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What's with Verizon mandating $10- $30 data packages with most phones? I wanted the env3 or env touch, but have to take a $10 data package with it, that I really don't need. My wife got the env3 back in May, and there was not requirement then, but I guess they figured a way to get extra money from us every month.
Seems like an underhanded way to make $$, or am I missing something?
What's with Verizon mandating $10- $30 data packages with most phones? I wanted the env3 or env touch, but have to take a $10 data package with it, that I really don't need. My wife got the env3 back in May, and there was not requirement then, but I guess they figured a way to get extra money from us every month.
Seems like an underhanded way to make $$, or am I missing something?
If you bought a data capable phone and it was not required then, then you are grandfathered into the old system and not required to add the data plan. The other side of that is if you use data for internet, etc... the cost will wind up being much higher than the $10 minimum. Data plans are also only required on specific phones. Obviously if you have a blackberry, droid, etc... then you will need a data plan or you will get a huge bill for data usage because these phones stay connected to the internet 24/7. The plans were created to prevent customers from getting tremendous bills for overage. Right now AT&T is doing this as well but most postpay companies do require data plans for data type phones especially on newer models.
Now if you are correct about the env3, then i'd talk to a supervisor and they should be able to correct your issue. I previously worked for Verizon so I know their procedures.
I do not intend to use the data part of the phone; I just happen to like a couple of the nicer phone styles with the larger screens, so why should anyone who has no intention of using the data package have to buy it?
It's a shame that us customers are allowing these giants to hold us captive; the data packages are just another way to increase profits.
I do not intend to use the data part of the phone; I just happen to like a couple of the nicer phone styles with the larger screens, so why should anyone who has no intention of using the data package have to buy it?
It's a shame that us customers are allowing these giants to hold us captive; the data packages are just another way to increase profits.
Phones like the Blackberries, IPhones, Droids are hooked up to the internet at all times. Think of it like having GPS on. This means that you would incur data usage. So my question is, why would you buy a data phone if you aren't going to use it? Buy a cheaper phone and you wont have to worry. Otherwise you are actually going against the manufacturer and not the cell phone companies. By the way, even if you had one of these companies without a minimum data plan, your incurred usage would be alot more than the $10 or even the $30 per month. Not all the phones are capable of shutting off the data side either even though you can on most Blackberries.
Phones like the Blackberries, IPhones, Droids are hooked up to the internet at all times. Think of it like having GPS on. This means that you would incur data usage.
Totally disagree. If I didn't use my Droid for email/GPS or the many apps I use, I could simply use it as a nice touch screen phone with texting. It would not be "connected to the internet at all times".
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So my question is, why would you buy a data phone if you aren't going to use it? Buy a cheaper phone and you wont have to worry.
An Envy3 is NOT a data phone. Are you joking? I totally agree that is ridiculous that you must have a data plan with it. I work with 2 people that both have that phone. They bought it before the data plan was required. They don't need an internet connection at all, as is the case with the OP's wife.
It is a great phone for texting but to use it on VZW internet would just suck. THat is NOT the phone to get if you want a "data phone".
Totally disagree. If I didn't use my Droid for email/GPS or the many apps I use, I could simply use it as a nice touch screen phone with texting. It would not be "connected to the internet at all times".
An Envy3 is NOT a data phone. Are you joking? I totally agree that is ridiculous that you must have a data plan with it. I work with 2 people that both have that phone. They bought it before the data plan was required. They don't need an internet connection at all, as is the case with the OP's wife.
It is a great phone for texting but to use it on VZW internet would just suck. THat is NOT the phone to get if you want a "data phone".
Have you ever seen a commercial for the Droid or IPhone. It's a phone which was made as a data and app phone. Using it any other way is a waste of money when you could easily buy certain Samsungs or older LG's that don't require data plans.
Just like I don't buy a PC just to do addition and subtraction. I use it for the internet.
Verizon did this to cover their butts. What was happening is people were buying internet capable phones without a data plan, then using the internet. When they get a bill for the usage, they call Verizon and complain and say they "Accessed the internet by accident." Verizon then had to refund the money. Just recently they had a 90 million payout because of this.
Their solution? Force everyone who get an internet capable phone to have a data plan with it. I don't 100% agree with it, but from a business perspective, it definitely helps stream line things. If you don't want to pay for a data package, then buy a phone that doesn't require it.
Verizon did this to cover their butts. What was happening is people were buying internet capable phones without a data plan, then using the internet. When they get a bill for the usage, they call Verizon and complain and say they "Accessed the internet by accident." Verizon then had to refund the money. Just recently they had a 90 million payout because of this.
Their solution? Force everyone who get an internet capable phone to have a data plan with it. I don't 100% agree with it, but from a business perspective, it definitely helps stream line things. If you don't want to pay for a data package, then buy a phone that doesn't require it.
90% correct. Certain older not ancient phones you DO NOT have to have data plans for. It is because they predate the mandatory data plans.
90% correct. Certain older not ancient phones you DO NOT have to have data plans for. It is because they predate the mandatory data plans.
Several phones ago (this is going back to like 2004), I had a Palm Treo (Verizon) without a data plan - great phone, and I didn't really need data at the time. I used it for the calendar schedule functioning, texting w/ the full keyboard, etc. Data was not blocked, it was set up as a "pay as you go" type of thing.
One day, while traveling, I decided to check out the web on the phone. A $500 cell phone bill later, I wished i had the $29.99 unlimited data plan.
You better believe that I put up a fight about paying that bill. I eventually paid it (because it was my fault). But the calls I made to customer service were less that pleasant. I have a feeling Verizon has had many similar issues ..... and decided to force data plans on data enabled phones - for this exact reason.
I've got a feeling that the same people who complain about $10/month data fees are among the same people who rack up huge bills and then complain about the bills as well.
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