Cell phones forum: Annoying Verizon smart phone data plans

If 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

I'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

The 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

Pedro,
No, verizon will AUTOMATCALLY (no way around it) add a data plan to any smart phone manufactured after ~mid-2008 at the time of activation. That is when you / rep enters phone's ESN number in VZW's system. It depends on ESN and NOT on where you got the phone.

This is how you keep tabs on what the carriers are up to. Even the person not paying the bills should have access to account info just to have a second set of eyes involved in the process.

If ATT or T-Mobile works where you live/use the phone, you could switch to either and bring in your own unlocked/unbranded smartphone like you were using previously w/ the Treo. Switching back to a 6 year old phone sounds painful <shudder>.

i 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

I've been told by several sources that if it's a 3G phone, a plan is required. That's the whole point, to use it for internet and all.

While 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.

i'm ready to leave greedy verizon. time to upgrade my son's phone ( for this 16th). when we looked at phones last month, we could get the chocolate & other "smart" phones. now this month you can't! don't buy their "this is how the manufacturer sends them" crap. let us buy Just what we want/ need. making me want to try Boost with their 50 unltd. afterall what good is this $10 plan. I don't want it but if they are going to force me to buy it i might as well switch!

I think it is hilarious, I left those greedy ^%$#@ at Verizon and took my *Droid* to Page Plus Wireless. They activated it, on Verizon's network, and I can use it by the minute, on their 1200min 50mb data plan, or their unlimited talk/text 20mb plan, for as little as $2.50 per month. I actually tried that ten dollars for 120 days, but I had too many calls - right now I'm on the 1200 minute plan.

They used to activate BBs on all their plans, but stopped, apparently by request from Verizon. But if you signed up before the "ban" you can keep your BB on the net.

It's easy to boycott those greedy pigs.

There really only are a couple of helpful solutions. Contacting Verizon won't help either since by law this are permitted business practices thanks to a lax FCC & incredibly strong telecommunicationis lobby.

You choices are, either cancel your Verizon service and encourage your family/friends to do the same, or, start writing and calling your local congressional representatives. Tell them to stop accepting monies from the big telcos or they will not get your vote in the Fall. Verizon/ATT will only change if forced to do so by legislators/consumers in this fashion.

While my kid has a 25 buck a month "plan" are you telling me that this is too much? He has that Virgin droid phone and data/text is unlimited at 25 a month and so many minutes of voice.

Wouldn't a smart consumer just go with a system that fits their needs or are you telling the world you want more government?
bob

Kerry and the lot are certainly no different. Money is money to them, similar to the Republicans who have been in office for a long time.

Why *don't* you simply switch to ATT or T-Mobile where you could use a smartphone w/o the forced data plan(?) If you want more info on the specifics please don't be afraid to ask more questions.

I did take a look at the other wireless providers. Maybe offers are different from area to area. I would prefer to stay on Verizon only because of "in-calling" and most of the family on Verizon.

I am for less government, but without core protection for consumers, we would be in a lot more trouble. I have to admit, the data plan requirement is strange. It seems like the providers are moving towards offering very limited GB per month, and that makes sense, as I doubt they could handle everyone on 3G streaming a movie at the same time. If that is the case, why not let folks like me opt out of the data plan? The most important point to make on this thread is that smart phones are quite useful without a data plan, providers should offer one, but we should not be FORCED to have one. Yes, you could just quit cell phones altogether. To me, that is the same as saying that you could just quit electricity, or water/gas in your home. Many utilities are regulated by communities to protect us and I am not sure what would happen if they weren't. Yes, we can boycott, just as they did for meat producers way back when, but we are much too attached to our mobile devices.

So, as a consumer I will have to choose the action. Most likely, I will give up on the smart phone, stick with a plain phone, and stop paying them for something I do not want. I still think it sucks though.

Why *don't* you simply switch to ATT or T-Mobile where you could use a smartphone w/o the forced data plan(?) If you want more info on the specifics please don't be afraid to ask more questions.

I'm presently with AT&T (contract expired) & would seriously like info. on how to do this? If I purchased a Samsung "Focus" (Windows 7) phone at Walmart or Amazon that was "unlocked"... or? Love to avoid the data plan "Albatros"