Verizon to require $30 data plans for new smartphones

114. anonimo (unregistered)

OLDER PHONES RELEASED PRIOR TO 11.14.2008 WILL STILL BE ABLE TO BE USED W/O THE DATA PLAN... This makes it so obvious that the storm is coming out on the 15th... as rumors claimd.

127. (unregistered)

Not so. The popularity of the iphone raised all other carriers' awareness to data take rates(in this case forced). VZW in the past 2 yrs has already required data on Blackberry's. All they are doing now is clarifying. STORM may well still release on the 15th, but this data rate requirement is long overdue. If you want to play, you will have to pay.

136. (unregistered)

I just think this is hilarious because all the iPhone haters were complaining OH YOU HAVE TO HAVE A DATA PLAN!!! Now you all can follow the same rules to get your "precious" strom, LAME

141. Anomalies (Posts: 61; Member since: 08 Jun 2008)

Are you retarded? Re-read what the person you replied to has already said " VZW in the past 2 yrs has already required data on Blackberry's". People would have had to have a data plan to get the Storm already, this is for other PDA phone. Great job pointing out nothing!

186. kaylorra (unregistered)

When inquiring about the Storm or Curve, I was told it was RIM who required the data plan on Blackberries. Then again, every customer service representative at Verizon is an idiot, pretty much. Everyone tells me a different story. This sucks though, because I was interested in the new Samsung smartphone that I heard is coming out this week. Hmph. And I'm a college student so I can't afford the extra expenses, hah.

6. (unregistered)

You had to get a data plan on the Storm anyways. All Blackberrys require a data plan.

22. Douchebagerslayer (unregistered)

Hey dude there's no reason to be a douchebag, try insulting people in real life.

23. vzw fanboy (unregistered)

why would paying a few extra dollars prevent you from getting a phone that looks really cool?

34. (unregistered)

ur r really that stupid? all blackberrys have required it from before, get out of here you nobody cause you dont know s***

66. (unregistered)

Freaking awesome name!

67. so real (unregistered)

You'd b surprised. Imma vzw call center rep and I get @ least 5 calls a day from cheap skates who don't want data on their pda........I cringe at the backlash from this

69. (unregistered)

Hey 3 what goes on in your mind to honestly think about walking away from the Storm now that it rquires a data paln. Were you just going to buy it to show it off to your friends. All of you people who think this is wrong need to grow up and realize now all phones are for everyone. ALL PDA'S SHOULD REQUIRE PDA PLAN. If you want a calender, a regular phone has just as good of one. The only thing that I see is wrong would be to force regular phones to require data plans. NOW, ALL OF YOU CUSTOMERS AND VZ EMPLOYEES WHO CRIED ABOUT ATT AND THE $30 DATA PLAN FOR THE I PHONE I know have to laugh. I so wanted to cut and paste all of those entries because I knew this day was coming. Yes I work for ATT and for the most part we have been doing this for as long as I can remember. I do not think it is wrong for both companies to require this data plan for all smart phones. Thats what they were made for.

70. (unregistered)

You know what tough!!! If these customers want that specific phone then they need to realize there comes a price they have to pay. Not all phones are for everyone. The I Phone, BB Storm, as well as other PDA's shouldn't be purchased just to look cool in your pocket or at the next party that you attend. Let me re phrase this, you can buy them for that reason but don't bitch at the fees that come with them. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but if you don't like the fees dont buy that particular phone. It's simple.

80. (unregistered)

thank god for unlocked phones!

83. (unregistered)

what does that have to do with anything?

94. harper (unregistered)

just fyi, there is no way of unlocking the storm. though many people think you cant. vodaphone and vzw have blocked that from happening. read around if you dont believe me

97. (unregistered)

fcc requires that any phone offered by a US carrier can be unlocked at anytime for any reason

99. (unregistered)

You know, something should be said about the broader perspective in that consumers in an ideal capitalistic economy, should be given the widest range of choices for the products they want to buy. Honestly, I do not see your point about why you feel the need to REQUIRE a data plan with a PDA. I happen to believe that this is quite inconsequential to me as I require a data plan for my work anyway, but truth be told, I don't think that the people who are against this requirement from VZW are unfounded. What's more ridiculous is your vehement response to such protest. You talk about growing up, well, I just gave you a lesson. I suggest you learn from it and not be so myopic.

103. (unregistered)

98. the FCC requires no such thing. No verizon phone can be unlocked (easily).. and u sure as hell cant use a sprint phone on verizon's service even though they are the same tech and vice versa. Please, know what you are talking about, or not talk. GSM and CDMA are 2 diff techs and do not lock/unlock the same.

121. (unregistered)

As a VWZ employee, here's the most common scenario Sept - Customer - "no, i don't want the data plan on my new cenrto, i'm just going to use the calendar to sync with outlook" Oct - Customer - "why the hell do i have data charges on my Bill???????" VZW - "because you used the internet" Customer - "bullshit, no one told me there were data charges!!! i want credits" VZW - "ok, sir, we can do that, But since you're using the internet, would you like the data plan?" Customer - "No" Niov -Customer - "why the hell are there data Chrges on my bill again? Can't you people do anything right?" as a cell phone employee, i get so sick of this scenario. the majority of people that don't add the data plan to PDA's that are (currently) optional come back to either add the package or bitch about their bill. If they had used common sense ion the first place, they would have saved themselves a trip or a phone call

149. (unregistered)

I think he is talking about this: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/10/ca_sprint.html It was not the FCC though it was The California Supreme Court. Sprint settled it out of court but I think the entire thing was rediculas for the fact that no other carrier that I know of in the US will activate the phone.

157. (unregistered)

um, metro pcs can unlock a verizon phone no problem. they can unlock it pretty easily too.

160. (unregistered)

104 you can use a sprint phone on a verizon plan, I have a samsung instinct on one of my secondary lines, you simply have to send the ohone off for quality inspection and they will activate it for you. the majority of the features will be unavailable, but it is still a sick phone and the web browser even works on the vzw network..

161. (unregistered)

When did VZW start the whole "Open Network" with a compatible device thing? I read where they were launching a sevice like that but did not know it was in effect. Are you still able to download the OTA firware updates like the new web browers they released a month or so ago? I'm also guessing the navigation and Live Search are part of the "majority of the features" that were unavalible. Makes me wonder if I could pull some stings with Sprint and get them to add an Omnia ESN to their database and activate that bad boy!

171. (unregistered)

So for those of us who live on a campus with full WiFi coverage 8 months of the year, we get punished because retards complain about their phone bills. That's great. Since I won't be getting the phone I want, goodbye Verizon, I'll be leaving when my contract is up in May.

180. (unregistered)

PDA's Clown - the rim devices already had it.

183. (unregistered)

that is for the new spectrum that was just auctioned off not the one already out. your talking about LTE.