Comments on: ATT + iPhone int'l. roaming data horror story: $3K bill - UDPATE http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 09:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: titofcar http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-128007 titofcar Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-128007 Ok these are my thoughts: Mr. Dave is obviously lying because * ANY web designer in the world knows how many KB are on a webpage and how much its aprox being transfered * He later mentions "20 MB that can be burned in a day or two" Huh? Woops, I thought you had no idea about any of those KB stuff....PLEASE! And by the way, are you gonna tell me that you were not aware of the "TURN OFF DATA USAGE WHILE ROAMING" feature on your iPhone? BS! I'm so tired of people making their own mistakes and then blaming on someone else. Of course I'd be bleeding through my nose if I get a $3k bill, but that is never going to happen because I'm not going to call in later saying "I didn't know" "The rep didn't explain" = C.R.A.P And, my last cent, is that INDEED AT&T is an armed robbery, but in reality there's nothing else to do :-) Ok these are my thoughts:

Mr. Dave is obviously lying because

* ANY web designer in the world knows how many KB are on a webpage and how much its aprox being transfered

* He later mentions “20 MB that can be burned in a day or two” Huh? Woops, I thought you had no idea about any of those KB stuff….PLEASE!

And by the way, are you gonna tell me that you were not aware of the “TURN OFF DATA USAGE WHILE ROAMING” feature on your iPhone? BS!

I’m so tired of people making their own mistakes and then blaming on someone else. Of course I’d be bleeding through my nose if I get a $3k bill, but that is never going to happen because I’m not going to call in later saying “I didn’t know” “The rep didn’t explain” = C.R.A.P

And, my last cent, is that INDEED AT&T is an armed robbery, but in reality there’s nothing else to do :-)

]]> By: madmominmo http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-424220 madmominmo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-424220 Ya know, the bad mouthing here is offensive in itself. I feel bad for the people who unwittingly were charged for the "phantom data usage" etc. I did note that the phones involved were higher end phones and that the "phantom charges" appeared while they were traveling overseas. The reason I am posting is because I have a cheapo freebie ATNT phone and I was also charged "phantom usage" while I was within 100 miles of the state I live in (in the US). I was DEFINATLY sleeping while the $25 in charges were made. I noticed more "phantom usage" while I was sleeping at home...in my coverage area. The "home" charges were substantially less than while I was out of state but still, no actual usage occurred. I have the EXACT same phone for a second line and I have never had trouble with it. Can anyone explain this to me? Ya know, the bad mouthing here is offensive in itself. I feel bad for the people who unwittingly were charged for the “phantom data usage” etc. I did note that the phones involved were higher end phones and that the “phantom charges” appeared while they were traveling overseas. The reason I am posting is because I have a cheapo freebie ATNT phone and I was also charged “phantom usage” while I was within 100 miles of the state I live in (in the US). I was DEFINATLY sleeping while the $25 in charges were made. I noticed more “phantom usage” while I was sleeping at home…in my coverage area. The “home” charges were substantially less than while I was out of state but still, no actual usage occurred. I have the EXACT same phone for a second line and I have never had trouble with it.
Can anyone explain this to me?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-902182 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-902182 I went to germany for 5 days and my bill was $1,668. I had payed for the INTERNATIONAL 50GB data use and calling plan for 9.99. My bill did not make sense because at 9:28pm it said i used 8,750 KB=$170. and on that same day same time frame 9:28 pm i used 14KB=0.27 for VVM call. I payed for 50 GB of internet use and it didn't even work half the time. I kept struggling with the internet i come back and its 1,668!!!!! for 5 days! I called them and apparently i will be called from a correspondent from ATT. i don't even have that to pay,im just starting to be on my own im a very responsible person always on time with every bill but i know i cant pay this one and i dont want my credit to bad if i dont pay this. What to do what to do? I went to germany for 5 days and my bill was $1,668. I had payed for the INTERNATIONAL 50GB data use and calling plan for 9.99. My bill did not make sense because at 9:28pm it said i used 8,750 KB=$170. and on that same day same time frame 9:28 pm i used 14KB=0.27 for VVM call. I payed for 50 GB of internet use and it didn’t even work half the time. I kept struggling with the internet i come back and its 1,668!!!!! for 5 days! I called them and apparently i will be called from a correspondent from ATT. i don’t even have that to pay,im just starting to be on my own im a very responsible person always on time with every bill but i know i cant pay this one and i dont want my credit to bad if i dont pay this. What to do what to do?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-675111 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-675111 $350 for using my iphone google-map in Vancouver B.C. for two days. I live in Seattle, less than 3 hours away. They agreed to reduce it to $30 after two lengthy phone calls. What a scam. $350 for using my iphone google-map in Vancouver B.C. for two days. I live in Seattle, less than 3 hours away. They agreed to reduce it to $30 after two lengthy phone calls. What a scam.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-20529 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20529 We traveled to Jamaica last week on 09/08/07 through 09/15/07 with my new Apple i-Phone. Later today on 09/19/07 AT&T sent me a text message saying that my phone bill was very large and for me to call them. When I called them, I was told my bill was $2,405 that was charged last week to my phone for data that was apparently transferred to my phone unknowingly and authorized. Keep in mind that I could not make any phone calls on my phone because the service said it wouldn't connect. So I left the phone in the charging dock and used it as an alarm clock and an mp3 player. I naturally challenged the data amount used since my wife has the exact same phone and she was charged only $161 for the same time period. They said they could not investigate this and that we owed the amount. Then they said that we could settle for half payment if we made the payment today. I said I would need to think about it and he said that if I didn't decide right now that he would shut my phone off right now even though the bill is not even due until October 3rd, 2007. He then offered me a half off and said they would take $1,200 if I again settled today. Please help me I am being held hostage by these guys. We traveled to Jamaica last week on 09/08/07 through 09/15/07 with my new Apple i-Phone. Later today on 09/19/07 AT&T sent me a text message saying that my phone bill was very large and for me to call them.
When I called them, I was told my bill was $2,405 that was charged last week to my phone for data that was apparently transferred to my phone unknowingly and authorized. Keep in mind that I could not make any phone calls on my phone because the service said it wouldn’t connect. So I left the phone in the charging dock and used it as an alarm clock and an mp3 player.
I naturally challenged the data amount used since my wife has the exact same phone and she was charged only $161 for the same time period. They said they could not investigate this and that we owed the amount. Then they said that we could settle for half payment if we made the payment today.
I said I would need to think about it and he said that if I didn’t decide right now that he would shut my phone off right now even though the bill is not even due until October 3rd, 2007. He then offered me a half off and said they would take $1,200 if I again settled today. Please help me I am being held hostage by these guys.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-13624 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-13624 I had the same problem. I was in Canada for a hockey camp for two weeks. When we got back my bill was $400 for the first week and $2300 for the second. AT&T was nice enought to credit us $1000 but we were still stuck with a huge bill. I had the same problem. I was in Canada for a hockey camp for two weeks. When we got back my bill was $400 for the first week and $2300 for the second. AT&T was nice enought to credit us $1000 but we were still stuck with a huge bill.

