My GF just got her Pearl, and was told that she needs to purchase the Data Plan for $19.99 in order to text. Is this true? I've tried doing a search on here, but no luck.

Thanx guys!
Jay

If you're with T-Mobile (or your gf, to be more accurate) they just yesterday released a new OS, v4.2.1.103, which now allows T-Mo subscribers to send text messages and use bbmessanger, without a data plan.

If she's still on the older, v4.2.1.064 OS, no can do.

She would need to update her OS.

well for regular SMS text technically no you dont but you will pay the pay per use rate, which i believe is 15 cents a msg.... they might have an unlimited SMS plan but i dont know pricing, but will not need a BB data plan to send SMS. but if you want to send email or pictures msgs or PIN msgs then you will need a BB data plan

hope this helps

Wow! Thanx for the quick replies!

Help me out here, what's an "OS"? Yes my GF is with t-mobile, and she just picked up her phone this evening.

unlimited msgs is 14.99
1000 msgs is 9.99
400 msgs is 4.99

OS is operating system, you would have to install the desktop manager on your PC and update it with the newest OS for blackberry from the tmobile site.

instructions are at the top of this section... it should be named like latest OS v4.2.101/v4.2.164

instructions are all in there on how to update the OS

you wont have to update to send SMS, to sent SMS just make sure you have a SMS plan or else you pay the pay per use rate...

MMS, Email and internet you do need the data plan.. SMS no.

This entire post is inaccurate.
The version of the OS has absulotely nothing to do with the ability to send or receive SMS messages, or use BB messenger.

SMS simply requires a voice plan with the carrier. It doesn't make any difference what version of the OS is on the device.

BlackBerry Messenger does indeed require a BlackBerry Data Plan, as it uses PIN messaging for its delivery transport. You can't use PIN messaging without a BlackBerry data plan. Again, the OS on the device doesn't make any difference whatsoever.

No, it's not true at all.
You don't need a Data Plan in order to have the ability to send/receive text messages.

You also don't need to update your device OS. It's not necessary.

Updating the OS will get you:

Ability to use t-zones browser, Instant Messaging and Picture Messaging for all customers (additional charges may apply)

OS doesn't matter

You do need to call T-Mob (or go to my.t-mobile.com) and have the "Blackberry Feature Enabler" added to your account

It will allow you to have SMS/MMS without a data plan.