Cingular data plan help

[chrisryn]

Ok I can't get straight awnsers out of cingular so xda to the rescue again. I want unlimited internet with the ability to stream via orb and need text messaging. I have no need or want to tether. So will a media max plan work or do I have to have the unlimited pda data plan?

[Apostlemk]

I have the old Media Works Plan, (1500 txt, 200 MMS, and Unlimited internet, 19.99) and i have no problem on my 8525.

[chrisryn]

Do you use internet alot

[Apostlemk]

yes, use it with IM+ for instant messenging. and web browsing

[sickchilly]

You are "supposed" to have the PDA Connect plan for an 8525, however the truth is that any of the cheaper MEdia Net plans will work.

But getting a rep to put you on that plan can prove difficult. Easiest thing to do is to keep a cheap/free 3G phone on hand like the LG CU-400 or 500. Put the IMEI for that LG on file with Cingular then they won't be the wiser. Just make sure you use the WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM login and not the ISP@ one.

[chrisryn]

can i not just add and change features via my account on the website?

[PhonePhun]

Yes, you should be able to go to OLAM and change the feature there. Much easier than going through CS.

[chrisryn]

one other quick question. Will the media works package be able to use umts when it arrives.

[intrglctcrevfnk]

one other quick question. Will the media works package be able to use umts when it arrives.

That's a really good question! But I just read over at the cingular forums that with the mediamax bundle there is NO streaming of audio/video through medianet. but i connect with wap.cingular every time with my pdaconnect plan. I almost changed it but worried about this... anyone had any experience with this?

[2007skc]

I have the PDA Unlimited plan for $40 and I have not had any problems yet.

[rainydaze]

I have the mediamax unlimited 200 text plan for 19.99 and can do pretty much anything I want with it except connect to certain vpn's. I tried getting the rep at the store and the CS on the phone to change it from the PDA unlimited plan they autostuck me with, but they wouldnt do it so I did it myself online.

[intrglctcrevfnk]

I have the mediamax unlimited 200 text plan for 19.99 and can do pretty much anything I want with it except connect to certain vpn's. I tried getting the rep at the store and the CS on the phone to change it from the PDA unlimited plan they autostuck me with, but they wouldnt do it so I did it myself online.

COOL- im almost there.. but what i want to know specifically is if Orb or SiriusWM5 will stream without excess charges..And also, did you unselect your pdaplan and select your mediamax at the same time and then hit change? or did you do it in steps?

[shogunmark]

COOL- im almost there.. but what i want to know specifically is if Orb or SiriusWM5 will stream without excess charges..And also, did you unselect your pdaplan and select your mediamax at the same time and then hit change? or did you do it in steps?

i have mediamax, i have streamed orb and XM, have also tethered using the wap.cingular AP with no extra costs.

[intrglctcrevfnk]

i have mediamax, i have streamed orb and XM, have also tethered using the wap.cingular AP with no extra costs.

WONDERFULL!!!! The wizards at cingular's forums were saying this couldnt be done.. now between me and my wife I'll save 60 bucks a month!!

[chrisryn]

if my settings are wap.cingular and my login is also do i have to enable the proxy?

[shogunmark]

if my settings are wap.cingular and my login is also do i have to enable the proxy?

nope... proxy is only good for using cingular's services, like medianet, etc

[chrisryn]

ok so i just changed over to the mediamax bundle.
all my settings are for wap.cingular so as long as I use that I have unlimited internet?
but If i want to use CV I have to have the proxy?

[Pawlisko]

@shogunmark: do you anything about limit for unlimited accounts - when flags are rised?

I am considering swith to Cingular from T-Mobile. But I use much data - around 80-100 MB per mo. on TyTN and additionaly 200 MB on Network Data Card - same SIM card.

I was told that I should go for Laptop Connect Data plan but it is almost 60 USD per mo. - in my opinion it is too much.

So with mediamax - will I be safe?

[shogunmark]

@shogunmark: do you anything about limit for unlimited accounts - when flags are rised?

I am considering swith to Cingular from T-Mobile. But I use much data - around 80-100 MB per mo. on TyTN and additionaly 200 MB on Network Data Card - same SIM card.

