I can't figure out why anyone would want a SmartPhone and not get a data plan. Just get a dumb phone if you don't want to pay.

It's kinda like getting an HDTV and then not getting HDTV service.....stupid.

I haven't posted here in a long time...since I got my XV6700 running the way I like it, in fact!

But I had to chime in on this thread. I, too, got a little extra "Christmas money" and decided to hunt for a phone. I saw the Omnia, read about it, and had to have it. Until I saw that I would be forced to pay an extra $360/year (minimum) for the privilege of using it.

aadam101 and others have stated things like "I can't figure out why anyone would want a SmartPhone and not get a data plan."

Well, here's why: built in wi-fi card. Not just a wi-fi card; but a 54Mb wi-fi card!!

So, let's see: I'm gonna pay an extra $30 - $45 PER MONTH to surf the web at what...3Mb? When I could be surfing @ 54Mb for free?? Um...yeah...

I've had my XV6700 for 2 1/2 years now with the data plan turned off the entire time. I've read my email (all 5 accounts) and surfed the web almost daily this whole time and never, not once, needed a data plan.

So, here's my thought: I guess I can't figure out why anyone would want a SmartPhone AND a data plan. It's like throwing money down the toilet.

Whoever posted the link to the survey first, I thank you. I have already filled it out, and hope to hear from Verizon. Maybe, just maybe, they'll be jarred awake and realize it's absolutely ridiculous and absurd to require a data plan for a phone that has a wireless card built in. If you think about it, it's so dumb that it's almost funny. Almost.

Ah, well; if it doesn't change, I suppose I'll go back to carrying 2 devices. I really have missed that gorgeous VGA screen of my Axim...

You pretty much summed it up. I especially like your HDTV analogy. it's dead on..

Maybe they'll say, "Why the heck did we ever leave the WiFi in those phones! Let's take it out like the Storm! That'll show them why they have to take the data plan!*?#@!"

Seriously, turn your explanation on its head. How will they sell any data plans and support their towers and their network if they give you an empowered device and you never use their network? So they solve that paradox by not freezing you out of WiFi but requiring you to take a data plan anyway. The data plan is a tax supporting the type of service Vzw wants to provide to remain competitive and provide a service an ever increasing number of customers want (more and more are getting smart devices, spiked by the iPhone). So saying you don't want a data plan when you have a data-capable device sold specifically to be used on a data-capable network is like saying you don't believe in war, you're not going to pay the part of your income tax that goes to the military, you have no school age children, you're not paying the part of the tax that goes to the local school system. The only solution to these problems is to move to another country or to another school system and similarly, you're free to move to another network.

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-Jim-

Use every part of the buffalo - Brad Bird

Why do you need such speeds on a phone? Are you connected to WIFI 24/7? I'm not and even if I was my battery would die even faster than it already does.

I'm guessing those that are saying they don't need a data plan must sit at home all day playing with their phones.

I "use" my phone all day away from home, where 99% there is no WiFI signal. Can't imagine not getting my email, obtaining and submitting data via web sites while I am at work, at a clients location or on the road where there is NO WiFi around. I suppose I could drop by a doughnut shop so that I can "get connected" but whats the point of a wireless phone if I am tethered to only WiFi Hotspots.

It is unrealistic to think that WiFi is your data plan if you are actively on the move all day long.

I think you guys should switch to another provider and move on...

I am not against data plans but I truly believe that existing customers which contract has not expired yet or which pda-phone malfunctioned and needs to be replaced should stilll be allowed to choose between having a data plan or not even if they choose to get one of those new pda-phones. In this case all is customer is doing it is switching one device for the other and Verizon should not be allowed to force data plans on them per their own contract agreement.

Now if you are new customer or sign up with Verizon after new data plan obligation went to effect on new pda devices that’s a totally different story.

Hmm, because some people don't need or use the internet on their phones. My son has a Q9M and I blocked the data on it. Its just a PDA and a phone. Smartphones are better at sync'ing contacts and appointments than traditional phones. So the argument of why get a smartphone without the internet is hogwash. There is a ligitimate reason for NOT having it. Also, some of us use the WiFi when available. Lets face it, the Wifi is faster than the EVDO.

