Want to use HTC 8525 without data plan

Hello,
I am on a family plan with my brother, and he is planning on switching from VZW to AT&T to get the iPhone. Therefore, I need to figure out what I'm going to do for a phone. Here's the thing: I already own an HTC 8525 that I acquired at a yard sale for cheap. I'd like to use it when we switch to AT&T, but I've been told that I need to have a data plan to activate the phone. I don't want a data plan. I want a smartphone because I use the calendar features a lot, want the full physical keyboard, and already own one. Could I just get a free phone from AT&T when we switch, then swap the SIM card into the 8525? If I did, would AT&T start charging me for a data plan? Is it possible that I could be out of contract by not getting a phone from AT&T at all, just getting a SIM card?

Assuming it works, what are the chances that this would blow up in my face in a few months if AT&T discovers my trick?

---

› See More: Want to use HTC 8525 without data plan

If AT&T discovers the HTC (and there is a great chance that they will), they will automatically add the data plan to your account.

Okay. Is there any way known to get what I want, that is a smartphone (full keyboard, good calendar app) without a data plan? Have any customers had any luck in avoiding it?

Probably not. The only chance may be an unlocked phone from another GSM provider. If AT&T doesn't have the IMEI in their system, they may not be able to tell that it is a smart phone, but there is NO guarantee.