I was told that I should go for Laptop Connect Data plan but it is almost 60 USD per mo. - in my opinion it is too much.

So with mediamax - will I be safe?

should be, i always use over 500meg a month, and thats just using my phone, i rarely tether, but when i have i didnt incur additional charges

[Pawlisko]

should be, i always use over 500meg a month, and thats just using my phone, i rarely tether, but when i have i didnt incur additional charges

What about access to MS Exchange? mediamax cover's it?

[intrglctcrevfnk]

I hope your right shogunmark... of course i liked your showumts cab before i got into reg hacking... so I just changed theplan on my 8525 and my wife's Treo 750 from pdaconnect to mediamax200.... gonna save lots o money... Seems to work so far, but I want to know if CV will work now?

I'm glad you can pull 500MB a month and not get flagged, I pulled 400MB in my first two months, just got approved on the rebate, and have now changed it to suit my financial needs.

So will the 'thorn in my side' Xpress mail still work? (when it does work)
Will push mail from MS Exchange still work? (my wife uses it)
Will I get busted???:confused:

I'm so giddy about saving the money that I'll stop streaming simpsons episodes from my computer during work and actually work!:D

[shogunmark]

I hope your right shogunmark... of course i liked your showumts cab before i got into reg hacking... so I just changed theplan on my 8525 and my wife's Treo 750 from pdaconnect to mediamax200.... gonna save lots o money... Seems to work so far, but I want to know if CV will work now?

I'm glad you can pull 500MB a month and not get flagged, I pulled 400MB in my first two months, just got approved on the rebate, and have now changed it to suit my financial needs.

So will the 'thorn in my side' Xpress mail still work? (when it does work)
Will push mail from MS Exchange still work? (my wife uses it)
Will I get busted???:confused:

I'm so giddy about saving the money that I'll stop streaming simpsons episodes from my computer during work and actually work!:D

i have used everything mentioned except the piece of junk xpress mail... and so far, no extra data charges :D

although word of warning.. i heard in the next official rom release cingular is changing the AP in the my isp connection to isp.cingular.. so whenever they release that you might want to check it and change it back..

[chrisryn]

anyone get im+ to work with the wap connections. It says that it has to be tcp/ip(isp.cinigular) to work?

[srk]

I have the smartphone connect unlimited which is 20$ vs. the 40$ PDA plan.
I have only used it for a month now but I use it for internet, mail (outlook), imap4 and no problems yet....

I use the wap.cingular login.

[shogunmark]

anyone get im+ to work with the wap connections. It says that it has to be tcp/ip(isp.cinigular) to work?

i use medianet without proxy and it works fine for me

[chrisryn]

@shogunmark
i keep getting login error from server even with IM+ test settings what do you have in the host and port in the config?

[chrisryn]

got connected guess it had to do with my version..hope 1.3 isn't as buggy as I have heard.

[shogunmark]

@shogunmark
i keep getting login error from server even with IM+ test settings what do you have in the host and port in the config?

all of my settings are the default cingular media net settings... nothing special

https://www.cingular.com/support/deviceConfig.do?content=KB71396.html

Server: wireless.cingular.com
Port: 80
Server: localhost
Port: 1080
Type: Socks 4
Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM (http://WAP@cingulargprs.com/)
Password: CINGULAR1
Domain: Blank
Use server assigned IP address: Selected
Use specific IP address: Unselected
Use software compression: Unchecked
Use IP header compression: Checke

[chrisryn]

all of my settings are the default cingular media net settings... nothing special

https://www.cingular.com/support/deviceConfig.do?content=KB71396.html

Server: wireless.cingular.com
Port: 80
Server: localhost
Port: 1080
Type: Socks 4
Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM (http://WAP@cingulargprs.com/)
Password: CINGULAR1
Domain: Blank
Use server assigned IP address: Selected
Use specific IP address: Unselected
Use software compression: Unchecked
Use IP header compression: Checke

I meant the settigns in im+. but it wasn't the settings it was the im+ software. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[shogunmark]

I meant the settigns in im+. but it wasn't the settings it was the im+ software. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

its all good.. and 4.3 doesnt seem to be to buggy for me.. just kinda sluggish and bloated

[chrisryn]

now i need to go a cingular store and get my 3g sim activated so i can get off this stupid edge network. It's sloooooowwwwww! I have the sim the idiots at the store never turned it on. I hate calling cingular. I can't find online sim activation anywhere.

