I've been reading a multitude of posts regarding phone features that may or may not use and be charged for MB data. Like many of you, I'd like to have answers to the burning question: Specifically what DOES USE data and what IS and what IS NOT charged for MB under VZW's Nationwide Calling Plans? (assuming the line is not "Premiere" and has no Vpak subscription).

So here's an itemized list of those phone features with an initial (not guaranteed) stab at filling it out by 9Dodge19 ( ) and me. I've also reviewed it with a couple CSR/phone techs to get the latest.

In the list below after each feature there is a "DATA" column (does this feature use data?) and, most importantly, a "$MB$" column (if data is used, is it charged for this particular use?). A "NO" means that data is not supposed to be charged for this use. A "NO *" indicates that there have been reports from some users that data has been charged. A "YES" means that there should be no question, this is billable use.

Since there's been so much variation reported by users about VZW's data billing, until VZW itself publishes a similar list, no one can guarantee 100% accuracy. That's where all you VZW-billing-knowledgeable HoFoers come in - please update this thread with your (accurate) up-to-date info. And please site sources and/or evidence (I got billed for it, CSR/DTS told me so, I'm from VZW and I know, etc.). If anyone has any comments, or would like to add to the list of features that might/could use MB, please post that accordingly. Here's hoping one of the mods will monitor and edit this OP to make changes as newly verified info is reported.

#:--DESCRIPTION OF FEATURE:-------------------------------------DATA:Y/N - $MB$:Y/N
01--TXT messages with a TXT plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:NO - $MB$:NO
02--TXT messages without a TXT plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:NO - $MB$:NO

03--MMS messages with an MMS plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:NO *
04--MMS messages without an MMS plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:NO *
----NOTE per VZW: Sending, receiving & uploading MMS messages to/from Pix Place uses MB (on NW) and MOU (on AC).

05--Downloading/updating IM app with a messaging plan. . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES
06--Downloading/updating IM app without a messaging plan. . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES
07--Using IM with a messaging plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:NO *
08--Using IM without a messaging plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:NO *

09--Accessing and browsing MW/WAP or HTML . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES
10a-Accessing "My Account Handset" (done via MW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES *
----(NOTE: NEW per VZW: Initial access to MAH thru MW will be charged $MB$. Once in MAH, no addl' MB charges.
10b-Browsing/reading account info on "My Account Handset" . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:NO *

11--*228 Programming or PRL update (manual or "pushed") . . . . . . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:NO
12--Spontaneous "Registering Apps" after a PRL or F/W update . . . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:NO *
13--Any other spontaneous phone housekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:NO

14--#DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:NO - $MB$:NO
15--#BAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:NO - $MB$:NO
16--#MIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:NO - $MB$:NO
17--#PMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:NO - $MB$:NO
18--FOTA (if/when available) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:???

19--Browsing Vcast Music catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:YES
20--Downloading Vcast music or videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES

21--VZ Navigator (disclaimers, map updates, positioning, etc.) . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:NO
----(NOTE: Downloading/updating the VZnavigator application itself will be charged $MB$.

22--Mobile TV (schedules, summaries, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:NO
----(NOTE: Downloading Vcast Videos from the MobileTV menu will be charged $MB$.

23--Downloading "free" GIN apps (Backup Assistant, SongID, etc.) . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:YES
----(NOTE: For MyAccount members, data used to download the BA app is credited back to the account.
24--Using "free" Backup Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:NO *
25--Using "free" Vcast SongID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:YES
26--Using "free" Song ID's "Automail" feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:???

27--Browsing GIN catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:YES
28--Downloading paid GIN Apps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data:YES - $MB$:YES
29--Downloading paid GIN content (ringtones, games, etc.) . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES
30--Using paid GIN Apps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES

31--Downloading GIN Games use $MB$. Some also that use $MB$ while being played (add more):
- Guitar Hero III . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES
- Scrabble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES
- JEOPARDY! Deluxe. . . . . . . . . Data:YES - $MB$:YES

Nice to see you guys finally compiled a list. Good work.

For number 23, the note you have there isn't exactly correct.

It's only credited if you are registered on My Account. Secondly, if you are registered then the MB charges for downloading the app is credited back to any line regardless if they are pri or sec.

If by "DATA" you mean packet data (technically everything that goes across the airlink is data, but only packet data is typically called "data" in this context), then #14-17 should not say YES for DATA. Those services are initiated through a voice call and respond via a standard text message (same as #01/02), there are no packet data involved.

Thanks blacom00!
You're absolutely correct in stipulating BA download data use is credited only for registered My Account holders. Regarding Primary v. Secondary line credits, my initial note came fresh from VZW this morning. Nonetheless, I've edited my original post per your input until further confirmation either way.Thanks XFF!
I've edited my original post accordingly.

Might I suggest a sticky?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but pretty much everything that's a "Yes" in the Data column takes airtime if you're on an ACII plan, right?

for vcast song id automail feature i would say no because of the fact the song is already known by your phone and by the system at that point and it would be the systems job to email it you not your phones....

maybe it would be chargeable based on the first set up of the email (sending the system your information)

It certainly would make sense that data-MOU and $MB$ usage are triggered the same way in VZW's billing system, but I can't say for certain since I specifically researched only NW's data behavior.

On my ACII plan, since I usually access most of my GIN (no, not the booze kind) and MW on N&W, and therefor rarely exceed my monthly MOU, it's never been an issue. It's a bigger deal on NW because I'm not willing to shell out $60 more per month for 4 lines of Vpak or $70 more for Premium just to do the same things I do now on ACII for a few in-plan MOU (or free N&W).

Excellent points, you're probably right.

But since VZW doesn't consider dialing our own number (VM) an "IN" call, and charges 2XMOU for forwarding a call that never reaches our handset, I'm not 100% sure what they do (particularly if you don't have a messaging plan).

Forwarding to a non-VZW line counts the same as calling that line directly, ie. 1xMOU, not 2xMOU.

i suppose the only way to find out would be to a month without data except using that feature....which would be near to impossible

When I researched call forwarding scenarios with VZW last year I was told that if an off-network line calls a VZW line and that call is forwarded to another VZW line (even on the same account/FSP), both VZW lines are charged full MOU (no "IN" applies between VZW lines in this case). Is that not true?

I believe the data is at least slightly different on the older AC plans with MOU--for example, MMS messaged definitely incur a charge in the form of airtime.That is what I recall from a fairly recent thread on the topic as well.

This sticky is a list of Data Usage: Billable vs. non-Billable for the Nationwide Plan. Not sure why we're getting on the America's Choice. Someone else can sticky that. I'm afraid this thread is going to get off topic quickly.