Smartphone/PDA plan and Droid

[marac]

So seems like many, I'm confused on Plans needed for the Droid.  Right now I'm on the Basic 450 w/ Messaging & MobileWeb.  I understand on the Individual/Family plans that the $29.99 plan needs to be added along with Voice/Messaging plans for the Droid.

My question is what about the Smartphone/PDA plans which seems to incorporate all features (Voice/Messaging/Data) into one billing charge.  Are those plans applicible to the Droid or are they just for the Blackberries & WinMo's?

[Jagger-VzW]

All Smartphones, PDAs and Blackberry devices require the additional data plan.  the DROID falls into this category so it would need to have a data plan.

[marac]

Is the Smartphone/PDA considered a data plan?  The Connect and Premium plans both label Unlimited Data, but they still require the additional $29.99 data plan, so the sales messaging is very confusing of what defines "data" and "data for bb/win/droid"

[anon]

I'm on a famiy plan with 3 phones, no data plans, I think the baseline is about $120/mo.  I'm up for NE2 and when I log in and look at smartphones and BB's, they ALL say they are eligible with my current plan, i.e. implying I don't need to shell out more for a data plan.  Only netbooks require a plan change.  So do you think that when the droid comes out, I will need to upgrade my plan?  If so, and I can get the Touch Pro 2 without shelling more monthly fees, I think I will stick with the HTC.  In fact, I think this will be the critical deal maker/breaker for me.

[cem95z]

"I'm up for NE2 and when I log in and look at smartphones and BB's, they ALL say they are eligible with my current plan, i.e. Implying I don't need to shell out more for a data plan."

----------------------------

When I log in, mine shows the same. I am also on a basic 900 minute plan with no additional data. I get the green arrow with eligible with your current plan on EVERY phone, including blackberries and smartphones.

But then, if click "add to cart" on a smartphone or blackberry, I have to choose a data plan. I don't have a choice. I think that the "eligible with your current plan" is very deceiving to the customers and is something that Verizon needs to consider changing, since many of the phones require that you upgrade your current plan.

[marac]

Here's the responce I got from Verizon Wireless Customer Service.  I've removed some personal information but indicated by [removed]:

Original email:

I'm going to be getting the Droid and I'm very confused about what plan/features I need. I'm an individual currently with a low monthly plan with mobile web. Which do I need (or are there other options as well)?

Stick with what I have (has mobile web but it seems to use minutes?)

Stick with what I have and add Data plan ($29, I think)

Individual Connect Plan (has unlimited Data)

PDA/Smartphone Email or Email/Messaging Plan

Very confused, please help.

Verizon Wireless Customer Service response:

Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless through our website. My name is [removed], and I am happy to assist you regarding the calling plans and features associated with the new Droid device. I can certainly understand your concern with the calling plans and features associated the Droid; this is definitely one of the most anticipated devices Verizon Wireless has launched.

[removed], the calling plans will vary depending on which Droid you will be purchasing. Below I have listed the calling plans associated with each device.

If you will be purchasing the Motorola Droid, you are able to choose from the following plans:

       - The Nationwide Connect 450 Plan. This plan includes 450 Anytime minutes, Unlimited Night and Weekend minutes, Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile minutes, Unlimited Text, Picture and Video messaging, Unlimited Web access, and Mobile E-mail for [removed] a month. (Best option)

       - The Nationwide Basic 450 Plan. This plan includes 450 Anytime minutes, Unlimited Night and Weekend minutes, and Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile minutes for [removed]. Keep your current Text message feature at the cost of [removed] a month and add one of the data features to your account:
               • $9.99 Monthly access for 25 Megabytes, if you exceed 25 MBs you will be billed $.50 per megabyte.
               • $19.99 Monthly access for 75 Megabytes, if you exceed 75 MBs you will be billed $.30 per megabyte.

If you will be purchasing the HTC Droid Smartphone, you are able to choose from the following plans:

       - The Nationwide Email 450 Plan. This plan includes 450 Anytime minutes, Unlimited Night and Weekend minutes, Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile minutes, and Unlimited Web and E-mail for [removed] a month. Keep your current Text message feature at the cost of [removed] a month.
       - The Nationwide Email and Messaging 450 Plan. This plan includes 450 Anytime minutes, Unlimited Night and Weekend minutes, Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile minutes, Unlimited Text, Picture and Video messaging, and Unlimited Web and Mobile E-mail for [removed] a month. (Best Option)
       - The Nationwide Basic 450 Plan. This plan includes 450 Anytime minutes, Unlimited Night and Weekend minutes, Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile minutes for [removed]. Keep your current Text message feature at the cost of [removed] a month and add one of the data features to your account ([removed]):
       1. Unlimited Personal E-mail and Web Feature: $29.99 monthly access. E-mail and Web for Smartphone is an easy-to-use e-mail solution that provides access to the Internet and personal e-mail services such as Yahoo!, Windows Live, AOL, AIM and Verizon.net (plus other POP3/IMAP providers such as Google Gmail, Comcast, or RoadRunner for select devices).
Note: E-mail and Web for Smartphone is not for Enterprise E-mail - i.e. Exchange Active Sync, Wireless Sync, BlackBerry or Good Mobile Messaging
       2. Unlimited Data for E-mail feature: $44.99 monthly access and includes unlimited data transport for e-mail, as well as Wireless Sync. If you have moderate to heavy data usage, this feature would best serve your needs since there are no overage charges for KB usage.

[removed] , I would recommend changing to the plan that includes all the features you will need in an attempt to reduce monthly suspending.

[removed] , I hope the information that I have provided regarding the calling plans and features associated with the new Droid device is helpful. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to assist you today. Should you have additional questions or concerns, please reply to this email.

Thank you for choosing Verizon Wireless, we appreciate your business. Have a good day.

[marac]

I sent a followup and got a different answer from a different Verizon employee.  Now I don't think any of them know what they are talking about.

My followup:

I will be purchasing the Motorola Droid. So all I need is the Nationwide Connect for all the data features? This is still really

confusing because the press release mentions a separate data plan and that's what most people are talking about in the Community forums. I tried checking all through the site and can't find the $29.99 data plan they speak about though. Doesn't the Motorola Droid count as a smartphone?

"To get the most from DROID by Motorola smartphone, customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email  and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access."

Their reponse:

Thank you for contacting us again. My name is [removed], and I am happy to assist you regarding your additional inquires about our Motorola Droid.  I regret to learn that information provided to you may have inaccurate.  I imagine that it's been frustrating for you.

[removed], the Droid is a Smartphone and will require the additional data plan.  Upon looking over what you were sent initially, you we advised about our $9.99 and $19.99 Megabyte plans.  That information is incorrect.  Those plans are only for our regular devices, such as your current device, that use data.  The Droid is definitely a Smartphone.  [removed], if you're looking at the website for this plan while you're logged in, you won't see it as an option for you because you don't have a PDA at this time. The link I've listed below will give you information about the Plans we offer for PDA and Smartphone devices.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=planFirst&action=viewPlanOverview&catType=v...

If you have any additional questions we can answer for you, please call us up toll-free from a landline phone at 1-800-922-0204 (Option 3) or airtime free from your Verizon Wireless cell phone by dialing #611 and (SEND).

I apologize for any inconvenience caused us providing you incorrect data pricing about our Motorola Droid but I hope my information has been beneficial for you today.

I'd like to thank you for being a loyal customer and we look forward to providing you with excellent service for many years to come.