[intrglctcrevfnk]

@shogunmark: So, let me get this clarified. I can still use the My ISP connection (wap.cingular) to access the web and send/recieve email or do I have to use MediaNet as the default for program access?
Today is day #1 with this experiment, hope there's no problems.

[shogunmark]

@shogunmark: So, let me get this clarified. I can still use the My ISP connection (wap.cingular) to access the web and send/recieve email or do I have to use MediaNet as the default for program access?
Today is day #1 with this experiment, hope there's no problems.

yes you can still use the My Isp connection as long as its configured for the wap.cingular apn (this is the same connection as MEdia Net just minus the proxy).

[wesrubix]

I have Cingular MediaMax 200 (200 messages and unlimited media net). Ive used with with absolutely no problems on...
- Treo 680
- Treo 750v (vodafone) (UMTS/HSDPA worked fine)
- Motorola RAZR V3xx (UMTS/HSDPA worked fine)
- Cingular 8125
Although I've never tried getting anything but the "official" Cingular Video phones to work on Cingular Video, other than punching in cingularvideo.cingular.com into a browser and getting a "your phone is not supported" style message on the page.

Cingular doesn't charge extra if you are using HSDPA or UMTS compared to EDGE or god help you, GPRS. They just charge by data plan (I highly recommend Media Max) or by amount of data downloaded (gasp) without a plan. They never knew I used PocketPC phones on MediaMax. Their off the table response is "you're not *supposed* to, but you MIGHT get charged extra." As far as I can tell, they can't even tell when Ive used my RAZR has a modem on HSDPA, because I haven't received data charges beyond my plan, ever.

[intrglctcrevfnk]

i have used everything mentioned except the piece of junk xpress mail... and so far, no extra data charges :D

although word of warning.. i heard in the next official rom release cingular is changing the AP in the my isp connection to isp.cingular.. so whenever they release that you might want to check it and change it back..

@Shogunmark : So when the WM6 update and rom are released dont you think I could change the access protocol back to wap.cingular and make it the default? It seems to make sense to me.... then I could keep saving....

And I hate express mail too.. I just had a lot of problems with my gmail pop access that I gave up and forwarded it to my yahoo account for xpressfail.. neccessary evil for me, I dont use an exchange server (or really need it)

OMG! Nevermind this question, I had a drink or two and didnt finish reading your sentence.... goodnight.

[mthomas]

cing has revamped their plans http://business.cingular.com/businesscenter/popup/dataconnect-comp-table.jsp#pda
however you might want to read my and others experiences:
http://forums.cingular.com/cng/board/message?board.id=cingular&message.id=38829#M38829

[BUMP THAT]

Does that mean no more Cingular MediaMax 200 (200 messages and unlimited media net?

[mthomas]

no, media max plans are still available. The change may alter how you are connecting to the internet (which apn you are going through isp or wap). This may have some connectivity issues for some users as discussed in multiple other threads. My original post was meant to be informational.

[cuttriss]

for those of us on the MediaMax 3000 plan, Cingular has introduced an identically priced MediaMax Unlimited plan, which as you can assume does away with the 3000 txt limit and maintains unlimited data.

[armedmetallica]

@Shogunmark

I'm super confused. I have custel's wm6 which I love, btw. He has the cinggy settings on there, and the "proxy manager".

I had to switch out my sim, as i was doing that, they realized i have pda, and switched me over to the PDA connect plan. I asked to be switched to the mediamax unlim plan, which is the same cost($39), but includes unlim txt, etc.

So ... If i use MediaNet connection, and just play with Proxy on, Proxy off -- i should be safe right? Custel's iteration doesn't have any proxy info in connections which is why i believe the proxymanager cabs are there for. If that's the case, can I safely delete this "my isp" connection?

Thanks for all your help throught this site!

[Brutalbat]

to be honest. all we need is 3G. ANd if you really want to save some money, get skype and bluetooth.

