AT&T Data Services Defined

[Fraust]

I was sure that it did,

But when I and others mentioned it in the AT&T support forums, we were threatened with intentional TOS violation and prosecution for fraud (despite the fact that CS reps mislead us into buying "the wrong data plan" just to make their monthly sales quotas). Others were just instantly banned. AT&T doesn't want anyone to know that you can use MEdiaNet on the Blackjack, but it's clearly noted on their website. It's been suggested that they update it but that hasn't happened yet. I can confirm that, since the high number of posts in the "Data plan thread" on the Samsung forums in the Support forums, AT&T Wireless CS reps appear to be following a script and telling anyone who asks about MEdiaNet on the Blackjack that it's "not the right plan". I'm willing to bet that the problem I detailed in my "data usage" thread will be claimed by AT&T Wireless to be due to me being on the "wrong data plan".

I don't use much data, so I don't need to pay $29, $39, or more for data usage. I have a Laptop with WiFi built in. I'm not looking to replace it with a PDA (It's really a Smartphone, but since AT&T Wireless wants to chew up wallets, they're calling anything with a "Qwerty keyboard" a PDA).

[TehJoE234797]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

Wirelessly posted (Palm750/v0000 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320) UP.Link/6.3.1.17.0)

I can also verify that MediaNet works with the Blackjack.

indeed it will work, just doesnt guarantee you the same amount of the data pipe that having a pda plan will, other than that no issues.

[T Sizzles]

I have also been reading that thread on the AT&T forum.

I have yet to hear of one person who has had their account audited and charged for their usage.

[Fraust]

Originally Posted by T Sizzles

I have also been reading that thread on the AT&T forum.

I have yet to hear of one person who has had their account audited and charged for their usage.

Neither have I. It makes me wonder why "Sentry" threatens the audits and such against anyone who even hints at using MEdiaNet? I'm not buying an unlimited data plan, as I don't need to drown in e-mail on a handheld device.

[Charlyee]

Cingular/at&t seems to have redefined the Blackjack's data plans a couple of months after it was first launched. When I got mine on 11/16/06. the only way to get the rebate was to signup for the unlimited PDA plan, nether the MediaNet unlimited or the Smartphone Unlimited qualified. At that time I decided to forfeit the rebate and keep my MediaMax 1500 plan that I was on.

Sometime beginning of this year, Blackjack qualified for rebate with any unlimited data plan and most Blackjack owner's that I know were on the MediaMax1500 that I was on. I also verified with the local corporatate store that I got mine from & CS, that it was the proper plan for the Blackjack.

IMHO, the Blackjack is Cingular's first non-PDA QWERTY phone & there is nothing in their policy that defines the plans for it. This is what has resulted in the controversy and the on-going discussions in many forums.

Just my 2 cents.

[Fraust]

I agree.

The Blackjack exists in the "no man's land" between the Blackberry on one side with it's need for PDA Connect Data services for internet use and "Push Mail" tidal wave, and the 8525 which doesn't really require a data plan because it has WiFi. The Blackjack is the least expensive PDA style phone that AT&T sells (both new and as a refurb), so I suppose they have decided to make more money from it's data useage. That is probably why the i600 is never coming to the USA and why they probably forced Samsung to not include WiFi in the Blackjack. From what I understand, it does not possess a WiFi chip, but if it in fact DOES have it, that would be one reason why AT&T has delayed release of WM6, as if it activates WiFi, most Blackjack owners would probably cancel their data plans (I know I would).

