Extortion! Requiring a data plan for phone support!

[RegGuheert]

I'm sorry, but I have NO INTENTION of maintaining a G1 data plan for each of my new phones forever. Yes, I agreed to SIGN UP for a data plan when I ordered the G1, but I DID NOT agree to keep it forever, not even for two years. I DID agreed to a 2-year contract extension, but that has NOTHING to do with add-ons such as a data plan.

On top of all this, they are charging $25.00 for an unlimited data-only plan when the same plan costs only $20.00 for any other phone. Sorry, but I'm not in a 3G service area and only really want 2G even if I were. My phone plan already has unlimited text messages, so I don't want to pay for this again.

IMO, T-Mobile needs to provide a means of updating the firmware in these phones for those of us who just want to use them on WIFI only. If they don't, then they are simply committing extortion in an attempt to sell data plans. I'm sure we'll find a way around this poor policy, but I'm going on the record to let T-Mobile know my feelings on this.

(Feel free to scoff at this rant, but as the full force of the greater depression sets in, many here will be interested in dropping their data plan to save money, but still will want to be able to keep their phone updated.)

/rant

[smoger]

when the iphone first came out there were stories about people racking up huge bills due to not knowing how much data they were using. i think service providers are going with these unlimited plans now to protect you and themselves, because when you hear about a 10,000 dollar iphone bill, you know it doesn't get paid.

unlimited data is insurance for everyone involved. i do agree that if you're not using 3g you shouldnt have to pay more than if you had any other phone.

[preludeofme]

though my situation isn't the same i had a similar problem when i tried to buy one. i was setup with smart access with 1000 mins/nights and weekends/1000 text messages for 49.99, so i go in to buy the g1 and they say oh we have to take you off the smart access to set you up with the data plan... i'm like no i just want to add the data plan i don't want to change what i have, the guy says "sorry we can't do that, to get signed up for the data plan you have to be taken off smart access"

so i say whatever and ask what the difference will be, it's an extra 15 bucks a month (on top of the 35 for the data and unlimited txt) to have the same plan i have. they said i could get 1000 mins and the data for what i'm paying now (plus the 35) but i couldn't have nights and weekends.

lets just say i was pissed that they wouldn't just add the data plan as it is a service not a plan. so apparently the g1 data package with the txt msgs is a special plan that is only available to the g1 and you have to take whatever minute plan is going with it. ****in lame

[bizarro_stormy]

i really do think that T-mobile should handle this on a case-by-case basis.

[coyote711]

Ha! Im Paying 25 Dollars For GPRS Not Even EDGE... You Would Think They Could Atleast Take Off 5 Dollars...

[thundermax]

their terms were clearly stated, you can either accept them or not. your choice.

[RegGuheert]

You mean this entry in the G1 FAQ?

"Do I need a specific voice and/or data plan to use the T-Mobile G1?Yes, when you purchase the T-Mobile G1, you must add one of two T-Mobile G1-specific data plans to your account. You must also have a voice plan, but it can be any postpaid voice plan offered by T-Mobile."


Agreed. And I've already complied with this one by adding the plan when I ordered. Now I will be dropping it... BTW, nowhere does T-Mobile indicate that this data plan is, in any way, different from plans such as the plans for Blackberry plans which can be started and stopped at will.



I'm not asking for data service. I'm just asking for updates for FLAWS that came with the phone. Do you need any data plan to update any T-Mobile Blackberry, WinMo or Symbian device? NO!


Here are a few strategies I may use to maintain my phone without purchasing the "special" G1 data plan:


1) Place the plan on my account temporarily when updates are available and then drop it.
2) Maintain the data plan on *one* of my accounts and move the SIM card around to the others when an update is available.
3) Download the latest distribution of Andbuntu and load it on my phone so that I can update at my pleasure. In other words, unlock my OS from T-Mobile.
4) Apply updates from sites that provide copies of it for those that don't appreciate this form of extortion.


The simple fact is that the more T-Mobile tries to lock down the G1 the faster quality third-party solutions will arise to overcome their greed. We ARE talking about a fully open-source OS here!

[pllb]

But you can drop the data plan if you want can't you? I assume you just needed it for in store activation.

[RegGuheert]

I think so. This rant is concerning statements some have made here that you will not receive any updates to the phone if you do not have a G1-specific data plan. There may be other issues of not having a data plan, as well...

[lilcleo001]

though my situation isn't the same i had a similar problem when i tried to buy one. i was setup with smart access with 1000 mins/nights and weekends/1000 text messages for 49.99, so i go in to buy the g1 and they say oh we have to take you off the smart access to set you up with the data plan... i'm like no i just want to add the data plan i don't want to change what i have, the guy says "sorry we can't do that, to get signed up for the data plan you have to be taken off smart access"

That's weird. Before I ordered my G1, I made sure to ask lots of questions. I mean lots! I called them about 5 times in 2 days! haha One of my questions was about the voice plan. If I can keep the same one. I was already paying $20 + $15 for BB data and Unlimited txt. So basically, I kept my same voice plan and just switched from the BB to the G1 data plan. Difference of a few cents. The CSR just told me the data plan service changed. You keep whatever voice plan you have.