Not a good analogy. HDTV is good for HDTV only, a smart phone is a PDA and a phone, neither of which need the web to work. I want a PDA for contact & schedule management and to run some productivity apps. I need a phone too. I don't want to carry 2 bricks in my pocket nor do I want to have to enter phone #s and addresses in 2 places. All good reasons for a smart phone, none of which need the web.

I sit at a PC 9 hours a day at work and when I'm home I have my laptop on my lap. For the few hours in between when I'm not sleeping, I can do without the web. Would it be nice? Sure, but it's not worth $360/year.

Looks like I'm going to a Centro with a new phone contract and in 2 years maybe things will have changed.

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salguod
salguod.net

Maybe they need a tier'd approach. Nobody expects to get an Omnia for $199 without a dataplan, right? Expect to pay a couple hundred more maybe, but you'll still come out way ahead if you don't need the data.

But I don't want that requirement taken away and see devices prices go up and screw over the folks who are getting data plans anyway.

Great analogy.

It's not really a good analogy at all.
(1) You pay full price for a HDTV, it's not subsidized.
(2) You get HD service for free with an antenna.
(3) Not everybody cares about HD TV service anyway.. maybe some people like HD game consoles instead, rent movies... or just hang them on the wall for space reasons.

Not everybody uses a HDTV the same way, so why would you want to force people to sign up to DishNetwork or DirectTV or cable in order to buy a HDTV? Same goes for mobile devices... not everybody uses them the same way.

The slight difference is we are getting subsidized devices so I don't have a problem with the forced dataplan, but some people may want to pay $200 or more bucks for a device with no dataplan. I don't have a problem with that. Just don't take away my cheaper route.

Whew!! It's getting hot in here. It would be nice if everyone could acknowledge that there are many different needs and perfectly good reasons for each need. I for one completely understand that many people couldn't get through their workday without data on their phones. I hope they can accept that I am not one of them. Lack of data services doesn't make my treo650 a dumb phone by a long shot, and I don't even have wifi. But my lack of data doesn't mean that everyone can/should be able to do the same. PLEASE don't state any opinion as an absolute, and keep an open mind to the fact that others have different needs than you. That way everyone will feel welcome and we all might learn something.

To Deeter: I bow to your superior knowledge base as a VZW employee, although it differs from what I was told. Thanks for enlightening me, I actually feel a little better. I still want an Omnia, but can't justify it with a data plan. Bummer...

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Downhills and tailwinds, 73

AHH oh spiritual one, I am glad my superior knowledge has enlightned you my son just kidding ozzy......

But on a serious note, I do see both sides of the story. I understand those who havent used data before, but love the organizational side of the phone are upset. I do understand. But Verizon has made a decision to make you have a data plan. I can think of atleast 10 times every week someone calls in to tech support complaining about data charges they racked up on pay as you go. Then we are supposed to credit it. Then they refuse to have it blocked, and then they call in again the next month. And its not 1 or to bucks, its $50 or more. Its a HUGE call driver. It adds up. Now I am sure the people on this forum arent the ones racking up the data. But I wrote in my earlier post on this thread about Verizon always being the anti-christ. If they dont credit you they are wrong, and now that data is mandatory they are wrong again. Its a lose-lose either way. Before everyone points the finger at Verizon, they should maybe understand that there is more to it than just making a quick buck. Maybe you should thank the people who racked up the data charges on pay as you go.

And as I also stated in my prior post. This thread will go on and on forever with each side stating its opinions, as I did just now. But the biggest voice you have as a consumer is your money. If you are unhappy, show Verizon buy jumping ship and going to another carrier. Or as others have done, fill out the surveys. They do listen. And they do change policy by your voice. They stopped changing contract dates with plan changes, and started pro-rating early termination fees. Why? Becuase people though it was unfair. If you think mandatory data plans are unfair, speak up.

