Using GoPhone SIM on 4G phones [ Edited ]

[ilikewireless ACE - Czar]

Yes and yes. If you need more data, you can renew before the end of the 30 day cycle. Data packages should rollover.

[jvolzer]

Ok thank you

[AbstractWorld]

hey jvolzer how did you get the GoPhone Sim card to work on your iPhone?

I have heard that you need AT&T to give you a imei to bypass the activation.

[rwelborn]

I had a Pantech Pocket which is an AT&T branded 4G Android phone.  I got the $50 unlimited for $50 and added $5 50MB data plan.  Voice and text worked fine. Data would not.  Made new APN using info from this and another Forum, and it still did not work.  Put Sim card into an HTC G1 unlocked phone which is a T-mobile branded Android 3G phone.  Made new APN file.  Turned phone off and then back on.  Everything worked including data.  I found someone who knew the AT&T system and now know how it works for sure.  The GoPhone system uses different towers for data than AT&T standard postpaid plans.  That's why the data map is different for GoPhone than the standard coverage map.  The GoPhone is 3G and drops to EDGE when no 3G is available.  These are the AT&T towers that existed before 4G.  If you try to use a 4G phone on a GoPhone plan, if does as all AT&T phones by connecting to the 4G tower.  The GoPhone Sim card is programmed to reject data on any 4G phone.  Sometimes one will slip through when someone manipulates it, but gets data shut off eventually when it's discovered.  Some of the other carriers who use AT&T towers use the standard 4G towers and some use the GoPhone towers.  Most of their customer service people don't know which is used.  I hope this saves someone the aggravation I went through and all of the misinformation that I got from customer service reps.  It's going to be the same with the new $65 unlimited with 1GB data plan.  No 4G phones will have data. 

[cchadwicka]

Hi!  I have a Moptorola Atrix 4g Mb860  model cell phone and put a go phone sim in it.  I can not use data services because of the tower issue you described.  However, I recently found this new sim card advertised and was wondering if you knew anything about it:

AT&T Wireless Newest 3G / 4G / LTE Sim Card - Postpaid /Go Phone Prepaid - SKU 73057 ATT Sim

if you google that line you will find it for sale.  The guy at at&t said they were coming out with 4g service for go phones early next year.  do yo know anything about this?  Is there a way to get my motorola Atrix to work on 3g towers or do you think this new sim card might solve the problem? I would appreciate it if you replied to my email addressa at cchadwicka@aol.com with any information you might have about this issue with data service on a go phone sim on a 4g atrix.  thank you, chadwick

[rwelborn]

I checked with the AT&T store and they said that the SKU on their Sim Cards is 73057.  They have heard nothing that says that the sim cards that they now have is any different than the earlier ones.  I don't think my micro SIM has the SKU on it since it was punched out of a larger card.  They suggested that I check with customer service, but didn't think anything had changed yet.  rwelborn

[wilcre ACE - Expert]

Currently 4G devices are restricted from being used on prepaid services, however the device can be used for sms and voice calls, for mms and data to be used you would have to use google and search for "Forcing edge/2g on a Motorola Atrix 4g Mb860" and get the settings that way. unfortunately due to forum guidelines we can not provide that information on here.

[alexeig]

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wilcre wrote:
Currently 4G devices are restricted from being used on prepaid services

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So the AT&T customer service reps and store clerks would be happy to sign you up for a prepaid plan with data, charge your credit card, put the micro-SIM into your 4G phone - all without telling you you'd get no data?

That's what just happened to me and the newly purchased unlocked Nexus 4.  This is insane.

[SyberJT]

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wilcre wrote:
Currently 4G devices are restricted from being used on prepaid services, however the device can be used for sms and voice calls, for mms and data to be used you would have to use google and search for "Forcing edge/2g on a Motorola Atrix 4g Mb860" and get the settings that way. unfortunately due to forum guidelines we can not provide that information on here.

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Hmm. I purchased an Pantech Flex 4G Smartphone at a local AT&T corporate store recently and the sales guy configured the APN settings to work on my GoPhone account and I'm getting 3G data just fine. Before that, I had my unlocked Samsung Exhibit II 4G from T-mobile on the same GoPhone account and was getting 3G data also with the right APN settings. I understand the locking down of 4G speeds but most 4G phones that are compatible with AT&T 3G data signals should be able to pick up 3G provided the phone has the correct settings and the Gophone account has a Smartphone data package.

