Disable calls but keep Wi-Fi and 3G active

Question

Level 1

9 points

Disable calls but keep Wi-Fi and 3G active

My wife and I are about to leave for Europe and I bought a 50mb data plan and the lower cost voice plan, however I am wondering if there is some way to disable incoming calls yet still leave 3G data and Wi-Fi enabled for checking e-mails and such.

What I'd like to do is only enable the voice features when necessary as it is going to cost $.99/minute to place or receive calls since AT&T told me that if my phone rings, no matter if it goes straight to voicemail or not, I will be charged.

Is this possible?

PowerMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Aug 11, 2008 12:19 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 11, 2008 1:05 PM in response to kittonian

You can't disable 3G voice (or EDGE or any other service) and still use 3G data (or EDGE or any other service). You can just not make or receive calls, and still use data, you can turn on Airplane Mode and turn on Wi-Fi, or you can remove the SIM, resulting in an iPhone that works as an iPod Touch.

The simplest thing to do would be to just not make or receive calls. You would not be charged for any calls that you declined or missed, but you would be charged for any texts received.

If Visual Voicemail is available where you are going (sometimes it isn't), then when you turn off Airplane Mode, you will see your voicemails. If Visual Voicemail isn't available, then you would have to call your voicemail, resulting in extra charges/minutes. Apparently, Visual Voicemail uses data, but not minutes, but CALLING your voicemail will use minutes.

Message was edited by: eaglesflight1258

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Answer 2

Aug 11, 2008 12:37 PM in response to kittonian

I don't believe so.

I know the international roaming rates for calls are expensive, but downloading data via a cellular network when roaming internationally is even more expensive. Depending on how long you will be in Europe and how often you access various functions that require internet access when not connected via wi-fi, 50MB probably won't last long.

With firmware version 2.0, it is possible to have wi-fi access when Airplane mode is enabled. This will turn off all iPhone radios - cell, data, bluetooth except for wi-fi access. You can enable/disable Airplane mode as needed, which I believe is your best and only option in this regard.

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Answer 3

kittonian Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 11, 2008 12:47 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Yes, I thought about Airplane Mode but I believe that also disables 3G communication. So, when I'm out and about I won't be able to use the 3G data network without the fear of someone calling me.

The other question I had was regarding voicemail. If the phone is off and/or set to Airplane Mode, when I turn off Airplane Mode will I see my visual voicemails? Does this count as data and/or voice usage? Not quite sure how voicemails are handled in this situation.

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Answer 4

Aug 11, 2008 12:52 PM in response to kittonian

Yes, I thought about Airplane Mode but I believe that also disables 3G communication.

Yes it does, but with firmware update 2.0 it is possible to access wi-fi with Airplane mode enabled. When doing so, all other radios are disabled - cell, data, and bluetooth except for wi-fi access.

The other question I had was regarding voicemail. If the phone is off and/or set to Airplane Mode, when I turn off Airplane Mode will I see my visual voicemails?

Yes. Visual voicemail messages are downloaded to the iPhone via the cellular network only and count against data usage for the download - but the download size for visual voicemail is small - especially when compared to downloading email or websites via the cellular network.

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Answer 5

kittonian Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 11, 2008 12:55 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Ok, as long as it counts against data usage and doesn't try and charge me for voice minutes. I certainly didn't want to have to call in to see if I had any voicemails and get charged $.99/minute each time I did.

As long as I can see and hear voicemails, I can leave the phone in Airplane Mode 99% of the time and only use it when I need it. That way I won't miss anything.

Thanks!

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Answer 6

kittonian Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 11, 2008 1:01 PM in response to ukfe11a

I want visual voicemail. I don't mind checking in once or twice per day to see if I have any voicemails. I can jump on via wi-fi and get those without paying a dime. I was only concerned that I would be charged the $.99/minute to even see if I had any voicemails. Since they are downloaded to the phone via the data connection, I can check and listen to them at no charge.

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Answer 7

Trifster

Level 1

50 points

Jan 4, 2009 5:41 AM in response to kittonian

I spent a week in the UK heavily using email and google maps and used 24 MB of my 25. You can monitor data use in Settings, General, Usage.

As for turning off cell phone calls that I do not think is possible but you could try calling ATT to see if all cell calls can be forwarded to voicemail as oppose to ring the phone.

Trifster

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Answer 8

ukfe11a

Level 1

60 points

Aug 11, 2008 12:59 PM in response to kittonian

Why don't you "divert" ALL calls to voicemail before you leave! Disable Visual Voicemail and you should be OK? I Think!

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Answer 9

ukfe11a

Level 1

60 points

Aug 11, 2008 1:07 PM in response to kittonian

At NO charge? So you get FREE roaming! VVM are downloaded to your iPhone using your network data plan? It is not free!

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Answer 10

kittonian Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 11, 2008 1:29 PM in response to ukfe11a

It's not free, I am paying AT&T for 50mb of data transfer while in Europe. Plus, when I connect via Wi-Fi that is free from our hotel. Is there anything else I'm missing here?

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Answer 11

kittonian Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 3, 2009 3:45 PM in response to kittonian

As there was no charge for Wi-Fi and I purchased the appropriate roaming plan from AT&T all was well.

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