This is the question of our latest poll. I would like to know how many people don’t have a data plan. I believe the number is around 15% of iPhone 3G owners in Canada. People have many reasons for choosing not to have a data plan.
The obvious reasons for not having a data plan are:
- Sheer cost of it
- Lack of neccessity for some
The key point for Canadians is choice. In the US on AT&T, there is no choice. Rogers got it right on this one. I’m glad they are giving people the choice. This has probably allowed them to gain more iPhone customers. Lets be honest, using an iPhone isn’t cheap.
Where they go wrong with this choice however lies in the fact that there are so many unknowns when you choose to not have a data plan.
Will I be charged for accidental data use?
It’s up to you to prevent that. To do so, I recommend:
- Calling Rogers/Fido and asking the CSR to disable data on your account. If when you call they say they can’t do it, call again. Will this affect wifi usage? No, not at all.
- Follow this guide to further disable data which changes your iPhone settings so it won’t accept data. This is fully reversible, is safe, and does the job.
I personally believe that having a data plan is essential. Having ‘data anywhere’ is an awesome feeling and makes full use of the iPhone. But believe me, the iPhone is still fantastic without a data plan. I know because I lived without one for 5 months of my first generation iPhone.
I’m not going to say you are wrong by choosing not to have a data plan, I would just like to know if there are any other reasons besides cost and usage for not choosing to have one.
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September 5th, 2008 at 12:50 am
After constantly searching for free WIFI spots with my first gen for the longest time, versus now using a data plan on 3G, it’s literally like night and day.
We tend to make ourselves believe that we don’t necessarily NEED data plans to justify the added cost, but trust me, once you get data with your iPhone 3G it tastes so sweet the moment it touches your lips!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:54 am
That’s true, it is like night and day. Can’t believe I suffered without a data plan for so long (although I had to because they weren’t any good options at the time).
September 5th, 2008 at 1:03 am
I don’t have a data plan myself because of few reasons.
1. I use wi-fi internet at home and at work so data all comes free ;)
2. I have this cool voice plan on Rogers that’s only $10 /month . after all my extras it comes to only $43. now I just can’t see myself adding $30 more plus tax to this plan just for data outside home and work. If Rogers cut this deal in half, count me in!!
3. My girlfriend tells me I’m on it too much anyways, and I’m sure if I had a data plan I’d be on it even more than I am now.
Although, I’ve been caught on a couple occasions w/o wifi and edge (because I changed my VPN) when I really would have liked to have it…. mostly for the MAPS app. to find a number or a location. it just doesn’t seem worth it for me…… yet
September 5th, 2008 at 4:48 am
Wifi=fast
3G= Slow
Wifi at home and school, its all good!
by the way, does google maps, need internet?
September 5th, 2008 at 5:56 am
still running my 1st Gen iPhone on 1.1.4 and use PAYG on Rogers with data turned OFF. Have WIFI at office, home, and all around our small town so dont’ need data plan at all! Plus, WIFI is like 10 times (at least feels it) faster as we use cableModem 15kps speeds here…
Jim
September 5th, 2008 at 10:18 am
yes, google maps using internet, not much, but it does
September 5th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I do not have a data plan at the moment. To me, obviously the prices are too high. Once you add all the fees together, it’ll be even higher then the advertised prices. You spend at least $3000 over three years. Is this really worth it?
September 6th, 2008 at 1:08 am
I was using wifi exclusively before going for the 6gig/$30 plan, and honestly,rogers/fido has a point when they say its excessive. Although they’re fully willing to take our money if we’ll pay for it. They know well never Ise 6gigs without tethering. As a HEAVY user I can say that I haven come close to 3 gigs so far. Anyways I tried to get my mom the 17.50 Eff plan with the iPhone at the fairview mall kiosk and they said that I couldn’t get the iPhone in store without a data plan! They said I would have to get it over the phone if I didn’t want to take a data plan! Can you believe it? Has anyone else had a similiar experience?i thought as long as you sign a 3 year contract you get the iPhone, albeit @ 249
September 8th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Nope no Data! Using 1.1.4 1ST Gen. Loving it.
September 12th, 2008 at 11:27 am
anyone who has an iphone 3G with no data is a dumbass, youre missing out on the majority of its features, let alone running the risk of running into huge data costs.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
got a call from Fido today laying out the features of my new iphone plan. I got the 6MB for $30 option, and out of interest asked how much an extra Gig would cost.
Are you sitting down? .05 cnts/KB or $2.50 MB or…. $2500.00 GB!! God help you if you run over your monthly limit. I couldn’t believe it.
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I don’t have a data plan because it costs to much and i’m only 13. I wish i had one, lol why can’t they make it $7 unlimited data like Bell.
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
LOL at the post above the one above this one, it says” i got the 6MB for $30 option”
September 27th, 2008 at 8:40 am
- took me about 5 hours and 3 visits to 3 different rogers outlets to get the iphone without a data plan
- rogers outlets are 3rd party businesses
- when you sign for an iphone with data plan, the salesperson gets a $100 comission
- when you cancel the data plan, they will get the commission reversed
- when you try getting an iphone without a dataplan, the salesperson will probably try to convince you not to. Some have told me that you get charged for data anyway, iphone tries to auto download, the system they use will not allow them or whatever.
- i’ve confirmed with rogers that if you disable data with them, there will not be any charge for DATA regardless of what the iphone tries to do. If the phone does need to download something, you can use free wifi.
- i got the phone by signing up with a data plan initially then cancelling the data on the same day. You have 30 days to cancel without the $100 penalty.
- i am on a $17.50 plan, for 3 years, iphone cost me about 225.
- my plan does not include data, 200 anytime minutes, voicemail, call display, free evenings and weekends starting at 6 which is all that i need
- alternatively, you can just order one straight from rogers without a dataplan.