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

just because i can't find the MEdia Net settings anywhere on this thread and i cant get straight or complete answers anywhere on the web...........these also seem to look like they are fresh setting from the new AT&T:

MEdia Net wap1.x

APN: wap.cingular
Auth Type: Secure
User ID: wap@cingulargprs.com
Password:cingular1
Protocol: WAP
Home URL: http://home
Gateway Address: 66.209.11.61
Secure Connection: off
Linger Time: 300 Seconds
Traffic Class: Subscribed



Media Net wap2.x

APN: wap.cingular
auth type: secure
User ID: wap@cingulargprs.com
Password: cingular1
Protocol: HTTP
Home URL: http://home
Proxy Address: wireless.cingular.com:80
Linger Time: 300 Seconds
Traffic Class: Subscribed



AT&T MMS

APN: wap.cingular
Auth Type: Secure
User ID: wap@cingulargprs.com
Password: cingular1
Protocol: HTTP
Home URL: http://mmsc.cingular.com
Proxy Address: wireless.cingular.com:80
Linger Time: 300 Seconds
Traffic Class: Subscribed



AT&T IMS

APN: ims.cingular
Auth Type: Normal
Protocol: HTTP
Proxy: 0.0.0.0:80
Linger Time: 300 Seconds
Traffic Class: Subscribed


but it looks like AT&T has made a new APN called IMS.....................anybody have any ideas what is with the new APN???

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

btw............those settings i got from my neighbors SYNC AT&T branded with a new AT&T SIM...............and im just assuming that the password stayed the same because it just shows dots and stars where the password is

[Fraust]

Want to hear something funny?

If you'd posted that on the at&t support forums, you'd have been banned. I've been banned from there twice- once for suggesting that a PDA Connect plan isn't needed for the blackjack, and the second time (today), for detailing a discussion I had with the company President where he clearly stated that at&t is not auditing account use to discover if anyone is using "the wrong data plan" on Blackjack phones. Since the order to ban users for discussing the issue isn't coming from the top, I'd say that the mods there have an agenda of their own, because thus far, there has been no draconian attempt to go after Blackjack users for alleged "rate plan fraud". This loser wannabe needs to be put in his place by someone from higher up. He probably is from a country where free speech is not among human rights.

I'm on the same MEdiaBasic plan that I've had for the last 3 years and at&t isn't making me change that plan to a PDA connect plan.

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

that's ridiculous..................draconian is a very good word...................that's freaking ridiculous and it makes no sense..........why would they waanna keep you from posting settings like that??????

[Fraust]

Originally Posted by SmArTeStChIlD421

that's ridiculous..................draconian is a very good word...................that's freaking ridiculous and it makes no sense..........why would they waanna keep you from posting settings like that??????

Well, the mods on the support forum must have an agenda of their own. I'm not sure what it is, but they are pretty zealous about banning anyone who mentions that it's even possible to use the Blackjack with MEdiaNet. Clearly, it isn't at&t policy to audit accounts to seek out and destroy anyone who uses MEdiaNet with the Blackjack. If you go over your usage, they will just bill you for the overages. You can see the comedy in the "Samsung" section of the at&t wireless support forums.

What this sounds like to me is some dweeb who needs therapy . Unfortunately they gave him "moderator powers", which means that anyone who doesn't agree with his drill sargent ways gets banned. Maybe his ex GF cheated with a Blackjack owner who uses MEdiaNet, or maybe he asked a chick out who uses a Blackjack on MEdiaNet and she laughed at him... I dunno.... but he "may find himself being reigned in from someone above his position" soon though...

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

a very likely explanation..................and hopefully someone will put his act in line cuz really i dont know how AT&T expects to keep this stuff off the web.........censoring it on a forum wont help at all............the Webs to big

[Fraust]

Originally Posted by SmArTeStChIlD421

a very likely explanation..................and hopefully someone will put his act in line cuz really i dont know how AT&T expects to keep this stuff off the web.........censoring it on a forum wont help at all............the Webs to big

This is true. You should see that other thread in this AT&T Forum. It's funny. LOL.... "Feeling Cingular".... LOL

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Fraust

Want to hear something funny?

If you'd posted that on the at&t support forums, you'd have been banned. I've been banned from there twice- once for suggesting that a PDA Connect plan isn't needed for the blackjack, and the second time (today), for detailing a discussion I had with the company President where he clearly stated that at&t is not auditing account use to discover if anyone is using "the wrong data plan" on Blackjack phones. Since the order to ban users for discussing the issue isn't coming from the top, I'd say that the mods there have an agenda of their own, because thus far, there has been no draconian attempt to go after Blackjack users for alleged "rate plan fraud". This loser wannabe needs to be put in his place by someone from higher up. He probably is from a country where free speech is not among human rights.

