Using a Blackberry without the Blackberry features - Possible?

[trweyuywi]

After freeing your device from it’s box and recycling all of the included materials, take your SIM and slide it gently into the slot. Also insert your micro SD card, you’ll need it for all the multimedia stuff the Torch 2 can do.
There’s 8GB of on-board memory but that’s not enough considering this device will end up replacing your digital camera and iPod. I recommend at least a 16GB card if you want a lot of room for everything. If you’re planning on putting loads of music, snapping lots of pictures, or shooting lots of video then invest in a 32GB card.

[fgerghet]

Let me add my five cents! I bought a Blackberry in perfect condition for $20.00 in a garage sale, almost new! I went to E-BAY and bought an unlocking code for $1.87. Got my SIM CARD from my carrier, pop it in, and I have been using my Blackie for the last three months an not a word from my carrier! Actually , the phone is now almost new since I got different new parts, lens, back cover.
There you go!

[TadMorose]

Let me add my five cents! I bought a Blackberry in perfect condition for $20.00 in a garage sale, almost new! I went to E-BAY and bought an unlocking code for $1.87. Got my SIM CARD from my carrier, pop it in, and I have been using my Blackie for the last three months an not a word from my carrier! Actually , the phone is now almost new since I got different new parts, lens, back cover.
There you go!

I call BS.

[Heavy Fluid]

I would like to know what provider this is with?

[jriano74]

You can use BB without a BB plan as long as your provider allows it. Also, a lot of features can be used with wifi, I have a list of free apps that run over wifi, it is a little old since I have moved to Android, but in case it serves someone, here it is:
http://juanriano.com/2010/free-black...un-over-wi-fi/

[tigerwolf]

Guess I should mention in case people missed it-Sprint's Boost service now has the Blackberry Curve 9310 (I think a pretty up to date model?) available on plans without Internet service.

With Internet it's on a shrinking payment plan that starts at $60 ($5 more than their Android plans) and shrinks to $45 after 18 months.
Without Internet it's $45 going to $30...

so $30/month for unlimited talk/text (and blackberry messenger, for whatever that's worth) on a modern Blackberry...things have gotten sooo much better!

[collegea]

I have been using an unlocked Blackberry curve 9300 for the past 20 months without any of the add on features on the T-Mobile $30 prepaid plan (1500 minutes) without a problem. Mobile data must be turned on for Wifi to work. I don't require push email, couldn't care less about Facebook or Twitter so I'm happy to save the extra $10 money grab. T-Mobile tries to block my use of Operamini, but I've gotten around that. I like the phone a lot. I don't go for touch phones or Android. I like simple and intuitive. That's why I like Blackberry. My other Blackberry (8530) is with Virgin Mobile (almost 2 years now).

[smyrna5]

I was talking to a T-Mobile rep yesterday about my garbled voice calls when I am not using WiFi calling on my Blackberry 8320. I have the $5 non-blackberry data plan for times when I want to use GoogleMaps or get my Gmail away from my router. She told me that I should switch to the Blackberry $5 data plan. I declined, because I am afraid they will mess something up, such as my Gmail wont work anymore, or they try and pull some nonsense like making start my 2 year contract over. That's what they did when I was out of contract and switched to an unlimited voice calling plan 7 months ago.

That said, my question is whether switching to a $5 Blackberry plan from the non-Blackberry data plan has any advantages for someone that doesn't use Blackberry services?

[DuggaD]

Don't do it. They will change your TErms of service or may mess with your contract term. Data plan should not affect voice quality.

[alicepattinson]

You can always use wifi if you're not planning to use a plan. On the other hand, it's nice to have plan so you can use apps, mails, etc without going to a wifi area.

[Heavy Fluid]

The only downside to that is that most carriers won't activate the BlackBerry without the data plan. You can use some of the functions just on wifi without activating the phone however, you will rely solely on wifi.

[nelsonturner]

As you said you only need a phone for calling and to sending text messages - that's it. No emails. I you have many options any simple phone will be ok… No point for buying blackberry or any other expensive Smartphone.

[tigerwolf]

As you said you only need a phone for calling and to sending text messages - that's it. No emails. I you have many options any simple phone will be ok… No point for buying blackberry or any other expensive Smartphone.

There are many, many people who can use a smartphone, and in fact may already have been using the equivalent without a phone for years or decades, but have no need for data and/or can't pay for it.