what is upgrade credit/discount exactly?

[yoonie]

Ok, I think I got it. So I should buy my atrix using my discount, then do a transfer of service to the family plan (which should allow me to keep both my phone # and data plan), and then port my # to google voice (after confirming with att that the cancelling-reactivating won't kill my unlimited data plan), and still end up free of any 2 year commitments?

 

[zetetic13]

Ok, I think I got it. So I should buy my atrix using my discount, then do a transfer of service to the family plan (which should allow me to keep both my phone # and data plan), and then port my # to google voice (after confirming with att that the cancelling-reactivating won't kill my unlimited data plan), and still end up free of any 2 year commitments?

Yoonie,

I didn't know the importance was being placed on the unlimited data plan and not keeping the number. In fact, I don't think the situation will be able to play out like you've described above. In order to upgrade to a new phone, you need to sign a new 2-year contract. So, the most straightforward process would be:

1. Upgrade to the Atrix (with new 2-year contract).
2. Opt to grandfather your current data plan.
3. Transfer your service to the family plan.

You will not be able to port your number to GV in this process because you need to sign a new 2-year contract. GV is pretty awesome and it would be nice to be able to use it, but you can only do it if you're willing to terminate your current service, which you are not due to the unlimited data you would like to retain.

Any other thoughts or suggestions from people?

 

[yoonie]

Yoonie,

I didn't know the importance was being placed on the unlimited data plan and not keeping the number. In fact, I don't think the situation will be able to play out like you've described above. In order to upgrade to a new phone, you need to sign a new 2-year contract. So, the most straightforward process would be:

1. Upgrade to the Atrix (with new 2-year contract).
2. Opt to grandfather your current data plan.
3. Transfer your service to the family plan.

You will not be able to port your number to GV in this process because you need to sign a new 2-year contract. GV is pretty awesome and it would be nice to be able to use it, but you can only do it if you're willing to terminate your current service, which you are not due to the unlimited data you would like to retain.

Any other thoughts or suggestions from people?

After re-reading the posts, I realize I misunderstood the whole upgrade discount thing. Since I will end up with another 2 year contract, I think if I find a nice customer service rep they would allow me to "change" my # while activating google voice, since technically I wouldn't be terminating my service, it would simply be reactivated almost immediately with a different #.

Either way, I'm not 100% sold on google voice yet- I've been testing it out for a day now and have already had one call with subpar voice quality and one call that did not get through to me because "all circuits are busy".

 

[zetetic13]

Either way, I'm not 100% sold on google voice yet- I've been testing it out for a day now and have already had one call with subpar voice quality and one call that did not get through to me because "all circuits are busy".

Yikes! I haven't experienced that before, and I do know plenty of people that use their GV number as their primary that they hand out to people and all (including me).

The quality hit is puzzling, though--my understanding of the service is that it doesn't actually do anything but route calls, and the quality of the cell towers is what you get. I'll speak honestly though and say I haven't done much research into the technology. I also don't know how many people could have tried calling me only to get the message that all circuits are busy, but I haven't heard anything to that effect. Anecdotal all around, so it probably won't be of much help.

Chris

 

[Bosco3]

Ok, I think I got it. So I should buy my atrix using my discount,

Using the discount will re-up you for a new 2 yr contract

then do a transfer of service to the family plan (which should allow me to keep both my phone # and data plan), and then port my # to google voice

Every time I've ported a number from a mobile carrier, the act of taking away your number is an implicit and automatic cancellation of the old account. So this will likely cancel your AT&T account, resulting in loss of the unlimited data plan, and an ETF if you already got the Atrix.

(after confirming with att that the cancelling-reactivating won't kill my unlimited data plan), and still end up free of any 2 year commitments?

Again, getting the Atrix at a discount means committing for 2 years. If you don't want the contract, you can either pay full retail, or go with the contract, and accept the fact that you will have to pay an ETF to get out of it (which may be cheaper than then paying full retail for the phone anyway).

If it's just a matter of getting all phones on the same area code, can you change everyone else to 646, rather than changing yours to 239? That way you can get your Atrix, keep your # and unlimited data, go on a family plan, and everyone else gets new 646 areacode #'s. IMHO, if you are paying the bills, they should be grateful you are fronting their cell phone coverage - if they have to get new numbers to save you some money, that's their tough luck.

 

[yoonie]

Just to make things clear, you are not porting your number anymore.
Porting is a word used to transfer a number from another carrier, for example, if your number was on tmobile but you wanted it on AT&T, that is a port.


What you are trying to do is called a transfer of service. You are transferring your service (your line) to another account on at&t. Maybe this is where the confusion is coming from with the people you talk to on the phone.

If you do a transfer of service, you will not be able to upgrade (get a phone at a discounted price) for 60-90 days. So if you want the Atrix, get it before you join your family plan.

FINALLY got confirmation that I can get my unlimited data plan grandfathered in through an upgrade and transfer of service, but they're STILL telling me I can't keep my phone # because it's a relocation. Do you know of anyone specific I can talk to about this or any particular steps I can take?

Just to get all the facts straight- I moved from NYC to Georgia, while my parents are back and forth b/w Georgia and Florida. I kept my NY # while moving to Georgia, and am currently trying to get on a family plan that's based in Georgia (but with Florida area codes) while I remain in Georgia (whew).

