Hello. I am waiting for my Incredible to arrive late next month. I have signed up for a data only plan, but would like a phone number in the future. I was looking around and see Skype has a phone number for $60 a year that can be assigned to the phone, plus $3 a month. Is this a good deal or is there a better solution. The bottom line is that I would need a number assigned to the phone.
You can buy a data only plan? for a phone? The phone should have a number connected to it. It is part of the registration and activation of a phone. Other data only devices liek the Mi-Fi and the USB data onyl products register different because of the software within the phone.
How much do you pat for a data only plan. I have never seen that offered on a phone. Mi-Fi would have been a better solution depending on how you are connecting to services. Sorry to ask so many questions, just never heard of a phone with DATA ONLY. Seems counter productive for the device you are purchasing.
I wounder the same thing, how can you get a smartphone with a DATA ONLY plan?
Yes doyling, please tell us. What phone? Where? What happened when they activated your phone? How do you activate and not get a number?
Please, more info please!
Verizon used to have data only plans for phones but I haven't seen it on their website since they switched to the Talk/Text plans. I believe it was considered Nationwide email or something like that and was $49 or $59/month for smartphones and blackberries
PJNC284 wrote:Verizon used to have data only plans for phones but I haven't seen it on their website since they switched to the Talk/Text plans. I believe it was considered Nationwide email or something like that and was $49 or $59/month for smartphones and blackberries
Interesting..... thanks PJNC.
Verizon's "Messaging Only" plans are listed here.
Note that you can only subscribe to a messaging only plan on a smartphone device if you have proof that you are deaf or hard of hearing. My understanding is that you must have proof of this in the form of a doctor's confirmation or similar statement and present it to employees at a Verizon store, or send it via fax or e-mail if you are activating over the phone.
Took awhile to find the article....
For some users who may not need voice access, a data-only smartphone plan may be the way to go. On November 6, with the launch of the Android 2.0 Motorola Droid flagship phone, the largest US carrier will be unveiling three plans--a $30 basic internet plan, a $45 plan that includes Exchange and browsing, and finally a $50 plan for all the data plus Exchange email support and no voice plan. The first two plans require the addition of a voice plan while the $50 plan can let a smartphone user fly solo without the baggage of a voice plan.
There was a post in the last month or two where a VW employee explained all this. The person was upset Verizon would not sell them an Incredible for data only.
spottedcatfish wrote:Verizon's "Messaging Only" plans are listed here.
Note that you can only subscribe to a messaging only plan on a smartphone device if you have proof that you are deaf or hard of hearing. My understanding is that you must have proof of this in the form of a doctor's confirmation or similar statement and present it to employees at a Verizon store, or send it via fax or e-mail if you are activating over the phone.
Actually you don't have to be deaf to sign up for them. According to the page you link to "These plans are perfect for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing". Basically what they are saying is why would you want a phone like this without voice. There is always Skype through Fring. It doesn't save you as much as you might think but it does save you money and it saves a lot if you have a need for unlimited messaging. IF Google Voice ever goes VOIP then I will be switching to this route. A plan like this would save my wife and me some good money but she loves her blackberry and currently there is no way to make or receive VOIP calls for her yet.
I believe anyone can get it on regular feature phones and 3G multimedia devices but the site says you must have proper documentation to get it on a smarphone.
$54.99 monthly access for the deaf or hard of hearingPlan includes:For more information on how to activate this plan, please visit your local Verizon Wireless Retail Store. Appropriate documentation is required.
- Unlimited Messaging
- Unlimited Web Browsing
- Unlimited Data Usage
- Unlimited Personal Email
- Voice Per Minute Rate $0.25
No idea what documentation they are refering to but the reps have already cleared that up I believe. Also it would be considered discrimination oddly enough to provide a service plan that isn't open to all unless it is an ADA "reasonable accomidation". The fact that it is listed as an option would seem to indicate that it is more like a wheelchair ramp. There to accomidate a specific need but available to all.
Unless they changed it because so many of us were taking advantage of it the way most of us know about it is one of the customer care reps pointed out that it was in fact an option for us. If you just want to go that route.
I specifically asked 1 phone and 1 internet chat rep about the Messaging Plan for smartphones and I was told that I had to bring documentation of a hearing impairment to the store, or fax it in and then complete my order over the phone once the documentation was receieved.
I was told that documentation included: a note from a doctor, a prescription for a related device (IE hearing aid), or membership in an association for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
If you're able to successfully sign up for the Messaging-only plan on a SMARTPHONE (I know that anyone can get the plan on a 3GMM phone), please let me know how you did it, thanks!
I placed my order for the Incredible on the phone with Verizon sales. I am not sure why you ran into problems. I told them I did not want or need a voice plan, and only wanted the data plan. The data only plan is not listed on the website when you choose to buy a phone. Just asking for one seemed to do the trick. Perhaps because TMobile has a data only plan for less than Verizon, they have lightened up a bit.
Push comes to shove, I do have a son who is deaf but can hear with a cochlear implant, but I never had to mention that at all. I never even knew they might have a requirement.
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