Can a BB Curve be used with no data plan? Just voice and messaging.

[mmiller2002]

My daughter wants to buy a used Curve and put her SIM card in it for voice, text messaging, and picture messaging. We have a 4-line family plan with unlimited messaging package. Any data id pay as you go at $2 per MB. ouch!

I am concerned that the Curve will try to connect to the internet on its own as some sort of preprogrammed update/ping/whatever. With ATT's minimum data access now at $2 per MB, it could be costly for pay as you go data access.

Thanks for any help or experience.

[ant1pathy]

Not any more. The policy was changed back in October/November.

[mmiller2002]

Thanks for the quick reply.

But, do you mean that a SIM swap won't work. Or, that the phone will no longer try to connect to the internet automatically since the policy change?

Thanks!

[efparri]

It means that you can no longer user a BlackBerry without the BlackBerry data plan unless you had it before September 6, 2009 and had no data plan before that date. You had up until November 2, 2009 to block data completely. If data were blocked completely, multimedia messages could not be sent or received.

[mmiller2002]

So if she buys a used Curve and swaps in her SIM, she'll only she'll only have voice calls and SMS text messaging, no picture messaging anymore? We have unlimited text/pic messaging package now. And, the Curve won't try to connect and run up the monthly access charges?

Thanks for the replies and patience :-)

[efparri]

So if she buys a used Curve and swaps in her SIM, she'll only she'll only have voice calls and SMS text messaging, no picture messaging anymore? We have unlimited text/pic messaging package now. And, the Curve won't try to connect and run up the monthly access charges?

Thanks for the replies and patience :-)

That is not it at all. The BlackBerry data plan is required for all smart phones placed into service after September 6, 2009. It does not matter what the source of the phone is.

[mmiller2002]

That is not it at all. The BlackBerry data plan is required for all smart phones placed into service after September 6, 2009. It does not matter what the source of the phone is.

I get that if she buys the phone at ATT or takes it there to get it started.

But if she buys a used phone privately and puts her SIM from her current ATT phone in the Curve, will the Curve work as a voice phone, SMS messager, and pic messager? People swap SIMs all the time, right?

Thanks again. I'm admittedly not up to speed on phone services. that's why I'm here.

[efparri]

I get that if she buys the phone at ATT or takes it there to get it started.

But if she buys a used phone privately and puts her SIM from her current ATT phone in the Curve, will the Curve work as a voice phone, SMS messager, and pic messager? People swap SIMs all the time, right?

Thanks again. I'm admittedly not up to speed on phone services. that's why I'm here.

If the phone is detected as a BlackBerry device, at least the BlackBerry Internet Service will be added. Even if you slip through the cracks, the phone will keep trying to log on to the RIM servers to download the BlackBerry service books.

[Scottt]

As soon as she puts her sim card in the phone and turns it on, she will get a message stating that the $30 Blackberry Data plan has been added to your account.

In short, no. You cannot simply "sim-swap" with a blackberry (or any smartphone) and use it without a data plan anymore.

Hope this helps.

[mmiller2002]

Thanks! that's the kind of stuff I was looking for. My daughter swears that she has 2 close friends that have done what she wants to do and they have no data plan. Maybe they just don't see the bill when daddy pays it :-). I'm not that way. She'll be responsible for any data, so I don't want her to throw money away on a phone that will break the budget.

thanks again for the responses and patience.

[mmiller2002]

Ok, well, she was willing to risk $100. She got a nice Curve on ebay, put her SIM into it and it worked last night. This morning she got the Data Plan message, but she said she didnlt really have internet access. Online, at our account, I noticed this message:

U1536: Due to the recent change to your data feature, we are unable to display usage information until after your next billing cycle begins.

Do you think that is due to hew BB Curve being activated on our account?

Do you think that they will really add the $30 Data Plan to our account? If they do, I told her she'll have to sell the Curve.

Thanks (I know, you told me so :-), but it's her money)

PS - She still swears that her friends did the same SIM swap with no data plan.

[ant1pathy]

Yes, they will, and no, you can't get it taken off. Might as well relist it now.

They did the SIM swap before the plan went into affect if they did.

[mmiller2002]

They did the SIM swap before the plan went into affect if they did.

Hmm, I was afraid that might be the case. But, she did say today that her friend gets that same message, she just ignores it with no charges.

But, i can see how it would be easy for ATT to check and charge.

I gues we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the reply.

[10chi]

I have a blackberry with no data plan, just text messaging.

[ant1pathy]

How did it work out for your daughter?