Unfortunately, if you were with Verizon and are making the switch from a basic phone to an iPhone (or any smartphone), the unlimited data plan no longer exists. So you are SOL. If you currently have a smartphone, and signed that contract with the unlimited data feature, you can keep it. It's grandfathered in, and they won't change it.
With AT&T, the same rule applies (as far as they'd like you to know). They no longer sell the unlimited data plan. Same rule applies with a grandfathered unlimited data plan... if you have it already, you can keep it.
With Sprint (as of today), you're in luck. Sprint is allowing new smartphone users to still sign new contracts with an unlimited data plan. How long this will last for, I don't think anyone knows... so if you're with Sprint (or are anxious to switch to Sprint) --- get goin'! Although I personally feel Sprint comes in a clear 3rd place among the 3 major networks (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint).
So again, with Verizon I don't know of any fix that can help you get unlimited data if you didn't have it already. With Sprint, as of now, you can still get it. But with AT&T, if you don't have unlimited data and you're just dying to get it... there is a way! Now this may feel old fashioned... but it's been tested, and it works.
Remember the first iPhone?
Well with the 1st iPhone (exclusively with AT&T) the data plan was $20 for unlimited data. It is an iPhone only feature. It only runs on AT&T's EDGE network (or 2G)... and you can't just go into a store (or call AT&T) and have them put it on your plan. There is only one way.
If you can find one of these old iPhone's, you activate it through iTunes. You would need to place your SIM card inside of the iPhone, and simply plug it into iTunes. iTunes was the only way people could accept the data terms contract with AT&T of for the iPhone... and the only feature there was for this iPhone was the $20 unlimited data for iPhone feature.
Still today, if you find this old phone, place your SIM card into it, and plug it into iTunes, you'll be walked through the same process to activate this iPhone on your phone's number. Then you will have an unlimited data feature.
Now the question arises, "How do I get this unlimited data feature on a new/newer iPhone?" Simple: Now that you have unlimited data, you're grandfathered in. However you choose to get yourself a new iPhone (new purchase in store, online through carrier's website, or if you buy a used one and take it into AT&T to switch devices), you now have the unlimited data feature... and they will simply change your data feature to a 3G/4G feature that is unlimited data for $30/month.
THIS BLOG also shows the step by step process of activating a first generation iPhone through iTunes with AT&T. It is the only way to do it. Here are the basic steps, or feel free to go to that site to walk through it in detail (it's very simple).
When you first plug in the phone, this screen will appear (See above).
After clicking "continue", you will be taken to this screen (See above).
The next screen walks you through making sure you get the correct phone number set up with this iPhone.
Choose from the listed AT&T plans... this screen above shows for individual plans, if you're with a family plan, I'm not sure if it will show those options instead... but either way, don't worry about it. Your overall purpose of this process is to get the unlimited data feature. After you have that, you can call AT&T and ensure all lines are on the correct family plans or individual plans.
Here is the next screen in the process.... you can see here that the data feature is unlimited for iPhone (accompanied with 200 Text messages; if you have unlimited text or a different text feature, don't worry, it will override).
And last but not least, you'll eventually get to this screen that shows you've completed the process.
Now call AT&T and tell them you got a new iPhone; the 3G, 3GS, 4, or 4S model and they'll help you walk through switching devices... which will consequently upgrade your data feature to a $30 unlimited data feature.
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