Data Plan Extortion

[PhilibertF]

I gave my son a used blackberry, and tried to activate it, and was told I had to get a mandatory data plan. Why????

He's 15 years old, and I don't WANT him to have the internet in his pocket 24x7.

The phone is paid for... not subsidized by Verizon in any way. My son wants one becuase he has seen that they are durable, and he wants the qwerty keyboard in a non-folding, non-slide package.

Why is Verizon holding me over a data plan barrel??????

[nmchileman]

All Smartphone/Blackberrys require a data plan because the internet and email is what they're used for. That's the whole purpose of an advanced device. If you don't want to pay for a data plan then you don't want that phone. There's lots of other QWERTY phones out there that aren't advanced devices and won't require a data plan.

And it's not extortion. Exaggerating much?

[PhilibertF]

No, it's not an exageration at all.

I stated some reasons for wanting a Blackberry... I could add another.

1. QWERTY Keyboard in a non folding / slide form factor  (To my knowelege, none availble for verizon except smartphones)

2. Rugged construction (In 1 year, we have replaced his LG Voyager 4 times. That is 5 phones. His previous razr lasted 4 years.)

3. External battery charger available (What good is a spare battery if you can't charge it outside the phone? )

 I stated why I don't want a data plan for him.

Besides, it's MY phone, why can't I enable just the features I want?

It's like buying a GM car, and being automaticaly billed for on-star each month.. whether you use it or not. I'm betting an awful lot of people don't bother to sign up for that service. Should their ignition be disabled?

[nmchileman]

Well, it's not extortion, by definition, so you are exaggerating. Arguments of syntax and language aside, I see where you're coming from. Unfortunately you or your son are going to have to make some sacrifices or comprises to get him a phone. Either you suck it up and pay the data plan, or he sucks it up and gets a "dumb" slider/flip phone. Or go to AT&T, they don't require data plans on most of their advanced devices, Blackberry included.

Verizon can't make everyone happy and this is one area where they may fall short for some.

[LOWFLYER]

It is unfortunate, VZW isn't like Burger King, you can't always have it your way.  There are many people that come here po'd they have to have a $30 data plan with these devices but in understanding that Blackberry's are meant and catered for business use (not 15 yr olds) dicatates they come with the extra charge b/c of the heavy data useage they're intended for (web browsing, email, txt, mms, ect).  We understand your plight, but it's not going to change the fact you must have a data plan, and it's not extortion when VZW tells you straight up that if you own a smartphone, BB or otherwise, this is a requirement with your calling plan.  It's black and white.

[MacDaddy]

From what I was told ( I tried to activate my Pearl after I  moved to the Storm) It's a Contract between RIM and Verizon that every activated Blackberry Must have a Data Plan. This is RIM's Policy

[SaNDman]

It is not extortion! All Blackberry phones require data plans!!! Use  a different phone then Blackberry if you don't want data!

[valentines27]

blackberrys are data phones. whether you want them to use data or not, they still are. its what theyre made for.  verizons and other cell phone carriers per megabyte charge is 1.99 per megabyte which equals out every 70 seconds you are charged that.  if you have a blackberry and are charged 1.99 per megabye all day everyday, your bill is going to be massive.  so those data plans are there to save you the money and trouble. there are plenty of other phones out there with email capabilities and full keyboards that you could have given your son or that your son could have chosen.. blackberrys are made for constant on the go people who need access to their emails and the interent whereever they are or for people that would like to have that access whereever they go.  they all accept that fee.  if you don't want to pay that  then youre just gonna be out of luck.  you can't have your cake and eat it too.

[PhilibertF]

A common theme in responses is:

"Choose another phone".

Well, I would like to pose a question to the folks out there who are sure that this is a moot point:

1. Can you name a non-flip, non-slide phone with a QWERTY keyboard?

2. Can you name a phone with a QWERTY keyboard that has an external battery charger available?

Just two of the reasons I thought a blackberry would be prefect, even if limited to voice and SMS.

