Can I do this on T-Mobile?

I got fed up with the high cost of paid plans and the need for data plan packages that set the bill out of sight. I got to looking around and found striaght talk. simple 30 or 40 dollars a month and it includes data plans. There are no contracts, you just buy a card when ever you need to refill or once a month, which ever comes first.
I do not use my cell much, mostly have it for travel between home and surrounding areas. I wouold like a droid, but do not know if straight talk has one.

I had purchased a Samsung Blackjack 2 from a friend, and fell in love with all of the features it had, I never got online and yet AT&T kept texting me and telling me I had to have a data plan for this phone. I bought the phone for texting and phone calls. I was charged for the data plan anyway, so I sold the phone. I can not find a phone with all of the bells and whistles that the Blackjack 2 had, I even purchased a GoPhone for a day, but was very dis satisfied with it and returned it. Even after I unlocked the phone they charged me again. If anyone has any ideas they would be much appreciated.

Originally Posted by Stra10

So i've been out of the US while Alltel merged to Verizon. But from what I did understand and from what i have read it still looks like I can do is this.

Main Concern
I can go ahead and buy a Nexus One or Motorola Driod or HTC Eris or Palm Plus (in 12 days) at retail price or off ebay and then activate it on Verizon without having to upgrade to their quarky way of charging once for unlimited texting and again for data as long as I still have the Connect Pack 3. Right or Wrong???

Because last winter to beginning of summer i had the Moto Q9c and had the Connect Pack 3 and used the internet and unlimited texting with no problem. The gps only worked half the time...

What exactly is the AML2 other than a promo code? And can you use it now with Verizon if they still have to honor Alltel promos and discounts?

Verizon phones use Verizon features, the system will not let Alltel add-ons stay on a line that has moved to Verizon as far as everything I have been told.

I was always under the impression connect pack 1 received free tethering, I did on Alltel and although I had to start using VZAccess Manager when my line was officially moved to Verizon I still do now at about 1 mbps by .1 mpbs peak over EVDO. Great for light use a few times a month between home and school, as my Alltel phone only has a slow IMAP/POP3 client and a WAP browser.

Hi all,

Very informative thread. I'm in a related, but different situation. My parents live outside broadband service. Currently they are using their cellphones as tethered modems with Alltel tether plan ($30/mo). Their currents phones are EVDO Rev 0. I'd like to upgrade their phones to something EVDO Rev A compatible to see if they can get better speeds. They don't need a smartphone or data plan and I don't want to force a change to Verizon's pricing as the tether option seems to be $50/mo.

Are their any Alltel phones I can get on eBay that they can transfer current service to that will get them EVOD Rev A? Based on Darwinist's info (thanks!) it seems that a data plan is not required if you have your own equipment.

Does anyone know if EVDO Rev A is widely available under Alltel? Specifically, my parents live in southeast NC (zip 28340).

Thanks in advance for any info.

So i've been out of the US while Alltel merged to Verizon. But from what I did understand and from what i have read it still looks like I can do is this.

Main Concern
I can go ahead and buy a Nexus One or Motorola Driod or HTC Eris or Palm Plus (in 12 days) at retail price or off ebay and then activate it on Verizon without having to upgrade to their quarky way of charging once for unlimited texting and again for data as long as I still have the Connect Pack 3. Right or Wrong???

Because last winter to beginning of summer i had the Moto Q9c and had the Connect Pack 3 and used the internet and unlimited texting with no problem. The gps only worked half the time...

What exactly is the AML2 other than a promo code? And can you use it now with Verizon if they still have to honor Alltel promos and discounts?

i was wondering if i could get some information on the topic at hand. possibly from darwinist (as you seem to be very knowledgeable).

i am thinking about getting a Moto Evoke Qa4 and was wondering if you could offer some information about it's data usage.. for instance, will it use data constantly and if so is there a way to disable it. i will be adding it to my alltel account as a replacement for my current cell phone and i don't have a data plan.

if i don't get it i was looking at an HTC touch or touch pro. do these phones require data plans as they are smartphones. and will Verizon Wireless accept the phones since the merger is in place?

could you give me some insight about these topics. thank you

hi darwinist - i've read every word in this post - please be patient. i still don't get it. could you please suggest a phone - i need it for calendar/sync use, wouldn't mind adding some apps if possible and using internet at wifi spots, phone and texting. not interested in a data plan.

i don't know what connect paks are so would you mind explaining how once i buy the phone exactly what i do to get service. i am currently with att but my contract is up.

Thank you for the reply. I sent you a PM with another two questions that are specific to my situation.

Thanks

Nah, Connect Pack 1 is intended for regular phones. While it will allowed you data access on the handset to regular applications (games, mostly) it will not allow you access to the internet browser at all. For this, you need the Office Sync, Blackberry, or Mobile Link equivalent found in the Smart Pack plans.

