why do YOU need a data plan?

[ultimahwhat]

slightly off topic but how much do you guys pay for your data plans? Or are you on an all in one plan? Before I switched to sprint I was on att and I didn't have a data plan but they only charged like $1 for 1MB of data so I would still browse with opera mini/im to pass the time. Stuff like check sport scores, facebook, news, etc.

Unlimited data and unlimited text/mms for $30/month (ahh, the joys of having an unlocked phone). If I were to forgo text messaging, I could get data for $15/month.

I used my phone for about 7 months before getting a data plan. Before that point, it was fine, and I could usually wait to get to a wifi spot for most things. But having a data plan just makes life a lot more convenient. You definitely get more out of your phone once you have constant access to the network (push email, google maps, last.fm via mobbler, killing time online when you're bored, etc.). Push e-mail is nice if you find yourself in a situation where e-mail becomes time sensitive. For example, I'll be applying for residency in the fall, and I've heard that once interview invitations go out via e-mail, dates for interviews fill up pretty quickly. With a data plan, I can get those e-mails pushed to my phone, respond with my preferred interview date within minutes, and go on with my life. And like someone said earlier, this way I'm not tied to my computer all the time.

Smartphones and data plans can get expensive though, especially if you get a phone subsidized through a carrier. It all boils down to how much you're willing to spend for what you're getting...

 

[Docnasty]

I pay $5.00 a month for unlimited data and texting, and pay $15.00 a month for 2000 minutes. I work for a cell phone company. Win

 

[Gothgar]

Yes I need a data plan. Don't tell me how to spend my money. You're not my father.

so when you father tells you how to spend your money what do you say?

 

[jtusa]

so when you father tells you how to spend your money what do you say?

"Don't tell me how to spent my money, you're not some dude on a forum!"

 

[Fox5]

SIPGate and Gizmo5 are the first two that come to mind. Asterisk is another piece of software if you want to go all out.

There's tons of resources out there. Google will be more of a help to you than I can ever be.

Heh, neither one of those is accepting new accounts at this time.