Data only cellular plan for old iPhone?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-11-2015, 12:27 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
chimchimm5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,311
Car Info: 2011 WRX hatch gray
Data only cellular plan for old iPhone?

Anyone know of a carrier that will allow data only cellular coverage that I can activate for an old iPhone?

I've checked with the main carriers and they say that they activate by device id and they only allow tablets, etc. No phones.

I want to use an old iPhone with internet only (no voice, sms)

**** Update ***** 12/22/2015

I found this: Karma Go.

https://yourkarma.com/invite/ga76978552
(use this link to get $10 off, and credit me $10, thanks)

It's a little puck with a cellular data connection. You buy the hardware for $150, and then "fill it with data" which stays until you use it. No monthly plan. No minimum charge. No expiration. It provides a wifi internet connection to your devices (up to 8).

Since my daughter wants it mostly for messaging (and probably later for things like snapchat/instagram/facebook) the data last awhile if she's not doing video, or constantly streaming, etc.

So far it works well enough. Supposedly it works on the backbone of Sprint (and whatever carrier they work with) so coverage is at the mercy of the carrier.

Rates are 1GB for $14, 5GB for $59, 10GB for $99. That might sound like a lot until you realize that there are NO other charges, and you keep you data until it's gone... that could be a year or more. If you're just messaging, 5GB can easily last 6 months. $10/month for data connectivity and no other obligations is pretty dang good.



Biggest drawback is that is that it's Sprint... and of course you have another device to charge.

Last edited by chimchimm5; 12-22-2015 at 09:56 AM.
chimchimm5 is offline  
Old 12-14-2015, 12:22 AM
  #2  
Registered User
iTrader: (14)
 
lanz0r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California
Posts: 6,558
Car Info: Blown Transmissions
I think you can still get a $30 T-Mobile 5GB plan w/ 100 mins at Walmart, that's probably as close as you're gonna get.
lanz0r is offline  
Old 12-14-2015, 10:17 AM
  #3  
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
queeg9k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cheesesteakville
Posts: 6,833
Car Info: 05 wrx wagon, 90 celica alltrac, 66 mustang
What are you gonna use it for? I assume at home you have WiFi and use a smartphone out of the house.

Could you up the data on your cellphone and tether?
queeg9k is offline  
Old 12-14-2015, 11:57 AM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
chimchimm5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,311
Car Info: 2011 WRX hatch gray
For my daughter, so I can't tether.
chimchimm5 is offline  
Old 12-14-2015, 01:55 PM
  #5  
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
queeg9k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cheesesteakville
Posts: 6,833
Car Info: 05 wrx wagon, 90 celica alltrac, 66 mustang
Originally Posted by chimchimm5
For my daughter, so I can't tether.
Ah.

Sorry, I am no help.
queeg9k is offline  
Old 12-22-2015, 09:18 AM
  #6  
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
91vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,357
Car Info: 2011 Sti SWP
I saw something on tv from wal mart the other day.

Suppose to work with can carrier, forgot the name though
91vtec is offline  
Old 12-22-2015, 09:44 AM
  #7  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
chimchimm5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,311
Car Info: 2011 WRX hatch gray
Originally Posted by 91vtec
I saw something on tv from wal mart the other day.

Suppose to work with can carrier, forgot the name though
Very helpful. Thanks.
chimchimm5 is offline  
Old 12-22-2015, 09:54 AM
  #8  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
chimchimm5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,311
Car Info: 2011 WRX hatch gray
Update:

I found this: Karma Go.

https://yourkarma.com/invite/ga76978552

It's a little puck with a cellular data connection. You buy the hardware for $150, and then "fill it with data" which stays until you use it. No monthly plan. No minimum charge. No expiration. It provides a wifi internet connection to your devices (up to 8).

Since my daughter wants it mostly for messaging (and probably later for things like snapchat/instagram/facebook) the data last awhile if she's not doing video, or constantly streaming, etc.

So far it works well enough. Supposedly it works on the backbone of Sprint (and whatever carrier they work with) so coverage is at the mercy of the carrier.

Rates are 1GB for $14, 5GB for $59, 10GB for $99. That might sound like a lot until you realize that there are NO other charges, and you keep you data until it's gone... that could be a year or more. If you're just messaging, 5GB can easily last 6 months. $10/month for data connectivity and no other obligations is pretty dang good.



Biggest drawback is that is that it's Sprint... and of course you have another device to charge.
chimchimm5 is offline  
Old 12-23-2015, 02:45 PM
  #9  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
reign_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Salinas, CA
Posts: 363
Car Info: 2002 WRB Wagon
Straight Talk has a $15/mo prepaid plan for 1GB/mo

https://www.straighttalk.com/wps/por...ceplans/tablet

Also, can pick whether you want to use AT&T / T-Mobile, Sprint of Verizon towers when you start the service.
reign_ is offline  
Old 01-05-2016, 08:05 AM
  #10  
If in doubt, FLAT OUT
iTrader: (33)
 
04GG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nor Cal SJ
Posts: 7,035
Car Info: 2010 Hatch, 2011 Sedan
Verizon offers a data only option specifically designed for tablets and other non-phone devices.
04GG is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
w0ng3r
NorCal Classifieds
15
12-25-2013 10:16 PM
Bluwrx2002
Videos
6
07-22-2008 05:38 PM
Krinkov
Bay Area
50
08-06-2004 01:07 AM
KurleeDaddeeWRX
Bay Area
8
01-15-2003 09:07 AM



Quick Reply: Data only cellular plan for old iPhone?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:22 PM.