So what would At&t do if I told em....

[mythrowbacknikes]

So I just got my 3G iPhone yesterday, and let's say after 2 weeks, I call in and tell at&t i broke my iphone and to cancel the data plan, WILL THEY "DEACTIVATE" or "LOCK THE SERVICE" on the iphone or just cancel the plan?

[sonicwind]

They will say, "I'm sorry, would you like to buy a new phone at full price?" and then they will continue to bill you for the full contract rate for 2 years. If you cancel too early, they will charge you the special high cost early termination fee for iPhones. If you cancel after a month they will charge you the regular early termination fee.

[BigCiX]

They will say, "I'm sorry, would you like to buy a new phone at full price?" and then they will continue to bill you for the full contract rate for 2 years. If you cancel too early, they will charge you the special high cost early termination fee for iPhones. If you cancel after a month they will charge you the regular early termination fee.

so there is a special iPhone termination fee?

[iChristian]

They'll just be like "Okay here are our great line of phones. You can buy the Samsung Blackjack or the iPhone 3G blah blah blah" and keep on charging you for your 2 year contract and you would feel like a jackass. Haha, just stick with the iPhone man.

[acosmichippo]

They will say, "I'm sorry, would you like to buy a new phone at full price?" and then they will continue to bill you for the full contract rate for 2 years. If you cancel too early, they will charge you the special high cost early termination fee for iPhones. If you cancel after a month they will charge you the regular early termination fee.

On the v1, many people were easily able to cancel the iphone's DATA plan just fine. I assume this is still possible on the 3G... if so, it would leave you with the standard $40/month service for the remaining months of your contract. If you do use any data, though, there will be SERIOUS overage costs.

[Saverino]

Are you guys sure?

I called AT&T because I wanted to change from my iPhone to my BlackBerry and I asked, "If I take off the iPhone data plan, will I be charged full price for the phone, or be forced to return it?" And the rep said "No. As long as you plan on keeping the phone, you're fine."

And so its been a week now, and I haven't been asked to return it, and I haven't been charged.

[smknSRT8]

So let me get this straight sav, you don't have an iPhone anymore? Excuse me I have to get a tissue. [tear]

[mythrowbacknikes]

They'll just be like "Okay here are our great line of phones. You can buy the Samsung Blackjack or the iPhone 3G blah blah blah" and keep on charging you for your 2 year contract and you would feel like a jackass. Haha, just stick with the iPhone man.

No they won't. I know this for a fact. There is no penalty for canceling the iPhone data plan. ]

Can anyone answer my question? I know they won't charge me for the data plan anymore if i cancelled, but will they cancel the service on the iphone 3g if i told them it got stolen?

[macgirl]

I know they won't charge me for the data plan anymore if i cancelled, but will they cancel the service on the iphone 3g if i told them it got stolen?

As I understand it, they'll only cancel your 3G iPhone contract if you provide them with a police report of the theft. Getting out of the data plan is possible, as you've experienced, but getting out of the entire 2-year service commitment requires paying the Early Termination Fee or providing that police report.

Some carriers will also cancel a contract if you're moving out of their service area, such as being transferred to Europe for work for long-term assignment - I don't know if AT&T does this.

Apple and AT&T have tried to make it harder for people to unlock and re-sell iPhones with the 3G release, hence the in-store activation. The other part of this is making sure people can't cancel their plans easily and just sell the iPhone later.

[mythrowbacknikes]

As I understand it, they'll only cancel your 3G iPhone contract if you provide them with a police report of the theft. Getting out of the data plan is possible, as you've experienced, but getting out of the entire 2-year service commitment requires paying the Early Termination Fee or providing that police report.

Some carriers will also cancel a contract if you're moving out of their service area, such as being transferred to Europe for work for long-term assignment - I don't know if AT&T does this.

Apple and AT&T have tried to make it harder for people to unlock and re-sell iPhones with the 3G release, hence the in-store activation. The other part of this is making sure people can't cancel their plans easily and just sell the iPhone later.

I'm not trying to resell, all I want is a 3G iPhone without the data plan, I did it with the v1, and i want to do it with the 3g.

[djkeev]

I'm not trying to resell, all I want is a 3G iPhone without the data plan, I did it with the v1, and i want to do it with the 3g.

I may have missed this information in your posts but have you yet called ATT and actually flat out asked them if you can keep the 3G as a phone and cancel the data plan?
I know on my other web ready phone (motorola) I've had phone service without data for years with no problems on ATT.
Most of us are only going to be spouting opinions at you and the ONLY people able to answer your question are at the other end of the phone working for ATT wireless.

I must ask, why do you desire to lie to them anyway? Isn't what you desire to do fraud?
The iphone has a serial number that is registered with Apple with you as the owner. I imagine if this "lost" "stolen" phone shows up on itunes at some point it could be easily traced.
Do you do this with car insurance and "accidents" also?

Dave

[Voltaic Shock]

why would you want it without a data plan unless you has a constant wifi access.

[djkeev]

why would you want it without a data plan unless you has a constant wifi access.

Sounds like he wants out of the ATT service contract which he signed his acceptance of at the Apple store at the time of purchase and then intends to keep the phone as a hand held computer at home or work. He wants to get a high retail value electronic device for only $200 if he can. Probably wifi it to his router.
I must admit it it a wonderful mini computer for only $200! You can't buy anything cheaper that is half as good anywhere I've seen on the market.