G1 with no data plan?

[Stephen]

Greetings.

I got my G1 in November. I didn't do anything special -- I pulled it out of the box, switched my SIM from my previous phone (a T-mobile SDA with no data plan) and turned on my G1. It asked me for my Google account info, I entered it, it was accepted, all went w/o a hitch. In retrospect, I figured they had included some kinda short grace data period knowing I'd need it for initial setup, or maybe it was just a fluke and somebody enabled the data option briefly on accident when I ordered the phone. Whatever happened, I haven't been able to do data since unless I'm near WiFi, which is no problem because I'm almost never out of WiFi range very long anyway, even when I travel -- Airports, hotels, and the conferences I attend almost always have free WiFi available or it's part of my room charge and the company picks it up. About the only time I don't have data access is at my desk, and when I'm in transit.

Anyway, I've never had or needed an actual data plan of any kind the whole time I've had the phone and it works (as a phone at least) just fine. I am finally travelling next week to a site where I expect no WiFi so I called Tmo about activating a data plan temporarily and the Tmo rep was in shocked disbelief that I was even able to make phone calls without a data plan. I can't explain with certainty how I got setup in the first place, but I know I didn't jump through any hoops at all -- maybe it was a fluke, but I am certain as can be that the phone will basically work even w/o a dedicated data plan, at least once it's initially setup. Just my .02.

[greevar]

I found this page that explains everything.
http://inportb.com/2008/12/29/using-...t-a-data-plan/

[greevar]

Check the link I posted above to find out how to use your G1 without a data plan. As far as your sync error, I have no idea. I'd suggest you put the old sim card back and see if the problem persists.

[disceptre]

im using mine without a data plan

[wcimo]

mine works without the data plan. i preordered without choosing a data plan and double checked with CS that i really did not have the data plan. i think u can use the maps app just using the network gsm to pinpoint your location. i came from a symbian phone and they have similar apps that can us gsm towers to pinpoint locations and route directions from there.

I have the G1 without the data plan but my picture messaging doesn't work anymore... I called T-mobile but they were worthless...

[jasmine254]

yea picture messaagin is 1 of the main things u cant do with out a data plan even if u have a wifi connection

[AlliX]

so i have a question, i bought a G1, got the data plan signed in and all is good. Then i switched and used my tmobile sim card that was a prepaid and the phone still works, but there is a error at the top that says it will not "sign-in/sync error". Why is this?, but i can get on the Internet still, not market tho.
and how do i get my phone to work when i cancel the data plan? thanks

I know this post is old, but whenever you switch sim cards you have to re-sign in with your google account information. That's why it's giving you that error again. You can put in your info if you have wifi available (you don't need the official data plan to do it.)

[vronnie64v]

you can use the phone without data plan i have mines unlocked and i use the wifi to download my programs the only thing i can not do is get pic mail other wise the phone is just like one with a data plan . there is a way of getting around activating your phone with out a data plan but i dont know how to do it my son did it for me so you have to be computer savy

[InfamousC]

I am using G1 without a data plan. With a wi-fi connection, I can brows the web, download apps from Android Market, do data synch. (calendar, contact, gmail) and sending e-mails. And I can make calls.

Thats exactly what I do with it

Though I do plan on getting the data plan eventually...the phone is gimped without it

[ryang]

I got a g1 and the person i bought it from let me use his sim card to register it because he had a data plan. Everything works 100% fine without a data plan. Just not internet accessed apps. But all the apps work fine if you have a wifi connection. Its kinda just like a ipod touch.