A great move for Verizon's competitors

[ShellyLynn3630]

Boy if I were one of Verizon's biggest competitors, I would definatley be captilizing on the greedy data plan package. Can you just imagine how many people would leave Verizon if their competitors decided not to follow suit with the data plan packages? I mean, it may take a while, but once peoples' contracts start to expire they just might leave in herds. I know that this will probably not happen and the other cell phone carriers will get just as greedy.

 

[my3sons77]

I agree. What makes us really mad is that you can't have a Blackberry (hubby) or a EnV Touch (myself) without a data plan! You mean the phone won't work without a data plan? It's stupid and expensive! But fun. It's a guilty pleasure

 

[RachaelA]

I agree. What makes us really mad is that you can't have a Blackberry (hubby) or a EnV Touch (myself) without a data plan! You mean the phone won't work without a data plan? It's stupid and expensive! But fun. It's a guilty pleasure

The blackberry needs the data plan because it is constantly updating and connecting to the blackberry server. If you didn't have an unlimited plan, you'd still be charged for the constant usage.

Besides why would you get a blackberry without the data plan? the whole point to the phone is email and internet usage.

 

[DVCBELLE]

The blackberry needs the data plan because it is constantly updating and connecting to the blackberry server. If you didn't have an unlimited plan, you'd still be charged for the constant usage.

Besides why would you get a blackberry without the data plan? the whole point to the phone is email and internet usage.

My mom got a Blackberry a couple of years ago but found the technology too much for her. My dad is very saavy and always wants the newest gadgets so he assumed she would love the blackberry - she didn't but when she bought the phone - no one explained to her that she would have to have the data plan with her blackberry. So here she had bought the expensive phone - decided she just wanted to use it as a phone but couldn't b/c of he blackberry charges - she had to pay full price for the new phone and has a barely used blackberry sitting at her house. Sometimes you change your mind but they keep you stuck if you have the blackberry.

Making the data plan will hurt older people who don't want the technology but want the nicer phones - my mom wants the enV b/c of the larger buttons...

and let's face it - the phones they have that don't require a data plan are crap.

I think they are requiring the data plan to get more money in 2 ways - the initial charge but also for the people who will accidentally overuse their data and owe more

 

[RachaelA]

My mom got a Blackberry a couple of years ago but found the technology too much for her. My dad is very saavy and always wants the newest gadgets so he assumed she would love the blackberry - she didn't but when she bought the phone - no one explained to her that she would have to have the data plan with her blackberry. So here she had bought the expensive phone - decided she just wanted to use it as a phone but couldn't b/c of he blackberry charges - she had to pay full price for the new phone and has a barely used blackberry sitting at her house. Sometimes you change your mind but they keep you stuck if you have the blackberry.

Making the data plan will hurt older people who don't want the technology but want the nicer phones - my mom wants the enV b/c of the larger buttons...

and let's face it - the phones they have that don't require a data plan are crap.

I think they are requiring the data plan to get more money in 2 ways - the initial charge but also for the people who will accidentally overuse their data and owe more

And that should have been explained to her back then, but now its pretty well known what a blackberry does. Verizon has always required a blackberry to have the blackberry data plan because since it is constantly connected to the internet they didn't want to deal with people flipping out when they got the data usage charges.

I totally agree the EnV and phones like that should not require the data plan. Verizon is just using it to make more money.

 

[feezle]

Att does the same thing. It is becoming standard. If you want a smartphone bad enough, you will pay.

 

[deerhart]

Sprint, US Cellular, AT&T etc all require data plans for the smartphones. They are all about the same price.

People just have to realize that ANY phone that has email/web capabilities is considered a smartphone.

 

[S. C.]

Sprint, US Cellular, AT&T etc all require data plans for the smartphones. They are all about the same price.

People just have to realize that ANY phone that has email/web capabilities is considered a smartphone.

We don't use email or web on our cells. I don't think we should be forced to pay for a data plan we are not going to use. When our contract is up we are going with Boost phones.

 

[sharlon]

DD got an env3 in December and I got mine in January, the last possible day to get one without a data package. We would never use the data package and this will greatly affect what phone we get on our next upgrade. So, now we will actually have to downgrade instead. I see this whole data package thing affecting families with teenagers who primarily text. DD's friends all text, but a vast majority don't have or need internet access. They like the full keyboards (as do I), but won't be paying for data packages.

