Do you need a Data plan?

[jojochef]

I am new to BlackBerries and am awaiting my 8830(it should be here tomorrow). I currently use a Samsung i730 and I am able to stop my phone from connecting to the internet. I was just wondering, if I have no need for email push or no need for web browsing is there anyway I can turn off the way my bb connects to the internet or is it an always on device and I need the data plan?

I just hope I didn't sound to confusing.

Thanks.

[dlathem]

The only thing I am confused about is why you would want this device if you don't want email or internet connectivity?

[jojochef]

I like having the pda functions(task, notes, calendar, etc) which are much better in these phones than in a regular cell phones.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[naviwilliams]

If you don't get a data plan, then it's just the same as having a regular mobile...

But, like dlathem said, what's the point? Rhetorical, of course...

[tenafhum]

If you do not plan on using the internet you just don't get a data plan. By the way, I could not read books on my cell phone. I can on my BB without a data connection. I could not type a Word document. I can on my BB without a data connection. I did not have as good a choice of backgrounds for my cell phone, but now I can use anything that I can put in my pictures folder on my computer, including Webshots pictures. A Blackberry is great for those us that were using a cell phone and a pda. There's also a better choice of games and software than you get with a phone and a much better battery life.

[tenafhum]

By the way I forgot to mention that with the 2 gig micro sd you can store tons of songs and pictures and anything else I could ever think of.

[sweli]

Hey tenafhum,
What did you figure out with disabling the Internet connection?
I want to use a BB for the same reason you do. (I like my old Sony P900, but I cannot use it on Verizon)

I am about to purchase an 8830. Verizon (at Circuit City) is trying to tell me that even if I do not buy a data plan, that if someone opens the browser and trys to connect, it will, and start an account that I will see charged by the minute on my next bill. I called another Verizon rep, and they said the same thing.
So what is the truth?

Can the browser or the internet connection be 'disabled'?

Thx for anyone willing to answer more NEWBIE questions!

[tmag2005]

Jus cos you have a BB doesn't mean you have to have a BB plan. I remember my first BB - it took me a little while to appreciate what I had and therefore to some there maybe little need to receive email to some. Another BB user is another user.

Atleast Welcome.

My final point. A BB is not just another cell

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[bbsocialite]

I went to the Verizon store today and spoke with the technical support lady in the back about upgrading my old phone to a Blackberry while still keeping my family plan. She told me that in order to upgrade, I would need to purchase a data plan on top of that. I spoke to TWO online reps before I came to the store and they told me that I had the OPTION NOT to have a data plan, although both of them suggested that I get one. I don't need a data plan because 1) it's expensive. 2) I don't need it. The lady at the store wouldn't upgrade my phone unless I got a data plan. I'm so confused. And I can't upgrade the phone online for some reason because it didn't work. I don't know what to do.. at all.

[dgabertan]

Newbie question here.....I'm an old ATT "pioneer" plan, yup the unlimited minutes plan for only $100 a month....but when trying to to put my sim card into a new 8300 the sales rep said that I would not be able to do any internet or email functions because it (my att sim) uses mmode technology and not WAP!!! Wap da f!@#$ !!!! Now I'm confused, coz he said i need to buy a new phone out right and start a new plan in order to use the email/internet functions...is this true, please help clear this confusion with the ATT mmode sim...what's my alternative? Am I getting hosed by this dealership? I looked at Amazon and I tried to get the phone for $49 but I could not qualify because I am from the old ATT??? HELP

[kil0]

Please let me know what happened with this, as I am currently trying to purchase an 8830 for the exact same reasons you are. the rep at the verizon store wouldnt let me buy it without the data plan, however online thy told me it isnt NECCESARY however she also highly recomended it. I am also confused. Dumb online reps? or shady salesmen who want commission? HELPP!!

[timatl]

i say give the data plan a try and see how you like it. it really comes in handy sometimes.

[kil0]

I am sure that is the case. Along with many other people and the verizon reps, however my point is to find out if i can have the phone without a data plan, but I kinda sorta appreciate your opinion I guess? Ide say i would probably enjoy the data plan tons but its too expensive and I reallt dont need it. Anyone???

[followurheart84]

Just wanted to let you know that u lose alot of the features without the data. Before I got the data the browser icon wouldnt even show up. And the picture messaging also didnt work because mms needs data to be pushed out. I think if u put the data on and gave it a try i think u will use it more then you think. Thats what the Blackberry's are all about.

[dbltap]

I guess what a lot of us are asking is..... Why do you want a Blackberry? What tasks are you looking for your phone to provide? There are lots of other PDA type phones out there that will offer you similar functionality right out of the box.

A lot of the functions of a Blackberry are sent to the device directly from the phone company in something called "service books". If you do not have the Blackberry data plan, you will not get these service books. Thus not all the functions will be available to you. Will it still work as a phone without a data plan? Yes. That's why the on-line reps are telling you that you don't HAVE to have a data plan. However, a portion of the phone functionality will not be available to you since those features are loaded via the service books which are downloaded only with the Blackberry specific data plan.

The bottom line is the power of the Blackberry comes from the associated data plan.

For a phone that has PDA type functionality without being forced to use data, you can look to a number of phones from Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, HTC, Palm & Sony. They will all take advantage of a data plan. However, the basic PDA functionality will still be there if you don't sign up for a data plan. If you are a Windows user, you may feel more comfortable with the features of a phone running Windows Mobile 5 or 6 in either a Pocket PC format or a SmartPhone format. If you want to stay on Verizon, then look at the Motorola Q or one of the Palm Treo windows versions. Both of these will synch up to your Outlook environment for contacts, calendars, notes etc.