Data Plan Required.. The Answer is YES

[Laurence5905]

I understand the desire not to pay $30 a month for data, but here's how I worked it out for myself.

My old phone had the Nationwide Connect 900 plan -- $89.99 a month

My Droid has the Nationwide Basic 900 plan - 59.99 a month plus the $30 unlimited data plan. So it's the same $89.99 a month. I added $5 a month for 250 texts. (on the old plan, I guess I was wasting a little money each month, because I had unlimited texts, and I never used more than 250 a month). So basically it's costing me $5 a month more to own the Droid -- a premium I'm MORE than willing to pay for such an awesome phone.

Yes it sucks that you can't get this phone without a data plan, if you have access to WiFi 100% of the time. But that applies really to so few people, that it's probably just not worth it to Verizon to offer anything different. And this way, with the data plan, you don't have to worry about accidentally downloading stuff on the 3G connection, and running up a huge bill in the process ($15.36 per megabyte! Wow!!)

[MountainX]

a lot of people on this forum sound like marketing mouthpieces for Verizon. Just because VZW doesn't allow this phone without a data plan doesn't make it right.

Like I said in an earlier post, I can sign up with a Nokia N900 (an equally powerful smart phone) without a data plan on T-Mobile and other carriers.

And I can even do prepaid plans with the N900.

[LordKastle]

Can you clarify "other carriers"?

It may be wrong, but until there is a boycott the major carriers won't budge. I hate to offend T-Mobile customers, but c'mon...it's T-Mobile. It is in last place when it comes to cell phone service and there is a reason why Android, even with its head-start on that platform made virtually no ground in expanding until it hit the other carriers.

[MountainX]

Can you clarify "other carriers"?

It may be wrong, but until there is a boycott the major carriers won't budge. I hate to offend T-Mobile customers, but c'mon...it's T-Mobile. It is in last place when it comes to cell phone service and there is a reason why Android, even with its head-start on that platform made virtually no ground in expanding until it hit the other carriers.

I know Nokia N900 users who are on prepaid (and other) plans with AT&T too. The data connection is limited to 2.5G (as reported by the indicator on the phone) because of the frequencies the phone supports. But for someone like me (with WiFi), this is perfect.

So I guess 50% of US carriers support Arm Cortex a8 smartphones with any plan the customers want, and 50% of US carriers don't believe their users have the right to choose.

Where I live, T-Mobile has better coverage than VZW. And T-Mobile is expanding in the US faster than any other carrier, afaik.

FWIW, T-Mobile USA is currently rolling out a 3g network built on HSPA (commonly referred to as HSPDA for the downlink part). In short order, T-Mobile may have the best and fastest 3.5G network of any carrier... but in the mean time, they serve my needs by letting me choose service that fits my usage patterns.

[Backnblack]

a lot of people on this forum sound like marketing mouthpieces for Verizon. Just because VZW doesn't allow this phone without a data plan doesn't make it right.

Like I said in an earlier post, I can sign up with a Nokia N900 (an equally powerful smart phone) without a data plan on T-Mobile and other carriers.

And I can even do prepaid plans with the N900.

I dont work for VZW...they don't pay enough for one.... When I mention the required fee it is due to the fact that your are not getting a smartphone from VZW without it. Plain and Simple. People are free to choose the carrier of their choice.

It's my personal opinion that a phone is useless without a data plan.

[MountainX]

a lot of people on this forum sound like marketing mouthpieces for Verizon. Just because VZW doesn't allow this phone without a data plan doesn't make it right.

Like I said in an earlier post, I can sign up with a Nokia N900 (an equally powerful smart phone) without a data plan on T-Mobile and other carriers.

And I can even do prepaid plans with the N900.

I dont work for VZW...they don't pay enough for one.... When I mention the required fee it is due to the fact that your are not getting a smartphone from VZW without it. Plain and Simple. People are free to choose the carrier of their choice.

It's my personal opinion that a phone is useless without a data plan.

I wasn't singling out any one person, especially not you. Your replies have been helpful. I was just venting some frustration with the fact that VZW takes away user's choice and few complain. So I'm making my voice heard.

[Backnblack]

a lot of people on this forum sound like marketing mouthpieces for Verizon. Just because VZW doesn't allow this phone without a data plan doesn't make it right.

Like I said in an earlier post, I can sign up with a Nokia N900 (an equally powerful smart phone) without a data plan on T-Mobile and other carriers.

And I can even do prepaid plans with the N900.

I dont work for VZW...they don't pay enough for one.... When I mention the required fee it is due to the fact that your are not getting a smartphone from VZW without it. Plain and Simple. People are free to choose the carrier of their choice.

It's my personal opinion that a phone is useless without a data plan.

I wasn't singling out any one person, especially not you. Your replies have been helpful. I was just venting some frustration with the fact that VZW takes away user's choice and few complain. So I'm making my voice heard.

No worries....Keep speaking up...

[compwrench]

I had a $15 plan with my enV Touch and they made me go to the $30 for the Droid. It actually works out the same for all the products. 15 unlimited, 5 email, 9.99 for VZ Navigator. I declined email and navigator, so it was just $15 for Internet. Droid just doesn't let you ala carte. So the "Free" Google directions are not quite free.

[MountainX]

Droid just doesn't let you ala carte. So the "Free" Google directions are not quite free.

What do you mean? I can make totally free voice calls on my Droid using Google Voice and Gizmo. Of course I do have to have service with Verizon, and I pay them for that. But I do not use any voice minutes for my calls (inbound or outbound).

[Backnblack]

...Withdrawn