Will Wifi work on Blackberry without Data Plan?

Bukhari · Thread Author #1 07-30-2009, 12:36 AM

Hi, I am from Canada and using Rogers as my wireless service provider. I have already completed my contract term and don't want to lock my self with any contract. Although I don't have business requirement but wana buy a smart phone out of my pocket and utilize WiFi for emails/browsing etc. I have wireless internet at home and lot of WiFi Hotspots around my office area so really don't need a Data Plan. Which Blackberry will be a better bet? Curve 8900 or Bold? Will I miss any significant features if I don't take Data Plan? I have tried to check Rogers Cutomers service as well as store reps but they all give contradictory answers, some say I can and others say I can't. This has confused me a lot. I did google search and found this forum the best place to get advice. So pl come forward to help me so that I can join the Blackberry world. I will be graetful for detailed reply. Thanks

aristile · #2 07-30-2009, 12:45 AM

Yes you can use the Blackberry without a data plan. There are many many threads discussing this topic. Do a bit of searching and you will find all the information you seek.

In a nutshell, most apps will not work if you have no data plan (however many still will) and you will need to spend a bit of your time getting everything configured and setup. The push mail Blackberry feature will also not work without a data plan. You can still get a 3rd party app to give you pull email but that has its disadvantages. You can go with either device, just pick the one that you like best and the one that suits you the best.

RedNightHawk · #3 07-30-2009, 01:11 AM

To which I'll add, make sure you have everything setup to only use WiFi, otherwise you'll be paying something like 5 cents/kb flat rate for the data you use if you're not on a data plan.

aristile · #4 07-30-2009, 01:22 AM

Good call, I forgot to mention that. I'm not 100% about Rogers but generally you can call your carrier and request for them to disable data on your account and then you won't have to worry about getting charged for data without a plan.

dictoresno · #5 07-30-2009, 01:44 AM

yea i was wondering why my Bold, which is just my backup now, wasnt connecting to the net over wifi. i was showing connected to my wifi network but not able to access the net. i had to configure my default browser to the hotspot one. took about 2 mins of configuring, now it works over wifi with no SIM card in it. i did notice the wifi symbol remains grayed out, which i thought was odd.

giveupliar · #6 07-30-2009, 01:54 AM

yea it will but some apps, like bb maps, wont work since they are data only

visualpurple · #7 07-30-2009, 08:15 AM

I'd be tempted to say that the iPhone is a better wifi-only phone than a BB. On an iPhone you can access all data features (email, maps, all apps) when on wifi without a data plan, whereas on a BB, like was mentioned, many core features will not work on wifi without a data plan (native email, many apps). If you get the BB just be prepared for it to be extremely crippled.

sonni_kuba · #8 07-30-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

I'd be tempted to say that the iPhone is a better wifi-only phone than a BB.

I agree with you on that one, as the switch between mobile and WiFi networks for data transmission is better integrated on the iPhone. However, there are still quite a few WiFi apps available for BBs.

Since my signature was chopped because, it had too many external links, I will provide a list of FREE WiFi apps for blackberries that DO NOT require a data plan right here.

News Reader - AP Mobile
Email Client - LogicMail
Instant Messenger - Palringo Instango
GPS Mapping - MGMaps
Online Radio - Flycast Radio Pandora
Fast HTML Browser - Opera Mini
Weather Update - BBWeather
App Store - App Store

One-time fee WiFi apps that do not require a data plan

Email Client -Tiggit Mail
Skype Client -IM+

Bukhari · Thread Author #9 07-30-2009, 11:44 AM

Thanks All, I appreciate your input. Things are getting more clear now.
As I told I am new to smartphones (still in the process of selection) and have not much expertise in playing around with the devices for apps & other stuff as most of you seem to be, therefore, I would like to start with simpler device.
Visualpurple & Soni_Kuba have made me to think about iPhone. The issue with iPhone for me is its iTunes syncing. One has to maintain a parallel iTunes library to import media files into iphone. It doesn't give the freedom of downloading pictures/videos from other source (say I am on the go and without my laptop and want to download media files from a friends mobile or pc. I mean it requires a back n forth process to complete the import) or it will override with the new files. I like adding/moving/deleting files in cell phone like windows explorer does and have the feeling that Blackberry has this feature. The other thing people say is Curve 8900 has the best resolution among BBs & iPhones and works better in dark & bright environment as compared to iPhone. But if the iPhone is a better bet without data Plan, then I may have to adopt to its cons. Or may be there is a way to fix what I have described above as shortcomings in iPhone.
Again you guys can give a better opinion about this due to your knowledge base. My trust in this forum is gone high with just one post.
Aristile, RedNightHawk, Soni-Kuba, Visualpurple and all! I am thankful to you for coming forward and would request to put final punches in the thread for my smooth transition in the smartphone world.
Sorry for the long mail! pl bear with me, Thanks a lot

Artemis68 · #10 07-30-2009, 12:14 PM

Good luck with using your Curve! Using it without a data plan is really easy.

I just wanted to add that Beejive IM messenger is wonderful on the Wi-Fi network and can work on wifi only.
You can also use clients like Funambol to get pull emai.

I thiink once you play with it a bit and get used to the phone, you'll find it's pretty easy.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Bukhari · Thread Author #11 07-30-2009, 04:06 PM

Some of the friends are suggesting iPhone is better to utilize WiFi without data Plan as we can use many of apps as compared to Blackberry. As I am new to smartphones and would prefer more user friendly device. Is iPhone a better bet in my case? Your thoughts pl.

Bukhari · Thread Author #12 07-30-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonni_kuba

I agree with you on that one, as the switch between mobile and WiFi networks for data transmission is better integrated on the iPhone. However, there are still quite a few WiFi apps available for BBs.

As I am new to smartphones and would prefer more user friendly device. Is iPhone a better bet in my case? Your thoughts pl.

Bukhari · Thread Author #13 07-30-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visualpurple

I'd be tempted to say that the iPhone is a better wifi-only phone than a BB. On an iPhone you can access all data features (email, maps, all apps) when on wifi without a data plan, whereas on a BB, like was mentioned, many core features will not work on wifi without a data plan (native email, many apps). If you get the BB just be prepared for it to be extremely crippled.

As I am new to smartphones and would prefer more user friendly device. Is iPhone a better bet in my case? Your thoughts pl.

sonar_chris · #14 07-30-2009, 04:23 PM

If your using the phone from a multi media stand point, videos, music, games and email and messaging is a secondary concern the Iphone is probably more what you would want. If email, messaging, document reading and altercation are your primary concerns the BB would be better.

bragot · #15 08-13-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bukhari

As I am new to smartphones and would prefer more user friendly device. Is iPhone a better bet in my case? Your thoughts pl.

The answer is YES. Since you are new to smartphones and do not have a preference, you'll have a much easier time learning on the iPhone since it is (arguably) more intuitive. Owning an iTouch and a BB Curve, I've found that what you're trying to do will just be so much easier on the Apple Phone.

I would recommend the Blackberry to you if you're in the following scenario:

1. Current subscriber of ATT, but don't want to get a data plan. AT&T does not make it easy to use an iPhone on their network without a data plan. (This does not appear to apply to you)
2. If you don't like touch screen keyboards
3. If you want to join the cool crackberry crowd and feel that the iPhone doesn't look professional enough

Hope this helps. This was my reason for getting a blackberry. Although everyday the iPhone looks more and more tempting.