Do basic phones have data plans?

[VoxThatRox]

Currently I have an Android Razor that I want to switch to a basic phone. I don't use much of my (1 GB) data plan and find it's a waste of money to pay for what I'm not using. If I switch to a basic phone, is a data plan required? I would like my bill to be around $30-40/month. Thanks.

[Snn5]

We all need to wait until Aug 13 to really know what the price changes are.  Right now, it wouldn't do you much good to figure the math out with the plans changing tomorrow.  But yes, even basic phones can use data.  Again, we will know more tomorrow.

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

That's a great question. Let's get you some answers. You will not have to carry a data plan with a basic phone. Data plans are required on smartphones. You will be able to sanve some money in the process.
BobbyN_VZW
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If my response answered your question please click the "Correct Answer" button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[kcmilo]

My family all has basic phones & am wondering the same thing.  Does that mean I would just pay the per line charge? $20 (or $40 a month depending on my decisions regarding new phones).  I noticed there is a $5 for 700 minutes "data" option.  Is that what I would need to choose?  Or do I not need to choose that at all?

[Snn5]

For NEW or OUT OF contract customers.  The basic phones have a $20 access charge and $5 for 700 minutes.  There is no data or text included with that plan.  Data is $1.99 per 1MB. Texting is .20 cents per in or out message. The S plan for Basic phones is 1GB for $30 + $20 access and unlimited talk and text.  So basic phones can be either $25 no data or $50 1GB data a month.

[kcmilo]

That is what I thought I read!  Thank you!  We are all out of contract.

[Snn5]

And, it isn't hard for someone to rack up $2 a day in text messaging on that new basic plan.  That's about what...10 total messages?  $60+ a month in text charges.  Really looks like Verizon is pushing towards smartphones since, IE...it can get expensive being on a basic phone plan and trying to use it for anything other than calls.

[kcmilo]

I finally found this.  You are right, they are really pushing smart phones - its hard to find this information & its still not as clear.  It says unlimited "messaging" though - I am assuming that's text & picture messaging?  Am I wrong to assume that?  The data packages specifically say unlimited "talk and text" & "messaging". 

I am hesitant to switch my plans until I am sure what I am getting.  I have a pretty old plan that I didn't think was so bad. 

Yes, The Verizon Plan for basic phones includes:

• 700 minutes  for $25/month
• Unlimited messaging, including international messaging from the US
• $0.45/minute for more minutes
• $1.99/MB for data

[Snn5]

This is what I see:  I do not see the unlimited messaging though.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey kcmilo,

We are all really excited about the new simple Verizon plans. The Basic phone only plan you are referring to does include unlimited messaging. The way it breaks down is $5.00 for the 700 minute plan (unlimited text; $1.99/MB data) and $20.00 for the Basic phone line access (when there is no existing contract). Are you currently under contract still for the Smartphone that is on the line right now?

ChristopherM_VZW
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If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Snn5]

Oh OK.  Looking at the screenshot above, text is NOT included.  I can see where some customers might question included features.

[frommage]

@Snn5, that's because text unlimited is not included. In order to get the unlimited text you have to be on a data plan, and now on the website, there is no option listed for basic phones initially. You have to click on smartphones then sort price low to high then basic phones show up. Very misleading.

[kcmilo]

That is exactly why this is confusing. 

[kcmilo]

I actually don't have a smart phone & not sure I want or need one.  My 2 yr contact will be up in 15 days.  That is why I am wondering.  Texting is what I use the most.  So for the 700 minute plan - that includes unlimited texting? Is there an explanation of what the 700 min plan means?  i.e. nights/weekends/day time minutes.  I am currently on a 700 min plan from several years ago & never go over - so I am wondering what the definition of that is.  If I switch plans, I just don't want any surprises.

Thanks!

[rcschnoor]

Your current 700 minute plan includes nights&weekends. I don't think the More Everything has ever made any similar statement as More Everything normally includes unlimited minutes/texts. The 700 minute More Everything plan is more of a bare bones iteration of More Everything and I would think 700 minutes is just that, 700 minutes total.

[Snn5]

To answer your question for the meantime, you could pay around $25 a month for 700 minutes, but any data use, for which even flip phones can use, is $1.99 per MB.  If you choose to buy a phone instead of activating an older phone, you would be looking at an extra $8 or so per month for a cheap flip.

Plan Listing

I dont know if that link will populate the plan i was looking at, but suffice to say that any data you might use, could rack up a bill, however little basic phones use.

[21Macey]

What would be the access charge for a basic phone under contract in the New Verizon Plan?  I know the smartphone would be $40 but I can't seem to find the answer specifically for a basic phone. Thanks.