[rwelborn]

SyberJT wrote:

Hmm. I purchased an Pantech Flex 4G Smartphone at a local AT&T corporate store recently and the sales guy configured the APN settings to work on my GoPhone account and I'm getting 3G data just fine. Before that, I had my unlocked Samsung Exhibit II 4G from T-mobile on the same GoPhone account and was getting 3G data also with the right APN settings. I understand the locking down of 4G speeds but most 4G phones that are compatible with AT&T 3G data signals should be able to pick up 3G provided the phone has the correct settings and the Gophone account has a Smartphone data package.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You can  not receive 3G  or 4G data on any  T-Mobile phone because it uses different technology for high speed data than GoPhone or AT&T.  You can receive EDGE data on them even when you can't on GoPhone.  AT&T blocks some sites on EDGE data when using any phone.  It goes to a site that says AT&T blocked.  Hopefully AT&T wil lift these restrictions soon so I won't have to switch my GoPhone to another carrier that uses the AT&T towers.  If I didn't need to ocassionally access the AT&T towers, I would be using T-Mobile which gives me 4G data for my $50/ month unlimited talk/text/100 mb data plan. 

[rwelborn]

I am happy to report that when I looked at the screen on my Pantec Pocket 4G phone on Dec 29th, the "H+" data symbol appeared at the top of the screen.  I renewed my monthly GoPhone that was due on Dec. 31st and decided to put on the extra $5 to activate the data, which was not allowed since I started my plan on Oct. 1st.  Now my data works perfectly and I am very happy with AT&T.  I think they were wise to finally allow data on 4G Android phones.  I am glad I had the patience to wait before changing to another carrier.  I had been a loyal AT&T customer since I first got a phone in 1962.  It's good to again be a loyal AT&T customer.

[Lamashia23]

andrewcarnegieIV....I am at a lost for words right now. I recently purchased the Sony Xperia Ion and found out I couldn't use my Gophone account to its fullest with this 4G device. I thought all was lost until I stumbled across your post. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!! OMG! THANK YOU!!! I took your advice and used your settings....
AND IT WORKED!!! I can use EVERYTHING on my phone; from picture messaging to data services. It all works. Thank you so much....you truly are a lifesaver :-)

[enigmaco]

I have been using the h speeds with my nexus 4 just hate the fact I can't get the hspa+42 speeds I don't know if it is just not available or my phone is not worthy of it.

[Gargamel333]

I have a HTC 8x windows phone didnt know if there was something for my problem which is pretty much the same. Mainly dont get my multi media messages, WHICH BITES!! Already talked to ATT they just say they are working on it.

[kimber.ortiz]

I also just bought the Sony Xperia as well as the HTC Titan2. I have not received them yet but andrecarnegieIV's post is definitely going to help. I'm excited to try it because of the positive feedback. So thank you in advance :-)

[kellyjbiz2007]

My thanks to you, andrewcarnegieIV, for your post. I purchased an unlocked Samsung Captivate Glide, changed my 10 cents a min gophone plan to $25 monthly plan and added the $5 data package. Wouldn’t you know it,  the data pkg didn’t work.  Your post saved the day.  I followed your directions to the letter and now I have mobile internet svc.  KUDOS to you!!!

[Osttiroler]

its dosn´t work for iPhone!

[rchristman]

see andrecarnegieIV's post.

I have a Nexus4 with a goPhone sim inserted. Everything is working fine.

[Osttiroler]

Yes but at&t don't like iPhone on prepaid gophone!!!

[Gussie2000]

I have no idea as to why you guys will stick to AT&T.

T-mobile offers unlimited calling,unlimited text and UNLIMITED DATA 3G+ for just $ 70.00 ( PREPAID ) and the service is excelent.

All those breaking down packages are just a BIG RIP OFF on behalf of AT&T.

I was a cingular customer many years before AT&T and cingular merge and left to switch with T-mobile recently,my world has being perfect since then.

Whenever AT&T provides a true unlimited everything plan then i may consider going back,otherwise impossible.

[Osttiroler]

But T-Mobile use the 1700 network for Data and european Phones don't work in them!

