Need phone/plan suggestion for data

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I currently have an Audiovox 8900 whose screen has gone dead. I use the
phone also as a data connection via a USB cable periodically. I access
the 1xRTT network for "free" (just airtime minutes) with my plan (forget
what it's called (America's something?)). I am also off-contract at this
point.

Needless to say, I'd like to get a new phone, keep my data capabilities,
and if possible not go back on contract.

However, the cell phone guy at best buy told me that if I try to change
plans or activate a new phone on my account now, verizon will force me
into a new contract. Even if I buy a phone outright from someone! Is
this true?! I also read the thread about the Treo 650 and data, so I am
worried about losing my data capability without an actual data plan. If
it is possible to activate a new phone on my plan, are there any phones
that will allow you to access 1xRTT (as I do now over USB) but using the
Bluetooth connection? (I know the moto 710 is disabled)

Any suggestions would be appreciated. With all these complexities, I'm
almost ready to just jump to cingular+media-net

Thanks,
- Jon

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

The Treo 650 can work as a bluetooth modem for your PC using a program
like PdaNet (see www.junefabrics.com).

If Dr. News is correct (see "Treo 650 report - anyone?" thread) you
should be able to keep your existing plan and only pay for the minutes
of use if you insist on doing this.

It may also help if you tell Verizon that you're considering switching
to Cingular (or Sprint with $15 unlimited data plan).


Jon <jon@jonwebb.org> wrote:
>I currently have an Audiovox 8900 whose screen has gone dead. I use the
>phone also as a data connection via a USB cable periodically. I access
>the 1xRTT network for "free" (just airtime minutes) with my plan (forget
>what it's called (America's something?)). I am also off-contract at this
>point.
>
>Needless to say, I'd like to get a new phone, keep my data capabilities,
>and if possible not go back on contract.
>
>However, the cell phone guy at best buy told me that if I try to change
>plans or activate a new phone on my account now, verizon will force me
>into a new contract. Even if I buy a phone outright from someone! Is
>this true?! I also read the thread about the Treo 650 and data, so I am
>worried about losing my data capability without an actual data plan. If
>it is possible to activate a new phone on my plan, are there any phones
>that will allow you to access 1xRTT (as I do now over USB) but using the
>Bluetooth connection? (I know the moto 710 is disabled)
>
>Any suggestions would be appreciated. With all these complexities, I'm
>almost ready to just jump to cingular+media-net
>
>Thanks,
>- Jon