I want a wifi phone without the data package, how to?

From what I have been able to find out so far, most (maybe all?)
wireless providers require the data package if I buy a "smart phone"
from them. I do not want a data plan. In fact, I only need a very
basic voice plan, but I want a phone that is wifi capable.

So what is my best route? Can I buy any GSM phone and have it
activated by any carrier that uses GSM? Or are there carriers that
will not activate phones that are not theirs? Will I have to buy their
SIM card?

Thanks for any guidance.




--
mgh

"mgh" <mgh.38d0eb0@cellbanter.com> wrote in message
news:mgh.38d0eb0@cellbanter.com...
>
> From what I have been able to find out so far, most (maybe all?)
> wireless providers require the data package if I buy a "smart phone"
> from them.

Here in the USA, only Verizon requires that with all smartphones. Sprint
doesn't, and AT&T and T-Mobile only do it with specific phones (the iPhone
and Google G1, respectively.)

> I do not want a data plan. In fact, I only need a very
> basic voice plan, but I want a phone that is wifi capable.
Stay away from Verizon and you'll be fine.

> So what is my best route? Can I buy any GSM phone and have it
> activated by any carrier that uses GSM? Or are there carriers that
> will not activate phones that are not theirs? Will I have to buy their
> SIM card?

Unlocked GSM phones (with the appropriate US frequencies) will work on any
US GSM carrier, but you'll need their SIM card.