]]> By: Puran Moorjani http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-28221 Puran Moorjani Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-28221 Thanks for taking the time to read this. I went on an overseas trip and activated international data roaming on my wireless laptop card on 7/24/07 – it has been noted in the AT&T system that we called on 7/24. It is a flat fee of $139 per month. I confirmed the rate plan again this morning by randomly calling AT&T company store. We now got a bill for $16566.38 for data. And they have also added 6000 minutes for $299 to the same number. When I asked how do you expect to use minutes on a card in a laptop they had no answer. We are not able to get anywhere with AT&T customer support. Now they tell me that we have been charged a higher per KB as it is not noted correctly in the account. We are AT&T customer since 2002, we have over 35 lines and we have not paid our bill yet. I am seriously considering a move to Verizon sometime tomorrow. AT&T has been given timeframe until close of business today to resolve this. Please let me know if anyone can assist us. I can be reached on 408 805 0500. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I went on an overseas trip and activated international data roaming on my wireless laptop card on 7/24/07 – it has been noted in the AT&T system that we called on 7/24. It is a flat fee of $139 per month. I confirmed the rate plan again this morning by randomly calling AT&T company store.

We now got a bill for $16566.38 for data. And they have also added 6000 minutes for $299 to the same number. When I asked how do you expect to use minutes on a card in a laptop they had no answer. We are not able to get anywhere with AT&T customer support. Now they tell me that we have been charged a higher per KB as it is not noted correctly in the account.

We are AT&T customer since 2002, we have over 35 lines and we have not paid our bill yet. I am seriously considering a move to Verizon sometime tomorrow. AT&T has been given timeframe until close of business today to resolve this. Please let me know if anyone can assist us.

I can be reached on 408 805 0500.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-613952 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-613952 This is a class action law suit waiting to happen. My husband just came home from 2 weeks in Canada to a $3800 data roaming usage fee. FYI- BUSINESS CUSTOMERS CAN BUY AN UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL DATA ROAMING PACKAGE FOR $69.95! If you are not a business customer you cannot get this plan. The best you can get is a $200/200 MB package, but you will go over and you will pay ($15/MB, and no reasonable way of determining how many megabytes you may be using when you go to google maps, or take a photo and email it to your friends, or Twitter, etc...). This practice will not hold up if challenged in a court. It's only a matter of time before someone takes them on. In the meantime, fight them with everything you've got and see if you can get them to take responsibility for their misleading business practices. They may knock something off your bill. They did for us. This might help... remind them of the tag line from their website: "ATT Customer Satisfaction. Great Value, Peace of Mind, and No Surprises". By hitting people with these exorbitant usage fees for international data roaming when they get back from their vacations or business trips, ATT is not keeping any of those promises to their customers. This is a class action law suit waiting to happen.

