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Verizon Forcing Data Plans for Smarter Feature Phones
AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
Microsoft Cuts iPhone, BlackBerry and Palm Pre Employee Reimbursement Program
British Airways to Launch Text- and Data-Only Cellphone Usage on London-NYC Flights
T-Mobile Officially Increases Price of Wireless Data Plans
T-Mobile Becomes Less Budget, Increases Price on Data Plans
Japan Has Subnotebooks For $1 With Data Plans

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OCEntertainment
08/31/09

In reply to Verizon Forcing Data Plans for Smarter Feature Phones
But, Giz! They've gotta pay for their networks! Because you know, you guys are dataing out their invisio-tubes that they broadcast! So they have to charge moAR and moar. Otherwise, how are they ever gunna get their 4Gs?

Seriously, though. Either all the telecoms are dying for cash and about to all go bankrupt because they're "just giving their network use away", or the upcoming FCC investigation is gonna be the best thing for consumers since internet without screwing with the phone line.

That is, so long as they pay attention to more than just getting an iPhone on Verizon, dangit. I can't tell you how low on the list that is for dumb, anti-consumer practices.
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FriarNurgle
08/31/09

In reply to Verizon Forcing Data Plans for Smarter Feature Phones
I have the "Premium" plan with unlimited data on Verizon for my Dare and the wife's Envy. I'll be dropping the big V if they screw with the plan.
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Hiphopopotamus
08/31/09

In reply to Verizon Forcing Data Plans for Smarter Feature Phones
Are they scrapping their $15 unlimited plan for non-smartphones?
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Jrsy Devil's Advocate®
08/22/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
They started doing this once they got the Nokia E71x.

I'd rather pay the extra coin, one time up front for an unlocked phone and pay $15 a month instead of $30. Saving $180 a year may not seem like a huge amount in the grand scheme of things but it's $180 less than those bloodsuckers at AT&T get from me..
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frigg
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
The phone companies realize that voice charges are an endangered species. Eventually, voice and everything else will just be part of data.
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yoshi
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
This is a great idea! :)
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mricyfire
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
I have a BlackjackII without the data plan...why you ask?

Well $40 extra a month for a shitty browser that is unproductive and mobile internet just wasn't worth more than the internet I pay in my apt.

Forcing it on customers must make all smartphones better at the things you would use data for, or this is just wrong.
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My Secret Identity promoted this comment mricyfire was starred mricyfire was unstarred

Identity (Metric)
08/21/09

@mricyfire: I hear ya on that one. I've had smartphones without data plans for a while.
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badasscat
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
I don't mind having to have a data plan so much (I do use it), but what gets me is texting being extra. How can they even have the gall to advertise "unlimited data" but then charge extra for texting? What the hell is text but data? They really should be sued for false advertising - you can't advertise unlimited data and then charge extra depending on the kind of data it is. What's next, "unlimited data" except for web browsing?
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Funktionality
08/21/09

@badasscat: that's because texting does not run on the same frequencies as data. I.E.- AT&T devices usually have 4 bands, GSM GPRS EDGE AND 3G. Data flows through the latter and voice+text "pings" flow through GSM and GPRS. Ever wonder why there's only 160 characters to a text? look it up.
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dingus promoted this comment Funktionality was starred Funktionality was unstarred

dingus
08/21/09

@Funktionality: Texts use an unused part of a control channel. It's data in the margins that gets sent whether or not there's a text in there. It costs the carrier nothing to transfer texts.
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badasscat
08/21/09

@Funktionality: It really doesn't matter. That would be like AT&T charging differently for voice calls depending on whether or not you're on the 2G, 3G or HSDPA network. It would be ridiculous. Data is data, and if you say $30 for "unlimited data", then I don't see how you charge extra for certain kinds of data and not others.

Yes I know, your next argument is that on a digital network, voice is data too so why not just include everything in one flat rate? My answer to that is first of all, yes, why not? Why should we have to pay different charges for different things if it's all data?

But secondly, I am talking about consumer-facing marketing here that's deceptive. I am not talking about semantic meaning. I'm talking about intentionally baiting and switching by advertising something as "unlimited" when it's not. It's no different than when the cable companies advertise "unlimited" downloads but then don't tell you about the bandwidth caps.
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not_a_virus.exe.vbs
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
It's all about greed, now they can make twice as much per month on certain people. Unlocked smartphone + wifi + prepaid = ATT/T-Mobile's hand not up my ass. This is the only way to go if you don't want someone controlling what you do with your smartphone. Some compromises of course but them the breaks.
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Edited by not_a_virus.exe.vbs at 08/21/09 1:40 PM

Wintursoul
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
Many carriers already require a data plan with Smartphone purchase, including the carrier I work for. Our customers hate it but I'm just a peon and have to take the abuse while the CEO plays golf...
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SQLGuru promoted this comment Wintursoul was starred Wintursoul was unstarred

SQLGuru
08/21/09

@Wintursoul: Most of the AT&T upgrades already require you to get it (well, they get really pushy until you take the free trial) but you can immediately cancel that feature. As long as they don't require you to keep it, no biggie.
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ThisIsSharksTerritory
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
wow that's ridiculous.
that actually seriously would make me switch to T-mobile in it of itself...I don't need the data plan. I am either at home, at work, or at school 80% of the time and there is wifi...that's absolutely horse poo
I bet they will take that away
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Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις promoted this comment

not_a_virus.exe.vbs
08/21/09

@ThisIsSharksTerritory: I think T-Mobile requires a data plan with all their smartphones too. I went in to buy a G-1 and they told me that a data plan was required.
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ThisIsSharksTerritory
08/21/09

@Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις: I could understand with G-1...it's the T-mobile's iPhone but they really require it with all their smartphones?
I didn't know that
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jasonsplace
08/21/09

@Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις:
The G1 is different. Android won't work without a data plan. My wife has a WinMo phone on T-mobile though and no data plan.
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Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις promoted this comment jasonsplace was starred jasonsplace was unstarred

Shawn Pero
08/21/09

@ThisIsSharksTerritory: Why would you get a smartphone, then?
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SQLGuru promoted this comment Shawn Pero was starred Shawn Pero was unstarred

ThisIsSharksTerritory
08/21/09

@Shawn Pero: look at my other post for ur answer.
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not_a_virus.exe.vbs
08/21/09

@jasonsplace: Actually it will. I am using a G-1 and I don't have a data plan. it works fine with WiFi only.
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Edited by not_a_virus.exe.vbs at 08/21/09 2:15 PM

SQLGuru
08/21/09

@Shawn Pero: For the PDA features. Active Sync to my desktop (Google Sync if you prefer). Wi-fi for when I'm bored. 3G isn't *THAT* useful when you live in a wired town (Wi-Fi is faster).
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LEWD98
08/21/09

@Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις: That's Bullshit. I had my G1 for six months without a data plan and it worked wonderful cause I had WiFi at home and work (90% of my life). I only added it cause I went on a trip to Seattle and wanted 3g connection when I was there.
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Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις promoted this comment LEWD98 was starred LEWD98 was unstarred

RichasB
08/21/09

@Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις: T-Mobile does NOT require a data plan. I took my iPhone to their kiosk in the mall and they set me up quickly. I got a Flex plan and pay only 1/3 of the fraction BS&T wanted.
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Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις promoted this comment RichasB was starred RichasB was unstarred

not_a_virus.exe.vbs
08/21/09

@LEWD98: Guess the T-Mo agent was a liar. Well I am sticking with T-Mo till ATT changes their policy.
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not_a_virus.exe.vbs
08/21/09

@RichasB: That's pretty cool, I had no idea they would hook you up. More reasons to stay with T-Mobile.
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elementary
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
I've got my own Smartphone Data Plan. Step 1 of my plan is to switch to a new carrier.

Steps 2 and 3 are ???? and profit, respectively.
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MacAttack7388
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
If you don't want data, you shouldn't be getting a smart phone.

Oh, and Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile do this as well. T-Mobile's policy is "Anything with a full keyboard gets a data plan". That means even messaging phones get data, even though the primary use is texting.

Primary use on a smart phone? Data.

Although, if more people get AT&T's data plan, they're just going to realize how much it sucks...
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Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις promoted this comment MacAttack7388 was starred MacAttack7388 was unstarred

not_a_virus.exe.vbs
08/21/09

@MacAttack7388: Not all of us need to be "connected" 24/7. I have been using smartphones for a while and I have never used a data plan, I have used Wifi exclusively and I get by fine.
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MacAttack7388
08/21/09

@Δεν βρέθηκαν λέξεις:
Well, to be honest, it's also for the people who don't get data, use it a ton, and then bitch to AT&T that they've been charged $1000 on their bill for data.
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vgrfx
08/21/09

In reply to AT&T Forcing Data Plans With All Smartphones Starting Sept. 6
If they are going to shove this down our throat's they should at least lower the prices on these plans.
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sweetzombiejesus
08/21/09

@vgrfx: I worked for AT&T...thats now how they work...basically anyway they can make more money from the customer they will...im suprised it has taken this long really..
Alot of companies try to make more money from their customers, but I think AT&T is the worst...
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reddingofish promoted this comment Edited by sweetzombiejesus at 08/21/09 1:32 PM sweetzombiejesus was starred sweetzombiejesus was unstarred

reddingofish
08/21/09

@sweetzombiejesus: So, if my teenager has a smart phone for easy texting and we told AT&T to block all data and don't give us a data plan, on September 6th said teenager will start getting data and I will start getting charged $20 more a month?
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Erebus56
08/21/09

@reddingofish: Why did you purchase a smartphone for your teenager for texting? They make dumbphones that have full qwerty keyboards. Parent error.
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reddingofish promoted this comment Erebus56 was starred Erebus56 was unstarred

reddingofish
08/21/09

@Erebus56: The smartphone was the same price as a dumbphone and the teenager liked the keyboard better on the smartphone.
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sweetzombiejesus
08/21/09

@reddingofish: yeah, more than likely you will get a notice (if your lucky) and really the only way out of it would be to cancel your service or talk to a decent customer service manager who has the authority to give to credit towards each statement to remove the pricing (the supervisor will say they dont have that authority, but they do...just most of them wont do it and then notate the account to tell other supervisors not to give in) basically just be a nice person and tell them how you cant afford it and how your kid will be upset about not having a smartphone..basically a sob story, and they will probably credit you till the remainder of the contract...
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badasscat
08/21/09

@reddingofish: This is how they get you. What do you think is paying for the smartphone being the same price as the dumbphone? The data plans.
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Jrsy Devil's Advocate®
11/21/08

In reply to T-Mobile Officially Increases Price of Wireless Data Plans
Glad I chose not to switch to T(he)-Mob even though I'd like to get a G1...
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