Quote:
Originally Posted by deborahjeanne
No problem. The cost of the data plan is what has kept me from having an iphone until now. My phone is 58.76 a month, taxes included. I actually don't use it as a phone as much as I use the data, and I was able to get hold of the briefly offered 5 gb plan.
What about this new HP thing that is coming?
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that is why I went with Millenicom (
http://www.millenicom.com) and use their BYOD data plan for $59.99/mo. But you can also grab one of their other plans as well and still use your own device you simply need to be creative in it. I use USB data modems rather than a phone and if I need to make a call or receive calls I use Skype. I do not need a cell phone for instant communication anymore, heck once you cut that off you do wonder why it seemed so needed in the first place.
But a data only plan and some sort of 3G device, dongle or even just your tablet's 3G SIM will do the trick.
I seem to remember reading there are now a few other MBB reseller ISP's out there now as well. The biggest issue is the backbone providers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and the other smaller providers want to sell you service using the carrot of data but they don't actually want to let you USE that data service for anything meaningful.
I am still grandfathered in on my Millenicom account and have no actual data cap, not even the 50GB/mo trigger point where they might look at it. In reality they only say this is the case for new customers, I don't know anyone who ever got whacked by the excessive bandwidth fairy. So if your device either can support CDMA or you can swap in a Sprint SIM it's a great deal since it's a month-to-month but you do have to pay the setup fee again should you cancel, which kinda stinks even if you know you won't need it for a couple months. So I just keep my service and deduct the cost on my taxes every year as it's mobile and for business.
This situation is really worth looking into and is one reason why I wish someone would sell unlocked tablets and devices like the Touch to give consumers true options rather than more roadblocks and compromises every freaking time you want to turn on and actually use the crap we buy.
