AT&T users may not be able to use Wi-Fi without active data plan
As per the Knowledge Base article published by RIM today, AT&T users require an active data plan on the account to access Wi-Fi services.
This is bad for AT&T customers. Ideally on GSM Wi-Fi enabled smartphones like BlackBerry 8120, 8220, 8320, 8900, 9000, tend browse on Wi-Fi without any active data plan from wireless carrier. So even if you have Mobile Network turned OFF or SIM card is out, it does allow you to browse on Wi-Fi. This has been tested on Wi-Fi enabled Rogers GSM BlackBerry devices.
The Wi-Fi is designed to use local Wi-Fi network so users can save on data charges from Carrier, now as per this KB article for AT&T, not sure if this data plan on the account is just to ping to allow Wi-Fi service which does not use large data or something else, which is not clear at his time. The knowledge base article also does not say if this data plan is required only when you want to browse on AT&T managed hotspots with “ATTWIFI” SSID.
In my opinion based on my extensive experience with BlackBerry devices, all Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry devices should work without any active data plan. Any AT&T users able to browse on Wi-Fi without active data plan at personal Hotspot or Starbucks with “ATTWIFI” SSID, please leave your BlackBerry Model with OS version in the comments?
Check out Knowledge Base Article
BlackBerry Posts
3 Comments & Trackbacks
Leave a Reply
Recent Posts
RIM Names Thorsten Heins the new President and CEO
January 22, 2012
Cut The Rope now available for the BlackBerry PlayBook
January 12, 2012
Foursquare for BlackBerry updated to v3.5.1
January 11, 2012
RIM Shows off BlackBerry OS 7.1 at CES
January 10, 2012
Ok so I just bought an 8900 curve from craigslist, popped my simcard in and went wild…my question is will I be charged for a data plan (though I have never had one for my att account) just because I put my old simcard into this new phone with the intention of getting on wifi? I’m trying to be cautious to only use browsers (such as Bolt) that im pretty sure dont use the EDGE network or whatever att’s data wifi and changing the setting in my options from MEdiaNET to “hotspot browser” and all that stuff but I was just curious if anybody has done what I’ve done and gotten the bill yet, since I just made this purchase 3 days ago…
any input would be greatly appreciated!!
@Bryan, Since, I am not on AT&T, would not be able answer about pre-requisite about this KB article which says you need to have data plan to use Wi-Fi on AT&T. Personally eventhough this KB article is from RIM, I disagree with it. Ideally, you should be able to use Wi-Fi without having any data plan.
I would also like to clarify that BOLT Browser CAN use EDGE and your data too. The ONLY way to make sure, you do not get charged is to confirm with AT&T customer care, DOUBLE CHECK with them you have all the blocks on your account for any Data Access through AT&T and there isn’t any unbilled data usage so far. I hope this helps.
I to am thinking of getting a phone with wi-fi (8900 0r ?)capability to use occasionally at hot spots but cannot find conclusive answers to the question about the data plan. I am on a tight budget and would never use 20-50 dollar a month worth of access that AT&T wants to charge. It would be great to get some first hand information from use past Sept 6th (date of required data plans on certain phones @ AT&T). Any follow ups would be great.