Lost AT&T device - Trying to activate new one - Need IME

I became an ATT customer about 4 years ago when they started the GSM network. I've been month to month for a loing time. I recently lost my device. Called Cingular, they said they have no ATT devices to sell me, but if I obtained one they could activate it. No problem, because I had one that I used to use on this same account. I got it, called back, and they said, OK, just give me the IEM number (or some acronym like that) from the inside back of the phone. There is a white sticker with a bunch of alphanumeric characters, but no IEM number. They said they can't do it without that.

Suggestions? To upgrade would cost me $20 more/month, as I'm on a $40 family share plan. It's a great deal, ATT discounted the fees $10/month when they started GSM, and I don't want to increase my rate by 50%!!!

You can get the IMEI number from any GSM device by entering *#06# in the keypad.

I have a old AT&T Wireless phone that you can have if you want to pay for shipping. It's a Siemen's C56. http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review817.html

I think I even have a AT&T SIM for it. It needs a battery tho. Hasn't been turned on in a few years.

PM me if you're interested.

Joel

P.S. You shouldn't need to tell them the IMEI number if you just put a activated SIM in the ATTWS phone. Unless you are on the TDMA network and are not on the GSM network.

you don't need to "activate" an old GSM phone, just pop your sim in a compatible phone and it will work fine

if you want to upgrade ask them about a migration that keeps the same rate, My FT plan did that it was a 450 and cingular kept the same rate and added 100 min. a month

if it's a TDMA phone, you won't be able to activate it. it doesn't takea sim. instead of an IMEI, it will have an ESN (or on a moto, a DEC or HEX).

you can always get an unlocked or att wireless branded GSM phone from ebay also.

Thanks for the assistance. Here's the follow up.

First, when I lost my phone, my SIM card was in it. So I could not just pop it into the other device. Fortunately for me, I had another SIM card.

When I called ATT to activate the device. I was transferred to the converted accounts dept. The rep first asked me to read the number on the SIM card, which I did. THEN she asked for the IEMI number, which I could not locate (but now I can thanks to your advice). She said she HAD to have that number. However, and this is important to people out there in a similar situation, I decided to check my device before I called back in with the IEMI number. THE DEVICE WAS ABLE TO ACCESS THE NETWORK. Despite what the reps might tell you, they do not need the IEMI number. They only need the number on the SIM. That's what needs to be activiated, not the device.

So, I'm back in business, but the reps I spoke with on the phone really gave misleading info. I didn't put this in the initial post, but I had also visited a Cingular store, and the rep there said he could not activate my device becuase he didn't have a "blue" SIM. Nevermind that the device had a SIM in it, which he saw.

Last edited by blade954 on Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:58 pm, edited 1 time in total

I'm glad it worked out for you atnminn. Are you from Minnesota?

yeah just put your sim in any gsm cell phone that is compatable frequencies (850/1900 for usa) and is branded to that carrier or unlocked.

blade954, I do indeed live in Minnesota.

Lost AT&T device - Trying to activate new one - Need IME

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