Hi, visiting USA, and bought an I-Phone 5, unlocked. Then bought monthly pay as you go $25, and added a features package. Then found I needed to be on the $50 plan. Still says cannot activate cellular data!

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Hi, visiting USA, and bought an I-Phone 5, unlocked. Then bought monthly pay as you go $25, and added a features package. Then found I needed to be on the $50 plan. Still says cannot activate cellular data!

Hi,
Bought from Apple store an unlocked I-phone 5.

Bought a basic pay as you package 10c per minute.

Then decided I wanted data coverage, so went for the $25 per month and a data packeage.

Phone kept saying "could not activate cellular data network" as I was "you are not subscribed to a cellular data service".

AT&T, said not available on this plan.

Checked the small print, and it sad I needed £50 plan. Paid more money to go on the pay as you go $50 plan, addde more to the data package.

Same messages.

Now, cannot get an AT&T e-mail address to ask, no help from the auto messages.

Any ideas?

Apart from the "you've been tricked?"

iPhone 5

Posted on Jan 14, 2013 1:07 PM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

229,254 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:19 PM in response to Rockyfour

There are AT&T stores on practically every street corner. Stop into one and ask them to help you.

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Answer 2

imobl

Level 7

21,156 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:18 PM in response to Rockyfour

Go to an AT&T store for help. They are everywhere. Best to

go to a corporate store and not to a 3rd party that resells AT&T

service.

Start here:

www.att.com/maps/store-locator.html

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:24 PM in response to Rockyfour

As provided, go to an AT&T store.

Be warned: You're getting that message because AT&T's policy is that they do not permit iPhones on any pay-as-you-go plan. All iPhones either have to on a contract plan or "post paid". If you mention post paid, AT&T employess will act like you're speaking a foreign language.

Look at this instead:

http://www.straighttalk.com/

They rent spectrum from AT&T...same coverage.

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Answer 4

Rockyfour Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:27 PM in response to imobl

Hi,

Yep, tried to phone just an ordinary store, and they were uselee; basically it was translated as "we just take your money"

You are correect, need corporate one.

I am travelling around USA on motorbike, so will have a look.

Howver, I thought someone would have a quick answer.

Is there even an e-mail address or phone number.

I tried the 611 and got no suitable option, and there did not appear to be a suitable e-mail either>

Whatever, just found out that aT &T do not offer this on pay as you go, not matter how much money the plan is!!

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Answer 5

KiltedTim

Level 10

229,254 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:29 PM in response to wjosten

Just FYI: I believe this was changed recently with the introduction of a special pre-paid plan for smartphones. I've seen som conflicting reports on the price ranging from $50 to $65 per month for a plan including 1GB of data.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410458,00.asp

I know I've seen an actual AT&T document detailing this, but can't find the link to it at the moment.

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Answer 6

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:39 PM in response to KiltedTim

When you filter by device, on AT&T's site, all iPhones are removed as being eligible for that plan.

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Answer 7

KiltedTim

Level 10

229,254 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:52 PM in response to wjosten

AT&T does not offer an iPhone for sale when selecting the GoPhone Prepaid plan for smartphones, but the plan should work in an existing iPhone. http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/voice/sku6280283.html#fbid=ftmFbuJjuLW

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Answer 8

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:55 PM in response to KiltedTim

Look again & filter by iOS or Apple...all iPhones disappear.

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Answer 9

KiltedTim

Level 10

229,254 points

Jan 14, 2013 1:57 PM in response to wjosten

I see that. That's because they do not sell an iPhone to go with the plan. It does not mean that the iPhone can not be used with the Prepaid plan for smartphones.

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Answer 10

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 14, 2013 2:07 PM in response to KiltedTim

Leeme see here...go to an AT&T store, try to convince someone there to let you purchase a $65 per month plan, with only 1GB of data...to use with an iPhone...vs purchase a sim from Straight Talk for $14.99 & then sign up for the $45 per month unlimited Talk + Text + Data plan...with the identical coverage. Only thing you don't get is LTE, but a foreign iPhone won't get that anyway.

What do you think is the best choice for a foreign visitor...

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Answer 11

KiltedTim

Level 10

229,254 points

Jan 14, 2013 2:48 PM in response to wjosten

I didn't say it was the smartest choice, just that it was possible.

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