I have a cell phone plan that does not include data and I have both my kids on my “friends and family” plan. I have a blackberry and my kids have smart phones but I have no intention of paying for data. They have both been told:
if you want data, you have to get and pay for your own plan
Now I’m thinking that I would like to upgrade to a smartphone.
I had a Samsung Galaxy Tab a while ago but didn’t have it long before I dropped it and smashed the screen. I’ve been back on my Blackberry ever since (which, by the way, was a very cool phone 4 years ago when I got it).
Here’s my problem. I have 11 more months before I’m eligible for a phone upgrade with my provider and, even when I am eligible, I have to get a plan with data in order to get a free smartphone.
Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. I don’t want to pay for data.
I DON’T NEED IT!
So, ever resourceful as I am, I found out how to have my smartphone and not change my plan to include data.
I recently learned about unlocked phones. These are phones that you can buy that are not linked to any particular provider. See my earlier post “what is an unlocked phone”. You can get these at any Staples, Best Buy, The Source and stores of that kind.
I shopped around and found a very good phone at a reasonable price at a major retailer that offered a protection plan for an extra cost. I learned my lesson with my Galaxy Tab – buy the protection plan! The cost wasn’t outrageous, it’s a one time cost and is for the life of the phone.
I then took the SIM card out of my Blackberry and put it in my new smartphone. Well, I didn’t do it, I had it done. Actually, it didn’t fit so I had to get it cut to fit but I have since found out that I could have just gone to my provider and gotten a new SIM card.
Okay, follow me on this. I did NOT change my plan. I only changed my phone. My plan is not connected to my phone, it is connected to my SIM card.
I now have a smartphone but no data plan. Cool right? But wait, it gets better.
I CAN CONNECT TO WI-FI!
Wi-Fi is everywhere! At my office, at home. I had dinner with a friend the other night and we were on his computer in the restaurant connected to their Wi-Fi. My kids public school has Wi-Fi so every time we are within range of a public school . . . you guessed it . . . there is Wi-Fi! They are even now coming out with new cars that have built in Wi-Fi.
I don’t have a data plan but have internet access most of the time anyway.
SO why would I PAY for data on my phone?
Maybe data is important for you and it is for some people and I can definitely see having data on your phone if you use it for business.
But for people like me who really only use a cell phone for talk and text but want the fancy smartphone and the option to connect to the internet occasionally, this is a great way to get the fancy phone without the fancy price.
If you’re like minded, I hope you get this information before you lock into a cell phone plan with data that you don’t need.
**FYI. My phone + the screen protector + the protection plan + extra memory + the case + cutting the SIM card + the taxes came to $247.00 (CDN). That’s a whole lot less than the cost of a data plan on a contract for 3 years.
Image courtesy of fantasista at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
