[ali.star]

I just wanted to know if having a data plan for smart phones is absolutely mandatory.

I lost my curve a couple months ago and I had no data plan on it because I just bought the phone at retail price. Since then I've just been using some Nokia disposable phone but I got really fed up with not being able to text comfortably and with Rogers for being to difficult about replacing or upgrading my hardware so I called in and hassled my way into getting the Javeline (curve 9300) at the lowest price.

Of course, Rogers will always try to get more money out of you so I ended up getting a 25$ data plan. I asked them if it was a 100% must to get the data plan and they said yes. But how come other people tell me that it's highly recommended but NOT mandatory?

I've been asked many times why I would want a blackberry with no data plan. I don't want it because I don't use my phone to browse the net or send e-mails. I send texts and if I want to use the internet, I can wait until I get home.
Also, if a data plan IS mandatory then how was my brother able to cancel his data plan that they forced him to get? Of course he had to pay a 100$ fee but still... I don't get it.

[jxmode]

If you wanted a regular phone to text, why couldn't you just get a phone with a qwerty designed specifically for texting & calling only, without the use of internet and such?
I know my services provider states that for every smart phone we have to get a dataplan. Sucks yeah, but people deal with it. I don't have a smartphone or blackberry myself but I know my mom was thinking of getting me one, because she saw that I texted a lot, and thought I wanted a keyboard but when they said I needed to get a $30 dataplan, I told her I'm fine texting on a regular phone.

Main reason, is that it's a smart phone, is normally used in business purposes, well mostly, now anyone has a smart phone. What's the point of having a smart phone with all those features if you can't use them. That's mainly why it's recommended you get a data plan..
I have friends who have a smart phone, and they don't have a data plan, but that depends on their service provider.
But for all the carriers in the US if you have a Blackberry, it's mandatory to have a dataplan. =T
So the thing is what is the point in having a Blackberry, packed with all these features if you can't put it to good use, that makes having that phone useless.

[chicken fly lice]

Only if you buy the phone at a subsidized price, its mandatory.

[iisandyx3]

well most smartphones require data plans. i know for sprint you need a data plan to activate a blackberry, and i think verizon too... not really sure about tmobile cuz my cousin has a blackberry w/o a data plan. i think after u got the data plan u can cancel it later on? im not sure tho.
but if u have a smartphone u should have a data plan cuz then wats the point of having a blackberry or watever if u cant use the features??