Iphone question...switching over from T Mobile eventually

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

My basic question is: Can you purchase an iphone anywhere and not sign up for AT&T at that time? AND will the iphone work as a basic ipod if you don't have the phone service?


Now for the details. I currently have an itouch which I love. Our T-Mobile contract ends in March, so I was seriously considering making the switch to an iphone at that time and moving to AT&T.

Sunday morning, my ipod stopped working. It's just about 2 years old. I called apple and was told all I could do was to send it in and they would send me a refurbished model...for $150. Yikes!

So, now I'm seriously considering just going ahead and using that money to get an iphone instead of another touch and then having to spend more money on the iphone in a few months. I LOVE my itouch, and it would be tough to not have it for 4 months.

The issue is that our contract with T Mobile isn't over until March, and I really don't want to pay double or pay the fee to cancel early. I'm not sure what that is right now, but I'm guessing close to $200.

Everywhere I look online says I have to purchase the AT&T service to get the phone at that particular site. I was wondering if it was possible to buy just the iphone now, use it as an ipod, just without the phone service, until we can move over to AT&T in March. I obviously eventually want all the frills that come with the iphone and want the phone service.

I know T Mobile now prorates the termination fee...but I believe that is only for contracts started after June 28, 2008, which wouldn't apply to us. We signed in March.

Any thoughts or advise???

TIA

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

you can purchase it on ebay or from a individual like on Craigslist.

But if you purchase it new from ATT you will have to sign up for a contract, I believe.

All phones have to power on and be able to dial emergency numbers like 911 but I don't think you would be able to use any of the other features since most require data. Someone with more knowledge might have a more definite answer for you.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Thanks. I was afraid of that...and was hopeful it would just work as an ipod, at least. It will kill me to pay a termination fee this close to the end of my contract. I wonder if there are ways around that????

Thanks for your help.

 

[Green Tea]

It will not function as an ipod without activation.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Oh well. I knew it would be too good to be true. It looks like I'm out of luck since my contract was signed before they changed to the prorated cancellation fee. I can't find my paperwork, but I was doing some more research. Now I'm worried it's $200 for EACH line. My iphone dream is failing.

Thanks for your help.

 

[darrengs]

Besides if you bought outright then it wouldn't be subsidized and would cost over $500 anyway.

 

[chewbacca]

My DH has an iPhone and the apps and having internet access is great. AT&T's coverage is absolutely horrible. We literally cannot get a signal about a mile from our house and we do not even live in a "low" area. If he did not need the internet access and other programs for work we would of turned the phone back in. Needless to say when our contract is up we will be looking for another smart phone.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Besides if you bought outright then it wouldn't be subsidized and would cost over $500 anyway.

I didn't think about that. Thanks!

Chewbacca..That's why I'm glad you get 30 days to cancel and return the phone. I'm worried about making such an investment, not knowing what the coverage will be.

I obviously need to do more thinking. I wonder how long I'll survive with out my itouch

 

[torinsmom]

Could you lower your t-mobile plan to the minimum number of minutes to reduce your monthly bill, and then sign on with AT&T? You can get a refurbished IPhone through AT&T for $49.99 right now with a 2 year contract.

BTW, I have been with Cingular/AT&T for 8 years now and I get service most everywhere I have gone.

Marsha

 

[pezheadmeg]

I switched from AT&T to T-mobile as my service provider a few years ago. From the customer service stand-point I'm not planning on leaving T-mobile anytime soon. It's so nice to call and get a person not a recording.

Stick with the I-touch. And if you really want a smart phone use your upgrade in March to get the Google or a Blackberry. Not as many apps, but still will probably cost less in the long run. Just my 2 cents.

 

[darrengs]

Years ago my companies cell phone was ATT and it did not work in my town so that really defeated the purpose of having a cell phone for being on call. I got them to switch to Verizon and the coverage was great. Well I since left that company and after 2 years on Verizon I made the switch to ATT and an iPhone 3Gs this past summer. So far the coverage has been great, the only time I couldn't use the data network was in August while we were in Newark Airport and all flights were grounded due to weather. As for customer service I have needed to call them once with a billing problem on my second bill and talked to someone immediately and the problem was corrected. The roll over minutes are a nice added bonus that I did not have on Verizon.

 

[RobinFabulous]

FWIW I've heard that Verison is going to be able to pick up the Iphone in the summer (June?) Toys R Us has the touch with a giftcard the day after Thanksgiving, so maybe you could get the touch now, ride your contract out and then sell the touch?

I want an Iphone, but the AT&T service sucks here and I don't want to be locked into that

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

My DH has an iPhone and the apps and having internet access is great. AT&T's coverage is absolutely horrible. We literally cannot get a signal about a mile from our house and we do not even live in a "low" area. If he did not need the internet access and other programs for work we would of turned the phone back in. Needless to say when our contract is up we will be looking for another smart phone.

Here ATT coverage is excellant we have had other providers and have had terrible coverage. I think coverage is different everywhere you just have to check before you purchase.

Another thing to consider is Apple usually does updates on the iphone around June so if you wait you will be able to purchase the next generation phone.

 

[Kitzka]

In my area the At&T coverage is great. I had verizon for years and wasn't able to get service in most of my house except for the doorway between my living room and dining room. It was never fun to stand or sit right there just to get service.

you should talk to folks in your area to see what provider and phone works best for them.

Sprint around here stinks but at my parents house in MA, it's fairly decent.

Lara

 

[sluggozmom]

I am really wanting an iphone too.. so I have been doing alot of research.. Along the way I have seen numerous threads about getting out of a tmobile contract free.
Try a search for get out of tmobile contract free and see what you come up with. Then ask your friends and neighbors if they have ATT and ask about the coverage they get.
Good luck!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

You all are the best! Thank you for all of your suggestions and thoughts about AT&T. Why couldn't my itouch have waited a few months to break? That would have made life so much easier.

I will definitely take time to ask neighbors about their coverage around here. I haven't heard of too many issues. In fact, on one of our camping trips, the only cell phone numbers that actually got reception were those from AT&T.

I really appreciate your help!