Data plan as a requirement for a 700w purchase

[Neville310]

I definitely need a new phone and have been a fan of PDA phones for some time. My current phone/wireless provider has not been reliable at my new workplace. So a new provider and phone is part of the consideration. The Treo line interests me a great deal (both the 650 and 700w). After reading about both products, I enter a Verizon store and began inquiring about the 700w. As mentioned on the forum the launch date is Jan 5th, yet the CSR did not have additional information when the stores would have them for purchase. She mentioned the phone carries an estimated price of $499.99; yet some promotion may surround the launch, which may provides additional discounts.

The discussion covered the basics, yet one point did alarm me, which leads me to my questions. The CSR mentioned that Verizon does not sell the Treo without a data plan. Verizon found that it was protection insurance from huge overages in data usage. The CSR said that Verizon made the policies after several customers complained about $4000 monthly bills.

In addition, wireless providers have extended their contract to 2 years unlike many 1 yearr contracts offered in the past. Typically, the Treo's PDA features interest me more than web connectivity. I have no interest in paying an additional thirty dollars for connectivity to EVDO. If I need the constant push email, then the Blackberry/sidekick would be a consideration as well; and my company should reimburse me for it.

My first question relates to buying any Treo without a data plan and receiving the rebate. Can it be done? Or does the CSR want me in a fat 2 year contract. I would be willing to pay $59 a month, but not $79 (it will be a $100 with the taxes).

Second, does it make sense to pay as you go with any data plan. I only find it useful when traveling a couple times a year. My Sprint phone has wireless web and I have used it 8 times in 5 years. So you may realize why this data plan requirement alarms me. My personal email, downloading content to my phone, browsing the web does not merit the additional thirty dollars a month. My home and office already have high speed internet. In addition, a wifi card should help me in some tight situation when you need connectivity in public places.

Third, how do you avoid data usage overages? Can you completely disable the dial-up feature? Do applications exist, which monitor your data usage? Please give suggestion for both the Palm OS and Window Mobile platform.

Please add any additional suggestions relevant in choosing the Treo 700w or 650. I am not looking for specs per se. Comments about what people do with their Treo help; what will a person be able to do different with the 700w? Any comments on finding better deals with wireless providers or phone would definitely help as well.

[Stillrockin]

It appears that several of us here on this forum that are using Cingular have signed up for their MediaNet Plan which is 20.00 a month. They also offer PDA connect (which is what you are supposed to use with a Treo) for $44 a month. Both of these plans are all you can eat data. I also know that Cingular offers 5 and 10 mb plans per month for quite a bit cheaper. . . I am guessing for a little email, and 8 times on the net in 5 years, this would be a reasonable plan for you. The problem is, Cingular won't see the 700W or 700P for many months.

I am not sure what Verizon has in the way of smaller data needs. It sounds like you are dissatisfied with your sprint coverage, and they seem to offer the cheapest unlimited data plan of anyone . . . .

One other option, that I don't know anything about, is using the Carrier provided email service. Its a per month charge, and might be the solution your looking for. Cingular's is called express mail.

After shopping for a PDA for 4 months, I bought my Treo from a local Cingular store the day after Christmas for a what I thought was a great deal ($250 after $100 rebate). I have been with Cingular ever since they were Bell South, and all and all have been very satisfied. Their Customer service leaves a bit to be desired, but local as well as national coverage and rollover minutes have kept me with them! I am already longing for EVDO, but if your not using that much data, Cingular and the 650 might be an option . . . . . . . .

[Neville310]

It sound like the CSR was pushing me to the data plan. I may have to try several Verizon stores before someone allows me to purchase the phone without the data plan (and hopefully they still have the phone in stock). The Palm store told me that I could purchase the 700w from them without a data plan at full price. The question would be if Verizon would honor rebates for new activations on the phone when you purchase it at the Palm store. In theory, Verizon should still give you the rebate; but in practice it may be a hassle. Let me know if anyone has had experience with obtaining these rebates after buying the phone (provider compatible) somewhere else. Does anyone have any recommendations for deals on either 650 or 700w at full retail price (ebay, online, etc.)?

Thanks Stillrock for your comments were helpful. Do you know the difference between MediaNet and PDA connect? Someone mentioned that Cingular had a data plan around $10. What have you experienced in terms of speed and utility? Let me know any additional information about Cingular. I spend considerable time in South Florida and realize that Cingular works great in this area. I only see myself using the data network to check for must read email (very infrequent), flight info, or directory assistance. In addition, the rollover minutes are a great thing for a person like myself.

[Stillrockin]

Originally Posted by Neville310

Thanks Stillrock for your comments were helpful. Do you know the difference between MediaNet and PDA connect? Someone mentioned that Cingular had a data plan around $10. What have you experienced in terms of speed and utility? Let me know any additional information about Cingular. I spend considerable time in South Florida and realize that Cingular works great in this area. I only see myself using the data network to check for must read email (very infrequent), flight info, or directory assistance. In addition, the rollover minutes are a great thing for a person like myself.