 

[extremesoccermom]

We have formally complained to ATT not that it will do any good but maybe if they receive enough they will reverse their decision.
DS20 bought a blackberry off ebay when his phone went out before our 1 year was up. He wanted the full key board for texting only. We never planned on using the networking or internet. But after putting in the sim card from the old phone he received the message thanking him for adding the data plan. We talked to ATT and there is no way to take it off unless he changes phones again. He will be paying me that bill every month there is no way I would agree to that.

 

[Purseval]

So get rid of the Blackberry and go to a regular phone. What's so hard about that?

 

[Swimalie]

So get rid of the Blackberry and go to a regular phone. What's so hard about that?

Amen!!

and let's face it - the phones they have that don't require a data plan are crap.

I disagree. I just got a new phone last week. While it's not the "latest and greatest" it's certainly not crap. Why do people need to be connected to the internet all the time? Why do they need to be texting all the time? I just don't get it. I like to escape when I want to and with those phones, you can't. I have a lap top, desk top, home phone and cell phone - that's enough for me to stay connected to my friends and family and it's $10 a month cheaper

 

[DVCBELLE]

So get rid of the Blackberry and go to a regular phone. What's so hard about that?

Are you talking about my mom? That's what she did - but then she had to pay full price for a new phone - I think Verizon should have been more clear with her that she had to have a data plan if she had the blackberry.

I disagree. I just got a new phone last week. While it's not the "latest and greatest" it's certainly not crap. Why do people need to be connected to the internet all the time? Why do they need to be texting all the time? I just don't get it. I like to escape when I want to and with those phones, you can't. I have a lap top, desk top, home phone and cell phone - that's enough for me to stay connected to my friends and family and it's $10 a month cheaper

I don't think people are talking about needing to be connected all the time - thye just want a solid phone. In fact - what people are complaining about is that they can't get the phone they want without having to have the data plan. Some people just want a nice phone. I use my phone as my primary phone but I don't text, email etc on it - only talk. I have the Env2 and I love how solid it is and the design. I have researched phones and the ones they make for texting and to have a camera, etc are more solid - why - b/c they market them towards teens who are constantly using them. The phones that are for basic use just aren't as solid. The phones that are for basic use feel like they are going to snap apart in your hand.

 

[Ka' eo]

I understand the frustration. We decided to get a used phone so we wouldn't have to be locked in until we figure this out or the prices become better.

I lost my Env soon after I bought it, (and no, I do not buy the ins for $5 amonth, never have) and ended up buying a like new Razor on ebay for $30. It is FINE. It does not feel like it is going to break apart in my hand. We have kids and they are tough on the phones, as am I, I'm a klutz. But we've had them for 2 years with no probs. While I'd like to have a smartphone, I'm okay with using this. I am just waiting for the chance to get an IPAD or a kindle, maybe?

We are however looking to switch carriers as well. We spend more for 2 Verizon phones than we want to. Looking at Boost as well, and UScellular as my DH gets a discount through work.

 

[ctjsowens]

Looks like we'll all have to pay for a data plan sooner or later if you want a decent phone. Read in a electronic magazine where all wireless companies will be doing this at some time.

 

[Swimalie]

Are you talking about my mom? That's what she did - but then she had to pay full price for a new phone - I think Verizon should have been more clear with her that she had to have a data plan if she had the blackberry.



I don't think people are talking about needing to be connected all the time - thye just want a solid phone. In fact - what people are complaining about is that they can't get the phone they want without having to have the data plan. Some people just want a nice phone. I use my phone as my primary phone but I don't text, email etc on it - only talk. I have the Env2 and I love how solid it is and the design. I have researched phones and the ones they make for texting and to have a camera, etc are more solid - why - b/c they market them towards teens who are constantly using them. The phones that are for basic use just aren't as solid. The phones that are for basic use feel like they are going to snap apart in your hand.

My phone is extremely solid. The outside has a bit of a rubber feel so it doesn't slip out of my hand. The one that I replaced was dropped several times over the 2 years I had it and it survived and the new one I just got is the same one, just an updated version. I do not have the data plan and yet I only upgraded last week. I got mine at Costco for $30 and have a 30 day warranty. If I don't like it, I can return it for another phone within those 30 days. I also got free activation and the accessory kit. Can't beat that deal- $30 and getting a phone that can get on the internet but not having to pay the $10 per month for the data plan. So there are solid ones out there without the data plan, you just have to shop around.

