AT&T no longer supports grandfathered Data-Unlimited - per Customer Support

[msims1454]

Finished speaking with AT&T Customer Support and they've advised if I purchase a new phone I will not be able to retain the Unlimited Data Plan.  The grandfathering of unlimited data at one time could be transferred to a new phone purchase, but Customer Service no longer supports that option.

[21stNow]

Call back to see if you get a different answer. I think that you will.

[21stNow]

That's assuming that you currently have a smartphone.

[msims1454]

Using a Palm 750.

Did call back and Customer Service said my Palm 750 was considered a tablet.

[21stNow]

Is this the Cingular device?  Reach out to Jamileh on this forum with a private message explaining your situation and see if she can help you.  I don't know if she works on Sundays but if not, she can respond tomorrow.

I ran into a similar problem when I upgraded two years ago to the iPhone 4.  I had a Cingular Nokia E62 that people didn't know how to classify.  It took emails up the chain for me to get unlimited data back.

[msims1454]

Received my new phone (Galaxy S III) and once I activated it I lost my Unlimited Data Plan and was left with no data connection at all.  

Called ATT Customer Support and they said my phone has no Data Plan.  They offered me a 3GB Data Plan. . . . . 

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

---

msims1454 wrote:

Received my new phone (Galaxy S III) and once I activated it I lost my Unlimited Data Plan and was left with no data connection at all.  

Called ATT Customer Support and they said my phone has no Data Plan.  They offered me a 3GB Data Plan. . . . . 

---

What was the phone you replaced - if it did not already have the 30.00 smartphone data only unlimited plan you would have it removed. If it did you need to speak to them again

[Krillz]

If I were you I would ask all of these questions beforehand because in this day in time because very few takes the time and explain different stipulations.  I had a friend who recently inquired about it and they told him yes that his grandfathered plan would end if he upgrades.

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

---

Krillz wrote:

If I were you I would ask all of these questions beforehand because in this day in time because very few takes the time and explain different stipulations.  I had a friend who recently inquired about it and they told him yes that his grandfathered plan would end if he upgrades.

---

problem is there where two different unlimited data plans, only one is valid for grandfathering to a smartphone.

1. Media net unlimited data - only for QMD / dumb phone devices, IE Pantech Breeze, samsung Solistice

2. Smartphone unlimited data - Iphone, Blackberry, Android

the media net unlimited plan is still available, this plan is NOT valid for a smartphone nor will it transfer to a smartphone, the other plan for a smartphone was discontinued, if the person has this plan on the iphone, blackberry, android phone then when they upgrade they are allowed to retain the plan So yes a grandfathered smartphone specific unlimited data plan will carry over to the new smartphone, a unlimited medianet plan will not.

[jigglebilly]

Palm Treo 750 is not a tablet.I don't think we even had tablets back then..LOL

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

---

jigglebilly wrote:

Palm Treo 750 is not a tablet.I don't think we even had tablets back then..LOL

---

just realized something - the Palm 750 is a smartphone from cirica 2006-2007, at that time data plans where not mandatory for smartphones and a media net plan could be added to a smartphone - wonder if that is what occurred, in any case it would not be valid for grandfathering anyway since it was applied in error

[msims1454]

The data plan was never the Media Net plan, I had that plan on a Motorola Razr and knew I had to change the plan when getting the Palm.  At time only three unlimited data plan were offered for smarthphones, one specific for iphone, one specific for Blackberry, and one for all other smartphones (did the homework).  With a Palm, I was lumped into the "other" category, at the time it was the only smartphone from ATT that had 3G speed and could run Excel.  The Unlimited Data Plans at the time were priced at $39.99, which was before the price drop to $30.00, it really has been awhile.  The browsing speed on the Palm still keeps up and is sometimes faster than the Blackberry Torch I'm also using.

Didn't upgrade to a new Palm as that was during their transition to the Pixi and similar line.  Did upgrade the Palm to a Blackberry device as I would lose touchscreen.  Didn't upgrade to an iPhone as I'd lose my keyboard.  Having both touchscreen and keyboard is one reason I'm carry a Torch as a second phone on a separate account.  Why did I get a Galaxy instead of a Bold 9900 during this upgrade?  I test drove a Galaxy a couple of months ago in preparation for the rollout to see if I'd like the device, the haptic feedback helps replace the need for physical keyboard, it's NFC ready, the larger screen and resolution with advanced motion controls put it above the 9900.

After the last set of calls to ATT customer support, I was diconnected twice.  The second time I was disconnected, the customer service rep (Arnashia) called me back directly to continue working on the issue.  She said she created a service ticket to have the unlimited data plan added back to the account, she couldn't perform the change as a supervisor needs to input the code to add the service back.  She gave me case # and advised the expected completion date would be 7/20/2012 and she'd call me back on that date to confirm the work has been completed.  Arnashhia said the work is usually done before the scheduled completion date, but she'll do the callback just to be sure the work was complete.

Now it's the long wait until 7/20. . . . 

[edited for privacy – please do not post personal information]

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

send a PM to jamileh to see if she can help you

[chrisjbritt]

We still do support the unlimited/grandfathered data plan...but there are a few stipulations. If you had the unlimited "media net" not for smartphones, it isn't covered. If you came in to my store, the option would likely be available on the screen and I would simply keep your current unlimted data plan instead of changing you. Some unscrupulous sales people will change your plan to make their sales figures look better and get a better commission, but I have upgraded many devices and left their data intact.

You have 30 days to return the device and go back to your old plan. I would suggest going into a retail store instead of doing it over the phone as retail agents have a true vested interest in you being happy. Send me a PM and I may be able to recommend some people I have worked with in your area.

[msims1454]

Got off the phone with Olivia at ATT Customer Support and she confirmed that Unlimited Data Plans are no longer grandfathered when switching to a new phone.  I asked her again to repeat the confirmation to make sure I didn't mis-hear anything and she did confirm that ATT will no longer grandfather the plans.

Guys, take care of your phone so you don't have to switch and lose your plans.

[jamileh]

There are some details that make what Olivia said accurate. There are some instances where you'd lose unlimited data if you upgraded. One of the major ones being an unlimited data plan associated with a non-smartphone. 

Please take a look at my latest PM - I want to ensure that you have the right information for your situation.