My husband just came home from 2 weeks in Canada to a $3800 data roaming usage fee. FYI- BUSINESS CUSTOMERS CAN BUY AN UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL DATA ROAMING PACKAGE FOR $69.95! If you are not a business customer you cannot get this plan. The best you can get is a $200/200 MB package, but you will go over and you will pay ($15/MB, and no reasonable way of determining how many megabytes you may be using when you go to google maps, or take a photo and email it to your friends, or Twitter, etc…).

This practice will not hold up if challenged in a court. It’s only a matter of time before someone takes them on. In the meantime, fight them with everything you’ve got and see if you can get them to take responsibility for their misleading business practices. They may knock something off your bill. They did for us.

This might help… remind them of the tag line from their website:

“ATT Customer Satisfaction. Great Value, Peace of Mind, and No Surprises”.

By hitting people with these exorbitant usage fees for international data roaming when they get back from their vacations or business trips, ATT is not keeping any of those promises to their customers.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-362305 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-362305 The iPhone via AT&T is still a REAL RIP-OFF overseas. To avoid a horror story like those above, I was about to agree to buy an expensive AT&T overseas data plan (on top of what I'm already paying for data in the US) when they said that even with the plan I should keep my phone off as much as possible. That's because of the voice roaming charges. If you've got the phone on to use the data (access the internet) AT&T charges $1.99/minute for voice roaming, EVEN FOR CALLS YOU DON'T PICK UP AND VOICEMAILS YOU DON'T LISTEN TO. And AT&T's customer service is still every bit as bad as people say; I spent 50 minutes on the phone being bounced around from department to department before I could get the facts on the overseas plans. I'm seriously considering returning the iPhone before the first month is up and going back to Verizon. The iPhone via AT&T is still a REAL RIP-OFF overseas. To avoid a horror story like those above, I was about to agree to buy an expensive AT&T overseas data plan (on top of what I’m already paying for data in the US) when they said that even with the plan I should keep my phone off as much as possible. That’s because of the voice roaming charges. If you’ve got the phone on to use the data (access the internet) AT&T charges $1.99/minute for voice roaming, EVEN FOR CALLS YOU DON’T PICK UP AND VOICEMAILS YOU DON’T LISTEN TO.

And AT&T’s customer service is still every bit as bad as people say; I spent 50 minutes on the phone being bounced around from department to department before I could get the facts on the overseas plans. I’m seriously considering returning the iPhone before the first month is up and going back to Verizon.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-489284 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-489284 GPRR Charges In Your Phone Bill You need to review your phone bills. ATT is ripping people off. If you have purchased a phone like a black jack, blackberry, any type of PDA that has internet access, it will charge you a ridiculous amount of money, even when you don't use the internet. The phone supposedly goes onto the internet by itself to find new updates and it charges for data transfer. Also, multi media messaging is considered data transfer therefore it uses the internet, so it as well charges, even though multi media messaging is covered under your plan. I'm considering a class sue against AT&T. If this has happened to you please join this discussion. GPRR Charges In Your Phone Bill

You need to review your phone bills. ATT is ripping people off. If you have purchased a phone like a black jack, blackberry, any type of PDA that has internet access, it will charge you a ridiculous amount of money, even when you don’t use the internet. The phone supposedly goes onto the internet by itself to find new updates and it charges for data transfer. Also, multi media messaging is considered data transfer therefore it uses the internet, so it as well charges, even though multi media messaging is covered under your plan. I’m considering a class sue against AT&T. If this has happened to you please join this discussion.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-794951 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-794951 Please Help, I am going on a cruise next week and I am throughly confused. I am trying to figure out how to affordably stay in contact with my children (grandmothers watching them) Every time I call AT&T I get different information, half the time I am told that the Bahama's are considered part of US for phone service purpose's, the other half I am told its roaming at a rate of 1.99 a minute. I was also told if I rerouted all incoming calls straight to voice mail, that it would never go to my phone first therefore there would be no international roaming charges (wait I though it was part of the US) NEXT PROBLEM DATA: I signed up for a 50GB plan just for the duration of my cruise, I created a new email, just for the kids and I to communicate and am planning on deleating my regular email for the duration of the cruise just to protect myself from spam email eating up my data plan. I want to be able to keep my phone on so I can email my kids, but if I do this will the Blackberry curve keep looking for Data if I keep the phone on? I swear I have called AT&T 10 times and I get different information everytime. I know people out there have some answers and I really need help, Thank You Please Help, I am going on a cruise next week and I am throughly confused. I am trying to figure out how to affordably stay in contact with my children (grandmothers watching them) Every time I call AT&T I get different information, half the time I am told that the Bahama’s are considered part of US for phone service purpose’s, the other half I am told its roaming at a rate of 1.99 a minute. I was also told if I rerouted all incoming calls straight to voice mail, that it would never go to my phone first therefore there would be no international roaming charges (wait I though it was part of the US)
NEXT PROBLEM DATA: I signed up for a 50GB plan just for the duration of my cruise, I created a new email, just for the kids and I to communicate and am planning on deleating my regular email for the duration of the cruise just to protect myself from spam email eating up my data plan. I want to be able to keep my phone on so I can email my kids, but if I do this will the Blackberry curve keep looking for Data if I keep the phone on? I swear I have called AT&T 10 times and I get different information everytime. I know people out there have some answers and I really need help, Thank You