I also can't get any confirmation on whether or not my plans would be grandfathered in if I got my # ported through google voice (which I'm still not sure if I want).

Unfortunately, I'm moving onto my parents plan so I can't really ask them to change their #s =/

 

[Demiurge]

FINALLY got confirmation that I can get my unlimited data plan grandfathered in through an upgrade and transfer of service, but they're STILL telling me I can't keep my phone # because it's a relocation. Do you know of anyone specific I can talk to about this or any particular steps I can take?

Nothing you can do, man. It's possible to have different area codes on a family plan, yes. Been there, done that. However, the area codes have to be in the same region, as defined by AT&T. Yours are not. Hence, you're screwed.

I really doubt you can keep both your number and the grandfathered data. You'll have to pick one or the other... Sorry for the news, man.

 

[JRiedisser]

FINALLY got confirmation that I can get my unlimited data plan grandfathered in through an upgrade and transfer of service, but they're STILL telling me I can't keep my phone # because it's a relocation. Do you know of anyone specific I can talk to about this or any particular steps I can take?

Just to get all the facts straight- I moved from NYC to Georgia, while my parents are back and forth b/w Georgia and Florida. I kept my NY # while moving to Georgia, and am currently trying to get on a family plan that's based in Georgia (but with Florida area codes) while I remain in Georgia (whew).

I also can't get any confirmation on whether or not my plans would be grandfathered in if I got my # ported through google voice (which I'm still not sure if I want).

Unfortunately, I'm moving onto my parents plan so I can't really ask them to change their #s =/

Let me clarify:

1. You will have to change your number if you are wanting to be on a family plan with your parents because there is no possible way for AT&T to combine a number from the NYC market with one from GA. I know this for a fact because I work at AT&T in an area where people can choose between two different markets.

2. Your current contract status would be transfered to your new account, so if you can upgrade now, you can upgrade after you move your number. They may try to tell you that you have to wait 60-90 days but you can call in and have them review the account.

3. You will be able to keep your unlimited internet plan if you stick with AT&T, as long as your stress to the person assisting you with the transfer that you do not want to lose it.

 

[yoonie]

Let me clarify:

1. You will have to change your number if you are wanting to be on a family plan with your parents because there is no possible way for AT&T to combine a number from the NYC market with one from GA. I know this for a fact because I work at AT&T in an area where people can choose between two different markets.

2. Your current contract status would be transfered to your new account, so if you can upgrade now, you can upgrade after you move your number. They may try to tell you that you have to wait 60-90 days but you can call in and have them review the account.

3. You will be able to keep your unlimited internet plan if you stick with AT&T, as long as your stress to the person assisting you with the transfer that you do not want to lose it.

Thanks for the info. I've already gotten confirmation that I can keep my data plan grandfathered through transfering service and upgrading, but couldn't get any info on whether or not I could keep the plan through the cancellation/resumption of service that google voice requires- got any clues about that?

 

[JRiedisser]

Thanks for the info. I've already gotten confirmation that I can keep my data plan grandfathered through transfering service and upgrading, but couldn't get any info on whether or not I could keep the plan through the cancellation/resumption of service that google voice requires- got any clues about that?

I don't know for sure the details of google voice, but it sounds to me that you would have to cancel with AT&T which would cause you to lose that unlimited data.

 

[dlazer]

I belive JRiedisser is right about you loosing your unlimited data if you port your number to google voice.

But, the reason I just signed up for these forums is to give you some help regarding getting two numbers with different area codes on a family plan. It can be done, but at&t is a huge pain in the butt about it. I went through this same situation, trying to get mine and my wife's numbers on a family plan about a year ago. The best advice I can give you is to read the following forum thread:
Porting Number to ATT into a Family Talk Plan - MacRumors Forums

I followed the advice in that thread, and it was not as simple as it should be, but in the end I got both of our numbers transitioned into a a family plan.

 

[yoonie]

Even though the obscene pricing has me looking at other phones, that link will definitely be useful. Thanks dlazer

 

[Stadifer]

Instead of creating a new thread I figure I'd toss this up on this thread.

Anyone have any experience or know AT&T's response with the following scenario...

I want to pre-order the Atrix on the 13th when the option goes up. However, my upgrade credit doesn't kick in until Feb 27th. It would be nice if AT&T lets me pre-order the Atrix on 13th so I can still get the bugger by March 6th but have my upgrade credit applied.

I'm going to swing by an AT&T Store tomorrow and see if I can get any input on it.

 

[scrounger]

Anyone have any experience or know AT&T's response with the following scenario...

I want to pre-order the Atrix on the 13th when the option goes up. However, my upgrade credit doesn't kick in until Feb 27th. It would be nice if AT&T lets me pre-order the Atrix on 13th so I can still get the bugger by March 6th but have my upgrade credit applied.

I have a similar situation. My upgrade elegibility is not until 4/7/2011. I chatted online and it was suggested I call CS. When I called, I was told that I may be able to get an early upgrade, but I would need to call back when the phone was released since there was no pricing or other info on their end. It did sound promising though. I would think that you are not actually upgrading until after 2/27 and you are committing to 2 more years, they should allow it. Remind them that a lot can happen in 2 weeks if they make you wait.