[Wild Banchi ACE - Professor]

$70 per month is way too expensive for me. That's almost three times what I currently pay. That is pretty similar to the price of a regular contract postpaid plan.

[Wall Fisher]

I recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro as an upgrade for my existing account, this is due to the AT&T Avail being stubborn and locking up when I use a third party app I need for work (Avails have low internal memory, low ram and a slow processor). I have the $65 a month unlimited talk and text with a 1 gig data package. All I did was add the exact same APN to it as my Avail had, then saved it. Restarted the phone and now have access to the data when I need it.

The only time I need it is for checking the weather occasionally.

This is after being told that a 4G phone will not work with the GoPhone data plan I have by 2 different reps and a local sales agent.

I have never had any problems with my service since I went to AT&T prepaid, and thanks to Verizon I'll never sign a contract with another phone company again.

[Wall Fisher]

Here are the settings I used for the Galaxy Rugby.

Name: ATT WAP

APN: wap.cingular

Proxy: wireless.cingular.com

Port: 80

User name: Not set

Password: Not set

Server: Not set

MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com

MMS proxy: wireless.cingular.com

MMS port: 80

MCC: 310

MNC: 410

Authentication type: None

APN type: default,mms,supl

Bearer: Unspecified

[surfgirlmn]

I spent 2 1 /2 hours at my local ATT store today trying to get data package/Go Phone to work on my Motorola Atrix 2(unlocked ATT phone) It worked fine with wireless but would not connect with 4G data ,any data. I did not care about speed only that I could access data when I wanted it. Bless their hearts as these ATT workers tried everything they could and were quite perplexed. They were on hold with ATT tech service for an hour. I can't fault them as they spent way more time than they should have with me. They knew it was 4G phone and with Gophone service at 3G they could not seem to make it connect to lower service. Thank god for this poster with how to fix my phone. I am a tech newbie, completely clueless on the whole thing but it worked and I can now use data on my $5 data plan, if I need it.

  Thank you for helping me. Your post was from 2 years ago yet your advice is still invaluable. I am thrilled!!!

And yes thanks to ATT/Roseville, MN. They went beyond the call of duty to try and help. I may have to bring them cookies or bagels.

[jamileh]

Glad to hear it!

Cookies are always good.

[rwelborn]

This is an update!  I think I spoke too soon praising AT&T GoPhone for finally supporting AT&T branded 4G cellphones.  After I posted my joy of being able to finally check my email when I'm traveling, I was able to use the 50 MB of data for about 2 weeks until the data was used up.  I used for checking my email, using Google maps for data, and the Gasbuddy app.  I had finished my trip and the texts that I received from AT&T kept notifying me that I could keep any leftover data by adding more data.  I didn't need any more data until I made another trip.  Last week I decided to add another 5 MB, since I am planning another trip.  The text from AT&T acknowledged me adding the data and by dialing *777*3# it shows that I have 51,167 kilobytes remaining.  Now the data doesn't work.  I can't get email nor send pictures unless I have WIFI available.  I know that the phone will work with data on my existing prepaid plan, because it worked for 2 weeks in January.  But when I went to an AT&T Store, they informed me that this phone can't work with data on GoPhone, even though I told them that it worked in January.  Their attitude was get a postpaid plan or buy another phone from them.  I can't afford a postpaid plan nor can I afford to buy another phone.  From what I understood from them, my only option is to hope AT&T finally wakes up to the fact that they can't continue to ignore the feelings of their customers for the bottom line, or change to another carrier.  The latter seems to be my best option.  I did read a report from several sites this week that AT&T is planning to start a new prepaid plan under a new name "All In One" on June 15 nationwide and this month in Florida and Texas.  I'm not sure if I can list the link to this report.  The people at the AT&T Store here in Florida was not aware of the report.  One said he had heard of something new but had no details.  I will probably wait until June 15 before I make a decision to change carriers.  I think there is probably a setting in my APN file that would make it work, but the AT&T Store did a reset on my phone about 3 weeks ago when my Contacts stopped working properly.  I can't remember if my APN file was different back in January when I had used a RedPocket Sim card in my phone just prior to that to get my email.  I tried the settings in the forum that helped others with different phones than mine to work.