]]> By: yingyang http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-128079 yingyang Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-128079 @benzehavi - follow the link that you, yourself posted. On the right side of the line where it says Israel there is a link to the details of the rates and coverage in Israel. $2.49 per min. roaming in Israel, and the data rate is $.0195/KB. All that Y/Y tells you is that your phone will work in that country, NOT THAT THE USAGE IS FREE! Use common sense and intelligence people. International rates are always more, and never free. I have an iPhone and I am an international traveler. It amazes me how many people didn't take the time to read the rules which are not hidden, and then complain. @benzehavi – follow the link that you, yourself posted. On the right side of the line where it says Israel there is a link to the details of the rates and coverage in Israel. $2.49 per min. roaming in Israel, and the data rate is $.0195/KB. All that Y/Y tells you is that your phone will work in that country, NOT THAT THE USAGE IS FREE! Use common sense and intelligence people. International rates are always more, and never free.

I have an iPhone and I am an international traveler. It amazes me how many people didn’t take the time to read the rules which are not hidden, and then complain.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-403793 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-403793 Maybe next time you should try leaving your cellphones at home if you don't have an international plan or something to help you avoid thousands of dollars in phone charges. And I'm surprised that people are surprised that a cell phone company would give you the bum's rush. Everyone knows there is no such thing as a "good" cellphone company. Just like there are no "good" politicians. You just have to pick the best from the dreck. Try skype next time. Maybe next time you should try leaving your cellphones at home if you don’t have an international plan or something to help you avoid thousands of dollars in phone charges. And I’m surprised that people are surprised that a cell phone company would give you the bum’s rush.

Everyone knows there is no such thing as a “good” cellphone company. Just like there are no “good” politicians. You just have to pick the best from the dreck.

Try skype next time.

]]> By: hbs0707 http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-205906 hbs0707 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-205906 I traveled to Barbados and got a $3.5K bill from AT&T for data usage in Jamaica. Not only is Jamaica about 1000 miles from Barbados, but my alleged data usage was 176,389 KB and supposedly it was done at 2:30 am when I was most definitely sleeping. I checked my last bills and I have never before used so much as 30,000 KB in a month while on the iternet constantly during my 2 hour daily commute. So, ATT has got someone either hacking into their system, or they have major issues with these foreigh carriers trying to suck them for money. AT&t is passing it on to their customers. I called them 4 times, talked to customer service and fraud. First they said that Jamaica is right next to Barabdos and I was picking up Jamaican towers. Then they said it was a crossed wire and there is nothing they can do. They reduced my bill to over $1k and refuse to do anything else. I will cancel my service call a lawyer if they don't refund my money. On second thought I will cancel even if they do refund, just for wasting my time and giving me such a headache. Lesson to be learned: Do not use your internet able cell phone overseas. You will have problems! I traveled to Barbados and got a $3.5K bill from AT&T for data usage in Jamaica. Not only is Jamaica about 1000 miles from Barbados, but my alleged data usage was 176,389 KB and supposedly it was done at 2:30 am when I was most definitely sleeping. I checked my last bills and I have never before used so much as 30,000 KB in a month while on the iternet constantly during my 2 hour daily commute. So, ATT has got someone either hacking into their system, or they have major issues with these foreigh carriers trying to suck them for money. AT&t is passing it on to their customers. I called them 4 times, talked to customer service and fraud. First they said that Jamaica is right next to Barabdos and I was picking up Jamaican towers. Then they said it was a crossed wire and there is nothing they can do. They reduced my bill to over $1k and refuse to do anything else. I will cancel my service call a lawyer if they don’t refund my money. On second thought I will cancel even if they do refund, just for wasting my time and giving me such a headache.

Lesson to be learned: Do not use your internet able cell phone overseas. You will have problems!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-381780 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-381780 For those "not using data" and still get roaming charges, the visual voicemail aspect of the iphone downloads your voicemails to the phone, thus using data. AT&T does offer several international iphone data plans. The international blackberry plan mentioned above, requires a 1 year commitment. The internatioanl iphone data plans do not require a commitment Regarding the voice charges for the person who used skype to call voicemail. I highley doubt those charges were for using skype. They were likely charges when people called and you didn't answer and they left messages. Once you turn your phone on in another country the phone registers on their towers, and stays that way until you re-register it on another country's towers. Any calls that come into the whether they are answered or not are charged for international roaming. If the caller leaves a voicemail, you are charged for the length of the voicemail also. For those “not using data” and still get roaming charges, the visual voicemail aspect of the iphone downloads your voicemails to the phone, thus using data.

