cancelling Verizon data plan but still keeping my iPhone?

[hoosiergirl2012]

I apologize if this question has already been asked, but I couldn't find it anywhere and I am really curious as to the answer!

I'm on a Verizon family plan and my non-smart phone is due for an upgrade. This means I could get an iPhone at the discounted price. Of course, I'd also have to start paying for data, which I do not currently. My question is: if I use the phone for a few months and then decide it's not worth the data charge, can I cancel the data portion of my plan and switch back to my dumb phone, but KEEP the iphone and use it as an iTouch (wifi only, no phone features). Or will Verizon force me to pay two full years' worth of data even if I'm back to using my dumb phone?

On the one hand, it seems unfair that someone could potentially have their brand new iphone stolen or lost and then be forced to pay two years of data despite not even having a smart phone.

On the other hand, the scenario above would essentially allow someone to own the iPhone and use it as an iTouch, all for the discounted price.

I've been trying to get a straight answer about this for ages and nobody seems to know, not even a Verizon employee that I spoke with. Somebody PLEASE help me!

 

[blevins321]

AT&T allows this no problem. Currently doing it with a vacant 5th line I added to do early upgrade. I'd assume Verizon allowed the same.

 

[Muska180]

You can cancel the data plan, you are renewing the phone for two years that has no affect on features. Data is no different than text messages, which you can cancel or switch the amount you use with no penalty.

You can cancel the data the very next day if you really want.

 

[Erock2]

I apologize if this question has already been asked, but I couldn't find it anywhere and I am really curious as to the answer!

I'm on a Verizon family plan and my non-smart phone is due for an upgrade. This means I could get an iPhone at the discounted price. Of course, I'd also have to start paying for data, which I do not currently. My question is: if I use the phone for a few months and then decide it's not worth the data charge, can I cancel the data portion of my plan and switch back to my dumb phone, but KEEP the iphone and use it as an iTouch (wifi only, no phone features). Or will Verizon force me to pay two full years' worth of data even if I'm back to using my dumb phone?

On the one hand, it seems unfair that someone could potentially have their brand new iphone stolen or lost and then be forced to pay two years of data despite not even having a smart phone.

On the other hand, the scenario above would essentially allow someone to own the iPhone and use it as an iTouch, all for the discounted price.

I've been trying to get a straight answer about this for ages and nobody seems to know, not even a Verizon employee that I spoke with. Somebody PLEASE help me!

If you keep your iPhone on your account you can NOT take off data.

If you take your iPhone off your account and use it as an iPod Touch (Like you stated) that will be no problem, you CAN do this

 

[pragmatous]

smart phones require a data plan. It says it right in the contract that you agree to. Unless they changed which I highly doubt it.

 

[Applejuiced]

Yes, if you're not using the iphone any more and switched to a dumbphone you can then remove the iphone data plan.

 

[hoosiergirl2012]

smart phones require a data plan. It says it right in the contract that you agree to. Unless they changed which I highly doubt it.

You misunderstood (or did not fully read) my post. I do NOT have the intention of attempting to use an iPhone AS A PHONE without a data plan. I would return to my "dumb phone" and use the iPhone as a Touch. I basically want to use my upgrade to get the phone at a cheaper price but then not spend 30/month for two whole years to keep it. I'm just afraid the data will be forced on me for the entirety of the two years.

For that matter, could I just buy the phone as my upgrade (at the discounted price) but then never even activate it as a phone?

In case anyone is wondering why I don't just buy an iTouch -- it's because I really want the 8mp camera in the 4s, rather than the 5mp in the new touch.

Thanks in advance for any info guys! I appreciate it!

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AT&T allows this no problem. Currently doing it with a vacant 5th line I added to do early upgrade. I'd assume Verizon allowed the same.

just making sure I understand correctly -- so you bought a brand new iphone on a 5th line that you set up, and then cancelled its phone usage to use it as a wifi-only ipod touch? if so, that's awesome news because that's exactly what I'm hoping to do!

