Samsung SCH-i730

Can I use an SD/IO Wi-fi card to access the web on the i730 instead of using the built-in (crippled) Wi-fi? Since I heard that the i730's Wi-fi won't let you connect to hotspots unless you subscribe to Verizon's data plan. I also heard that if you don't use the data plan and connect using the built-in wi-fi that the phone may switch to EVDO without notice and start charging your monthly bill per kb. Is any of this true or is Verizon just trying to scare it's customers into getting the data plan? If it IS true though, will my idea about disabling the built-in wi-fi and EVDO and using an SD/IO Wi-fi card work?