Verizon's "Required" Data Plan

Why have they put this on their multi media phones? I have the chocolate touch and I bought it before this "required" data plan took place. The phone doesn't need it a data plan. Verizon says these phones need data plans to function.... Well mine works just fine. I feel as if when I am going to upgrade, I am going to be downgrading.... What are your thoughts on the "required" data plan?

I like the multi media phones, because they are nice. The ones that don't require it are very basic and nothing special.

Probably going to want to explain what the "required" data plan actually is.bobbetybob

wat

[QUOTE="bobbetybob"]Probably going to want to explain what the "required" data plan actually is.bobdood99

[QUOTE="bobdood99"][QUOTE="bobbetybob"]Probably going to want to explain what the "required" data plan actually is.bobbetybob

Better get used to it. Eventually the most simple cell phones you can buy will still have the web and the providers will charge you because the consumer is willing to pay.

It's an easy way for them to make some more money. That said, it's absolutely ridiculous. Especially if you have a faux-smartphone.

[QUOTE="bobbetybob"][QUOTE="bobdood99"] required data plan is, you are required to have internet on your phone....... Most people should know this if they have a cell phone.bobdood99

Yeah dude it's some massive BS. I'm going to get one but now i'm starting to hate Verizon. I mean, it's obvious they're trying to make some easy bucks

Man, I'm sure glad AT&T and Sprint would never do something like that.

Man, I'm sure glad AT&T and Sprint would never do something like that.

QuistisTrepe_

Wait, why would you get a Droid, or any Android phone for that matter, and not have a data plan? Kind of defeats the purpose.

Wait, why would you get a Droid, or any Android phone for that matter, and not have a data plan? Kind of defeats the purpose.

Dark_Knight6

Man, I'm sure glad AT&T and Sprint would never do something like that.

QuistisTrepe_

Ummm...Yes they are.

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=27325995&tag=topics%3Btitle

A precis of this: A guy claiming to be from AT&T said if you have an iPhone, any smart phone really, it's mandatory to have the data plan.

Man, I'm sure glad AT&T and Sprint would never do something like that.

QuistisTrepe_

Better get used to it. Eventually the most simple cell phones you can buy will still have the web and the providers will charge you because the consumer is willing to pay.

Pirate700

ITT, the OT community comes in to get their sarcasm detectors recharged or repaired.

Its not just Verizon that does this. Regardless of you service provider if you have a multi media phone(blackberry, droid, iphone etc.) you need a data plan.

[QUOTE="Dark_Knight6"]

Wait, why would you get a Droid, or any Android phone for that matter, and not have a data plan? Kind of defeats the purpose.

Pirate700

[QUOTE="QuistisTrepe_"]

Man, I'm sure glad AT&T and Sprint would never do something like that.

mike7677

Ummm...Yes they are.

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=27325995&tag=topics%3Btitle

A precis of this: A guy claiming to be from AT&T said if you have an iPhone, any smart phone really, it's mandatory to have the data plan.

Its not just Verizon that does this. Regardless of you service provider if you have a multi media phone(blackberry, droid, iphone etc.) you need a data plan.jeremiah06

[QUOTE="jeremiah06"]Its not just Verizon that does this. Regardless of you service provider if you have a multi media phone(blackberry, droid, iphone etc.) you need a data plan.Pirate700

Oh come on, I think the cost of a data plan being nearly the same as a broadband internet connection seems perfectly fair.

[QUOTE="jeremiah06"]Its not just Verizon that does this. Regardless of you service provider if you have a multi media phone(blackberry, droid, iphone etc.) you need a data plan.Pirate700

Oh come on, I think the cost of a data plan being nearly the same as a broadband internet connection seems perfectly fair.

QuistisTrepe_

Despite them offering speeds that are significantly slower than those of a broadband internet connection? Yeah, seems fair.

[QUOTE="QuistisTrepe_"]

Oh come on, I think the cost of a data plan being nearly the same as a broadband internet connection seems perfectly fair.

Dark_Knight6

Despite them offering speeds that are significantly slower than those of a broadband internet connection? Yeah, seems fair.

[QUOTE="Dark_Knight6"]

[QUOTE="QuistisTrepe_"]

Oh come on, I think the cost of a data plan being nearly the same as a broadband internet connection seems perfectly fair.

Pirate700

Despite them offering speeds that are significantly slower than those of a broadband internet connection? Yeah, seems fair.

I know. I was responding with a sarcastic comment.

Man, I'm sure glad AT&T and Sprint would never do something like that.

QuistisTrepe_

Well you can always get the Jitterbug...

[QUOTE="QuistisTrepe_"]

Oh come on, I think the cost of a data plan being nearly the same as a broadband internet connection seems perfectly fair.

Dark_Knight6

Despite them offering speeds that are significantly slower than those of a broadband internet connection? Yeah, seems fair.

I see what you did there.:D More lulz, unlimited texting. Goodness knows networks are really maxed out sending datagrams of less than 1kb.

I'm pretty sure that if you don't want a data plan but you want, say, a smartphone, you can go to somewhere like Wal Mart and they won't force you to get the plan, at least not all of them.

Wait, why would you get a Droid, or any Android phone for that matter, and not have a data plan? Kind of defeats the purpose.

Dark_Knight6

I'm pretty sure that if you don't want a data plan but you want, say, a smartphone, you can go to somewhere like Wal Mart and they won't force you to get the plan, at least not all of them.

WiiRocks66

One solution is to buy a phone from a third party (such as Craigslist) and get a generic data plan. Depending on your network these generic data plans can be compatiable with many of todays smartphones and generally run much cheaper with more options. For example unlimited generally runs $15 a month with 100 mb or so for $5-$10 I think.

If you use a mobile browser like opera mini this is easily enough to last for 1 month of smart phone web browsing. Becareful though, as some companies have caught on to this practice and are trying to make smartphones incompatible with generic data plans.

Yeah ATT has been doing this since the Iphone came out. 30 bucks a month for unlimited internet and you have to get it with your contract.

I kinda see where you're coming from but here's my question: What's the point of spending $200+ on some fancy Android phone with Google Apps, web browsing and all of this internet functionality if all you want to do is make phone calls? You could pick up a $20 model and do that.Senor_Kami