How to prevent EDGE from ever being used

Question

Level 1

8 points

How to prevent EDGE from ever being used

Hello all,

I would like to fully prevent EDGE from being used from my iphone. I do understand that whenever I have a wifi connection EDGE will not be used, however...I have also noticed that if my wifi drops for a second (which even happens at home ocassionally) then EDGE will kick in... I want to prevent this.

I have already been told that if I remove the simm card then EDGE will no longer connect, but this seems like a poor resolution as I then lose the phone functionality of my iphone too!

Is there any definitive way to opt out of EDGE? Will AT&T allow a user to say "block my account from using edge" ? Has anyone done this? I'm sure AT&T must have a way...

Thanks,

Dave

iphone, Choose

Posted on Aug 6, 2007 1:25 AM

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Answer 1

Ausmus-11

Level 2

155 points

Aug 6, 2007 11:07 AM in response to DaveUK100

You can call AT&T and ask them to deactivate EDGE.

I read that on this thread... http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1070997&start=15&tstart=0

2nd page post from berGD

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Answer 2

Ausmus-11

Level 2

155 points

Aug 6, 2007 1:34 AM in response to DaveUK100

I tried to find the answer by searching the AT&T website but found nothing regarding cancelling or opting out from receiving EDGE... It may not be possible but I'd definately call AT&T and ask.

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Answer 3

NickPx

Level 1

45 points

Aug 6, 2007 4:04 AM in response to DaveUK100

Well technically you need EDGE one way or the other because VISUALVOICEMAIL needs EDGE to function since the iphone doesnt use WIFI to retrieve visual voicemail it uses EDGE. And there is absolutely no way to turn off edge but to put your iphone to AIRPLANE mode but even so you wont be able to use wifi or edge or anything but the ipod/video functionality..well other apps as well mostly those that doesnt require radio communication.. So thats not possible..why would you not want edge anyway? Its not something you pay extra for its part of your plan might as well use it

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Answer 4

Randy Fast

Level 4

1,432 points

Aug 6, 2007 11:06 AM in response to DaveUK100

As far as I know anything that is related to ATT must use edge. So all phone calls, SMS, voicemail, and other phone related things go through edge. If you disable edge you probably won't be getting any phone calls or messages because I am pretty sure those don't go over wifi either.

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Answer 5

KaelUT

Level 1

25 points

Aug 6, 2007 11:11 AM in response to DaveUK100

I am pretty certain that you can call AT&T and have them remove your iphone data package. This would prevent you from using edge. However, it is also going to kill SMS texting because the two features are built into the packages together. I am basing this on the fact that I have spent upwards of 40 hours on the phone with ATT about my plan over different issues I have had, and during one of those instances, they removed my data package for several days, (supposedly by accident). During that time if I tried to do anything on the net, it would say cannot activate EDGE, you are not subscribed to EDGE.

Call them and have them remove the data if you don't want it.

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Answer 6

Aug 6, 2007 11:39 AM in response to Randy Fast

Although SMS appears in the data section of your bill, SMS uses the phone channel. You can place and receive calls with EDGE access turned off. EDGE is required for visual voicemail but you should be able to check voicemail the old fashioned way by calling.

With EDGE access turned off, you can place and receive calls and send/receive SMS but no access to visual voicemail.

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Answer 7

Aug 6, 2007 2:03 PM in response to KaelUT

Isn't signing up for the iPhone data plan part of the terms of getting an iPhone contract from AT&T? You may get them to temporarily suspend it for traveling or such, but I don't know if they will turn it off completely forever. I suspect AT&T wants their $20 a month.

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Answer 8

MobileDev

Level 3

565 points

Aug 6, 2007 2:18 PM in response to Larry Friedman

How is having ATT disable EDGE a better solution than removing the SIM?

So you can still receive calls. You might never call anyone when overseas, but you still want emergency calls to get through from home.

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Answer 9

DaveUK100 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 6, 2007 8:47 PM in response to MobileDev

Thanks everyone - this issue is solved. All you have to do is call AT&T and they will disable/block EDGE on your phone plan. Very simple (please note that you must call, the online support team can not do this).

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Answer 10

nasmac

Level 1

5 points

Aug 7, 2007 11:09 AM in response to DaveUK100

Yes this is true I have done it.. AT&T tells you that visual voicemail will not work. This is not true it works flawlessly without edge, on the other hand your mail app will not work at all, it runs solely on edge.. No it will not work on Wi-Fi either. The pop-ups become a pain very fast, " No Edge Service "..you get that message anytime you surf while on Wi-Fi.

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Answer 11

nasmac

Level 1

5 points

Aug 7, 2007 11:17 AM in response to DaveUK100

Yes this is true I have done it.. AT&T tells you that visual voicemail will not work. This is not true it works flawlessly without edge, on the other hand your mail app will not work at all, it runs solely on edge.. No it will not work on Wi-Fi either. The pop-ups become a pain very fast, " No Edge Service "..you get that message anytime you surf while on Wi-Fi.

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Answer 12

rikinva

Level 1

6 points

Aug 7, 2007 12:26 PM in response to DaveUK100

What is the rationale for disabling Edge? With the iPhone data plan, you are allowed unlimited usage. When WiFi drops you, wouldn't it be better to continue your connection with Edge than to be dropped totally from the internet? Would there never be an occasion when you want to access the internet but are not anywhere near a WiFi connection? I don't get it. What is the down side to having access to Edge?

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Answer 13

Aug 7, 2007 4:47 PM in response to M. R.

I second on the question why you want to disable something you pay anyway?

Sounds like its for international travelling, so you don't get jacked with a massive data bill from international roaming.

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Answer 14

Adidadi

Level 1

4 points

Aug 8, 2007 3:21 AM in response to DaveUK100

turning edge off for international prevents accidental use of international data roaming whereby you get slammed with your bill. Very disappointing the charges are so extreme. The year contract defeats the concept of living in the us and travelling abroad. Needing a year contract implies you spend a year abroad to justify it, and that is not even allowed. I wish I had disabled edge before leaving.

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Answer 15

Ausmus-11

Level 2

155 points

Aug 8, 2007 4:26 AM in response to rikinva

I don't think the unlimited data includes international access.. this is from the AT&T website:

For just an additional $24.99 per month, iPhone customers may add a Data Global Plan to their existing domestic data plan and receive 20MB of data usage in 29 countries, including Canada, China, Mexico and many additional countries in Europe/Asia. Overage rate is $.005/KB. Outside the 29 discounted countries, the data usage rate is $.0195/KB

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