I only know what I have been told and what I have read on the net . . . MediaNet and PDA connect are the same service . . . PDA Connect is supposed to go to PDA phones such as the TREO, and many of the HP Windows Mobile phones because they assume that you will use much more of that data stream than if you were using a smartphone such as the Audiovox SMT5600 or the newly introduced Cingular 2125. As far as the lower priced Media plans that Cingular offers, they have a1MB, 5MB service and a 10 MB service. I copied this from their medianet page. . .



MEdia Net Packages

MEdia Net 1 MB $4.99 per month1 MB$0.01 per KB
MEdia Net 5 MB $9.99 per month5 MB$0.01 per KB
MEdia Net 10 MB $14.99 per month 10 MB$0.01 per KB
MEdia Net Unlimited $19.99 per month UnlimitedN/AMEdia Net
Pay-Per-Use$0.00 per month0 MB$0.01 per KB



I would say if you could look at a 6 month history of your data usage, you might be able to determine what your data needs might be, and this might help you to determine what package you might seek through the carrier of your choice . . . If you really want Verizon, but they don't offer anything like you need, and Cingular does, use that in your negotiations with them. When I bought my Treo, I used Sprint's $15.00 Per month unlimited data as a swaying point to get the rep to let me sign up on the MediaNet Vs PDA Connect. In fact, I told her that I wouldn't buy the phone unless she could at least come close to Sprint's price . . .
Good Luck!

[Teresanw]

I just bought the Treo 650 a month ago and Verizon is my carrier. I am trying out the data plan but like you find that I am already attached to my email at work and home that I really do not want it on my phone. They told me if I don't find it useful that I could just have it taken off my plan, no problem. I am not a huge Palm fan but it is functional. You may be able to negotiate the data plan if you really want the 700w. I do like Windows mobile but I was to eager to change what I had and didn't wait. I travel 80% of the time for my job. The 650 does the job but I will eventually work my way over to the 700.
Hope it works out for you.

[guillame]

I just found this website and this may be a little late .

I purchased Verizon EVDO, and used my 700W for 2 months and then in August I got a huge Bill for multiple thousands of dollars for Data Usage and I am in a current battle with Verizon, I paid my regular usage and disputed the Data usage and they agreed to turn my phone back on but never did and I have been 5 days without 2 Phones. They also agreed to cancel the Data usage Bill but I musy buy the Data Usage plan which i agreed to do but they have never called me back to confrim all this.

I don't know what triggered the use of EVDO, but I used a wireless card and this may have caused EVDO to run and I may have been getting data from both sites and thought it was all transmitted to/from wireless.

I have also read theat a Treo can automatically connect to the internet avery night at midnight and that would definitely use EVDO and result in unreasonable billing.

A real mess and this tells me something about Verizon.

Bill

Originally Posted by Neville310

It sound like the CSR was pushing me to the data plan. I may have to try several Verizon stores before someone allows me to purchase the phone without the data plan (and hopefully they still have the phone in stock). The Palm store told me that I could purchase the 700w from them without a data plan at full price. The question would be if Verizon would honor rebates for new activations on the phone when you purchase it at the Palm store. In theory, Verizon should still give you the rebate; but in practice it may be a hassle. Let me know if anyone has had experience with obtaining these rebates after buying the phone (provider compatible) somewhere else. Does anyone have any recommendations for deals on either 650 or 700w at full retail price (ebay, online, etc.)?

Thanks Stillrock for your comments were helpful. Do you know the difference between MediaNet and PDA connect? Someone mentioned that Cingular had a data plan around $10. What have you experienced in terms of speed and utility? Let me know any additional information about Cingular. I spend considerable time in South Florida and realize that Cingular works great in this area. I only see myself using the data network to check for must read email (very infrequent), flight info, or directory assistance. In addition, the rollover minutes are a great thing for a person like myself.

[Stillrockin]

Bill, first of all, I hate to hear about all the data charge woes . . . Many thousands of $$$?????? Ouch! I know nothing about Verizon phones, but I would think that unless you have activated something to tell it to log on at mid-night, that wouldn't be where the charges are coming from . .

I would be interested in a follow up however to let us know how this all shakes out! Please let us know if Verizon makes it right, or any other issues you have . .

Good Luck!

I purchased Verizon EVDO, and used my 700W for 2 months and then in August I got a huge Bill for multiple thousands of dollars for Data Usage and I am in a current battle with Verizon, I paid my regular usage and disputed the Data usage and they agreed to turn my phone back on but never did and I have been 5 days without 2 Phones. They also agreed to cancel the Data usage Bill but I musy buy the Data Usage plan which i agreed to do but they have never called me back to confrim all this.

I don't know what triggered the use of EVDO, but I used a wireless card and this may have caused EVDO to run and I may have been getting data from both sites and thought it was all transmitted to/from wireless.

I have also read theat a Treo can automatically connect to the internet avery night at midnight and that would definitely use EVDO and result in unreasonable billing.

A real mess and this tells me something about Verizon.

Bill