Audiovox SMT 5600 / SPV C500 (HTC Typhoon)
What the AT&T Rep Said
I called AT&T Customer Care, and had to be transferred to an "Expert" (apparently, that means something as a designation) in order to discuss equipment upgrades.
Once transferred, I explained to the rep that I am a current customer (as opposed to a new customer) that already has service with AT&T and I am looking to upgrade my current phone to the new Audiovox SMT 5600.
This is the summary of what the "Expert" rep told me (in no particular order other than "as I remember it"):
1) The phone itself will cost me $200 after rebates (mail-in and instant).
2) Must have the $25/mo data plan ($24.99).
3) Must be on a qualifying voice plan.
4) My existing plan (at $100/mo) qualifies so I do not need a new voice plan (any voice plan ...
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Once transferred, I explained to the rep that I am a current customer (as opposed to a new customer) that already has service with AT&T and I am looking to upgrade my current phone to the new Audiovox SMT 5600.
This is the summary of what the "Expert" rep told me (in no particular order other than "as I remember it"):
1) The phone itself will cost me $200 after rebates (mail-in and instant).
2) Must have the $25/mo data plan ($24.99).
3) Must be on a qualifying voice plan.
4) My existing plan (at $100/mo) qualifies so I do not need a new voice plan (any voice plan ...
(continues)
...
WinHack said:
2) Must have the $25/mo data plan ($24.99).
Wow, new customers only need the $7.99/month data plan. You're gettin' screwed, or wrong information.
WinHack said:
3) Must be on a qualifying voice plan.
Right, so you can't get the Silver or Gold Value plans, even though they seem to provide for both data and voice. Again, AT&T screwing its customers.
WinHack said:
7) The data plan is in fact an Internet plan and not an mMode plan. The two are very different things (which I am already aware of).
What is the difference? I know that you can get a data plan for an EDGE PC card, but for a phone? The $7.99 price for the...
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Joeblowstein:
Allow me to clarify the differences between AT&T's mMode and Internet access from your cell phone as simply as possible.
mMode and access to the Internet are two different beasties. Both can be accessed through your cell phone (in most cases), but they are two different "destinations".
For example, AOL tells people that THEY are the Internet. That's wrong; 100% wrong. AOL is basically a sandbox of "approved" content and sites--something like a shopping mall where one company (in this case, AOL) controls who is "IN" the mall and who is not. And yes you can browse the actual World Wide Web while connected to AOL, but AOL itself is NOT the Internet.
mMode is something like a AT&T's version of AOL, but formatted for cel...
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Allow me to clarify the differences between AT&T's mMode and Internet access from your cell phone as simply as possible.
mMode and access to the Internet are two different beasties. Both can be accessed through your cell phone (in most cases), but they are two different "destinations".
For example, AOL tells people that THEY are the Internet. That's wrong; 100% wrong. AOL is basically a sandbox of "approved" content and sites--something like a shopping mall where one company (in this case, AOL) controls who is "IN" the mall and who is not. And yes you can browse the actual World Wide Web while connected to AOL, but AOL itself is NOT the Internet.
mMode is something like a AT&T's version of AOL, but formatted for cel...
(continues)
...
Easy there, kiddo. Take a deep breath. Now exhale. Count to ten. Relax...
I appreciate the very simple explanation. I think you should send it to AT&T so they can post it on their website. It would be better than anything I could find.
Regarding my original point, why don't you go and walk through the purchase process for the 5600. First, select the 5600 and hit continue. You will be given a page titled "Mobile Internet Plan". Several plans are offered. The first costs $7.99. It includes 1MB, which each additional Kb costing $0.01 (Canada roaming is $0.0127 and international roaming is $0.0195). Now go to the following web page:
http://www.attwireless.com/personal/features/mmode/p ... »
Notice how the costs are identical for ...
(continues)
I appreciate the very simple explanation. I think you should send it to AT&T so they can post it on their website. It would be better than anything I could find.
Regarding my original point, why don't you go and walk through the purchase process for the 5600. First, select the 5600 and hit continue. You will be given a page titled "Mobile Internet Plan". Several plans are offered. The first costs $7.99. It includes 1MB, which each additional Kb costing $0.01 (Canada roaming is $0.0127 and international roaming is $0.0195). Now go to the following web page:
http://www.attwireless.com/personal/features/mmode/p ... »
Notice how the costs are identical for ...
(continues)
...
An excellent explanation there WinHack, and I agree with joeblowstein about the data plans.
Be they mMode or Mobile Internet, AT&T still looks to be forcing users to pay for something that they may not want.
Then again, it's a brand new phone, and will probably be very popular among tech-savvy folks. So if they can sell them all right away and get an extra $8 or more per month from those who want the phone as soon as it's available, then I have to say "more power to 'em".
I don't like the idea, but it's their business. Either way, I have a choice. Get the phone now and pay for a data plan I have no use for, or wait until that's not required anymore, by which point something better might have come along.
Be they mMode or Mobile Internet, AT&T still looks to be forcing users to pay for something that they may not want.
Then again, it's a brand new phone, and will probably be very popular among tech-savvy folks. So if they can sell them all right away and get an extra $8 or more per month from those who want the phone as soon as it's available, then I have to say "more power to 'em".
I don't like the idea, but it's their business. Either way, I have a choice. Get the phone now and pay for a data plan I have no use for, or wait until that's not required anymore, by which point something better might have come along.
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From your point of both services being something you don't want, I can certainly understand your point there. I know that the two plans (mMode and Mobile Internet) are two different things, having had and used both myself in order to understand and comprehend the real-life differences.
I believe T-Mobile set the tone with creating the two default plans for the HP 6315 which both had minutes (1000 and 1500) AND data (both unlimited) in "one plan". Fortunately, T-Mobile had the good judgment to not make those plans the ONLY two plans you could put on the 6315. You could still get the HP device and one of their normal voice plans. It is, at present, unclear to me whether AT&T will actually do this or not.
The SMT 5600 is still so new tha...
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I believe T-Mobile set the tone with creating the two default plans for the HP 6315 which both had minutes (1000 and 1500) AND data (both unlimited) in "one plan". Fortunately, T-Mobile had the good judgment to not make those plans the ONLY two plans you could put on the 6315. You could still get the HP device and one of their normal voice plans. It is, at present, unclear to me whether AT&T will actually do this or not.
The SMT 5600 is still so new tha...
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So if you want a phone without internet but with MP3, camera and basic PDA functionality, get the Nokia 6620. No data plan required.
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Actually, if you REALLY want the best phone of that lineage, wait for the 6630. That phone will be the shiznit!
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