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Rogue First Verizon Feature Phone to Require Data Plan

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And so it begins...

en102

Sep 8, 2009, 12:15 PM
As data/voice have always been optional 'features', now they are required components, driving up the cost of wireless for users.

In a few years, I'd expect that ALL devices will require txt or data.

Since txt messaging is HIGHLY profitable venture (vs. data), they'd rather you purchase txt messaging.
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en102

Sep 8, 2009, 12:18 PM
My bad... looks like its data as the requirement.
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6667779311

Sep 8, 2009, 12:33 PM
I think you are going to see more mixing and matching with data, text, and voice plans. If you text and use data more than talk, than why pay for 400 minutes a month that you don't need.

I think T-Mobile pay as you go sidekick plan is great. It's a dollar a day ($30 a month) for unlimited data and text, than 15 cents a minute for talking.
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mrpmpfan

Sep 8, 2009, 1:45 PM
$0.15 a min is great? I remember working for MCI where people thought our long distance rate of $0.15/min was criminal.
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Menno

Sep 8, 2009, 2:15 PM
MCI was landline, yes? Landline per minute rates are much cheaper.

.15 a minute for PPU voice is a great value compared to the industry (.3-.4 a min overage)
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OldPhone

Sep 8, 2009, 1:52 PM
Bottom line with this phone or any phone that requires specific features.... if you do not want to pay for it, then do not get the phone. Simple. Use the phones for what they are intended for. Blackberries and the like are not glorified texting phones.
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crood

Sep 8, 2009, 2:45 PM
The thing it that Smartphones are more than just email devices. Their PIM functionality (contacts, calendar, to-do) are far better than what you get in a standard cell phone. I'd just like to sync with my PC. I don't need constant email. I'd rather not carry around 2 devices, especially since the non-smartphone PDA market has dried up.
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asLeepLessman

Sep 8, 2009, 2:51 PM
Crood... My friend... Your wasting your time. It doesn't matter what you need your smartphone for. They will simply say; "If you don't like it, go somewhere else". No wait, they cant say that anymore sense everybody is now doing mandatory data. So now they will simply say; "Get a different phone". Good luck though, explaining your case. I wish you the best. lol!
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flip mode

Sep 8, 2009, 4:24 PM
This is criminal plain and simple, forcing people to get a data plan just because they dont want a dumb regular phone should be illegal. That would be like going to Burger King and since you want to dine in you MUST buy a king size value meal. It's not always about not being able to afford it...sometimes you just don't want a damn data plan because you have no use for it...a lot of people just want smartphones for looks/better quality/features i.e mass storage, calendar, multimedia apps etc etc.
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asLeepLessman

Sep 8, 2009, 4:40 PM
As much as I agree with you... It honestly, simply, doesn't matter what we think. Its going to take a drop in Data activations and Smartphone sales for them to see the flaw in this policy. Sadly though, a good salesman can explain why Data is needed on a smartphone and convince (or nudge) the customer into getting it. So chances are (more so now that everyone but Sprint *way to go Sprint* is doing it) the policy wont change and our complaints will only be heard by each other.

I had a debate with my Rep about this. One example I gave him was a Traveling salesmen who uses a Smartphone because of the way it holds his contact information (multiple contacts with addresses, emails, birthdays and multiple phone numbers under one name) and the wa...
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OldPhone

Sep 8, 2009, 4:50 PM
I like a mixture of how it was done a while ago (at least by AT&T) and how it is done now. How about if the data feature is not mandatory, however, without the feature you do not get the mail-in rebate? If you add the feature and accept the feature then it stays for the life of the contract. If you opt to not accept the feature, you do not get the rebate, and then it is up to you?

Reason for this is that the pricing on the phones and the subsidies that they get are based on the *for profit* companies knowing that they will recuperate the cost buy-down with the feature revenue.

This revenue allows for expansion of their networks, upgrading to 3G and LTE, as well as other innovations. Not to mention other silly things like stockh...
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asLeepLessman

Sep 8, 2009, 5:03 PM
That wont work. The excuse is; "customers are using Data and do not want to pay for it". Meaning smartphone users with no Data plan using the Data feature.

