Just because this was brought to my attention today..thought I'd share.

To complain about VZW requiring this packages is dumb. All carriers are starting to require some sort of data package. I'm an Indirect agent for VZW and cousin is on AT&T. She just went to upgrade and because she wan't a msging phone...they told her there's a minimum of a required $5 txt pkg (so no per txt option), along with a minimum of a $15 data package because it's a 3G phone. If you want a 3G device then suck it up and pay for the required data package because that's what the phones are marketed for..internet and social networking use...which use data. There's a Razzle, Rival, and Intensity that ALL have keyboards and don't require the data. If not all carriers are on board yet, they will be, and the only reason VZW started doing this is because AT&T was beginning to and ours is cheaper and includes mobile email. Again..if you don't want internet or mobile email..then maybe you ARE a simpleton and should get a SIMPLE feature phone...ie: LG Accolade, Samsung Intensity, Samsung Smooth, Samsung Knack, Samsung Convoy, Casio Rock, Motorola Rival, Samsung Sway, Pantech Razzle....there's quite a few choices. Nobody NEEDS to be spoiled with a touch device when they arne't going to use the features the phone was made for. Also, the Env Touch required the package as of Mid November. The chocolate touch jumped on board January 18th, as did all 3G msging type phones.

Basically if you're going to jump ship or have already, best of luck because pretty soon it's going to end up being a requirement on all phones except the one or two they'll put out every year or two geared toward the elderly.