AT&T does offer several international iphone data plans. The international blackberry plan mentioned above, requires a 1 year commitment. The internatioanl iphone data plans do not require a commitment

Regarding the voice charges for the person who used skype to call voicemail. I highley doubt those charges were for using skype. They were likely charges when people called and you didn’t answer and they left messages. Once you turn your phone on in another country the phone registers on their towers, and stays that way until you re-register it on another country’s towers. Any calls that come into the whether they are answered or not are charged for international roaming. If the caller leaves a voicemail, you are charged for the length of the voicemail also.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-819305 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-819305 How did Dave do it? Did he have to stay on the phone for hours on end as I did and then only get (convenient for them) cut off? Who did he finally contact to resolve this. I hate AT&T and think a class action lawsuit should be filed for misrepresentation and even fraud in the sale of their merchandise.......... How did Dave do it? Did he have to stay on the phone for hours on end as I did and then only get (convenient for them) cut off? Who did he finally contact to resolve this. I hate AT&T and think a class action lawsuit should be filed for misrepresentation and even fraud in the sale of their merchandise……….

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-461935 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-461935 iPhones use data constantly. The stock ticket alone accesses the Internet every three minutes. 1mg=10 emails give or take. I use less than 50mgs a month and I am on my phone for one purpose or another constantly. ATT only advertises nationwide calling and data. If you are traveling internationally you need to educate yourself before your trip and have the necessary packages added. It is your responsibility as a consumer to do so. Canada and Mexico are not extentions of the US. They are different countries. Your sim card has your phone number and feature packages attached to it. You can use it in any phone your carrier recognizes. If you use a different sim in an iPhone you need to let ATT know so they can adjust your features, otherwise YOU are responsible for the charges you incurr. Stop taking it upon yourself and ask you salesperson questions. They are there to support you. Don't assume. Be smart folks, it's easier to askthe question than it is to get their customer care to give you a credit! Good luck folks! iPhones use data constantly. The stock ticket alone accesses the Internet every three minutes.
1mg=10 emails give or take.
I use less than 50mgs a month and I am on my phone for one purpose or another constantly.
ATT only advertises nationwide calling and data. If you are traveling internationally you need to educate yourself before your trip and have the necessary packages added. It is your responsibility as a consumer to do so.
Canada and Mexico are not extentions of the US. They are different countries.

Your sim card has your phone number and feature packages attached to it. You can use it in any phone your carrier recognizes. If you use a different sim in an iPhone you need to let ATT know so they can adjust your features, otherwise YOU are responsible for the charges you incurr.

Stop taking it upon yourself and ask you salesperson questions. They are there to support you. Don’t assume. Be smart folks, it’s easier to askthe question than it is to get their customer care to give you a credit!

Good luck folks!

]]> By: felix23467 http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-32368 felix23467 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-32368 I was in bahamas 5 weekend days end of august, and checked email a couple of times a day, but left the iphone in the safe, due to lots of water sports with my kids. Dialed out 2 times to US. Got $470 data bill. I was using my blackjack 5 week days in europe in June, checked email all day every day - sent emails, texts, and power used all during the trip. The bill was $175. The Iphone uses too much data transfer, then does not even hold the emails resident on the handset, as they usually say - email data not downloaded when you go to read the email. You can see the header, but not the email. For all this data transfer not to see the data, then get a bill that is a whopper, Something is not right. I have yet to receive a credit from AT&T. I was in bahamas 5 weekend days end of august, and checked email a couple of times a day, but left the iphone in the safe, due to lots of water sports with my kids. Dialed out 2 times to US. Got $470 data bill.
I was using my blackjack 5 week days in europe in June, checked email all day every day – sent emails, texts, and power used all during the trip. The bill was $175.
The Iphone uses too much data transfer, then does not even hold the emails resident on the handset, as they usually say – email data not downloaded when you go to read the email. You can see the header, but not the email. For all this data transfer not to see the data, then get a bill that is a whopper, Something is not right.

I have yet to receive a credit from AT&T.

]]> By: Kevin http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-81528 Kevin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-81528 Clara, did you happen to get any resolution. I am having the EXACT same problem! Let me know if you have had any luck and if I find anything, I will let you know. What phone do you have? I have a blackjack. Thanks so much! Clara, did you happen to get any resolution. I am having the EXACT same problem! Let me know if you have had any luck and if I find anything, I will let you know. What phone do you have? I have a blackjack. Thanks so much!