[flamingcrumb]

Sorry if I repeat anything covered. I recently hopped from T-Mo to Cingular due to poor T-Mo signal where I live and due to the addition of Cingular's 3G in the here and now.

It is completely true that full access and funcionality is currently available using just the MEdia Max plans. I am sure everyone knows but just to say do avoid any limited data plans cos Cingular charge for data overages through the roof. The limited plans or "bundles" to avoid are called MEdia Works. The Max plans are unlimited and currently 19.99 incl 200 messages.

That said, I spent a lot of time reading on the Cingular owned forums and ended up feeling cautious about using a MEdia Max plan. This is just a personal assessment and, of course, everyone has to make their own call. Seems like there are more and more stern warnings being issued at present about the consequences of being "caught" on the wrong plan. Threats of massive penalties of hundreds and hundreds of dollars etc. Lots of warnings about tethering or using a laptop on the wrong plan too. Warnings about using a PDA on a MEdia plan etc. This is combined with the fact there are plenty of posts from people silly enough to talk about this stuff right on the Cingular owned forum.... quite a lot! Cingular must now about this stuff... for sure.

My understanding is that nothing is actually enforced at present, but with the advent of 3G can;t hep but think they sure have a lot more to want to protect and a lot of cash money they really want to pull in... while they may not be getting so much from voice plans anymore.

The MEdia Max plans are clearly intended for WAP browsing through a proxy on a regular phone. As we know, not enforced and if you simply do not use the proxy you get full access. It is not restrcietd by any provisioning process on their side (as T-Mo is). I expect people are aware that T-Mo cracked down fairly effectively on this kind of thing and locked most people out of the cheap web plan... became impossible or very difficult to get full access through the WAP plan. Never did it myself, but they was a lot of info about it. Can't see why Cingular won't do this sooner or later - especially as they currently have the more desirable data service (may change... but for now) and they charge way more than T-Mo.... and they must know are lot of people are using the MEdia plans when Cingular wants then on the PDA plans...

Unlike T-Mo ever did, Cingular are at least waving the threat of massive financial penalties. It may be hot air. It may not be enforcable, but it is at least worth letting you know it is being said... quite a bit too.

My (admittedly limited) understanding is that, if they wanted to put the effort in, they definitely can tell quite a bit about what people are really doing on their network. Expecially when you go through the WAP APN. It is like going through the NAT translation of a home or work router where you share one IP address with a bunch of other people. I am not saying they can realistically spy on your every move, just that they might not need that much info to prove you where not doing WAP browsing and your headers and data packets maybe came from a Windows Mobile device.... and perhaps that you are accessing email ports and stuff not intended for use on the MEdia plans.

Sure you could argue that their plan definitions are vague, but if it came down to it I personally wouldn't want to get into a battle with a huge company with zillions lawyers when I could scarely afford one at all!

Again, sorry if this has been mentioned and I missed it, but they currently have a special on a plan called PDA Max. Unlimited PDA, Xpress Mail (not that I care about that) Cing Vid, is included (assuming you can get it to work) ... more importantly this new plan includes 1500 any kind messages and is priced at 39.99... the same is the standard PDA Unltd with zero messages included. Supposedly it is only available till June 2, 2007 (tho who really know?). I found the best way to get is through the online live tech chat section of forum. The reps seemed much better informed about data technology and plans and you can print out the transcript to prove what was agreed. This is supposed to be a business plan... well it is only listed on the biz pages at present, maybe that will change. In any case, the online chat reps will put you on it if you want as an individual consumer no probs.

Unknown if it is true, but the word on those boards is that they plan to move all PDA customers over to the WAP APN and keep the ISP APN for tethered and laptop plans. Just talk at this time, but it again suggests they may be working towards locking things down. Should they choose to actually get nasty and make examples of a few people as they might see it, I would rather not be one of them, especially is it only for the sake of saving 20 bucks a month.

Sorry for the long post. Just wanted to share the rumblings and the PDA Max deal which takes the sting out of the higher plan, if you choose to go for it. Like I said though, I have no clue what will really happen. Just sharing the whispers.

