WiFi on iPhone

[rmsdrummer]

using the wifi on the iphone, will i be able to surf the net without having to buy a "data" plan or adding internet to my cingular plan (i plan on switching from verizon solely for the iphone if this is true), or will cingular find some way to screw us meaning we would have to have a data plan to use wifi?

i know thats a dumb question and the wifi more than likely means we can surf the 'net for free on a wifi connection w/o any special internet plan, but just want to make sure.

[Grimace]

using the wifi on the iphone, will i be able to surf the net without having to buy a "data" plan or adding internet to my cingular plan (i plan on switching from verizon solely for the iphone if this is true), or will cingular find some way to screw us meaning we would have to have a data plan to use wifi?

i know thats a dumb question and the wifi more than likely means we can surf the 'net for free on a wifi connection w/o any special internet plan, but just want to make sure.

Yep, that's what has kept wifi off of most phones -- it hurts the carriers' ability to sell the data plan. I'm sure that was the first thing Apple said that needed to stay.

[grapes911]

The iPhone is supposed to use wifi when it's available and use the cell network when it's not. So no, the cell network is not required to use the phone. That doesn't mean that AT&T won't require you to purchase a data plan with the iPhone. There are a million unanswered questions and you'll just have to wait and find out like the rest of us. It's not coming out for months anyway.

[Warbrain]

The iPhone is supposed to use wifi when it's available and use the cell network when it's not. So no, the cell network is not required to use the phone. That doesn't mean that AT&T won't require you to purchase a data plan with the iPhone. There are a million unanswered questions and you'll just have to wait and find out like the rest of us. It's not coming out for months anyway.

Exactly. That's why I'm hoping that Cingular doesn't pressure me into getting a data plan that I don't need. I would be willing to pay 15-20 dollars extra per month for text messages and data and Cingular does have that plan, so it should work out. Use wi-fi whenever I can, the network when I can't, which hopefully won't be often.

[SpankyPenzaanz]

with wifi what is the speculation for some sort of voip client?

[tektonnic]

with wifi what is the speculation for some sort of voip client?

doesn't that depend on whether they open up the platform? which currently there are no plans to do...are there...that we know of?

[rayward]

Exactly. That's why I'm hoping that Cingular doesn't pressure me into getting a data plan that I don't need. I would be willing to pay 15-20 dollars extra per month for text messages and data and Cingular does have that plan, so it should work out. Use wi-fi whenever I can, the network when I can't, which hopefully won't be often.

I would be very surprised if Cingular doesn't make you buy a data plan wrapped up in fixed iPhone plans. I think there's going to be lots of moaning when the details are announced, but I think demand for this gadget is going to be very elastic, so they won't mind.

I'm going to get one and I already know that I'm going to get fleeced on the service plan. I think that makes me smart and stupid all at the same time.

[Cult Follower]

There is soo much we don't know about the iPhone, so we will just have to wait and see.

[chatster18]

There is soo much we don't know about the iPhone, so we will just have to wait and see.

I second that! :)

[buymeaniphone]

is it possible for Cingular to only allow you to be able to use the wifi in "Cingular Hotspots" like at places like barnes and nobles or starbucks? I'm guessing no but maybe its possible. I agree with the point that they'll figure out some way to charge you if you dont add the data plan.

[strydr]

I am under the impression one of the requirements Cingular has wrapped up with the iPhone is a data plan. This is needed for Visual Voicemail, among other things. Just make it al you can eat, and I'll be happy.