Comments on: Verizon Introduces BlackBerry Data Only Plan

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:16:48 +0000

Tom & Ben,
Now there is. http://www.skype.com/mobile/reminder/
You’re right Tom I think it makes perfect sense. I’m no mathematician, but I think ($55 Verizon + $3 Skype) < ($40 Verizon voice + $30 Verizon Data + $10 Verizon Text). Compounded over two years, the savings is 24months*$22/month = $528.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:21:35 +0000

Bryan, the 5GB data cap for verizon is a myth. It was reported in PC World by Tom Bradley at the same time that he reported that no tethering apps exist (PDA Net certainly does exist) and that an extra fee is required for microsoft exchange access (it is not). I recently confirmed the lack of a data cap by checking online and then calling customer service to ask directly. I do, however, feel that verizon must have tucked away in the terms of service a clause to allow them to throttle back speeds for excessive users, those who would use exclusively VoIP for instance and get closer to 10-15 gb / month is my guess. I also have a droid, however, and found this article by searching for exactly that purpose. After all, the only way to find out for sure is to try, right? I plan on tethering and torrenting to see just how high I can get my “unlimited data” in one month and see what verizon’s response to this is.

By: scodal

scodal — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:36:05 +0000

Better than an iPhone, what are some good alternatives? I’m alright with my Verizon plan but I do think it could be cheaper.

By: scodal

scodal — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:34:41 +0000

Your comment is counter productive so I will help you understand. The plan exists for deaf people and people like me that don’t like to have voice conversations on their traveling mini computer. I don’t view my blackberry as a phone. I hate phone calls. I have MagicJack which is $20/year instead of $20/mo and this saves me $240/year. I’m not rich, that helps a lot. I would hate to be forced to pay for something I don’t want so mad props to Verizon for creating a plan that appeals to people like me.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:28:16 +0000

I’d would like to have data only and use an Android device like the new Motorola Droid and use Google Voice for VOIP. Depending on how much bandwidth Google Voice uses you might burn through the 5gb data cap per month. Does anyone know how much data is used per minute of a phone call?

By: Ben Pike

Ben Pike — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:00:09 +0000

Tom,

There are no VOIP apps for BlackBerry that I’m aware of, sorry.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:55:58 +0000

Well, if you use VOIP apps, like Skype (and others) that are available for smart phones, a data-only plan makes *PERFECT* sense. All of your voice calls will be for that app.

I really should have checked to see if I could get data-only when I got my BlackBerries. I’d have gotten those, instead.

By: scodal

scodal — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:47:49 +0000

This appeals to some.. for example.. I searched Google specifically to find this offer. I may not be deaf, but what about these people? Should they be forced to pay for data when it’s useless to them? This benefits Verizon AND hearing impaired. The reason I’m interested is because I hate talking on the phone, I’m a busy person and constantly talking to every person that rings in at any moment is a bit obnoxious to me. If you need me, you can simply send me a quick line and I can send one back. Unnecessary chatter does not need to take place. I pay the same amount for a phone plan now that does much less than I could achieve with this on a Blackberry. So, to each their own and thanks to Verizon for offering this

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:46:33 +0000

That’s a sham.

My wife and I pay 69$ per month on VZW for our minutes between the two of us (700 plus unlimited text).

To add my blackberry plan (unlimited data, email, msg), i think it was 30$ extra to our qualifying minutes plan.

You could get the bare minimum minutes plan plus the data plan for not much more.