]]> By: dimihen http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-328315 dimihen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-328315 I am disgusted with ATT. Before I signed up for the IPhone service, I called to inquire about charges. I asked endless questions to a very reluctant sales representative who disclosed rate information with great difficulty. I was told that roaming charges for data transfer were $.005 per KB for overseas travel but the salesman was unable to tell me how that translates into for e-mails, attachments, etc. As a comparison, the Blackberry compacts data so you are not charged an arm and a leg for data transfer when traveling overseas. In addition the charges for using the phone when traveling were very high as well. I decided to turn off the data transfer feature before I boarded the plane for Europe and once I got there, i would not answer my phone calls or make any calls. In order to get to my voice mail, I turned off my cell, called my cell # from a landline or Skype and retrieved my messages. When I got back in the US, I got a big bill charging me 99 cents per call although the phone was turned off and I was calling from Skype or a landline. I called ATT and was told that even if the phone is turned off, you are being charged when you call your mail box from overseas, even from Skype!! The ATT customer service representative told me to leave the phone at home when I am traveling because even if it is off, it gives out a signal that you are overseas. You can then use a landline or Skype to call your Iphone and get your messages and be charged the same rate as for domestic calls. Now my question is the following: if we can't use the IPhone for data transfer (emails and Internet) or the phone service when we travel, why the ! should we buy the IPHONE if we can't use it overseas for anything??? Using the BB overseas proves to be more reliable and without bad surprises. I am disgusted with ATT.
Before I signed up for the IPhone service, I called to inquire about charges. I asked endless questions to a very reluctant sales representative who disclosed rate information with great difficulty. I was told that roaming charges for data transfer were $.005 per KB for overseas travel but the salesman was unable to tell me how that translates into for e-mails, attachments, etc.
As a comparison, the Blackberry compacts data so you are not charged an arm and a leg for data transfer when traveling overseas.
In addition the charges for using the phone when traveling were very high as well.
I decided to turn off the data transfer feature before I boarded the plane for Europe and once I got there, i would not answer my phone calls or make any calls. In order to get to my voice mail, I turned off my cell, called my cell # from a landline or Skype and retrieved my messages. When I got back in the US, I got a big bill charging me 99 cents per call although the phone was turned off and I was calling from Skype or a landline. I called ATT and was told that even if the phone is turned off, you are being charged when you call your mail box from overseas, even from Skype!! The ATT customer service representative told me to leave the phone at home when I am traveling because even if it is off, it gives out a signal that you are overseas. You can then use a landline or Skype to call your Iphone and get your messages and be charged the same rate as for domestic calls.
Now my question is the following: if we can’t use the IPhone for data transfer (emails and Internet) or the phone service when we travel, why the ! should we buy the IPHONE if we can’t use it overseas for anything???
Using the BB overseas proves to be more reliable and without bad surprises.

]]> By: deb_someonefu http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-425340 deb_someonefu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-425340 Please help me. I got 28K $ from at&t. I live in the US. I took two mobile connections under family plan. One is thru iPhone and other one is using other phone set. Last month, I exchanged the SIM cards in these phones. As I had unlimited data plan in one connection, I thought that there would not be any problem. Further, I didn't get any call or mail from AT&T at that time when I did the same. Recently, I got a call from AT&T mentioning that I am not supposed to exchange the SIM cards. Please suggest me what I should do now. Please help me. I got 28K $ from at&t. I live in the US. I took two mobile connections under family plan. One is thru iPhone and other one is using other phone set. Last month, I exchanged the SIM cards in these phones. As I had unlimited data plan in one connection, I thought that there would not be any problem. Further, I didn’t get any call or mail from AT&T at that time when I did the same. Recently, I got a call from AT&T mentioning that I am not supposed to exchange the SIM cards. Please suggest me what I should do now.

]]> By: deb_someonefu http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-425352 deb_someonefu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-425352 It was $28000 bill from at&t. It was $28000 bill from at&t.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-477067 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-477067 If you have a dispute with your wireless carrier, file an online complaint with the FCC. It is a very quick and easy process.. it takes only minutes. You will get a prompt response from your wireless carrier theying to resolve the problem. They take FCC complaints very seriously. I have resolved a couple of disputes this way and have had disputed charges removed competely from my bill. Good luck! Regards, Elliot If you have a dispute with your wireless carrier, file an online complaint with the FCC. It is a very quick and easy process.. it takes only minutes. You will get a prompt response from your wireless carrier theying to resolve the problem. They take FCC complaints very seriously. I have resolved a couple of disputes this way and have had disputed charges removed competely from my bill. Good luck!

Regards,
Elliot

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-594829 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-594829 All the people who have phones or data plans need to keep good records of their international travels and the excessive charges from AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile. If there is a lawyer out there who could fight for us without charging an exorbitant fee to each subscriber, please let themselves be known. International roaming should not be included in any service, phone, or data device as the charges are too steep and no one can afford to pay them or wants to pay them. All the people who have phones or data plans need to keep good records of their international travels and the excessive charges from AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile. If there is a lawyer out there who could fight for us without charging an exorbitant fee to each subscriber, please let themselves be known. International roaming should not be included in any service, phone, or data device as the charges are too steep and no one can afford to pay them or wants to pay them.

