You can recieve texts but not emails...on EDGE I actually could (using my curve) recieve emails and texts as well as use certian applications that utilized a phone connection...

im actually disappointed in verizons network, although I did do research and it's the best out there, which is sad because I too had never had a problem keeping phone calls from dropping with edge...but with 1XEV, if i move two feet in the wrong direction, phone call's done...lol