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Resolved Question

Lost family account - have I lost my phone?

Feb 25, 2015 6:30AM PST

We were part of an AT&T family plan with a relative in another state. He was recently hospitalized with terminal cancer and has let his plan lapse. As part of his most recent two-year contract, he obtained an iPhone 5 for my use. I paid $200 for it, the discounted rate under his two-year contract. The contact still has 10 months to run (he stopped paying in December, two months ago), so actually it had a year left under his contract.

What is my obligation with this phone? Can I use it if I start a new contract with AT&T under my own name? Can I use it on a non-contract (monthly) plan with AT&T? Can I use it with another cell company? I like the phone and do not want my $200 to be wasted.

Discussion is locked

Quacque has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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There is a new test I use.
Feb 25, 2015 6:39AM PST

Head to Ting and see if your phone is good to go on their new beta GSM plans. No, you don't have to buy a thing from ting. It's a quick test. Link follows.
Bob

-> https://ting.com/byod

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And another.
Feb 25, 2015 6:50AM PST
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Thank you
Feb 25, 2015 10:38AM PST

Both your answers were great. Thanks. Happy

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I see a roadblock
Feb 26, 2015 2:40AM PST

According to the Ting support FAQ, the OP's phone needs to be unlocked before it may be used with this beta service. And since it was stated the account went to a non-payment status, it may be difficult to get ATT to unlock this device.

https://help.ting.com/entries/89111288-GSM-public-beta-discussion

It would be easier to use a MVNO which uses ATT's network instead, such as H20 or Simple Mobile. Those won't require the phone to be unlocked. Cricket too. I'd even look at GoPhone service until ATT can help her sort out the account status/elibility for an unlock code closer to the end of the original contract date. YMMV.

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Odd.
Feb 26, 2015 2:44AM PST

Tried it with locked and unlocked GSM phones to get a free check. So far, so good.

And yes I ordered up the Ting GSM card. We'll see how it plays out here.
Bob

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Not odd at all
Feb 26, 2015 3:03AM PST

Checking isn't the only step required. That just confirms hardware compatibility, which is separate from unlock status. Of course they obfuscate the info slightly to drum up customer interest.

Here's the link I was supposed to post-

https://help.ting.com/entries/105240696-Can-I-Bring-My-GSM-Device-to-Ting-Compatibility-and-Unlocking-Guide

"Can I bring my AT&T device?

Many AT&T smartphones will work on the Ting GSM network but run your IMEI through our compatibility checker to confirm your specific device.You'll need to have AT&T unlock your device before porting out your numbers or canceling your account.
You can start the process of getting your AT&T device unlocked here."

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Here, so far just a dozen phones.
Feb 26, 2015 3:11AM PST

All went just dandy. I know that's not a good size sample but thanks for adding more detail.
Bob

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Ting=t-mobile
Feb 26, 2015 5:18AM PST

There is no T-Mobile service anywhere near my area, only Verizon and AT&T (and AAT is spotty). So I guess Ting is not what I want.

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Cnet write more.
Feb 26, 2015 5:23AM PST
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More info to help you clarify
Feb 26, 2015 5:42AM PST

The issue is, you currently own a device which is locked to ATT service. Normally, unpaid ATT accounts that lapse lead to a device that the carrier will not unlock w/o paying some sort of fee. YMMV. If you were outside of the 24 mo contract it would be a different storey.

Regarding the hardware you own- it *does* contain the correct frequency bands for use on both ATT & T-Mobile's GSM/UMTS/LTE networks. What is your zip code and the nearest major cross street/highway intersection? That way we can quickly verify who provides GSM in your area. FWIW, I see a lot of green GSM coverage on the Ting map.

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Reply
Feb 26, 2015 7:24AM PST

We live between 12550 and 12589. The nearest named cross streets are NY Route 32 and Fostertown Road in the Town of Newburgh.

Are you saying that at the end of 24 months, even if he does not pay for the account, the phone will be cleared of obligation?

Just found out today that a member of his church paid for and reactivated his individual account, but is not paying for the two additional "family" accounts. That is really strange as both the family account phones are in his name. Called AT&T and they refused to assist in any way. The church person refuses to explain any of this to us.

Isn't life wonderful?

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My bet is that only ATT can rule.
Feb 26, 2015 7:30AM PST

Odd about ATT, may as well try to get a SIM for another carrier if they are going to be that way. Check with your new carrier to test it out.
Bob

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It looks like T-Mobile may...
Mar 3, 2015 11:50PM PST

...roam on ATT in your town, or not provide much service at all. Those cross streets are definitely a 'no-man's land' area. OTOH, surround towns appear to have the most up to date T-Mobile 4G/LTE service. ATT seems to blanket the entire area, so I would stick either w/ ATT or one of their pre-paid versions which I mentioned above in the thread.

The issue with the phone/contract on your line of the family plan may be that due to non-payment, they might not allow you service for post-paid, even if the 24 month contract is up. It's quite possible they will require some sort of statement from the original account owner to rectify the account status. YMMV. Pre-paid service won't be an issue at all though- it just depends what sort of plan you require for data, etc. For you it would be as simple as popping in a SIM card from any provider that offers service using ATT's network.

I presume the church folks were assisting your father in the ATT matters, hence it being still active. ATT probably allowed him to cancel the non-primary lines since it was a health/hospice issue. It's probably not reasonable to expect the church folks to know much about this process since it's not published anywhere. Technically, ATT could enforce the contract terms and force you dad to pay ETF fees (etc.), but that wouldn't be ethical either.

If there's nobody you can contact regarding the original account, I would chalk this one up as a learned lesson and move on w/ pre-paid that suits your needs. Plenty to choose from now, luckily.