ok, iPhone lovers... data plan questions...

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

If I upgrade, I lose my unlimited data plan ($29.99) and have to pay for either 2GB, 5GB, etc.
I realize I'll use more than I currently do on my AlmostDeadBerry. I will not use it to download/watch movies, but expect to use it for music, email, websearching, etc, much more than I currently use my berry.
How much do you use?

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

My son is facing this too...he has unlim with Verizon. Are you on Verizon and are your kids on your plan? I ask because Verizon can shuffle upgrades around. I used my DH's last time and I have one available. I can buy the iphone subsidized (Son can only keep unlim if he pays full price for iphone) and just activate phone on son's number and thus save his unlim because he did not upgrade, I did.

That said, he has been monitoring his data usage for months to analyze whether he can "afford" to lose the unlim. He never hits 2GB..and he does a lot of email, web. I do fear that once he becomes employed in a more professional capacity that he may need more and thus would prefer he keeps his unlim.

Anyway...something to consider. Please confirm with your carrier but I think this is viable work around.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Yep, Verizon. My line is eligible for an upgrade so the iPhone5 will cost me $199. But I have unlimited data now with my deadberry. DW has the iPhone we pay $30/mo for 2GB but she hasn't been using it long enough to really gauge usage. I know that 2GB is plenty for me for email, I'm just wondering what will happen when I start using my phone for internet and music... for instance, if I use Pandora, does that count as "streaming?" Actually, I wonder if the iPhone even supports Pandora, must check that. I would prob use it for GPS, too, and who knows what else!!

I could also just abandon my personal cell and use the workberry, but I prefer not to do that if affordable to avoid it.

I should add that I may as well get an upgrade to something for myself if I'm going to keep a personal line, bc if I don't act fast, one of my kids will bogart my upgrade

eta: I won't pay full price for the iPhone, so no "workaround" on that front, but theoretically it makes a great deal of sense if I were to opt for another phone. My still "works" for the time being, though, provided I'm not in a hurry to get it out of "lock" mode...

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Hard to tell...what I do is make sure I am using wifi instead of data. I have just discovered podcasting...with some old radio favorites retiring and venturing in to the podcast world. I make sure I can download the podcast at home(via wifi) and then play it in my car. I was confused about streaming vs data as well...but if you want music at home then make sure you are picking it up via wifi instead of data. In the podcast world, as long as you have it downloaded on to your phone/device..when you play it-it's just a file What you have to get used to is your iphone can also be your music source just like an ipod..once it's downloaded there-you can play it to your hearts content. No data charges. I went from an Envy2 to a iphone...years in between...I know I don't use it to it's full potential but I am having a blast learning everything. Oh and my Envy2 still works...it's set aside in case anyone's phone dumps on them...i.e DH or DD who still have "feature" phones...cuz that little introverted missy can't get a smartphone until she can pay for it/get a job!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I think the streaming may be the killer. I like Pandora when I'm on the move.. no Wifi. I have plenty of iTunes, but I get sick of my library and like the way Pandora intros new things I mightn't have heard before... but you just know I'm going to end up with an iPhone in the next week or so, because it won't make sense to get anything else.

I used to love Verizon, back before they were at the top and still cared about customer satisfaction/service. Sigh.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

I love me Iphone. Can't speak about plans. I have an OLd AT&T plan and can keep it as long as I don't add anything. It is unlimited lots of stuff. They no longer offer this plan. Go to a store (or two) and talk to a clerk and see what they propose.

Nancy

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I love me Iphone. Can't speak about plans. I have an OLd AT&T plan and can keep it as long as I don't add anything. It is unlimited lots of stuff. They no longer offer this plan. Go to a store (or two) and talk to a clerk and see what they propose.

Nancy

Same here. I use mine a lot away from home so use a lot of data but I have never checked my bill to see how much data I use. I try not to use public WiFi but have done it in Mexico out of necessity.

What do you mean with adding anything, Nancy? When we leave for Mexico, I add a few features so that I can use the phone and Internet in Mexico and I take it off when we get home.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

DS upgraded to a better android so he is now on the limited 2G - had to give up his unlimited to get it - has had for 4 month and our bill has not changed (meaning he has not gone over) Yes to Pandora on iPhone - wonder if it actually uses a lot of data since it is not 'pictures'.

Something I recently learned about my iphone is to close apps when not in use - sometimes there can be 15 items 'open' and it sucks a lot of data. I also limit my 'location' service - I turn it on when I am going to use a program/app rather then running it continually. Example - Groupon does not have to ALWAYS know where I am at all times, I just turn on location when I am gong to use the app.

Love my iPhone but DD and I are still on unlimited so can not comment on the usage, sorry.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Wait. Even if eligible for an upgrade on phones, if I do upgrade from my Droid2 Global on Verizon I will LOSE my unlimited data plans? Say it ain't so. My phone and I have been having issues for the past 6 months and I was really looking forward to an upgrade this month.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Wait. Even if eligible for an upgrade on phones, if I do upgrade from my Droid2 Global on Verizon I will LOSE my unlimited data plans? Say it ain't so. My phone and I have been having issues for the past 6 months and I was really looking forward to an upgrade this month.

yup - it sux....maybe if u get the same phone u will be safe, but any change triggers the 'no more unlimited for you' police.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

yup - it sux

How do they get away with that? I've had this plan like forever and have upgraded phones in the past without losing plans. I need to see some fine print.

ETA That perhaps they consider the 3G to 4G phone a change in service?

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Emmy,

Was considering adding home phone (changed plan) or tethering (changed plan). Did neither to keep old plan. DS recently changed to another family plan and thinks his bill will stay about the same. He also wanted to add tethering.

Nancy

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I have an iphone with unlimited cell minutes unlimited data and text with 450 land minutes.
Most everyone I know I talk to on their cell. All minutes are free after 6pm til 7am.
I also use the magicjack app if I run out of minutes which never happens but the app uses the free data for phone calls and you. An port your home number to the app for a small fee.

I heavily use pandora at home and in the car as well as at work. I hook up to the wifi at work and home.
I stream only in the car. I pay 69 plus taxes of course. Ends up being 79 with the taxes. I have Sprint.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

How do they get away with that? I've had this plan like forever and have upgraded phones in the past without losing plans. I need to see some fine print.

ETA That perhaps they consider the 3G to 4G phone a change in service?

I think, if you buy your phone without asking for their discounted phone price that comes with a new 2 year contract, you can switch phones without changing your contract.

We use dumb phones. We only call and text. If we need 3G it is only on vacation where the resort overcharges for Internet. We use the iPad in that case.

Our dumb phones are about to die. If we want the 'upgrade' discount on any phone that they offer, our bill goes up 40 per month for the exact same service. When I pinned down a Verizon customer support rep about that the response was 'I know, I just had to deal with that myself when my phone died.'

They have the best nationwide coverage and they know it so they feel like they can say take it or leave it. The next closest is AT&T. Their rates come out to be the same. They subtract 5 per month for one part of the plan and then add 5 per month somewhere else. I need 24/7 availability for work, even on vacation, so I don't have much choice.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Glitter,

Have played around with this? http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...Calculator.jsp It might help gauge what you might use in data.