I'm on the same MEdiaBasic plan that I've had for the last 3 years and at&t isn't making me change that plan to a PDA connect plan.

Just curious since I have been a member there when it was AT&T Wireless's boards, did they give you any other reason's & which Mod banned you?
I have an idea who, but want to know for sure if you don't mind.

[Fraust]

Originally Posted by Fire14

Just curious since I have been a member there when it was AT&T Wireless's boards, did they give you any other reason's & which Mod banned you?
I have an idea who, but want to know for sure if you don't mind.

The moderator who banned me calls himself "Sentry". He claims to be an at&t employee and he claims that the "official stance of at&t" is that any post claiming, endorsing, or suggesting that Media Net is compatible with the Blackjack is grounds for being banned from the forum because said posts are claimed to be "rate plan fraud". He banned me for that reason alone. No other. In my last post on the support forum, I simply reported what I was told during a phone call with the company CEO. I sent him an e-mail and two days later he called me and informed me that my concerns about being on "the wrong data plan" for my Blackjack were unwarranted because he stated at&t is not auditing accounts to determine if anyone is doing data "rate plan fraud" by using Media Net on the Blackjack. "Sentry" however states that the CEO is "wrong". I don't know if this overzealous clown realizes that he WORKS under management and by extension, the CEO of a company, or he just forgot to take his meds or what, but one thing is certain, he cannot ban me or anyone else from this site:

Feeling Cingular — A parody site. About a malady.

He is powerless in inhibit self expression there. Personally, I think he needs to switch to decaf and get over himself. Whoever he thinks he is, he isn't the CEO of at&t.

[TehJoE234797]

You may have spoken with someone from the Office Of The President, I do not believe the CEO of at&t mobility Stan Sigman personally called you..

[Fraust]

Originally Posted by TehJoE234797

You may have spoken with someone from the Office Of The President, I do not believe the CEO of at&t mobility Stan Sigman personally called you..

Yes, I did speak with someone from the office of the president. It may in fact have not been the CEO, however the point remains that who I spoke to was in a position MUCH higher than that of "Sentry", and he clearly told me that there is, has not been, and is NOT going to be any auditing of customer accounts to ferret out Blackjack users who are using Media Net. "Sentry" however claims otherwise and as such, bans anyone who states what he doesn't want to hear, on the support forums. His "rate plan fraud" claims are meaningless to me. He can ban anyone he wants for expressing anything that differs with what he wants to hear on the support forum, however he cannot stifle self expression here or anywhere else.

[TehJoE234797]

In all the time I worked there I never once saw an instance of an account being flagged or any other activity due to having the wrong plan....and trust me, I saw plenty of people doing it.

[Fraust]

Originally Posted by TehJoE234797

In all the time I worked there I never once saw an instance of an account being flagged or any other activity due to having the wrong plan....and trust me, I saw plenty of people doing it.

I have heard several former Cingular employees say that and that is what makes "Sentry's" actions on the support forum so interesting. Since it isn't at&t's policy to "hunt the resistance movement down and deal with them", it appears to be a personal issue with him. The fact that he claims his stance as the "at&t official stance" when an executive in the President's office clearly explained that it is not is a curious thing indeed....

[TehJoE234797]

Originally Posted by Fraust

I have heard several former Cingular employees say that and that is what makes "Sentry's" actions on the support forum so interesting. Since it isn't at&t's policy to "hunt the resistance movement down and deal with them", it appears to be a personal issue with him. The fact that he claims his stance as the "at&t official stance" when an executive in the President's office clearly explained that it is not is a curious thing indeed....

some people have problems with letting power go to their head.

