Cell phones: Annoying Verizon smart phone data plans
verizon data plans
by rhinofamily - 2/17/09 3:31 PM In reply to: Yes, you can avoid a data plan with Verizon for some phones. by WiredNotHistory:I have had cell phones from the beginning (installed,bags,bricks,etc.)so this is not my first rodeo.
Current issue:I recently purchased (4) Blackberry phones through a third party retailer that actually pays me commision on my own cellphone bill and others who purchase from my store. It has broadband access connect (wireless internet access through a tether)$15.00 additional fee.My plan is a family share with texting . My contract states all above charges. When I get my first paperwork from verizon it says I have a $44.99 data plan that the blackberry phones require. I am on day two talks with verizon that is not what I contracted to do and I'am not willing to pay $179.80 more per month.I do not use my phone for email however I do like having a PDA/phone.(I had one with Nextel before same problem)I will let you know what the resolve is.
required data plan
by dlebel777 - 4/15/09 6:27 AM In reply to: Yes, you can avoid a data plan with Verizon for some phones. by WiredNotWhen Verizon first announced this change, I was looking for an upgrade to my Samsung i730, and was upset that I couldn't get one of the new PDA phones without the data plan. Several people at Verizon including a tech support guy said that any phone before that date (I think it was Nov 15 2008) did NOT require the unlimited data plan. Phones such as the Motorola Q, i730, i760 did not require this plan. All the stores I went to said ALL PDA phones, even the i760, require a data plan, but this is not true from what I can tell. I just ordered a refurbished i760 so hopefully this is still true because I can use the wifi in most places I go. I've been using the i730 for years because Verizon can't come out with a decent PDA. The i760 is a nice upgrade to the i730, and again, doesn't require the unlimited data plan (according to technical support). If anyone has this phone and wants to back me up, I'd appreciate it.
Verizon Samsung i760 without data plan
by gaskinsm - 6/12/09 1:49 PM In reply to: required data plan by dlebel777I just activated a refurbished Verizon Samsung i760 without a data plan a couple weeks ago. They let me block data usage and I use wifi only, no problem. According to what they told me, I would not have been able to do this with a phone released after Nov 15, 28008.
Verizon data plan
by PastorG3 - 6/19/09 7:01 PM In reply to: required data plan by dlebel777Was just informed by a verizon rep that ALL smartphones (even those that were grandfathered in) will be required to have a data plan within a few months. Letters are supposed to go out in July. So those of us with older smart phones (mine is a motorola Q) will have to start paying the package fees. I told them that if they do this, I'll pull all of my phones, even if I have to pay it somewhere else, I won't pay them.
Or Verizon could just disable the Internet...duh?
by plarsen111 - 10/24/09 7:13 PM In reply to: Yes, you can avoid a data plan with Verizon for some phones. by WiredNotI find it funny that Verizon needed to force people onto the data plan because people would reject the data plan and then get hit with a large bill for data that people used.
Why not...geez...I don't know...kill the internet capabilities altogether!?!
Hey, here is an idea. Why not send people an automated text message that says, "you have been using the internet. You have used $10 worth in one day. We thought you should know so you can get onto an internet plan."
Who are we kidding. They have the cute little internet button that everybody accidentally hits, and the phone companies LOVE it.
Me, I am going to StraightTalk (yes, I know it runs on the Verizon network). But there is no catch--1000 minutes (you can't go over), 1000 text messages (you can't go over) and 30 MB of web surfing (you can't go over). How much? $30 per month.
When more folks do this, and in conjunction with a Google Voice account (which I am lucky enough to have), then the power will shift from the large cell phone companies with their forced data plans, 2-year contracts, and 20% "tax to the consumer.
Let's take our business elsewhere....
by bethh518 - 10/24/09 8:13 PM In reply to: Or Verizon could just disable the Internet...duh? by plarsen111Thanks for sharing you thoughts about StraightTalk. I'm going to look into what they can offer, for phones and plans.
