Using Droid Eris without VZN data plan

[toadster007]

I like to get a droid eris but some say I can use it without the data plan. Is this true? I hate to fork out extra $30. If you can, please let me know how.
Thanks.

 

[Jared DiPane]

If you want to use it as an active device on your line, Verizon will require you to bundle it with the $30 a month data package. This is true on every current smart phone that they offer.

 

[toadster007]

Does that mean you can use it as an inactive device, more like an ipod touch where it only can get on web with a wifi connection?

 

[Jared DiPane]

Users in the other thread (http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc-droid-eris/1271-can-one-buy-droid-eris-without-contract.html) are saying no, but as long as it gets activated, and then not wiped, I would think you can. I know other Android devices allow for this. I am not 100% on that though unfortunately.

 

[cryptiq]

If you're talking about buying an Eris, and never activating, and using it to connect thru WiFi...I guess you could do that...but why? I would much rather have an iPod Touch if that's your intended usage.

 

[Jared DiPane]

If you're talking about buying an Eris, and never activating, and using it to connect thru WiFi...I guess you could do that...but why? I would much rather have an iPod Touch if that's your intended usage.

If never activated, itll just sit at the activation screen and never work. so it will have to be activated atleast once.

And I still think the Droid Eris would be better to have then an itouch, atleast it has a camera

 

[cryptiq]

Ah OK, wasn't aware of that. I did a factory reset on my phone quite a while ago and thought I did have access to settings and things of that nature but that's my mistake. I really like the iPod touch display personally, but I agree the camera would be nice. Hard to believe they didn't put it in the iPod touch...I think it was rumored to get one but last Mac World shot that down. Knowing Apple, they're probably going to release one with a camera later so all the current owners will go out and buy a new one.

 

[IzelTokatl]

You may, just may, be able to by pass activation if the phone is rooted. But, pure speculation.If you dont do a hard reset, and its rooted, you could probably kill the activation process/app so it doesn't go into that feature at all. But, thats getting more advanced.

 

[Jared DiPane]

Well if the phone was once activated, and you switch the ESN on the acct to another phone, you think the Eris will automatically go to the activation screen? I dont personally.

 

[toadster007]

Thanks for following up with my original thread. I have an ipod touch but I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a camera/camcorder and I can only access internet with wifi. I love the droid eris and vzn is having a buy one get one free deal. I just can't afford the extra $30 per line data fee. I just want a fun/nice phone. So is there really a way to avoid the $30 data fee?

 

[entwined82]

Nope. To activate a smartphone requires the dataplan.

Maybe buy it at retail price and activate it on cricket or metropcs (depending on your area and if its compatible, check with them) but thats it.

 

[Jared DiPane]

There will be no way to have the Eris active on your account without that $30 data plan. Verizon enforces it on EVERY smart phone that they sell now, and wont allow it to be active on the line without it.

 

[kilofoxtrot]

I think your only choice is to go to GSM and buy and unlocked/unsubsidized smartphone. Newegg sells a bunch.

Unless something has changed since then, I bought a unlocked/unsubsidized Nokia E71 and activated it on ATT. Because the phone wasnt in ATT data base, they didnt know I had a smartphone. Furthermore, I was able to use ATT's $15 data plan (for dumbphones) on the E71 even though it was a smartphone. People that bought ATT's subsidized E71 could not escape ATT's data requirement, whereas I could.

 

[Jared DiPane]

I think your only choice is to go to GSM and buy and unlocked/unsubsidized smartphone. Newegg sells a bunch.

Unless something has changed since then, I bought a unlocked/unsubsidized Nokia E71 and activated it on ATT. Because the phone wasnt in ATT data base, they didnt know I had a smartphone. Furthermore, I was able to use ATT's $15 data plan (for dumbphones) on the E71 even though it was a smartphone. People that bought ATT's subsidized E71 could not escape ATT's data requirement, whereas I could.

Only problem there is the huge cost associated with it. To go from Verizon they would have to pay to cancel, then start new contacts then buy the device which I am sure would run a pretty penny. Probably more then they are looking to do, but it is a great option for some.

 

[mrfarinhight]

Just a quick question about data plans...last I heard they made phones such as the ENV 3, the Samsung Rogue, the ENV Touch, Chocolate Touch...all have data plans now. Is this true?

 

[entwined82]

I was at a VZW store and witnessed a return of the ENV Touch because of this.

Verizon has a REALLY liberal definition of "smartphone requiring dataplan" these days.

 

[Chaos5]

If never activated, itll just sit at the activation screen and never work. so it will have to be activated atleast once.

You can get it past the activation screen, I work at a Verizon and have done this. You just have to start the activation portion of the phone and then get it so it says called failed I believe(don't hold it against me) and it takes you to the typing tutorial screen, hit skip and skip through other screens then bam, you're on the home screen without ever activating the phone and can use WiFi.

 

[toadster007]

I think your only choice is to go to GSM and buy and unlocked/unsubsidized smartphone. Newegg sells a bunch.

Unless something has changed since then, I bought a unlocked/unsubsidized Nokia E71 and activated it on ATT. Because the phone wasnt in ATT data base, they didnt know I had a smartphone. Furthermore, I was able to use ATT's $15 data plan (for dumbphones) on the E71 even though it was a smartphone. People that bought ATT's subsidized E71 could not escape ATT's data requirement, whereas I could.

so you think I can get a unlocked Eris? Is there such a way? But won't I have to go through vzn to switch my phone number onto the phone? Will they notice that I have an Eris?

 

[Cory Streater]

so you think I can get a unlocked Eris? Is there such a way? But won't I have to go through vzn to switch my phone number onto the phone? Will they notice that I have an Eris?

No you won't be able to buy an unlocked Eris and activate it on Verizon. You can only activate CDMA phones on Verizon, and the ESN # must be in Verizon's database, or they won't let it on their network. The bottom line is that you will need a 29.99 smartphone data plan if you want an Eris. There are no way around that, that I know of.

 

[kilofoxtrot]

so you think I can get a unlocked Eris? Is there such a way? But won't I have to go through vzn to switch my phone number onto the phone? Will they notice that I have an Eris?

No you won't be able to buy an unlocked Eris and activate it on Verizon. You can only activate CDMA phones on Verizon, and the ESN # must be in Verizon's database, or they won't let it on their network. The bottom line is that you will need a 29.99 smartphone data plan if you want an Eris. There are no way around that, that I know of.

Cory is right. The CDMA phone's ESN must be in VZW's database in order to activate it. A GSM (different technology from CDMA) carrier such as T-mobile and ATT doesn't care, you only have to make sure the non-carrier phone is unlocked if its to be used on their network.

A GSM phone wont work on a CDMA network, even if its unlocked. Nor will a CDMA phone work on a GSM network. Blackberry has some phones that have both radios to work on either network, but they are the exception, not the rule.