Need advice on voice/data plan combo

[belldandy100]

The background:
I have had my Audiovox CDM-9900 for several years now and although I love it, it's time for a new phone. My contract expired back in 2006 and I've been month to month on the America's Choice 800 Anytime ever since.

I barely even use 200 minutes, much less 800 minutes a month. I maybe send/receive a total of 20 non-Verizon text and pix messages a month.

The question:
I am looking to get a Palm Centro, I am not sure which voice and data plan combo to get. I would like to be able to check email and browse the web in addition to sending text and picture messages.

I've been eyeing the PDA/Smartphone Nationwide Email plan, but it's not clear to me if it includes web access in addition to email. I also have the option to keep my current plan, but would need to add-on data access - there is an unlimited option for an extra $29.99. The add on option clearly states unlimited email/web, whereas the PDA/Smartphone Nationwide Email is kinda vague, doesn't specify if there is or is not a limit - just that if a user abuses the service, Verizon will revoke the access.

So what is really included in the PDA/Smartphone Nationwide plans? Is it unlimited web/email or only POP email access?

Thank you in advance!

[Quint101]

Their $30 plan includes data for internet and email, how you email or use the data (using the web or having it pushed) doesn't matter since you're not getting a BlackBerry nor using the phone as a modem. There's a 5 GB cap, but that's hard to reach unless you're doing something that's against their policies.

You should be able to add the data plan with no problem to your current plan. Also, they have data and minute bundles for individual users, this may be of interest.

[ansky]

I just bought a Palm Centro 2 weeks ago. I have the $29.99 unlimited data access for web and email.

[belldandy100]

Originally Posted by Quint101

You should be able to add the data plan with no problem to your current plan. Also, they have data and minute bundles for individual users, this may be of interest.

You are correct about those plans, in fact that's what the PDA/Smartphone Nationwide Email plan is, a voice/data combo package:

A bundled package with voice and wireless data for quick and easy remote access to email and attachments.
Data usage from within the National Enhanced Services and the Extended National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Areas
Unlimited Anytime Minute plans include unlimited calling with anyone on any network in the U.S.
Unlimited National IN Calling to any Verizon Wireless Customer and Unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes.

It only mentions email though, so that's why I'm wondering if it includes "regular" web access.

[Quint101]

Originally Posted by belldandy100

You are correct about those plans, in fact that's what the PDA/Smartphone Nationwide Email plan is, a voice/data combo package:

A bundled package with voice and wireless data for quick and easy remote access to email and attachments.
Data usage from within the National Enhanced Services and the Extended National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Areas
Unlimited Anytime Minute plans include unlimited calling with anyone on any network in the U.S.
Unlimited National IN Calling to any Verizon Wireless Customer and Unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes.

It only mentions email though, so that's why I'm wondering if it includes "regular" web access.

Yes, you can use the data for the internet... From what I can tell, the plan you just quoted is the unlimited minutes plan with the $30 data plan placed on it.

[belldandy100]

Originally Posted by Quint101

Yes, you can use the data for the internet... From what I can tell, the plan you just quoted is the unlimited minutes plan with the $30 data plan placed on it.

Thank you very much Quint for your help!

[treonaut]

I purchased a Centro to replace my Treo650. I just went through and deactivated a 'promotion'. Yes, I planned to downgrade from the $50 'unlimited data plan' obtained 3+ years ago attached to the Treo650 that excluded the $15 fee for tethering at the time to the $30 e-mail/web.

I received a VZW solicitation in the mail that I could obtain a Centro for free (no $100 fee net of my 2 every 2) - they were desperate because I held out for over a year past my 2 every 2 - and probably didn't want to lose a customer. The offer also mentioned email/web for $30, which was less than the $50 I was paying for Treo650. Here's the hitch. I thought I could activate the tethering for $15 (to get my total bill back to $50 but with tethering). Unfortunately, the *611 customer service person didn't tell me at the time that you can only add tethering option if you pay for the full $50 'unlimited' data plan - it can't be used just with the $30 e-mail/web option! So for a brief period of time I was being charged $65, not $50, not $30 for tethering and what I thought was just e-mailweb.

A previous poster mentioned the $30 plan has a 5GB limit. I guess the $50 plan has relatively unlimited total usage (but they do have a clause that could bump you down to a loewr data transfer speed after hitting a usage level - or if you abuse it they can terminate the option altogether)!

I was also told at the time of adding the tethering option that it is limited to 5GB too else after that there's a per kb charge. Whoa! I was also told that the old $50 'unlimited' data plan still exists for some customers with very old contracts - and that the $50 'unlimited' now really isn't, there is a max limit and then you start getting charged for usage beyond that. What the incremental amount is, I don't know. That's just what I was told.

an additional note - if you're using the Centro to synch with corporate email (i.e., MS Exchange) then you need to download the Versamail client version that supports synch with MS exchange. The Centro doesn't come preloaded with the Treo650's versamail software - you have to do it yourself I think off of palm's website with a sub page for verizon and versamail. I've been able to go beyond the base mail/intellisync for personal POP accounts against corporate MS Exchange without having to pay the full $50 fee (I'm staying well under the 5GB/month limit, as I don't use autosynch - I set up a rule in MS Exchange and POP accounts to forward new mail as SMS to my phone. Once I get the notification - then I synch against the appropriate account.)

So be careful about the various tiers of VZW data plans. VZW's 'unlimited' really isn't per their customer service personnel.