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Cell phones: Annoying Verizon smart phone data plans
Annoying Verizon smart phone data plans
by jdemory6 - 12/9/08 6:01 PMI wanted to buy a verizon cell phone but decided not too once i found out i had to pay atleast 30 bucks a month for the data plan. Even if it has wi-fi. So would i still have to sign up for that damn data plan if i bought a cdma phone off ebay or craigslist for example and activated my phone over the internet? anyway i can get around that stupid data plan?
Find a handset where you can disable 3G data
by Pepe7 - 12/10/08 6:48 AM In reply to: Annoying Verizon smart phone data plans by jdemory6If they offer a phone w/ windows mobile and wifi, you could go that route, as 3G data can usually be disabled and you can rely on free wifi. In general the discounted phone prices, at least with ATT, do require a data plan. I'm not as certain about Verizon though. They might let you bring your own Verizon branded CDMA/EVDO phone though. Have you called their customer support yet?
-Pedro
Data plans
by Creeker62 - 12/11/08 7:01 AM In reply to: Find a handset where you can disable 3G data by Pepe7So might it be possible to purchase an unlocked phone with wifi and use it at ATT without having to purchase their #%*^ data plan for $30 + a month? I just want voice and text messaging! But I also want a good replacement for my old Palm Tungsten combined with voice and text in a single device.
This can't be the holy grail. Please educate me.
Yes, you can/Si, se puede ;)
by Pepe7 - 12/11/08 8:43 AM In reply to: Data plans by Creeker62I'm doing it now with my ATT branded Tilt/HTC 8925. Wifi is practically everywhere I go during the daytime hours, so I couldn't justify the extra cost of a PDA plan. If you don't have access now as a current customer, you could buy one on ebay/craigslist/etc. pop in your ATT SIM and this would work similarly for you. FWIW, I downloaded a free program for Windows Mobile 6 to turn off the 3G data so there wouldn't be any accidental charges for data use if any program tried to connect to ATT's network without my knowledge. For a couple months I did add $15 medianet online to test out the speeds, but I probably wouldn't advise it if you plan on using a large amount of data each month. In the case where they decided to bill you the per kb charge could be steep potentially.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask. I recently started using Skype on my Tilt as well, which is a great way to call someone overseas if you (and the other party) have reliable broadband connections (in my case, Comcast HSI/wifi at home). There are some other neat programs you can use, such as Fring & Gizmo that permit VoIP calling & various permutations of IM.
-Pedro
Holy grail - not
by Creeker62 - 12/11/08 9:02 AM In reply to: Yes, you can/Si, se puede ;) by Pepe7Thanks Pedro - that's what I needed to know. Does the phone need to be a device supported by my carrier? That shouldn't be a problem if it does (I'm on ATT), I'm just curious.
So you're using a windows mobile device? My daughter has a Blackberry, and doesn't want/need the data. Can I turn her data off too? She did connect a couple times and costs added up quickly.
Nope
by Pepe7 - 12/11/08 2:43 PM In reply to: Holy grail - not by Creeker62The device merely has to have the correct frequency bands for ATT for use. That's the tricky part about buying unlocked phones from sources other than the carrier, you have to be certain you're getting the handset that's compatible (north american version). Manually editing the data settings is usually pretty easy.
Sorry I don't know enough about the BB OS to be able to tell you if you can turn off their 3G. Try asking that one over @ howardforums.com.
-P
help
by trick1us - 2/12/09 3:33 PM In reply to: Annoying Verizon smart phone data plans by jdemory6i am also wondering if you have been able to buy a verizon phone like the omnia form e-by and getting it put on your account without the 30 dollar data plan
ITS NOT THE WHOLE POINT
by fsb2cool2care - 8/31/09 5:56 AM In reply to: Data plan required by HeadsongI hate people who say "the whole point" of having a phone like the Omnia is the 3G data access. HECK NO ITS NOT! "The whole point" is having an awesome all-in-one device that has: phone, windows mobile (so I can load software like a spanish-english dictionary), 5Mpixel camera, and mp3 player. Where else are you going to find a device like that? If I occasionally need Internet access I'll use the WiFi. I don't need no @#%! $30 data plan!
data plan
by birdmantd - 8/31/09 8:47 AM In reply to: ITS NOT THE WHOLE POINT by fsb2cool2careWhile you may say "I don't need no $30 data plan", the point is that your carrier says otherwise in their terms and conditions of service. Sorry about that but I call 'em like I see 'em.
The "point" should be what plan Verizon's consumers want.
by bethh518 - 9/27/09 8:48 PM In reply to: data plan by birdmantdThe "point" should be, what plan the consumer wants/needs. We as consumers need to start speaking up. Maybe if Verizon can't offer the plan the consumer needs... the consumer should take their business elsewhere. I'm sure if Verizon lost enough customers, they'd be able to find a way to block the on-line capabilities. And better yet... stop cramming features, that we don't need/want, down our throats.
It is worth it for any good phone.
by Cyborganizer - 2/12/09 4:27 PM In reply to: Annoying Verizon smart phone data plans by jdemory6You cannot find a good phone with online capabilities that does not require a data plan for any network. I tried. The added benefit of a smart phone on Verizon is their 3G network in the USA. You can go online anytime you want.
Yes, you can avoid a data plan with Verizon for some phones.
by WiredNot - 2/12/09 9:04 PM In reply to: It is worth it for any good phone. by CyborganizerGreetings,
I just dug into this subject with Verizon to answer a question on another forum. My answer applies only to Verizon.
If you want to uses a PDA phone on Verizon you must get a data plan. It doesn't matter where the phone comes from. Verizon started this policy a few months ago because of the mountain of tech support they've been having to deal with because clueless customers reject the data phone service for their data-enabled phone and then wonder why they're being hit with high per/kilobyte fees when they use data anyway. Verizon had had enough and decided that if you want to use a PDA phone then you're going to have to fork over for a data plan period.
This rule also affects many if not all smartphones.
But the answer doesn't end there because there are still many data phones that do not fall under this ruling. This includes my phone---the LG Voyager Titanium. It is classified as a 3G multimedia phone and Verizon will allow users to reject the data plan IF (and this is a BIG "IF") they purchase the phone at the higher non-discounted price OR they got the phone somewhere else with no plan requirements.
However, if you take advantage of the steep discounts and buy a Voyager (or a phone like it) you will be commited to a 2-year or 1-year plan and you will be required to include a data component to the plan.
So, if you purchase a 3G data phone like a multimedia phone that is not a PDA or smartphone and the phone does not require a 2- or 1-year contract (which means you'll pay a much higher price for the phone) then you can reject a data plan. If you do, you should take steps to prevent accidentally using any of the data features or you'll be hit with the high aforementioned per/kilobyte fees.
Best regards, WiredNot
The Voyager does not have Wi-Fi.
by Cyborganizer - 2/13/09 9:40 AM In reply to: Yes, you can avoid a data plan with Verizon for some phones. by WiredNotI like the Voyager for many reasons, but it does not have Wi-Fi. I cannot think of a good phone that has Wi-Fi and does not require a data plan.
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