[Fraust]

This is true. Perhaps he'll get over it someday.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Fraust

I have heard several former Cingular employees say that and that is what makes "Sentry's" actions on the support forum so interesting. Since it isn't at&t's policy to "hunt the resistance movement down and deal with them", it appears to be a personal issue with him. The fact that he claims his stance as the "at&t official stance" when an executive in the President's office clearly explained that it is not is a curious thing indeed....

Thanks Fraust, it is one of the Mod's I thought it would be, he seems to be on a bad power trip there & has seemed to have made a few regulars very unhappy as well.

Sorry they banned you for something in my opinion was not a violation, but they give them free range with the "it's our companies board & we can do whatever we want" attitude.
I believe if those higher up did know how he has been they may do something, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

He & I went at it a couple of times & I have been there since 2003 along with some other great people that are here now.

[Fraust]

Well, it is their forum and they can do what they want....

But they cannot do ANYTHING about what is on the "Parody site". LOL......

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

yeah............thats the beauty of WA being an independent site............we can share info without intervention from the divine who wish adam and eve to not eat the apple of "cellular knowledge"

[walt31716]

i just got a siera air car 875u and my signal is averaging around 81 dp is there any way i can improve it? i also get three bars. thanks for any help

[scheve1775]

Thanks for all the info. You have provided me some clarification related to my posting yesterday. (Wireless Topics / Wireless Data and Internet / Should I buy an Aircard or can I get more by tethering ) What would you say is the best way to go to support a pda or smartphone and laptop (VPN) with full internet capability ie. service type and devices? Can I save money by tethering without loosing function?
I am getting more concerned about being able manage an internet business and website from the road. Quite honestly I have spent too much to turn back now. I realy don't trust AT&T sales reps. for good info. Please help!

[scheve1775]

re Sierra airccard 875u.....Check out Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics They have a variety of amplification systems for mobile, home, and office use.

[koolice]

Since you guys actually know what your talking about. Well i have the blackberry pearl 8100, and when i talked to the service rep he said i cant just buy a media.net plan because that is a specific website and you only get unlimited use on that site. To me this doesnt make any sense, because why would browsing on one site be different from another either way data is being transfered. Well he told me the best option i have is getting a blackberry with unlimited everything personal for an extra $40 a month. Even after talking to the rep and changing my phone multiple times on att.com it still shows up as a sony ericson. Well i bought my phone on ebay and its working just fine so is there anyway to get around buying a blackberry plan and still using the internet for say a $19.99 plan?

If so what plan could i get and what would i need to do?

I dont care about email but i would like to go online, and stream videos if possible. Please let me know if you can help me

[scheve1775]

Koolice- I am no techie by any means, but what I understand is that Blackberry's are there own animal. Where it might work fine as a phone with the sim out of your ericson you need a sim and a data plan that can interact with a Blackberry data transmission. All I know to do is bite the bullet and carefully select a Blackberry plan that will do what you need. Don't take the salespersons word on what plans will work for you. Do the research

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

certain Blackberry services won't work unless you have the Blackberry plan...............like Blackberry email..........which really the $40 constitutes the use of RIM's (the blackberry manufacturer) email service....................you get a @blackberry.att.com email address and on this account you can attach all your other personal POP3 email accounts and you enter your RIM info into the blackberry.............then whenever you get an email on any of your accounts it's "pushed" right to your phone instantly..............so really the only thing that $40 dollars gets you is the RIM account.............i know i have Sprint and im getting the Blackberry 8830 soon and i called ahead of time to see if i would have to get the blacberry core plan and the rep simply said that some features wouldnt work......i told him i needed it for the Web, IMAP4 access to my Gmail account, and text messaging and phone calls...............the only disadvantage to not having the Blackberry plan is that your device isn't perpetually virtually connected so things like email have to be done manually............you can enter IMAP and POP accounts into your Blackberry and download directly but you won't have the convenience of them just popping up on your phone right when they are received...........you'll have to go in and resync with your mail servers manually..........which some people find to be a hassle but i dont