unlimted data + 1500 msg) and I'm watching CV right now.

Are you able to watch CV?

If not, check your Opera settings. Open Opera -> Menu -> Tools -> Settings -> General and make sure that the Identify as selection is set to "Handheld device" (I've seen posts in the AT&T forums where this has been an issue).

If the above setting is correct, you may want to call customer service. I've also seen posts in the AT&T forums that there are two PDA plans with 1500 msgs and unlimited data in the computers - one works with CV and one does not. The plan I'm on shows up as "PDAPERUNL1500MSG " when I look at my account online.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your response Englrdr. I must say I liked the opening line in your response. All I can say is ain't it the truth.

At any rate, I did contact customer service about the CV problem.There solution was for me to remove the battery while the phone is still on and replace it. Turn the phone back on and go back to CV and see what happens.

I followed your suggestion and the settings are correct.

What happens is I can view some but not all. I'd love to catch up on House (Fox Mobile) or comedy central. I can get news and weather consistently, but not the other items. I wonder if we have to pay a subscription (i.e. more than $39.99 a month) for that luxury. Will have to check it out or not. If I keep having the problem I'll keep contacting CS and see what happens.

Thanks again for your help and Happy Holidays!

[Englrdr]

Glad I could help

There may be a problem with the network in your area or your Q.

Since you specifically mentioned House, I went in to see if it would play - I'm watching the update from 12/4 right now. The update from 12/11 plays too.

In answer to your question about the plans...There is nothing that would physically prevent you from switching to a MediaNet plan. However, according to the terms of service, the MediaNet plans are not supposed to be used on PDAs (which at&t considers the Q to be one). I've seen posts where people have done so, but I've also seen posts where people have received HUGE data bills when the line is audited (apparently the IMEI or some other information that identifies what type of phone you have is reported when you use the network). For me, it seems safer to use the PDA plan.

Happy Holidays to you too!

[Joneyee]

I have the $39.99 unlimited data plan. It just seems like the way to go for the volume of data I pull down. I had the option initially to use one of the lower data plans, but it wasnt a new contract. I have moved from a V551 to a RAZR to SLVR to Blackjack to Q under the same contract in the past 6 years, so I always ask alot of questions when I make a switch.

[SigmaMason]

newb here...

ATT is changing their pricing points and data plan configurations per engadget. This will start on 1/20...

There was a thread on several forums regarding this change: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/0...bye-unlimited/

The title is a misleading as the only unlimited plan that is going away is the pdacard cap, which goes to 5GB, and this is what every other carrier is doing...

[Joneyee]

Originally Posted by SigmaMason

newb here...

ATT is changing their pricing points and data plan configurations per engadget. This will start on 1/20...

There was a thread on several forums regarding this change: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/0...bye-unlimited/

The title is a misleading as the only unlimited plan that is going away is the pdacard cap, which goes to 5GB, and this is what every other carrier is doing...

Thnaks for the info, this initially scared the crap out of me with that title (bye bye unlimted), but that refers only to tethering plans.

I am still calling AT&T tomorrow to get the straight word from them. I just signed a new 2 yr deal with unlimited data (non tethered)

[sivart]

I never knew this feature exisited. I tried it out and blam!! Cool!! But how do you get Fox Mobile?