[alexsious]

for christmas i want a new blackberry 8900 to replace my crappy sidekick. i don't use the internet, i don't care for emails right now, all i want is to use it as a phone and to text. we have t-mobile's unlimited data, but not an internet plan. t-mobile is saying that i cannot even use any bit of the phone if i don't get the web service. They are saying that the new phones come from the factory requiring the full service plan. is that true? i can't afford their rediculous monthly charges for features i don't even care about right now.

so if i was to buy this phone (obviously not through a carrier because they will require every plan in their book to make all the money they can), will i be able to use it for phone and text with out buying all the extra service plans? or will it be a total dud?

[MidnightDraven]

You can use a 8900 for phone and texts without a blackberry data plan, however T-mobile, (and at&t etc) REQUIRE you to have a blackberry data plan, on a blackberry.

Im not sure how t-mobile do it, but I know At&t do a monthly IMEI check, to find blackberries on their network that don't have BB data plans, and then automatically add the plan to the persons account (this is what ive read here).

[alexsious]

Originally Posted by MidnightDraven

You can use a 8900 for phone and texts without a blackberry data plan, however T-mobile, (and at&t etc) REQUIRE you to have a blackberry data plan, on a blackberry.

Im not sure how t-mobile do it, but I know At&t do a monthly IMEI check, to find blackberries on their network that don't have BB data plans, and then automatically add the plan to the persons account (this is what ive read here).

Thats just sick!!!! if i don't want or use a service, why should i have to pay for a basically optional plan?

[Erad5]

AT&T does not necessarily require you to have any sort of data plan. I don't have BB data plan or AT&T data plan.

[NJBlackBerry]

We have several T-Mobile BBs with no data plan. It's not "required".

[Koz152]

Wirelessly posted

My cousin has T-Mobile and has a Blackberry. I think she got the Pearl. Don't know if this is a new phone deal thing they got but all she pays for is minutes and texts. No data plan for her.

[Trimix]

Originally Posted by Koz152

Wirelessly posted

My cousin has T-Mobile and has a Blackberry. I think she got the Pearl. Don't know if this is a new phone deal thing they got but all she pays for is minutes and texts. No data plan for her.

Currently, the Pearl and Pearl flip are the only two BlackBerrys that do not require a data plan from T-mobile (for new accounts).

[crisambo]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Currently, the Pearl and Pearl flip are the only two BlackBerrys that do not require a data plan from T-mobile (for new accounts).

To update your list, the BB 8520 is now available as a Pre-paid service device for $299, plus tax of course. . . . no data plan required.

From my understanding, in general, if you avail of the Best Price deals, among the requirements is the subscription to a data plan. If you buy a BlackBerry at full retail or at a price not requiring the data plan, then you're not obligated to pay the monthly data plan charge.

However, people going this route must understand that without getting a Service Book for your BlackBerry device, you will not be able to use your MMS feature. . . . and how do you get a Service Book??? . . . one way is by having a BlackBerry data plan and the other is asking someone with a BB data plan to use your device for the sole purpose of getting a Service Book thru their account.

[sabrodiesel2000]

all depends on the wireless operator, my provider has locked the outgoing ports even for googletalk and msn messenger alongwith the BBM, this is to ensure purchase of Data Service Plan purchase..