A great move for Verizon's competitors

[Littlemotherhaywood]

Dh got a blackberry last spring when we both upgraded our old phones and he didn't get any data plan with it. We have Sprint. When they asked us if we wanted data we simply said no. Later on, when he was at a different Sprint store, he was informed that he should have been made to purchase the data plan because Blackberry requires it, but they never made us change it. Also, his phone doesn't connect all of the time and we've never had a data charge for his phone in almost a year.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

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.

I don't have a smart phone. A LG chocolate touch is not a smart phone. Luckily I did upgrade my phone before all of this crap started and I don't have to pay for a data plan. I agree, if you buy a smart phone, sure, you know that you will need to buy a data plan, but requiring phones that are'nt really smart phones to get one is just plain greed.

 

[Scurvy]

I don't have a smart phone. A LG chocolate touch is not a smart phone. Luckily I did upgrade my phone before all of this crap started and I don't have to pay for a data plan. I agree, if you buy a smart phone, sure, you know that you will need to buy a data plan, but requiring phones that are'nt really smart phones to get one is just plain greed.

True, after looking at the Verizon site I see that I misspoke. They don't just require the data plan for the phones that they classify as smart phones, they also require it for the 3G Multimedia phones (or at least the ones I've looked at). They do have a selection of Simple Feature phones that don't require the data plan, so those would probably be a better choice for people who don't want to have to pay for the data plan. One of those even has a qwerty keyboard, which is perfect for those who are upset at having to pay a data plan when they just want to text. I disagree that it's greedy simply because I don't really think it's possible for a business to be greedy. Their purpose is to make a profit, so of course they are going to charge what people are willing to pay. If no one was willing to pay for the data plan in order to get the phones that require it then Verizon would have to rethink requiring it. Apparently enough people think having those phones is worth paying for the plan, and those who don't think that do still have other options.

 

[Fire14]

Ok can someone tell me what data plan entails. I know price I just want to know what I get for 9.99/mo.

 

[CloveLeaf]

Ok can someone tell me what data plan entails. I know price I just want to know what I get for 9.99/mo.

You get 25MB for $9.99 and unlimited subscription to Mobile Email application. If you browse full HTML websites, then you will probably burn the 25MB in a day or two. If someone really wants to use this $9.99 for 25MB data package, stay away from full HTML websites. Browse wap sites only. Almost every bit of data counts towards this 25MB. Web browsing, Mobile Email, browsing or downloading from Media Center. If you go over 25MB, it is $0.2 per MB.

 

[disney1990]

True, after looking at the Verizon site I see that I misspoke. They don't just require the data plan for the phones that they classify as smart phones, they also require it for the 3G Multimedia phones (or at least the ones I've looked at). They do have a selection of Simple Feature phones that don't require the data plan, so those would probably be a better choice for people who don't want to have to pay for the data plan. One of those even has a qwerty keyboard, which is perfect for those who are upset at having to pay a data plan when they just want to text. I disagree that it's greedy simply because I don't really think it's possible for a business to be greedy. Their purpose is to make a profit, so of course they are going to charge what people are willing to pay. If no one was willing to pay for the data plan in order to get the phones that require it then Verizon would have to rethink requiring it. Apparently enough people think having those phones is worth paying for the plan, and those who don't think that do still have other options.

Our Verizon contract is up; we have been Verizon Wireless customers for almost 15 years now. I currently own an LG Chocolate 2 (not a touch). I wanted to get a new phone that will do what this phone does, shoots fairly good photos and "video". There are NO simple feature phones that do this. DH wants a phone that has a keyboard. All of the simple phones that have a keyboard have really bad reviews.

I have decided to just go on Ebay and replace my phone. Therefore, I can buy an older phone that meets my needs and activate it on our account.

If you have a Facebook account, come and join the group -- Say NO to the Verizon Wireless DATA DICTATORSHIP!

 

[TinkerbellsMagic]

My dh has an EnV Touch and does not have a data plan.

 

[dreamer03]

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.


We are As well.

 

[dreamer03]

We are not happy with verizon as well. Talking with a rep is like talking to a wall. I wish that Alltel was back.

 

[Swimalie]

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.
.

Keep in mind, I don't use web or email and I just upgraded my phone 2 weekends ago. I did not get the date plan either. There are Verizon phones that do no require the data plan. You just have to look and ask, that's all. For $10 a month, I'd ask.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My dh has an EnV Touch and does not have a data plan.

My DS does too, BUT he got it before this new requirement started in late January. You must have the data plan if you get the EnV now.

 

[jgates]

Just as a comment - I visited US Cellular's website today and they have now changed every standard phone but the bottom two quality ones to require either an easy edge data plan or an internet plan. This is new within the last few weeks & I suspect is a follow-up to Verizon. Even basic phones such as a Motorola 385 & the newer Razr require a data plan. Only 2 very cheap ones that you can actually just have a phone plan.

 

[SandrA9810]

I like texting as a way of communicating, in high school it was all about AIM. I'm just not a phone talker.

But what gets me, if you don't have a "smartphone", an unlimited data plan with AT&T is only 10$ a month, while with a smartphone, it's 30$. When I got my phone, nokia e71x, I searched high and low on the site, and it did NOT state anywhere that I needed to have a data plan with it. I got by for 3 months before they realized I had the phone. I bought the phone on their site through my free upgrade, and transfered my sim card to it.

And the thing about the nokias, that I guess is different from blackberrys, is you can turn off the internet. When I open the web browser or app that needs it it'll say "connect to proxyless or search for wlan" when I exit out of it, it says "end connection?" So there's no crazy amount of internet usuage unless I'm the one that's using it. But because I have the phone, and paying for the data, I use the net like crazy when I'm bored and not near a computer. So far I've used 231mb of data and the month ends on the 11th.

I've also sent 2824 text messages.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Does anyone know of a basic phone with a keyboard that isn't considered a "smart" phone (ie..won't need the data plan). We are switching to AT&T next month, and my daughter has fallen in love with a phone with a keyboard. This is her first phone, and we've already agreed to the idea that she'll pay the $10/month to add her line. I didn't realize it was going to be this confusing

 

[JB2K]

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

Competition has arrived.

Just last week, Sprint's "Boost Mobile" started offering their BlackBerry with unlimited talk/text/web/e-mail for a flat rate of $60 a month (taxes included).

I have a post explaining more about it elsewhere on the budget board -- otherwise, you can check it out at boostmobile.com

 

[bonoriffic]

Competition has arrived.

Just last week, Sprint's "Boost Mobile" started offering their BlackBerry with unlimited talk/text/web/e-mail for a flat rate of $60 a month (taxes included).

I have a post explaining more about it elsewhere on the budget board -- otherwise, you can check it out at boostmobile.com

Well competition is for price only, not service. Boost uses Sprint's Nextel service, which has a significantly smaller service area and very slow data speeds compared to Verizon or AT&T. So while it wins out in price, it really isn't an option for people who travel a lot. Also look at the fine print, it isn't unlimited. If you cost Boost too much money they have the right to end your service. Which is worse, a $10 mandatory data plan for new internet capable phones, or shady contracts which can be canceled at any time?