]]> By: JMSoth http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-83605 JMSoth Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-83605 I've just begun researching this problem after several frustrating conversations with AT&T. I bought a Nokia N75 hours before leaving for an overseas trip. It got shut off after 7 days (the bill was up to $2800 and I didn't have a history of large bills, so they shut it down)they claim it is data use, I think Dave's might be the last bill that they forgave? I will start my writing campaign, better business bureau, at&t, local news shows (Hey, it worked with Toyota when they refused to replace my waranteed engine!). I can't believe that they know that this can happen and haven't done anything about it! I’ve just begun researching this problem after several frustrating conversations with AT&T. I bought a Nokia N75 hours before leaving for an overseas trip. It got shut off after 7 days (the bill was up to $2800 and I didn’t have a history of large bills, so they shut it down)they claim it is data use, I think Dave’s might be the last bill that they forgave?

I will start my writing campaign, better business bureau, at&t, local news shows (Hey, it worked with Toyota when they refused to replace my waranteed engine!). I can’t believe that they know that this can happen and haven’t done anything about it!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-703390 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-703390 Went to Europe for 2 weeks in September 09. I added the 50MB plan to my phone iphone. I used it for receiving work e-mails, calls to the US and for locating individuals within our traveling party. My bill only ended up being $207. My husband took his eye phone and used several apps, including the subway app. He placed the phone on airplane mode when we left Miami and kept his phone in the airplane mode the entire two weeks and he didn't incur any additional charges whatsoever. Went to Europe for 2 weeks in September 09. I added the 50MB plan to my phone iphone. I used it for receiving work e-mails, calls to the US and for locating individuals within our traveling party. My bill only ended up being $207. My husband took his eye phone and used several apps, including the subway app. He placed the phone on airplane mode when we left Miami and kept his phone in the airplane mode the entire two weeks and he didn’t incur any additional charges whatsoever.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-19110 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-19110 $1600 bill for two days in Israel. iPhone is a toy. I'm going back to my BBerry. $1600 bill for two days in Israel. iPhone is a toy. I’m going back to my BBerry.

]]> By: Clinton Pearson http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-854184 Clinton Pearson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-854184 Boingboing reader Dave, I just read your story on 'boingboing' about your experience with the iPhone and int'l data usage with a $3,000 bill . I had two $1,000+ AT&T horror stories on trips to Australia, one two week trip and the other a one week trip. A third trip I kept my phone in airplane mode. On top of those trips, I recently took a two week trip to Europe, and have $250 in extra fees on top of the $120 I spent for the 100mb data package and international calling. Each trip I learn a little bit more about AT&T's plans. There are several bait-and-switch techniques, or employee misunderstands, being used by AT&T. Bait-and-switch Technique one is to tell costumers to turn off their data plan and international calling plan as soon as they get back, in which case their data plans are 'pro-rated', and they only get partial credit for what they pay for and an exorbitant bill for what doesn't get credited. One should only turn off the international calling plan and only the data plan on the last day of the month after they get back and pray that the international bills all come before then. Bait-and-switch Technique two is to tell the costumers that they should leave their data plan on until after the end of the month, so that they get full credit for their data plan usage, only to find that they are billed for two months of the int'l data plan in which case the plan is NOT pro-rated. Bait-and-switch Technique three is that the international data roaming for text messaging is NOT included in the international data plan and you are charged extra, and that is not made clear. Bait-and-switch Technique four is that if your trip falls between two different billing cycles your ONE month plan is credited for only the first month of the billing cycle and you have exorbitant billings for the second month. For example if you go on a two week trip and the first week occurs in the last week of January and the the second week of your trip occurs in the first week of February, your second week doesn't see any of the data plan applied to it, and the first month you only get one week of a pro-rated month, or about 1/4th of the 100mb that you requested to use. Bait-and-switch Technique Five is that you are told that your data usage can be tracked on the iPhone under settings & usage. But that is not a correct tracking of your usage. That usage number does NOT include the text message data roaming amount! I reset my usage and took an i-phone screen shot precisely when I got on the plane before leaving the U.S and then precisely when I got on the plane just before leaving Europe. I made sure that my usage was under 100mb. But I actually used more because of the text message data amount which was not included in my data tracking. When one gets the bill and you to complain about it to customer service, a mediation call is scheduled, but that person seems trained to maximize AT&T's profit. One has to call several different people to get the bill resolved. In all instances, I finally was able to pay an extra $100, or so, for the text message data usage and have the other charges dropped. Perhaps I am confused about some of the above, but if I am, it's not my fault, as I have only used this service on 4 different international trips, and the fine print is not clear about any of the bait-and-switch techniques used above. It seems that AT&T is being selective in their favor of when and when not to apply credits. AT&T has made a small fortune off me, and I can only imagine what this self-maximizing monster is sucking out of all the other int'l users, and what it will suck out of the public with its new domestic data usage plan. Does anybody know how many MB a European map location search is, in some cases I noticed 4mb? Yikes don't get lost in the maze of fine print or any of those foreign streets.Clinton Pearson Boingboing reader Dave,
I just read your story on ‘boingboing’ about your experience with the iPhone and int’l data usage with a $3,000 bill .
I had two $1,000+ AT&T horror stories on trips to Australia, one two week trip and the other a one week trip. A third trip I kept my phone in airplane mode. On top of those trips, I recently took a two week trip to Europe, and have $250 in extra fees on top of the $120 I spent for the 100mb data package and international calling. Each trip I learn a little bit more about AT&T’s plans.
There are several bait-and-switch techniques, or employee misunderstands, being used by AT&T.
Bait-and-switch Technique one is to tell costumers to turn off their data plan and international calling plan as soon as they get back, in which case their data plans are ‘pro-rated’, and they only get partial credit for what they pay for and an exorbitant bill for what doesn’t get credited. One should only turn off the international calling plan and only the data plan on the last day of the month after they get back and pray that the international bills all come before then.
Bait-and-switch Technique two is to tell the costumers that they should leave their data plan on until after the end of the month, so that they get full credit for their data plan usage, only to find that they are billed for two months of the int’l data plan in which case the plan is NOT pro-rated.
Bait-and-switch Technique three is that the international data roaming for text messaging is NOT included in the international data plan and you are charged extra, and that is not made clear.
Bait-and-switch Technique four is that if your trip falls between two different billing cycles your ONE month plan is credited for only the first month of the billing cycle and you have exorbitant billings for the second month. For example if you go on a two week trip and the first week occurs in the last week of January and the the second week of your trip occurs in the first week of February, your second week doesn’t see any of the data plan applied to it, and the first month you only get one week of a pro-rated month, or about 1/4th of the 100mb that you requested to use.
Bait-and-switch Technique Five is that you are told that your data usage can be tracked on the iPhone under settings & usage. But that is not a correct tracking of your usage. That usage number does NOT include the text message data roaming amount! I reset my usage and took an i-phone screen shot precisely when I got on the plane before leaving the U.S and then precisely when I got on the plane just before leaving Europe. I made sure that my usage was under 100mb. But I actually used more because of the text message data amount which was not included in my data tracking.