Gotta say, good coverage... but ouch, they have pretty high rates (especially after T-Mo). All the best :)

Edit: Forgot to say, so far as I can tell you just get 3G if it is in your area and your device supports it... it is not a separate plan are something that has to be asked for... as far as I can tell. For me the WAP APN works for every conceivabe port I ever use. My undertsanding is that there are one. maybe two, very specific types of VPN that might be a problem. Exchange works perfectly - actually that can even work through their proxy! Speeds seem just as high... I have seen 700Kbps through the WAP APN... sorry my post length is ridiculous, time I stopped!

[Cheekz185]

How do u set up the 8525 for modem usage? I want to use my 8525 as a modem on my Carputer....

[flamingcrumb]

You may to take a look at this URL

http://www.gadgetech.info/wireless/cingular/data/

The information you need about using your 8525 as modem (thay call that "tethering") is in the last few sentences at the bottom of that page.

It is a very important to connect using the right APN for your data plan.

There is a lot of other info on that web page too.

Please be aware that, from what I hear, other carriers (e.g. Verizon) can and do effectively enforce their terms of use in regard to using the right data plan for the purpose it was sold. While Cingular have reportedly not actively done this so far, my feeling (and this is just an opinion, not a fact) can and likely will do the same sooner rather than later. If I wanted to tether, I would personally be sure to get a tethered usage plan. It could be the difference between paying the 60 bucks a mth (or what that plan costs) now, versus getting a thousand dollar bill later. Al the best :)

[tvtom]

Since I have the PDA Unlimited plan on my 8525, I checked to see if the ISP APN was still listed on my bill. I looked at my online account info and it now shows that MediaMax plans are now available, including a Media Max Unlimited plan at 39.95 (they weren't there before). It has unlimited messaging, cing video and Media Net. I assume this is now only WAP access. The PDA plan is still listed with isp, but no messaging. I checked on the plans for our Blackjack and it shows all the MediaMax plans also. It also lists a IMS APN on the phone.

[flamingcrumb]

Since I have the PDA Unlimited plan on my 8525, I checked to see if the ISP APN was still listed on my bill. I looked at my online account info and it now shows that MediaMax plans are now available, including a Media Max Unlimited plan at 39.95 (they weren't there before). It has unlimited messaging, cing video and Media Net. I assume this is now only WAP access. The PDA plan is still listed with isp, but no messaging. I checked on the plans for our Blackjack and it shows all the MediaMax plans also. It also lists a IMS APN on the phone.

Re the ISP versus the WAP APN for PDA I was only quoting the words of others. Truthfully, I am not sure which access one currently gets with a PDA plan. To clarify, some people are saying that PDA Plans used to give access to both (you use whichever you want) but when signing up for new plans only the WAP is now given. I did not ask this myself. For most people it would make no difference AFAIK. But please be aware I just repeated the statements of others and this may not even be accurate. Must be honest, I am sharing pure hearsay on that and you should check with their techs if it is something you need to know.

The PDA Max plan I refered to is not listed on the Online Account tool (the OLAM as they call it). You have to ask for it using live tech chat (best way in my opinion) or call up. It is listed on this page

http://business.cingular.com/businesscenter/popup/dataconnect-comp-table.jsp#pda

That is a biz page but I was able to add it to my individual plan no probs. The way it shows on my OLAM that I have that I have the PDA Unltd (same as you) but it also shows that I have a 1500 message package for a price of 0.00 dollars. That is the difference.

My understanding is that basically all the mainstream consumer plans show on your OLAM but that does not necessarilly me the are intended for your 8525 (though it does mean people with an 8525 can conveniently switch there plan to MEdia Max in a way a rep would not do... but that is not the intention... it is just their clumsy site! In addition, it is not even a complete picture of all the plans available... as in the case of the PDA Max special plan.

I wondered about the IMS APN thing. I asked and it just means your account is enabled for multimedia messaging roaming across different regions, or something like that. Something that you want and that is probably standard but actually not related to the ISP APN. There is more about that in this thread.

http://forums.cingular.com/cng/board/message?board.id=messaging&message.id=9563&query.id=323921#M9563

HTH :)