[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by Serkle K

I think it's wrong that a company intentionally inflates data because I'm using a phone that accesses their information on their network...

Get used to it, AT&T isn't the only carrier doing this. I believe Sprint makes you take the $100 unlimited plan on a few of their phones, its not an option.
Smart phones are the hot thing now and just like with SMS, carriers are going to capitalize on it.

[southwestcomm]

The $99 Simply Everything plan is only required for the Instinct.

Sprint PDA plans - including BIS - is $30.00. BB data is also included in some of the family plans.

Originally Posted by ArgonNJ

Get used to it, AT&T isn't the only carrier doing this. I believe Sprint makes you take the $100 unlimited plan on a few of their phones, its not an option.
Smart phones are the hot thing now and just like with SMS, carriers are going to capitalize on it.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by southwestcomm

The $99 Simply Everything plan is only required for the Instinct.

Sprint PDA plans - including BIS - is $30.00. BB data is also included in some of the family plans.

That's the phone I was thinking of. Thanks

[blackballed]

partnering with phone manufacturers to create new "smart" phone does not obligate the consumer to pay a premium for the same service they would otherwise recieve on any other phone. after much complaining att did in fact give me a refund for a month and took some other step on their end to make my MMS work for photo, video and text on my curve. the fact that you pay for, recieve and enjoy internet service is great, but irrelelvant to my argument. so pull your head out of the chat room, or your helmet,for a minute, and think.
If you pay for the family plan for unlimited text, video, and pictures for all lines, then that is exactly what you should get, smart phone, dumb phone or otherwise. If the phone is capable, then software locks should not be rigged in order to force folks in to a data plan who dont want one. i can see that most folks here are too busy surfing on their blackberry to conceive of anything that is not an exact fit to their their techno nerd lifestyle.

Originally Posted by betterlate1

OP, Here's the way I look at it...

I am on an AT&T National Family Plan for Voice
Unlimited Family Messaging added for $30
which ends up costing $28 per phone per month since I have 5 phones
then my BlackBerry has the BlackBerry Personal Plan added on for $30
which gives me unlimited BB data usage AND SUPPORT.

I think $28 per phone per month is very reasonable a cost to keep in touch with all the family wherever they are.
I think $30 extra for my phone alone is reasonable for unlimited internet and data on my personal BlackBerry.
And, AT&T support for BlackBerry has been helpful previously, and when they are unable to help, they will transfer me to RIM.

OP, I'm assuming you live in the US. Go back to worrying about bailing out the failed mortgage banking industry. This billing structure issue doesn't deserve this much effort and brain power. Personally I'm not worried about either. The BB is a luxury not a necessity.

[NJBlackBerry]

You getting anywhere with the Consumer Fraud angle?

If you want to use a BlackBerry, you get a BlackBerry Data Plan. It is as simple as that. No matter how hard you try to imagine it differently.

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by blackballed

i can see that most folks here are too busy surfing on their blackberry to conceive of anything that is not an exact fit to their their techno nerd lifestyle.

And now you are one of us. We caught you in our trap.

Go for it... insulting people around here always shows the great maturity needed to succeed with your plan.

[NJBlackBerry]

When you have no other avenue, insults are the last resort..

Obviously black isn't getting the love here that he/she wants, so he will insult people.

Instead of realizing he/she is on the wrong side of the argument...

[BallHawk3]

I wish they would go back to you requiring a blackberry data plan in order to have a blackberry! The plan should pop on regardless if you add it or not the minute you activate a blackberry!

If you ain't willing to pay, you don't need a blackberry nor should you get one!

[bigolsparky]

Hmmmm.

I have 5 phones on my plan AT&T. Three Blackberry and 2 Motorola.
I have 2 BB data plans. Unlimited Family Text and Multimedia and AT&T told me I could not get MMS on the third Blackberry without a data plan. But I do.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by BallHawk3

I wish they would go back to you requiring a blackberry data plan in order to have a blackberry! The plan should pop on regardless if you add it or not the minute you activate a blackberry!

If you ain't willing to pay, you don't need a blackberry nor should you get one!

That's the problem. There are too many people who just want a BB because it is one of the "in" devices right now. They really don't care about its capabilities and certainly don't want to pay for them. They just want to "look cool". Hence all the "do I really have to pay for a BB plan for this" posts and Mr I'm going to sue AT&T for fraud.

[wabbit]

only fraud att does is charge you 17 or 20 bux for paying the full price on a phone to upgrade, besides that, i have no other problems with them. tho i think that is fraud tbh.

[TroyDBrown]

The OP should see what Canadians have to deal with. Check out Rogers pricing.

[bigolsparky]

The only features you don't get on a Pearl without the BB data plan, are e-mail and Blackberry Messenger.

If you know the trick

I think it will work on the Curve too.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by bigolsparky

The only features you don't get on a Pearl without the BB data plan, are e-mail and Blackberry Messenger.

If you know the trick

I think it will work on the Curve too.

What's the point then? The email capability is major selling point for me with the BB. Absent that, I would probably go back to my iphone.

[bigolsparky]

I guess the point is, while I have 2 plans with BB data, my daughter has no need for it. I also think that the pearl is a quality device and would choose it over any other texting type phone because of durability and function.