When one gets the bill and you to complain about it to customer service, a mediation call is scheduled, but that person seems trained to maximize AT&T’s profit. One has to call several different people to get the bill resolved. In all instances, I finally was able to pay an extra $100, or so, for the text message data usage and have the other charges dropped.

Perhaps I am confused about some of the above, but if I am, it’s not my fault, as I have only used this service on 4 different international trips, and the fine print is not clear about any of the bait-and-switch techniques used above. It seems that AT&T is being selective in their favor of when and when not to apply credits. AT&T has made a small fortune off me, and I can only imagine what this self-maximizing monster is sucking out of all the other int’l users, and what it will suck out of the public with its new domestic data usage plan. Does anybody know how many MB a European map location search is, in some cases I noticed 4mb? Yikes don’t get lost in the maze of fine print or any of those foreign streets.Clinton Pearson

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-237736 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-237736 Well, I just ask about buying a datacard to use in a laptop with my unlimited AT&T iPhone dataplan & was told that is not possible (via putting the iPhone Sim in the datacard) that I must buy another unlimited data plan. I'm like what??!!! Why do I need 2 x infinity?! Anyway, although it must be said US business, especially 'communications' businesses are obscenely and repulsively greedy most of those charges are coming from the foreign provider. It's a fact that renting an automatic transmission auto in Europe will cost you thousands more than renting a manual transmission. They do that knowing most Americans have never even attempted driving a manual transmission car. Luckily I did & could so & so rented a manual although I hate the inconvenience of fiddling with that junk. Well, I just ask about buying a datacard to use in a laptop with my unlimited AT&T iPhone dataplan & was told that is not possible (via putting the iPhone Sim in the datacard) that I must buy another unlimited data plan. I’m like what??!!! Why do I need 2 x infinity?!

Anyway, although it must be said US business, especially ‘communications’ businesses are obscenely and repulsively greedy most of those charges are coming from the foreign provider.

It’s a fact that renting an automatic transmission auto in Europe will cost you thousands more than renting a manual transmission. They do that knowing most Americans have never even attempted driving a manual transmission car. Luckily I did & could so & so rented a manual although I hate the inconvenience of fiddling with that junk.

]]> By: clara http://boingboing.net/2007/07/31/att-iphone-intl-roam.html#comment-47016 clara Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-47016 my problem is At&T cell charges that we have not made. the heading are-- Data Transfer - Data Media Net Pay Per Use - Anytime - GPRR - Out. these charges are at odd times, very early morning times. we have not made these charges. At&T cust. svc. is of no help, they do not belive us. please, we only text. no picture transfer, no internet use. only text, our bill is 300. of pay per use. help please. thank you. my problem is At&T cell charges that we have not made. the heading are– Data Transfer – Data Media Net Pay Per Use – Anytime – GPRR – Out. these charges are at odd times, very early morning times. we have not made these charges.
At&T cust. svc. is of no help, they do not belive us. please, we only text. no picture transfer, no internet use. only text, our bill is 300. of pay per use. help please. thank you.

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