Smartphone without a Plan

Full Title or Meme

Smartphones 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

1. If there is no active plan at the time, there is no phone number that can be used and an identifier.

Connectivity Issues

1. There is an active plan with a telco, but there is no available coverage at the time or place where the device is located.
2. If the user depends on SMS for confirming identity, that will not be available.

Expired Plan

1. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.