However, lets take what you said and expand on it. How about if you don't get Data the Data feature is blocked on your phone. If this gets in the way of MMS so be it. Include MMS as part of the Data plan. Also, as you mentioned, no Rebate. Then of course the reverse as you mentioned also applies.

Or, the Idea I had from the start was, How about giving them a Option? Mandatory Data "OR" Mandatory Unlimited text? I can see a lot of people understanding the need for 1 of the 2 as apposed to Just Data. I can see a lot of people accepting the Unlimited Text and I can see this whole "We ...
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fairisfair

Sep 9, 2009, 9:51 PM
AGAIN, stay with simpler phones with simple features and you dont have to pay. And let's remeber free WI FI in places like starbucks are there for you to use while you buy something.
Someone just tell me why cell co's should kepp having cool phones made if they cant charge for it's intended features.
If you wanna look cool, with you cool phone, then its gonna cost you.
Why is a MacBook so much more expensive than a comparable laptop (PC) ? Answer: because they can charge it, people keep buying them(which by the way they never go on sale), and until sales drop..
I think Apple would drop prices if people stopped buying, But the sheep, they just keep heading towards...
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Gorillanorth

Sep 9, 2009, 8:39 AM
flip mode said:
This is criminal plain and simple, forcing people to get a data plan just because they don't want a dumb regular phone should be illegal. That would be like going to Burger King and since you want to dine in you MUST buy a king size value meal. It's not always about not being able to afford it...sometimes you just don't want a damn data plan because you have no use for it...a lot of people just want smartphones for looks/better quality/features i.e mass storage, calendar, multimedia apps etc etc.


Well the problem is the same people that say they want the phone with out data were the same people that had huge bills because they were actually using data! Having been in the wireless industry b...
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fairisfair

Sep 9, 2009, 9:37 PM
Criminal? Are you kidding? No one is forcing you to do anything. Certain phones require certain plans/features.
And as for looks, etc.. Same goes for everyone who wants to look good in a monster SUV and then complain that it uses a lot of gas.
"I just want the big SUV, but I don;t know why it's so inefficient?"LMAO
And let me guess, you;ll want to be able to copy the app from ur friends phone because you don;t think you have to pay for it.
Smart phones and now data-centric devices REQUIRE certain monthly fees. The Carriers,ALL of them, are in this to make money. What a novel concept. Please get used to this and stop whining about it.
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en102

Sep 8, 2009, 4:21 PM
I agree... it'll be time to either

a) Shellout $$$/month ($30/month for a PDA plan) or purchase an iPod touch.
iPod touch = $229 one time (only WiFi)
iPhone = $99 one time + $720 for service
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fairisfair

Sep 9, 2009, 9:54 PM
Well said
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asLeepLessman

Sep 8, 2009, 2:47 PM
LOL! I am sorry, but, I have to say this. It was the 1st thing that came to mind after reading your post and it just made me laugh a little.

Use your private parts for what they was intended for, having babies. Don't have sex unless your going to try for a baby. Thats what it was intended for.

LOL!
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Scotty_bing

Sep 8, 2009, 3:40 PM
LMFAO!!!

Wow, sure fits, huh? That's hilarious!
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OldPhone

Sep 8, 2009, 5:14 PM
Well, don't know about your private parts, but, mine do have other designed uses. Part of it is to pass urine through, and permit me to write my name in the snow.

My testes, and possibly your ovaries, also produce and help regulate different hormones vital to healthy life. So, mine are used for what they are intended for. If I happen across an auxiliary use for them, then great. Provided I continue to use my parts for their intended purpose. If I find other uses for my PDA, such as MP3 player, video player, GPS unit, in addition to the primary intended purpose of organization and email, then all the better for me.
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Scotty_bing

Sep 8, 2009, 6:19 PM
Thanks Dr. OldPhone... we all appreciate your anatomy lesson... 😕
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OldPhone

Sep 8, 2009, 7:33 PM
Actually more physiology. Anatomy is just the physical description, where physiology is what it does and how it interacts with the human body functions.
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Scotty_bing

Sep 8, 2009, 7:36 PM
Corrected again... Not too good of a day for me... 😡
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