vB Easy Archive - Data Plan Questions

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Data Plan Questions
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Posted by: klooney

Do you have to have a texting package on top of a data plan? I know with verizon you have to have data and if you want to text and extra text package. Also do you have to have a data plan with a pda style phone?

Posted by: RF9

Basically no. Data plans come as data/text message bundles now. While they do exist without text messaging, they're the same price without as they are with. Basically a few months ago they added text messaging to the PDA data plan but kept it the same price.

Eg: The cheapest data plan is Media Max 200 for $20 and includes 200 text messages.
There is a smartphone connect plan for $20 with unlimited data only, no text messaging.

There is an old PDA connect (unlimited data) plan for $40/month with no text messaging.
There is also a PDA Personal Max 1500 (unlimited data plan) for $40 that includes 1500 text messages.

Part of this has to do with 'packages' (as they're called with text messaging) being marketed to non-business consumers, as well as data-only plans marketed toward businesses.

For non PDAs, the cheapest unlimited data plan is:
$20 Media Max 200; Unlimited + 200 text.
Also,
$30 Media Max 1500; unlimited + 1500
$40 Media Max Unlimited; unlimited + unlimited text.

For PDAs, the cheapest unlimited data plan is:
$40 PDA Personal Max1500; Unlimited +1500 text.
$50 PDA Personal Max Unlimited; for Unlimited + unlimited text.

As you can see, the PDA plans are $10 more for the same thing, but they don't offer a PDA Personal Max 200 (for $30.)

Now. Having said that, if you are creative and search the forums, you'll see you can get away with media max on a PDA. They just won't sell it to you intentionally.

So while you can get data only, it makes no sense to do so because it's not cheaper than getting it in a text/data package.

You can, however, get text messaging only (no data.) That would be the reverse of what you're asking about.

Posted by: klooney

So I could theoretically get the smart phone connect plan for 20 and unlimited text for 20? This would be much cheaper than verizon.

Posted by: RF9

Quote:

Originally Posted by klooney

So I could theoretically get the smart phone connect plan for 20 and unlimited text for 20? This would be much cheaper than verizon.

Smartphone Connect is a bit of an odd-ball. Really it's only available for the 2125, 3125 and one that's no longer around Mpx200.
A "smart phone" is one that runs WM but no keyboard.
Smartphone is not supposed to be put on a PDA. But again if you could get away with it just like media max.

You could do that. But that's basically the same exact thing as Media Max unlimited for $40.

Note, there is also a $5 add on to all plans for unlimited Mobile to Mobile texting between AT&T customers. That's what I have.
I have Media Max 200 + $5 Unlimited M2M texting (total $25.)

Oh, and the other question. Yes, when you get a PDA in a store, they insist you have a data plan when you leave for a few reasons.
But a data plan is not required, they just force you to get. If you buy online through AT&T.com, then you can get it without the data if you wish.

Also, if you do buy it in the store with the data plan, you can remove it immediately. You don't have to keep data add on features for any length of time and you can always switch (unlike Verizon.)

Just log in to your account at wireless.att.com and got to add/manage features. From there you can change or add Media Max to your account, even to a PDA.

Posted by: klooney

Thanks, I took your advice and did some research in this forum and if I can get the media max plan and with unlimited text it would be 20 cheaper than going with vzw. Now to wait until my contract is up LOL!!

Posted by: RF9

Yes, about once a year or so I take at other carriers. Verizon is the only alternative to me because T-Mobile is behind in 3G, and Sprint is lacking native coverage.
I'm always shocked when I see how much more monthly I'd have to spend to go to Verizon, and that's on top of several other negative factors going to them.

I forgot to mention that with most PDAs there's a discount or mail in rebate for getting it with the $40 PDA Personal Max plan. As a result here's what I would recommend.
Sign up and get $40 PDA Personal Max 1500, or $50 PDA Personal Max Unlimited and keep it for 1-2 months until you get your mail in rebate.
At that point you can log in to your account online, remove PDA, and add Media max for basically $10 less per month. There's an add/manage features link when you log in that you can use to do this. Or you might have to call and have them remove PDA Max, then you just go online and add Media Max.
In any case dropping to Media Max instead of PDA max just saves you $10/month, and it's the same exact plan.

The image below is a screen shot of add/manage features.
See this page for the latest Media Max plans:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-ph...equestid=152570
And here for PDA Plans:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=r...4fT0u1HJzLqiFGg