Can i send sms and mms without being charged for data?

morosky6 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-23-2008, 01:02 AM

OK I'm new here and I'm a poor college kid needing a smartphone basically for the windows mobile, calls and txting. I don't have the money to spend another $30 every month, its not an option, plus I already have laptop with wifi.

Since the 6900 was released before november 15, 2008 I am not required to buy a data plan, I confirmed this through much research and through the verizon service center. My question is with my unlimited txt, pix, and flix I already have on my plan, can the sms and mms ports be changed on this phone so I am not charged for everything I send? Ive talked to several people from verizon and they say I'll be charged for data just because its a smartphone that connects to the internet. The guy from the verizon service center said it may be possible.

**CozBoogie** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-23-2008, 01:32 PM

Moved to 6900 forum.

late,
Coz

**hooover** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-23-2008, 01:42 PM

Undoubtedly you are going to get charged for any Data you use, It ca get costly if you are sending large image files or vids but just on the data end since you have unlimited everything else...

**jason25** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-23-2008, 01:53 PM

I was under the impression that you didn't need a data plan for mms or sms. I thought those were seperate add-ons.

**Hafrust** · #5 (**permalink**) 12-23-2008, 01:58 PM

SMS never uses data. It is just like making a call. If you have unlimited MMS, as you stated, then they will not charge you casual data usage for sending/receiving picturemail. Emails, downloads, and web browsing are what will cause you to be charged for data.

ca2l3vin · #6 (**permalink**) 12-23-2008, 02:01 PM

Info From Rep.

You should not be charged data usage for using your mms or sms messaging under any circumstances. If you are being charged you will need to contact VZW tech support to have them look into the matter and credit back when appropriate. If your pics are large or if they are flix this may take longer to send hence would be hung in the system for possibly a longer period of time. again this should not charge as most of the time the system will tell and credit it back for you anyways.

As for mms it may charge as that does go over the data network and "CAN" get hung for a few seconds in the system causing a data charge (normally around 1.99) if this happens often then again you would need to contact a tech.

SMS travels over your 1X connection and NEVER uses data the would be charged. No matter what you do. As long as its a standard sms with 160 characters or less (VZW character limit intercarrier will differ) there will be no data charge if you have a sms/mms plan.

**stevedog1** · #7 (**permalink**) 12-24-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morosky6

Since the 6900 was released before november 15, 2008 I am not required to buy a data plan.

It doesn't matter when the phone is released. It matters when you buy and activate it. I just bought and activated the 6900 on my girlfriends account last week, and sure enough she was required to have a data plan.

If you buy the phone outright from a third party, then you can just dial *228 and press option 3 to update to your new phone, without the need of provisioning your account with a data plan. Other option is to do an ESN change online and then dial *228 and press option 1 to program your phone.

Point is, if you are buying any Windows Mobile device from a Verizon retail location, regardless of when the actual model was released, they will make you get a data plan if it is a "data" device.

morosky6 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-25-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedog1

It doesn't matter when the phone is released. It matters when you buy and activate it. I just bought and activated the 6900 on my girlfriends account last week, and sure enough she was required to have a data plan.

If you buy the phone outright from a third party, then you can just dial *228 and press option 3 to update to your new phone, without the need of provisioning your account with a data plan. Other option is to do an ESN change online and then dial *228 and press option 1 to program your phone.

Point is, if you are buying any Windows Mobile device from a Verizon retail location, regardless of when the actual model was released, they will make you get a data plan if it is a "data" device.

Not true, I contacted verizon customer service and mentioned that the phone was released before november 15th, they confirmed that i didn't need a data plan, and they have it marked on my account that if I would buy this phone I do not need a data plan.