Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
doyling
Enthusiast - Level 3

Hello. I am waiting for my Incredible to arrive late next month. I have signed up for a data only plan, but would like a phone number in the future. I was looking around and see Skype has a phone number for $60 a year that can be assigned to the phone, plus $3 a month. Is this a good deal or is there a better solution. The bottom line is that I would need a number assigned to the phone.

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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
MrHost
Enthusiast - Level 3

You can buy a data only plan? for a phone? The phone should have a number connected to it. It is part of the registration and activation of a phone. Other data only devices liek the Mi-Fi and the USB data onyl products register different because of the software within the phone.

 

How much do you pat for a data only plan. I have never seen that offered on a phone. Mi-Fi would have been a better solution depending on how you are connecting to services.  Sorry to ask so many questions, just never heard of a phone with DATA ONLY. Seems counter productive for the device you are purchasing.

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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
tim600sl
Contributor - Level 3

I wounder the same thing, how can you get a smartphone with a DATA ONLY plan?

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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
dirkbonn
Specialist - Level 1

Yes doyling, please tell us.  What phone?  Where?  What happened when they activated your phone?  How do you activate and not get a number?

Please, more info please!

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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
PJNC284
Master - Level 2

Verizon used to have data only plans for phones but I haven't seen it on their website since they switched to the Talk/Text plans.  I believe it was considered Nationwide email or something like that and was $49 or $59/month for smartphones and blackberries

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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
dirkbonn
Specialist - Level 1

PJNC284 wrote:

Verizon used to have data only plans for phones but I haven't seen it on their website since they switched to the Talk/Text plans.  I believe it was considered Nationwide email or something like that and was $49 or $59/month for smartphones and blackberries


Interesting..... thanks PJNC.

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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
fezzik
Contributor - Level 3
Verizon still has data only plans. It has a number connected to it but you pay per minute. You get unlimited texts though. The only way currently to make calls is to get your Skype subscriptions for in and out and use Fring to make and receive calls. Skype on android or any Verizon phone only calls other Skype users. Fring allows you to use your Skype or any other voip account. There are other ways to do it but voip accounts are tough to come by. It's a good deal to get a data only plan and use Skype through Fring. I thought about it but my wife is attached to her blackberry and there's no fring or anything like it for blackberry. I was hoping Skype would be the answer but the restrictions mean it isn't. A viable solution for blackberry and I would do the same. Also Fring allows WiFi calls which helps where there's no coverage.
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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
spottedcatfish
Champion - Level 3

Verizon's "Messaging Only" plans are listed here.

 

Note that you can only subscribe to a messaging only plan on a smartphone device if you have proof that you are deaf or hard of hearing.  My understanding is that you must have proof of this in the form of a doctor's confirmation or similar statement and present it to employees at a Verizon store, or send it via fax or e-mail if you are activating over the phone.

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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
budone
Legend

Took awhile to find the article....

 

For some users who may not need voice access, a data-only smartphone plan may be the way to go. On November 6, with the launch of the Android 2.0 Motorola Droid flagship phone, the largest US carrier will be unveiling three plans--a $30 basic internet plan, a $45 plan that includes Exchange and browsing, and finally a $50 plan for all the data plus Exchange email support and no voice plan. The first two plans require the addition of a voice plan while the $50 plan can let a smartphone user fly solo without the baggage of a voice plan.

 

There was a post in the last month or two where a VW employee explained all this. The person was upset Verizon would not sell them an Incredible for data only.

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Re: Phone Calls on Data Only Plan
fezzik
Contributor - Level 3

 


spottedcatfish wrote:

Verizon's "Messaging Only" plans are listed here.

 

Note that you can only subscribe to a messaging only plan on a smartphone device if you have proof that you are deaf or hard of hearing.  My understanding is that you must have proof of this in the form of a doctor's confirmation or similar statement and present it to employees at a Verizon store, or send it via fax or e-mail if you are activating over the phone.


Actually you don't have to be deaf to sign up for them.  According to the page you link to "These plans are perfect for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing".  Basically what they are saying is why would you want a phone like this without voice.  There is always Skype through Fring.  It doesn't save you as much as you might think but it does save you money and it saves a lot if you have a need for unlimited messaging.  IF Google Voice ever goes VOIP then I will be switching to this route.  A plan like this would save my wife and me some good money but she loves her blackberry and currently there is no way to make or receive VOIP calls for her yet. 

 

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