Deeter,

I understand Verizon's motive here and I don't blame them. HOWEVER there is one logic I just don't understand. I know Verizon can block data on a line just as easy as adding it. My son's Q9M has a data block on it and it works well. But instead of forcing data plans for users, give the user 2 choices, either you PAY for a data plan OR theres a data block on the phone, period. No pay as your go or any of that business. But, instead Verizon chose to go the route of the other carriers out there and opted to force the data plan instead of being creative and giving the user a black and white option. Just my $.02 (US).

That wouldnt be a bad idea. I would think thats an acceptable solution. The only downfall would be those who want picture messaging and video messaging, since a data block will block that access. I think you should voice that opinion directly to Verizon. That way both sides are happy. Well put.......

Deeter, I could understand Verizon's position here if not for one thing. We are all aware that VZW is perfectly happy offering unlimited data for $30. Why not offer Pay As You Go that works for us and for Verizon. Here's how: Cap the fees at $29.99. The first time the cap is reached, temporarily suspend the service. This gives your customer service reps an opportunity to communicate with the cust to offer a real data plan, or troubleshoot the problem. After that, the data fee is capped at $30 as if it was an unlimited plan. After 3 months in any 12 month period of hitting the cap, the plan automatically switches to a standard $30 unlimited plan. Call the cust and let him know about the change. This allows the cust to sample internet functionality without fear of huge bills.

If such a plan were available, I might have been willing to sample data a few times over the last 4 or 5 years, even though I don't need it. I would certainly admit that there have been times where data would have been handy, but not enough to risk exhorbitant bills. When common web pages are 500KB or more, the KB charges add up fast, and it is near impossible to know how much you have used until the bill comes. Then you subsequently incur medical bills (heart evaluation, Valium, etc). But a cap of $30? I'd try it and not even complain about the fees. But I would never pay a fee of more than that (the going rate for data) under any circumstances, and VZW would get stuck with yet another mostly unpaid, unrealistic bill that they should never have assessed in the first place.

If any of you reading this think this is a good idea, please go do the Verizon survey again and include this idea in your comments.

Verizon is a good company and I want them to make money, but I don't need and won't buy a monthly data plan. It would be a shame if the only way to get what I need is to switch carriers.

So what do you think, Deeter? I've enjoyed reading your posts.

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Downhills and tailwinds, 73

I have voiced this thought a couple of times to customer service and they said they will pass it on - and well we know what happens then... lol I know about the PIX/FLIX going dead once you do the block (again my son has the block and can't send pix). I knew this upon putting the block on, and to be frank, he has a PDA phone so getting pix off it isn't an issue. PDA's offer a lot more flexibility when it comes to that sort of stuff that you can get around some limitations. But I think if the user is made aware of this upfront the decision is theirs and not the impression that Verizon is showing its heavy hand. And educated customer is a happy one IMHO.

Ozzy,

I will have to back Deeter on this. That main reason was to eliminate the overages and thus the additional calls into customer service. Your proposal will still cause increased call volumes into their call centers, though eliminating the "My bill is huge" part of it. Also, I don't know if their billing system would be capable of this or not - though it isn't a bad idea outside of the calls to customer service.

Ozzy, the idea of a $30 cap is a great idea as well, they kinda have something like that for the 5gb data cards...(too long to go into). There is only one reason why it wouldnt work though....

Its not customers saying, "hey this is crazy, I was only on the internet for 10 minutes, why the charge?"...... Its " i never used the internet at all!!!, I am not paying, your crazy, arrgh!! you are the anti-christ!!!!!!!" (okay, not really...)

In a perfect world Ozzy's idea is great. Pay for what you used until you hit $29.99 then your charged no more than that. But its the fact that they dont want to pay anything at all. Even when you tell a customer, we can give you a credit of half for your data, its still not good enough. If customers would truly pay for what they used, Ozzys idea is a no brainer.

So in the end....the idea of all or nothing seems to be the best bet if we need to have a compromise. Either you got data, or you got nothing. I love hearing ideas like this......

p.s. I was cracking up over the medical bills portion of your post ozzy.... spot on!