8320 wifi and data plans? - eVeek

dpaht · 10-19-2007, 03:30 PM

Hello, new to these forums and blackberry's in general...

I recently purchased an 8320 for its wifi functionality... recently moved and had no service at my new location, so I decided to try out tmobile's hotspot@home service.

My question is: why do I need a data plan to use such apps as google maps and others when I'm sitting in my house on my own wireless network? I already pay for internet service with my cable provider, and it would seem tmobile is trying to charge me for data they wouldn't even be providing... am I missing something here?

Am I wrong in assuming that I ought to be able to use my 8320 to surf to internet and use apps that need an internet connection for free when on my own home network?

Thanks for any help or insight...

Rollin · 10-19-2007, 08:17 PM

Hi and welcome to eVeek forums!

Thats a gr8 question with a very simple answer: It's all about the money! Carriers want money so they designed the phone to not be able to use a internet connection from lets say your house to have internet on your BB. Thats why there is whats called a data plan, another source of income for the big companies...a BlackBerry without a data plan is just another phone...

Chalkline · 10-22-2007, 10:38 AM

for some people, it's understandable.
when you ask the companies, they say that blackberries use high data compression so you can get more with less MB but in the end, they just want to charge you more.
Like rogers in canada.
5$ for 5MB regular phone data
25$ for 1MB BB data

when a company is able to monopolize a feature, they will.
I wish the maps app could download and save the maps for later use. so they would always be there.

debrosg · 11-08-2007, 08:07 AM

The answer to your question is no, you do not need a data plan. Go to options,advanced options, browser. Set your browser to wi-fi browser instead of T-zones

limesilkz · 12-11-2007, 09:53 AM

Wifi phone calling and surfing the web via your blackberry are two sperate things! Hotspot@Home is not wifi internet just calling.

cookitup222 · 12-19-2007, 06:21 PM

Yes the companies make money off of the services but what is a business if there is no profit? It's uber-expensive just to build a single tower and business is built upon the idea that the business invests in something and with consumer purchases the investment makes profit. When was the last time you went to a restaurant and got your meal for free? A blackberry without a data plan IS just a phone. It is what it is. And I am sure that most people are aware of this prior to their purchase. As a consumer you must decide that if it does not work for you then live without. I hope that doesn't sound rude but it is nothing but the truth.

cookitup222 · 12-19-2007, 06:23 PM

Have you tried using wi-fi services without the data plan? I would think that your browser would still work, not your blackberry email...

7on · 02-16-2009, 09:55 AM

I don't think it's the carriers, then why would my Wing or Unlocked Iphone work without a data plan over wifi? It has to be something with the Blackberries themselves, does anyone know of anything to get data that was supppose to go to the carrier to work over wifi? Thanks!

eddy2385 · 07-03-2009, 12:03 PM

Hi I would't like to get texas hold'em for my blackberry 8320 for free butt the charge me on any single web site can any one now a free site to downloads stuff for free plsssss best regards eddy from aruba

tvogt · 07-07-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debrosg

The answer to your question is no, you do not need a data plan. Go to options,advanced options, browser. Set your browser to wi-fi browser instead of T-zones

How do you set it to wifi because when I go there there's not wifi option. Do you need to be in a wifi zone to set it to wifi?