I've have a 3 phone family plan with Verizon. Two of the phones are up for contract renewal....
If Verizon can't (won't) give me the plan I "need" with a phone I "want" ... I'll take my business to a company who will.
I'm guessing these these "forced data plans" will just go away within a year or so..... time will tell.
slight correction
by Pepe7 - 2/12/09 9:16 PM In reply to: It is worth it for any good phone. by CyborganizerYou are posting based on your personal experience, and I can respect that. FWIW though, your assertion is far from completely accurate with each and every wireless carrier.
While Verizon is a very reliable carrier, I'm not aware of any option they offer *current customers* to upgrade to a PDA phone w/o a data plan. OTOH, as an ATT customer, I can upgrade right now and get a new PDA phone at no commitment pricing. This means a handset upgrade with no strings- no contract or data plan required. Yes, it's more expensive than the fully subsidized price, but I have no need for 3G data most of the day since I'm near wifi. Also, ATT's 3G network also lets you talk and surf at the same time. Ask a friend w/ ATT to let you check out his/her OLAM (online account manager) to see the no commitment price- at least to get an idea of what the total cost might be vs Verizon.
hth,
Pedro
Reply to Pepe7 plus general comments about 3G networks
by WiredNot - 2/13/09 7:07 AM In reply to: slight correction by Pepe7Hi Pepe7,
Please kindly read my post again. I was careful to state up front that my information was for Verizon only. And it is not "my experience". What I reported comes direct from Verizon. You can call them yourself to verify everything that I wrote.
Please also recall that the original poster specifically mentioned Verizon.
I'm not familiar with AT&T and it is good to hear about their policy. I would have preferred to use AT&T but their coverage isn't as good in my area and key members of my family are already on Verizon. But I wish Verizon offered a similar option as you described. In my view an even better solution would have been if Verizon had made it possible for their customers to totally disable data communications for their PDAs, smartphones and multimedia phones. That way, if a user doesn't subscribe to a data service, he/she can't accidentally use a data feed at the higher ala carte price.
Regarding 3G, I have to disagree with the link that several have made here between it and data use. Even if I did not have a "data phone" and did not use data communications of any kind, I would still prefer to use a 3G network for my calls.
I've worked in the professional audio industry for decades and I dislike the poor audio quality of most cell networks. Ever since they went digital, the call audio quality has been terrible! Only now that newer 3G networks are avialable is the audio quality improving.
Unfortunately, where I live, having 3G coverage is not sufficient because it often happens that all of the available 3G channels are in use. This forces the call down to the standard digital cell network with its poor audio quality.
This is something that new users are usually ignorant of---I know I was. Having sufficient coverage is not enough---you need sufficient channels. If you live in a area of heavy usage, a 3G channel may seldom be available because of inadequate network capacity.
Best regards, WiredNot
(NT) My reply was to Cyberorganizer (n/t)
by Pepe7 - 2/13/09 9:58 AM In reply to: Reply to Pepe7 plus general comments about 3G networks by WiredNotAlso factor it network buildout and codecs used
by Pepe7 - 2/13/09 10:07 AM In reply to: Reply to Pepe7 plus general comments about 3G networks by WiredNotYou have touched on an important subject, and it should include overall network buildout and the specific codecs being used. For example, in some areas AMR-HR is being used by ATT on their 2G GSM networks. This has the potential as you know to degrade voice quality. It's not going to be as bad depending on the buildout of the network, esp. the capacity that you've mentioned as well. Some handsets also fare better than others using AMR-HR, so that's another variable. In some spots using the full rate codec (which sounds very good) will drop your call during peak times, so the HR at least gives you a chance to finish your sentence with the boss 
.
FWIW, I'm not aware of ATT using HR codecs on their 3G network. Voice/call quality up here in Chicago can be stellar in this regard. Also, by adding capacity/rolling out new 3G service on the 850MHz frequency band service should improve for many folks. Sorry to hear you don't have as many alternatives for good coverage where you live.
