View source for Smartphone without a Plan

==Full Title or Meme==
[[Smartphone]]s are sold with telco plans to provide a means for making a phone call, but when the plan stops works for some reason the devices are still capable computing machines with a camera on storage that can communicate with other channels.

==Context==

You don't need a wireless provider to text with WhatsApp, just an internet connection. The platform is free to use, making it cost-effective. WhatsApp is popular internationally, especially in Europe, so if you're trying to communicate with people abroad, you may find them more accessible using WhatsApp. (2022-12-21)

==Lack of a Plan==
There are multiple reasons why a plan is not available. These broad categories are considered.
===No Plan===
# If there is no active plan at the time, there is no phone number that can be used and an identifier.
===Connectivity Issues===
# There is an active plan with a telco, but there is no available coverage at the time or place where the device is located.
# If the user depends on SMS for confirming identity, that will not be available.
===Expired Plan===
# There has been an active plan and there is a phone number associated with the device, but that number will be lost if the plan is not restarted.
===SIM Swapping===
# The user has a plan and a phone number, but the telco has been convinced to give an attacker access to the number with a new SIM card.
# The attacker now can receive any SMS messages, but not necessarily email messages, unless that too has been compromised if SMS was used as a valid back-up access.

==References==

[[Category: Device]]