vB Easy Archive - Disabling internet on Verizon

Pages: 1

Disabling internet on Verizon
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: donkeybutter

Hey all,

My wife and I both have treo 600s through Verizon. We've been getting dinged every month for data usage we don't use - I've done my best to move the 'Web' application away from where it could accidentally be invoked, but there's still apparently some connection happening, unless Verizon is just lying, which seems unlikely.

So I called them and said "please stop the internet" and it turns out they CAN'T - at least not without killing SMS and Pix messaging as well, which I use all the ******* time. So that's not an option.

So, since Verizon has no interest in helping me, I turn to the accumulated wisdom of HowardForums with a question: how can I kill any possibility of the phones accessing the internet?

Posted by: DP102288

I have a Treo 600 on VZW, and what I noticed is something of particular odd-ness in the way the default internet settings on the Treo have been set.

From the home screen, pick the Prefs application.

In top right, choose network.

Press the menu button, to invoke the top line menu bar. The menu button in next to the home button.

Go to options and select Preferences.

On my Treo, the first and second boxes were checked when I got the phone. But if you read the first one, it doesn't seem to be too good. If you click the "I" in the upper right of that box, you will see a better description of the options.

About the first option, it states that whenever you turn on Wireless Mode, the Treo will connect to the internet, and the connection will remain dormant until you use it, which the connection will turn form dormant to active. However, according to other Hofo-ers, the Treo will periodically ping the network, when their is a dormant internet connection. The Treo will connect to the VZW network, and refresh its network state.

This uses data and minutes, which is the primary reason why their is no more minutes of use (MOU) allowed for PDA phones anymore. The Treo users would call in if they had MOU and tell VZW that their bill says they have used 742,000 minutes in one month!. This was because of the pings and the fact the Treo never fully disconnected from the internet. This was because the Treo really didn't fully disconnect. The first option box on those Treo's was checked, and the Treo maintained a dormant connection with the network. Now because they had MOU, every time the Treo pinged the network, it used one minute. Over the course of the peak hour calling time, this could have been done many times, multiplied by the numbers of days in the month.

To fix this, VZW said the PDA couldn't have MOU. (Lots of 3 letter words their!

) They said all PDA must have a data plan, and MOU is not one. They introduced a pay as you go rate, which I never really understood the rates of, in addition to the other plans. This was due to the fact the pings were so small in data size, that it would be cheaper for the customers, and it wouldn't use up the customer's minutes. (Yes VZW actually helped its PDA users for once.)

So back to your Treo menu. If you uncheck the first option, about connecting to the internet whenever wireless mode is on, the Treo will only connect to the internet whenever you request it. This is what I have done. The first box is unchecked, and the second box is checked.

Now I do use QNC to browse the internet, and last month I did transfer 2.4 mb according to my un-billed usage information. However though, I was charged nothing in addition regarding data. QNC is free, and my Treo used none of the pay as you go data which is what I have, only because I refuse to pay the rediculous rates of VZW internet plans.

I know this may not completely answer your question, but if you un-check the first option, and check the second option, the Treo will have to ask you every time to connect to the internet whenever it has to. I think this will be the most effective way to stop the data charges that most people accumulate on their bills.

Sorry this was so long, I didn't mean to make it this long.

Hope this helps.