I did not migrate to the Verizon call centers with the divestiture, so I'm not 100% on how they will be handling those. Another suggestion that has come up with Alltel divest accounts (those not going to Verizon) is the new version Connect Pack 3. This is something that Wal Marts are allowed to sell (not Alltel), it's a Wal Mart equivalent of Connect Pack 3, but is intended for smart phones. So you could pay $19.99 separately for the web/text combo and it would work on your smart phone device without having to pay for a Smart Choice rate plan.

I have no idea if there is an equivalent to this on Verizon side. I'd recommend checking with your local Wal Mart outlet and ask them if they do.

Secondly, I noticed a glitch in our billing system several months ago where Connect Pack 3 and higher stated "Office Sync" was part of the service. There is terminology in our Feature descriptions stating we are not permitted to activate this service for a smart phone handset. I'm assuming this was a precursor of the Wal Mart version listed above. I cannot guarantee how it would work with a smart phone device, but should it let you connect to the browser once the feature is added - you should be fine.

Worst case scenario, you get a ginormous bill the next month - at which point you just call the Call Center, ask for a rerate, and they will adjust it down. The catch is, you would be asked to migrate to a Smart Choice equivalent plan as part of the adjustment... however you would not be obligated to keep it. So, basically once the adjustment goes through, just call Alltel back and ask them to change your plan back.

Beware, however, I have absolutely no idea how Verizon handles this stuff anymore. This is merely Alltel policy. I would strongly recommend verifying this info with the representative when you call in. I would also strongly recommend doing this in two calls. First one, do not provide your phone number and call from any other handset than your own. Alltel tags your phone number when you call in, so if you ask any questions they are liable to notate their answers on the account. This isn't fraud, but it isn't exactly kosher with management that you're abusing a work around in the system. I would ask the representative if they offer rerates. Also ask if the rerate would require you migrate to a Verizon plan... or if you would be able to migrate back to your own rate plan. I wouldn't recommend telling the representative you are planning to use a Smart Phone. If asked, just tell them you are interested in roaming, but not sure if you need the coverage.

The purpose to this is simple. I'm pretty sure that with the migration, you may not be able to trade back to your old rate plan in the event a rerate is issued. If you had a better promotion before, you may not want to chance losing it. Secondly, I'm not sure how open Verizon is about adjustments. Alltel's policy was that we wanted to keep customers happy with us any way we could. Especially in light of the pending merger. Verizon, the big dog, may not be so forthcoming with credits and adjustments.

So... its sort of buyer beware. You have the safe and easy route, or the potentially cheaper route that may bite you in the ass later on. Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by Darwinist

As for your question sir, the connect pack 1 works with Mobile Web. Far as I'm aware, the smart phones do not use this program - but instead connect to the internet directly. So no, connect pack 1 would not work with this.

If its customer maintained (and not a BB), you do not need a smart phone plan. Seriously - this has gotta be like the tenth or eleventh time I've said that. I don't mind sharing the wisdom - but the least you can do is read some of the other two dozen posts on the first page that asks this same question.

Darwinist,
I stumbled across your postings thanks to Google. Thank you for your diect answers to these questions.

I have two minor clarification questions to ask of you:
I have an alltel contract that has been taken over by verizon in the merger. Since Verizon has to honor existing contracts I have the option of activating connect pack 1 or connect pack 5

If I purchase a non-BlackBerry smartphone on my own via ebay and activate through the website interface on verizon, how will internet and email access time show up on my bill?

Is there any advantage to activating the connect pack 1 with a smartphone?

Under the description that shows up on the verizon website it is described as:

Includes Mobile Web & Unlimited Data Minutes. You can get unlimited data minutes for TV, radio, Celltop, Web, browsing for ringtones, games and more.

Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by wildwillie6

Just wanted to report that my experiment, using a Nokia 5800 without a data plan, continues to go well. I have Wi-Fi already most places where I go, and therefore don't need a data plan most of the time. I use T-mobile Pay As You Go for the phone part. Nokia Maps gives pretty good functionality for GPS without a subscription.

This is not for the road warrior but it works for me.

Thanks for information Wildwillie. I'm also on the T-Mobile Pay as You go and was looking at purchasing the Nokia 5800 for the Wi-Fi functionally when I read your post. Have you tried Skype on the 5800 when in a Wi-Fi spot?

AML2? no prob. Surprised the code is still active. It's like two or three years past its prime, usually Alltel freezes them

Darwinist, thanks for the ALM2 code. I called customer service and had it added to my plan today. She did not act like it was any big deal, I just told her I had a promo code that I wanted to use. Although, this was after listening to her try to sell me a SmartChoice plan. When I mentioned the code she said okay and set me up, nothing else changed on my National Freedom plan. This saves me a load of money. Thanks again for the tip.

No it does not have a flash for the camera, and it does not take pictures in a dark room because of it. Its still a pretty cool phone in my oppinion as it does what I want it to. As for using the smartphone on the connect pack 3 plan, it continues to work well. Already got my first bill and everything is spot on.