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Smartphone without data plan

watdahel

watdahel

Golden Member
I would like to get a cool phone with apps and can access my internet connection at home. I don't need internet access on the road or txt messaging. If I need an app I can download from my computer and upload to the phone via cable if necessary. Is there a way to get such a phone and not have to sign up for a data plan with Verizon? It seems all the cool phones require a data plan.
 
WelshBloke said:
Buy one on ebay?
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He'll still have to buy a data plan. Verizon requires them on all smartphones now.

Your best bet is to use a dumb phone and get something else for apps. Either an iPod Touch or an Android based one. Samsung has Galaxy media player coming out that looks pretty good.
 
boomhower said:
He'll still have to buy a data plan. Verizon requires them on all smartphones now.

Your best bet is to use a dumb phone and get something else for apps. Either an iPod Touch or an Android based one. Samsung has Galaxy media player coming out that looks pretty good.
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If he bought it on ebay and used it unactivated, then it would work, but you are right, if you take it to a carrier to use it as your phone, you are paying for data.
 
Wow. So Verizon requires you to have a data plan on smartphones you own outright? So if you paid full non-subsidized price for the phone, you would still have to buy monthly data plan for the phone just to use voice?
 
Naustica said:
Wow. So Verizon requires you to have a data plan on smartphones you own outright? So if you paid full non-subsidized price for the phone, you would still have to buy monthly data plan for the phone just to use voice?
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Yes. I think most carriers are like this. Still BS though, but whatever.
 
boomhower said:
He'll still have to buy a data plan. Verizon requires them on all smartphones now.

...
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Sorry, I always get confused by the way your phone contracts work over there. It's a lot easier over here.

Buy phone, insert sim, use phone.

I think they figure we are too drunk to work out anything more complicated.
 
Spoooon said:
Yes. I think most carriers are like this. Still BS though, but whatever.
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They do it because these devices are designed to use data. If you try to use it without a data plan and screw up, you could get a bill with insane overages and then you go bitch to the carrier. The carriers probably got fed up with dealing with these cases (and want you to buy data plans).
 
ObscureCaucasian said:
They do it because these devices are designed to use data. If you try to use it without a data plan and screw up, you could get a bill with insane overages and then you go bitch to the carrier. The carriers probably got fed up with dealing with these cases (and want you to buy data plans).
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How could you screw up if the data is never activated?

I'm pretty sure you can use smartphone just for voice on T-Mobile if you buy the phone full price.
 
s44 said:
AWS (1700/2100): T-Mo prepaid, Simple Mobile (1gb cap)
850/1900: Straight Talk (requires hack & up-front cost, basically uncapped)
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Straight talk is not uncapped and they use ATTs network. They will cut you off or call you if you go over a certain amount of GBs. They won't tell you how much though.

And t-mobile prepaid has a 2GB limit, or more depending on the plan you get I think.
 
ObscureCaucasian said:
They do it because these devices are designed to use data. If you try to use it without a data plan and screw up, you could get a bill with insane overages and then you go bitch to the carrier. The carriers probably got fed up with dealing with these cases (and want you to buy data plans).
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Wow what kind of crack are people smoking. Just because US carriers bundle data plans with phones, doesn't mean you NEED them.

You can use a computer without internet just like you can use a phone without internet.

Turn off the data function in Android like you can disable your NIC in Windows. Done.

For the GSM carriers it makes more sense because you can slip your SIM in and out or whatever you want to do. With VZW it's a different story as you need to call in to activate based on ESN.

For the GSM providers just have a voice plan and you're set. Just make sure data is off on your phone. You can call and do wahtever the hell you want from your phone. Just make sure you're on wifi 😀. My cousin had a N1 and only got data recently as a gift for graduating high school. My mom uses an iPhone 3GS without data. It's all doable. Easily. Verizon makes you suck dick to get anything done.
 
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DLeRium said:
Wow what kind of crack are people smoking. Just because US carriers bundle data plans with phones, doesn't mean you NEED them.

You can use a computer without internet just like you can use a phone without internet.

Turn off the data function in Android like you can disable your NIC in Windows. Done.

For the GSM carriers it makes more sense because you can slip your SIM in and out or whatever you want to do. With VZW it's a different story as you need to call in to activate based on ESN.

For the GSM providers just have a voice plan and you're set. Just make sure data is off on your phone. You can call and do wahtever the hell you want from your phone. Just make sure you're on wifi 😀. My cousin had a N1 and only got data recently as a gift for graduating high school. My mom uses an iPhone 3GS without data. It's all doable. Easily. Verizon makes you suck dick to get anything done.
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This. You can also disable internet access by calling the carrier, just like you can block from sending or receiving text messages. But they stopped that and forced data plans.
 
But will Verizon let you activate a smartphone without a data plan?

Will they let you go in and buy a Droid Charge without a data plan?

With AT&T you can definitely buy a phone unsubsidized with no plan tied to it. I bought a Torch for my cousin last Christmas.
 
OK. From the info I gathered from Verizon, if you use any smartphone whether acquired through them or you already own one, you are required to have a data plan on top of any basic plan you may already have, whether you need it or not.
 
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