 

[deerhart]

Why do people need to be connected to the internet all the time? Why do they need to be texting all the time? I just don't get it. I like to escape when I want to and with those phones, you can't. I have a lap top, desk top, home phone and cell phone - that's enough for me to stay connected to my friends and family and it's $10 a month cheaper

I have a blackberry for work. That way I can email the office on the go, check my calendar (which I update through goggle calendar), hit the web to look up something quickly (like getting a form 14 to fill out), and stay on top of my email (an additional way for people to get ahold of me when I can't answer a phone call).

Dh has one so that he can stay on top of his job AND his online graduate school classes (since he works almost 50 hours a week at his job).

We have a third cell phone in the house. It is a regular old motorola flip phone (rubberized) that works perfectly fine. Has no camera, basic functions (it does text) but nothing else. If we eventually give it to a child, I will need to buy a new battery for it.

Any phone my kids get will be basic, calls and texts PERIOD. The fact that people CHOOSE to give their kids the phone the kids WANT versus making them very basic is pretty silly. But then again, we have had MULTIPLE incidents in our area of teenage girls and boys getting hit with pornography charges for taking pictures of themselves with their cell phones and sending them to classmates.

Whether or not people WANT to use the internet, they still WANT phones that have those features. Why are people then surprised that when they buy these phones, the phone company wants you on a plan so you can use the phone the way it was designed to do.

Its sort of like saying I just want a simple car to drive with no bells and whistles, and then picking out a full loaded mercades and complaining because your charged for all the extras.

 

[Scurvy]

Sprint, US Cellular, AT&T etc all require data plans for the smartphones. They are all about the same price.

People just have to realize that ANY phone that has email/web capabilities is considered a smartphone.

Whether or not people WANT to use the internet, they still WANT phones that have those features. Why are people then surprised that when they buy these phones, the phone company wants you on a plan so you can use the phone the way it was designed to do.

Its sort of like saying I just want a simple car to drive with no bells and whistles, and then picking out a full loaded mercades and complaining because your charged for all the extras.

I really don't see the problem. People keep complaining that Verizon is so greedy and that they are requiring everyone to pay for a data plan now. That simply isn't the case. There are still phones available that don't need the data plan, so if you don't want to have to pay for a data plan you have the option of buying a phone that doesn't need it. If you choose to buy a smart phone, then you will have to pay for a data plan. You are free to choose the phone you want, you just can't choose to buy a smart phone without paying for the required data plan. It isn't a Verizon thing, all the major providers are doing the same thing. Don't like it? Either don't get a smart phone or find a company that offers them but doesn't require the data plan. I love my smart phone and I'm very happy with Verizon - the features of the phone and the internet access are well worth the price I pay for the data plan. If those things aren't worth the added cost to you then don't get a smart phone.

 

[ldrprn]

We have had Verizon forever, and have been happy with the service. I agree, if you are going to buy a smoartphone, then the data plan is essential, but if I understand correctly, the data plan is now required on EnV phones and ones like it. These phones were marketed as texting phones hence the keyboard. My DH uses the keypad for texting, and so do my teeneagers. They NEVER use data. I have a blackberry, and agree that I need a data plan for it, wouldn't be without it, but why should I have to pay for something we never use(my DH is not electronically smart) just to get a nice phone?
It seems like the phones without the data plan just do not have the features that everyone would like, or have gotten used to. With 4 phones, my cell bill will increase by 30-40 dollars per month for something we don't use.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We have had Verizon forever, and have been happy with the service. I agree, if you are going to buy a smoartphone, then the data plan is essential, but if I understand correctly, the data plan is now required on EnV phones and ones like it. These phones were marketed as texting phones hence the keyboard. My DH uses the keypad for texting, and so do my teeneagers. They NEVER use data. I have a blackberry, and agree that I need a data plan for it, wouldn't be without it, but why should I have to pay for something we never use(my DH is not electronically smart) just to get a nice phone?
It seems like the phones without the data plan just do not have the features that everyone would like, or have gotten used to. With 4 phones, my cell bill will increase by 30-40 dollars per month for something we don't use.

ITA! DS has the EnV touch and I have the EnV3 for texting/qwerty keyboard. That is why I got mine. I love that I can have the text read to me out loud as my teens are big on texting me. And seeing things up close or while driving is not easy/doable. We got ours before the required data plan was put into place, thankfully. DD had to have it (a different phone). I have NO desire to browse the web on that tiny screen!

Perhaps Verizon should just require a texting package on what I consider texting phones.