BLACKBERRY PLAN PLEASE NEED HELP

[waiting2exhale]

HI I AM PLANNING TO GET A BLACKBERRY AND WAS WONDERING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I CAN NO LONGER PAY FOR THE DATA PLAN WILL THE PHONE STILL WORK AS A REGULAR PHONE WITHOUT THE INTERNET PLAN?

[Irie]

The BlackBerry cannot be activated without Data Plan. So if you get Blackberry and decide to remove Data plan you are going to have to replace phone with another device.

[susieq]

However, I believe that AT&T will let you have a Blackberry without a data  plan.  At least that was true in December.

[jherz6]

No unfortunately it wont the blackberry needs the internet to function

[DarkCobra]

I'm afraid you are going to find all the major carriers are going to require a data plan not only for the Blackberry devices but for ANY smartphone.

[DarkCobra]

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Amoeba wrote:
why don't you call instead of asking a bunch of people who are only guessing? I know for fact ATT allows you to have a blackberry without a dataplan because this is how I set up my mother's account with them. I don't see why Verizon would say no but I'm only guessing.

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Fact: You can no longer have a Blackberry on AT&T without a dataplan.   Call them and they will confirm that this is NOW the policy.   Secondly, isn't it a bit odd that you would take others who responded to task for "only guessing" (as you stated above) . . . when you close by "only guessing" yourself?

The Verizon forum was created precisely for members to converse with other members about these devices.    Hopefully, the data steam that flows is positive.    Sometimes it's correct and sometimes it's just the best guess that members have, but in all most cases it is our best attempt.  Peace . . . 

[dsmith62]

Ok, there does appear to be a lot of guessing in this thread... at&t does not require a data plan with any phone but the iPhone. How do I know this? Oh, I work for at&t in customer care, so im up to date on the policy. So that info in this thread is completly wrong. Now if u dont believe that, you go to www.wireless.att.com put a blackberry.. or any other device in the cart.. and notice that it will allow u without selecting a data plan. (like i said before.. the iphone is the only device that it is POLICY that u have to have a data plan). 

Honestly I think its dumb that verizon requires that you have a data plan on the blackberry...  the phone doesnt need it to function.. 

[DarkCobra]

I will gladly stand corrected.  Apparently, AT&T will sell you a Blackberry without a data plan.   The question is why?   It's like buying a car without the wheels.   Why would anyone buy a Blackberry type of device and intentionally cripple it yourself?   Why purchase such a device and not have any data capability, you will have no push e-mail, no web access unless your at a WiFI spot, no MMS messaging, you can not use any instant messaging program,  you cannot send or receive any information over the internet in any way shape or form unless you are at a WiFi spot, you cannot install apps OTA because that requires the resident browser (no Opera won't do this!), can NOT use BlackBerry messenger or do PIN-->PIN messaging, nor will you be able to do a host of other things!

I personally think AT&T is shamefully doing this to lure people into the purchase at a cheaper price point who don't realize just how many things that phone WON'T do without a data plan.   Then once they're on the hook they're told . . .  "Oh, you want ALL that to work huh? . . . Well you need the data plan!".     Verizon doesn't play that game.   Again, selling you that type of device (car without the wheels) is shameful and to be expected by an AT&T.

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[Issy]

"why would anyone want a BB without the data plan?"

Because you can sync your contacts and calendar (via USB) effortlessly with MS Outlook. I haven't found a phone yet from anyone who can sync with Outlook calendar, tasks, notes and contacts.

Also, I am sure that RIM, as part of their agreement with all the venders, gets a portion of the data plan revenue, and requires it of AT&T, Verizon, whomever.

 I had an old BB (7100 series) on Nextel with no data plan. Nextel was forced to enforce their agreement with RIM and added the plan automatically without my consent.

Issy

[dsmith62]

with at&t, u can still have ppu on your bberry, which will allow you to access the inet if u want to on a pay per use basis, that will give u access to MMS messages. Just wont give you the ability to use bberry messenger... 

some people just dont need the inet... but like the functionality of the device for other things...  

[DarkCobra]

Very true . . . you can PAY if you want to access the Internet each time . . . but then why not just get the data plan?   I suppose you're right that there are people who only access the Internet very infrequently.   However, pretty much everyone that I know does so with a good deal of regularity.   It's gonna get pricey for most people.   But I guess for the very few who only go on the Internet just once in a while and don't want ANY of the advanced features of a Blackberry device then this would be a good deal.  

However, if that is all someone wants then why are these people buying a smartphone in the first place and not a media rich phone like the LG Dare which would do all of the above and a lot more without the data plan.

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[DarkCobra]

Bingo!   I couldn't have said it better.    A ppu (pay per use) plan is without equal the absolute worst way to go!   It will eventually cost you a fortune.   AT&T provides for this monstrosity for just this reason!  Cha Ching, Cha Ching.     Folks, do yourselves a favor and get the Data Plan if your going to get a Data phone.    Buying a Data Phone without the data plan is like buying a muscle car and not getting the package for the deal on premium fuel needed to run it!   Sure it will run but you'll pay through nose that way.   

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