Oh, and if I DID opt for a data plan, is there any way to LIMIT data usage to the plan amount? Or would my son be one click away from inadvertently  subscribing to a feed that could run the data bill into the hundreds? (Just one of the reasons why I don't want a data plan.)

[valentines27]

the data plan is UNLIMITED. you'd pay that $30 a month and that would be it. and no, there aren't any full keyboard phones like that other than on the touch screen phones. have you tried looking at a versa? it has the full touch screen with a full keyboard and also has the option to add a kayboard if you later decided you want one attached to it. 

[kyler13]

---

valentines27 wrote:

the data plan is UNLIMITED. you'd pay that $30 a month and that would be it. and no, there aren't any full keyboard phones like that other than on the touch screen phones. have you tried looking at a versa? it has the full touch screen with a full keyboard and also has the option to add a kayboard if you later decided you want one attached to it. 

---

That's not true.  What about the Moto Q9m?  It's a qwerty phone that's not a folder or slider.  I just went through the ordering process and it let me go without adding a data plan (pay per megabyte was an option).  Just make sure your kid doesn't rack up charges.  I think Verizon makes you explicitly go through a notification page before you start using data on a per megabyte basis.

[valentines27]

the motoQ is a TERRIBLE phone.{edited} it is an OLDER data phone, and does not require the package, {edited}

{You have received information in your private message box -- > . It should be gold. Please Read.}

Message Edited by KaLin on 07-29-2009 12:51 PM

[SaNDman]

The data plans on Blackberrys are "unlimited!" (emails and web browser) SMS ans MMS is part of another package. The other threads already explained about Qwerty keyboard, whatever.

[XtremeBerry]

LOL! everyones so aggressive here.  Verizon did the smart thing by making it mandatory. I wonder how many parents called after the first month of their fifteen year old son owning a blackberry(no data) with 500 dollar bills. Thats the reason its mandatory and rightfully so. I wouldnt buy my kid a smartphone period if I couldnt trust them anyway. Thats why my daughter doesnt have one.

[roseytechie]

Quite frankly--the name of this thread IS appropriately named.  It is precisely because of the use of the word 'extortion' that I knew this thread pertained to the issue that I wanted to investigate.

As easily as a trip to dictionary.com, one can see the meaning of extortion.  Legally, Verizon has done this exact thing:

Law. the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority.

They sell a service of wireless connectivity.  You MUST be able to buy a phone elsewhere OR from them and purchase the features you desire.

My son is interested in the PDA uses of the Blackberry--but the Unlimited text plan we already have is sufficient for his use at this time.  The assertion that buying a Blackberry without intending a data plan is akin to 'buying a Corvette w/a 4-cylinder engine' is based on a faulty bit of logic and assumption.

There are apps for the Blackberry, that wouldn't function on his current phone, and the right to buy a Blackberry & use it as he desires is legitimate.  All of the rants to the contrary are not reasonable and incredibly closed-minded.

Verizon is attempting to be 'obtaining money . . . by the abuse of one's . . . authority.'  This IS extortion, not an exaggeration.

If I had a Blackberry, and decided to upgrade and give my previous device to a friend who wasn't on my plan, he should be able to use it as a phone.  I don't need to use all of the horsepower of a Corvette to appreciate it as a SWEET ride, as many collectors drive them at 5 mph in a parade while we all think of getting one ourselves.

[valentines27]

okay so then why are you paying 36,000 for a corvette if you only want to use it as a car??

it's the same thing, you're paying more because of the features of a car and what the car offers.

just like the phone.

[XtremeBerry]

Ummm.OK..anyway you cant use a blackberry on VZ without at least a 29.99 data package. Call it what you will ,unless you go to AT&T  you will have a data plan.

I think the friends and family circle promotion is crap because you have to have a 1400 min plan to use it. If I had my circle with the 700 min plan I wouldnt need the 1400 min plan.  Itt all sucks but you know what I dont have dropped calls and crappy GSM building penetration like big blue does. I think Ill just accept to paying the 29.99 and actually being able to talk to people no matter where I am unlike those other guys.