SOUTH U.S. -- wifi access saves on data charges?

That's correct. If you're phone is using WiFi, then it won't deduct from your monthly data allowance. Be warned that keeping wifi on will drain the battery faster. Also, I've had cases where my phone will latch onto a weak WiFi signal from my cable company. It pretty much renders data useless and I have to turn of the WiFi.

 

Welcome to WA.

Using WiFi for data will not count towards your data allowance, however I believe the 15/25 dollar plan is a requirement for all Smartphones. You can of course go with the 200 mb, $15 plan if you have readily accessible WiFi most of the time.

 

Also make sure you turn auto update off on apps. That way you will use data only when necessary.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

 

The Blackberry requires the BIS plan to access the RIM server, so without that you will not be able to do email, BBM or any other Blackberry service, only have limited access to some web sites etc.

As far as the device itself goes, I am not too fond of sliders, but I had the 9700 and really liked it and I have heard good things about OS6 that the Torch has.

 

I had the Torch and really liked it. I think you will be happy. The smartphone will always require a data plan though. If you have WiFi access most of the time the BlackBerry is a good choice as it used much less data than any other smartphone (iPhone, Android, or Windows Phone) so the cheapest plan should suit you.