I got a slightly used Blackberry Curve for Xmas. I figured I would just use
it for phone calls, but NO, Verizon wants $24.95 to $44.95 per month above
my regular monthly rate to be allowed to use the Blackberry. I talked to
the gift giver about it. I could have sold the Curve on eBay for over $300,
but that would be tacky. I gave the Blackberry back. He says he'll give me
something else for Xmas, a bit late.
$24.95 per month to send one email every three months is absurd.
I seem to remember from reading similar threads in this NG that there
is a way you can use a smartphone as a phone only and avoid a data
plan. IIRC, rather than choosing a monthly data plan, in addition to
the monthly phone plan, you pay as you go for the data. After you do
this you have Verizon turn off data to your device, or block data to/
from your device or something like that. If all of that is the case
you could still use the device as a phone, but no email etc.
I don't use a smartphone so I don't remember the details of past
questions too well. Also, since I don't follow smartphone threads
like a current user of them, perhaps the Blackberry is different from
other smartphones.
Surely someone more knowledgable will correct my rush job of an answer.
At 28 Dec 2008 01:24:11 -0800 tscottme wrote:
> I seem to remember from reading similar threads in this NG that there
> is a way you can use a smartphone as a phone only and avoid a data
> plan. IIRC, rather than choosing a monthly data plan, in addition to
> the monthly phone plan, you pay as you go for the data. After you do
> this you have Verizon turn off data to your device, or block data to/
> from your device or something like that. If all of that is the case
> you could still use the device as a phone, but no email etc.
That was true previously, but Verizon changed the rules mid-November. Now
all smartphones and even certain models of feature phones (those with
QWERTY keyboards, I believe) are required to carry the appropriate data plan.
The success of the iPhone, and its mandatory data plan, has unfortunately
given other carriers the idea to replicate that business model. Verizon
has done it with all smartphones, and T-Mobile has done it with their
"Google phone", the Android-based G1.
Actually I'm looking now and you can still "pay per KB" for the
PDA/Smartphones on Verizon for $0/month. It is true that you need to buy a
special Blackberry plan for either $30 or $45 per month if you select a
Blackberry phone.
At 30 Dec 2008 01:15:11 -0800 Bonky McBonky wrote:
> Actually I'm looking now and you can still "pay per KB" for the
> PDA/Smartphones on Verizon for $0/month. It is true that you need to buy
a
> special Blackberry plan for either $30 or $45 per month if you select a
> Blackberry phone.
Interesting. It was my understanding a smar phone data plan was required
after November 14th. Thanks for the clarification.
"Todd Allcock" <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in message news:cKr6l.129$4u2.34@newsfe02.iad...
> At 30 Dec 2008 01:15:11 -0800 Bonky McBonky wrote:
>> Actually I'm looking now and you can still "pay per KB" for the
>> PDA/Smartphones on Verizon for $0/month. It is true that you need to buy
> a
>> special Blackberry plan for either $30 or $45 per month if you select a
>> Blackberry phone.
>
> Interesting. It was my understanding a smar phone data plan was required
> after November 14th. Thanks for the clarification.
>
>
I was just at the local Verizon store.
It depends on which phone you get; I have the impression that the newer phones all
require the $29.95/month data plan while some of the older ones can get by with
the $/KB option.
Unfortunately for me, all of the phones I want require the $29.95/month data plan.
They claim that, as long as I don't get the broadband card (?), it is unlimited data
access.
> >> Actually I'm looking now and you can still "pay per KB" for the
> >> PDA/Smartphones on Verizon for $0/month. It is true that you need
to buy
> > a
> >> special Blackberry plan for either $30 or $45 per month if you
select a
> >> Blackberry phone.
> >
> > Interesting. It was my understanding a smartphone data plan was
required
> > after November 14th. Thanks for the clarification.
> >
> >
>
> I was just at the local Verizon store.
>
> It depends on which phone you get; I have the impression that the
> newer phones all require the $29.95/month data plan while some of
> the older ones can get by with the $/KB option.
That explains it, I guess- the November 14th cutoff being talked about is
probably the phone release date, rather than the plan sign-up date.
> Unfortunately for me, all of the phones I want require the $29.95/month
> data plan.
Of course! ;-)
> They claim that, as long as I don't get the broadband card (?), it is
> unlimited data access.
What if you tether your laptop to the phone? Still unlimited, or do they
treat it as a broadband card and limit you to 5GB?
isn't this somewhat like buying a car then complaining that you have to pay
for gas too?
"QN" <gofish@bogus.net> wrote in message
news:2LD5l.8936$W06.2963@flpi148.ffdc.sbc.com...
>I got a slightly used Blackberry Curve for Xmas. I figured I would just
>use it for phone calls, but NO, Verizon wants $24.95 to $44.95 per month
>above my regular monthly rate to be allowed to use the Blackberry. I
>talked to the gift giver about it. I could have sold the Curve on eBay for
>over $300, but that would be tacky. I gave the Blackberry back. He says
>he'll give me something else for Xmas, a bit late.
>
> $24.95 per month to send one email every three months is absurd.
>
>
>
BrianT wrote:
> isn't this somewhat like buying a car then complaining that you have to pay
> for gas too?
>
> "QN" <gofish@bogus.net> wrote in message
> news:2LD5l.8936$W06.2963@flpi148.ffdc.sbc.com...
>> I got a slightly used Blackberry Curve for Xmas. I figured I would just
>> use it for phone calls, but NO, Verizon wants $24.95 to $44.95 per month
>> above my regular monthly rate to be allowed to use the Blackberry. I
>> talked to the gift giver about it. I could have sold the Curve on eBay for
>> over $300, but that would be tacky. I gave the Blackberry back. He says
>> he'll give me something else for Xmas, a bit late.
>>
>> $24.95 per month to send one email every three months is absurd.
>>
It certainly is! Some people need to be "in touch" 24x7 either for
business reasons or to keep their egos properly inflated. Most do not!
For those who need a Blackberry, both the initial expense and the upkeep
are, if not reasonable, at least bearable.
Blackberry gripe 
Linear Mode
