iPhone 3G with non-3G internet?

Wman · Oct 19, 2008

Can you get your
Iphone to run on a normal phone plan with normaln non 3G data? Also, can you use it as a modem? yuIinternet? I don't have the 80 dollars per month for a proper iPhone data plan plus I'm in Canada and our best data plan is 2G per month, 'cause Canadian plans are effing terrible in general. I want to get a normal (2G) unlimiter data plan with a normal voice plan as I don't need internet too often and sacrificed. Speed would be okay with me. How do I do this?
- Thx!
-Wman

Noxian · Oct 20, 2008

Data is data doesn't matter if your phone is running on 2g (edge) or 3g (HDSPA), so all you need to do is get a data plan.

Wman · Oct 20, 2008

Do you think rogers will let me get a normal data + voice plan and still give me the iphone discount? (If I get a 3 year contract)

Does EDGE have all the support for photos and things?

Wman · Oct 20, 2008

http://www.fido.ca/web/content/sdp/wia_options#unlimited_browsing

will the thing they call unlimited on-device mobile browsing work? is that EDGE?

Aptmunich · Oct 20, 2008

In most countries you can only purchase the iPhone if you sign up for the accompanying data plan.

Check with your carrier, but I believe that's also the case in Canada, i.e. you can't buy the iPhone at the subsidized price unless you go with one of their iPhone specific plans.

Wman · Oct 20, 2008

I called them. Apperently, I can get it and still get the iPhone for 200$, but I won't be able to open attachments, view most images and see anything in html.

Aptmunich · Oct 21, 2008

I guess they're implying that without the data plan you won't be able to use the net without wifi. Well duh.

But you'll still be access the net on a wifi connection just fine.

Shady Milkman · Oct 21, 2008

If your SP is using the 3G network (at&t, verizon, some t-mobile) and you're using a 3G phone (iPhone 3G, some Nokias, etc) you don't have the option of using the EDGE (2G) data or voice. The only way you could use EDGE on a 3G service provider is if you were using the 1st gen iPhone.

I experience this myself, I use an unlocked iPhone 2G on T-Mobile, which has 3G service where I am now. But once I upgrade to the 3G iPhone, I will be using 3G no matter what.

That's my understanding. Hope this helps.

Noxian · Oct 21, 2008

Shady Milkman said:
If your SP is using the 3G network (at&t, verizon, some t-mobile) and you're using a 3G phone (iPhone 3G, some Nokias, etc) you don't have the option of using the EDGE (2G) data or voice. The only way you could use EDGE on a 3G service provider is if you were using the 1st gen iPhone.

I experience this myself, I use an unlocked iPhone 2G on T-Mobile, which has 3G service where I am now. But once I upgrade to the 3G iPhone, I will be using 3G no matter what.

That's my understanding. Hope this helps.

That is incorrect, You can switch off 3G at anytime on a 3G iphone and use only edge for both voice and data.

I know this because I do this all the time on Rogers

Shady Milkman · Oct 21, 2008

Good to know. That must be a nice feature of the iPhone, I have another line on T-Mobile using a 3G phone in a 3G market, and I don't believe there's a way to switch off the 3G and go to EDGE.

If there's a reliable cost-effective way to have an iPhone 3G on Rogers/Fido/whatever else is in Canada instead of the 2G, I say go for it.

jcmoore2 · Oct 29, 2008

Why would you want to switch off 3G and go to a slower 2G network?

Aptmunich · Oct 29, 2008

To save battery.

Noxian · Oct 31, 2008

Aptmunich said:
To save battery.

Exactly I leave mine on 2G unless I know I need 3g. Just doesn't make sense to leave it on all the time. I just wish Apple hadn't hidden the switch so far in the settings.