-Pedro
My new verizon phone
by sacofield - 2/16/09 6:36 AM In reply to: Reply to Pepe7 plus general comments about 3G networks by WiredNotHello I recently ran into the same problem of finding a smart phone without the data plan. I went all over the internet and a Verizon store and they recommended the Samsung SCH-i760. On verizons website it is in limited supply, but it is the only phone that had wifi and windows mobile 6, touchscreen, stylus and slide out Qwerty keyboard. Those were all the features I was looking for to replace my Palm TX PDA and my LG Vx8300. I wanted a organizer and phone. This phone is currently being shipped to me. When I asked other verizon stores about the phone, they did not want to tell me about it. They tried swinging me to buy a blackberry with a data plan. And I emailed verizon about a phone that had wifi and no data plan and they didnt mention Samsung SCH-i760, instead they told me the only one available was the VX6800.(Similar to the Samsung but not better). So hopefully this phone will do everything right, Ill keep ya posted.
I use the Samsung SCH-i760
by Martonikaj - 2/19/09 1:59 PM In reply to: My new verizon phone by sacofieldwithout a data plan and it does the job. Been using it since July 2008. Mine has windows mobile professional 6.1 on it, and it works quite well. He tried to get me to move towards blackberries and other phones such as this, and they didn't even have the SCH-i760 on display, I had to ask for it by name. From the get go, i told the salesman that i was NOT GOING TO BUY A DATA PLAN. . They will tell you 30 different ways that you need a data plan, and I told them that I did the research, and there is no function on the phone which requires me to have a data plan. They finally budged and i got the phone with only a voice and texting plan, no data. I use the internet browser just fine over wifi and the calling/texting quality is just fine. It offers just about everything that i would like, but it is a bit bulky (which is to be expected from a windows mobile smartphone). My main reason for not needing the data plan is the fact that i spend 90% of my time on the college campus which has indoor and outdoor wifi over the entire campus, so I am connected to wifi constantly. I would recommend trying to get a different browser other than Internet Explorer Mobile, however, because it is very bulky and slow compared to the others out there. I am currently exploring changing browsers.
Samsung i760
by awcollin16 - 8/6/09 2:10 AM In reply to: I use the Samsung SCH-i760 by MartonikajYou are the last person I saw post something about the Samsung i760. I really want to get a smart phone/PDA, but there is no way my poor college butt is going to pay $30 more for a data plan I won't need being on a full wifi supported university campus... is it still possible to get a i760 (in stores, ebay, craigslist, etc.), and not need a data plan to use it? My phone is on a family share with my parents and sister and we have the unlimited text package with it. I just want to get a nice smart phone/PDA with wifi, not have to pay the additional $ for data.
Side note- I have read rumors on other forums stating that disabling data plans will disable able picture messaging... even though as of right now I receive pictures fine on my LG voyager, and the data feature is blocked on our entire plan...
i760
by Martonikaj - 8/31/09 11:55 AM In reply to: Samsung i760 by awcollin16there are plenty of i760's for sale on ebay/craigslist etc. I do not have internet blocked, I just chose to not have a plan. So if i were to connect to the internet without WiFi they would charge me per kb of internet usage, so you gotta be safe that you're not connecting to 3g accidentally. I was told also that blocking internet would block video and picture messages, which I didn't want. It's worked out well so far
I know AT&T has a few exceptions, but...
by Cyborganizer - 2/13/09 9:46 AM In reply to: slight correction by Pepe7Even though AT&T has a few exceptions to this requirement, these phones usually cost $100+ and are terrible compared to phones that cost a little more. I hear rumors of a new $99 iPhone and with the release of the Bold, Curves have dropped in price too. All Blackberrys and the iPhone require a data plan as well as most other good smart phones. Why spend so much money on a phone with Wi-Fi if you could get an iPhone or Curve for about the same price? Furthermore, if someone needs a wi-fi phone the 3G is worth the price.
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