I'm just wondering... if we can do that, why would anyone spend more than that for a Touch? I suppose people that aren't due for a phone upgrade anytime soon... or maybe I'm just missing something.

 

[pragmatous]

phone lines that have a smart phone device designated to it require a data line. If you cancel your phone you will be penalized with a ETF of $350 or whatever it is now.

If you upgrade your dumb phone to a smart phone you require a data plan. You are then subject to the $350 ETF. If I recall there is apparently a 30 dollar upgrade cost. You'll have activation costs as well.

I read your post but I don't think you understand how this works. To answer your question it's a no. You can't do what you're doing without paying more in the long run.

It would be cheaper to just buy the iphone 4 on ebay.

You misunderstood (or did not fully read) my post. I do NOT have the intention of attempting to use an iPhone AS A PHONE without a data plan. I would return to my "dumb phone" and use the iPhone as a Touch. I basically want to use my upgrade to get the phone at a cheaper price but then not spend 30/month for two whole years to keep it. I'm just afraid the data will be forced on me for the entirety of the two years.

For that matter, could I just buy the phone as my upgrade (at the discounted price) but then never even activate it as a phone?

In case anyone is wondering why I don't just buy an iTouch -- it's because I really want the 8mp camera in the 4s, rather than the 5mp in the new touch.

Thanks in advance for any info guys! I appreciate it!

 

[Applejuiced]

I'm just wondering... if we can do that, why would anyone spend more than that for a Touch? I suppose people that aren't due for a phone upgrade anytime soon... or maybe I'm just missing something.

Yes, you are missing something.
The 2 year contract to stay with Verizon for that $200 ipod touch/iphone.
And usually people like to use their subsidy on a nice phone that they will use every day. But up to you if you want to stick with the old dumbphone.

phone lines that have a smart phone device designated to it require a data line. If you cancel your phone you will be penalized with a ETF of $350 or whatever it is now.

If you upgrade your dumb phone to a smart phone you require a data plan. You are then subject to the $350 ETF. If I recall there is apparently a 30 dollar upgrade cost. You'll have activation costs as well.

I read your post but I don't think you understand how this works. To answer your question it's a no. You can't do what you're doing without paying more in the long run.

It would be cheaper to just buy the iphone 4 on ebay.

What you said above is false and incorrect.
If you lose, sell, break the iphone you're not required to keep paying the iphone data plan if you're not using an iphone any longer. You signed a 2 year contract to remain with that company not to pay a data plan for a phone you're not using any more for 2 years.

 

[hoosiergirl2012]

phone lines that have a smart phone device designated to it require a data line. If you cancel your phone you will be penalized with a ETF of $350 or whatever it is now.

If you upgrade your dumb phone to a smart phone you require a date plan. You are then subject to the $350 ETF. If I recall there is apparently a 30 dollar upgrade cost. You'll have activation costs as well.

I read your post but I don't think you understand how this works. To answer your question it's a no. You can't do what you're doing without paying more in the long run.

It would be cheaper to just buy the iphone 4 on ebay.

Oh I'm sorry, I think I just didn't understand your original post. And you're certainly right, I don't know a whole lot about how these work. However, it doesn't make sense to me that there should be an ETF just for switching back to my previous phone. Isn't ETF only applied to actually breaking a 2-year-contract? I would still fulfill my phone contract... just not the data. But maybe the data is a 2-year-contract itself, I don't know.

Sorry if I'm being slow, I'm just trying to understand what you're saying! I'm also confused as to why so many other people here think it's possible to do what I'm saying when it sounds like it's not, based on your info. Conflicting opinions I guess! Kinda frustrating but oh well :/

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What you said above is false and incorrect.
If you lose, sell, break the iphone you're not required to keep paying the iphone data plan if you're not using an iphone any longer. You signed a 2 year contract to remain with that company not to pay a data plan for a phone you're not using any more for 2 years.

This is exactly what I was thinking! It just wouldn't make sense for the data to be enforced for two whole years as long as I continue with my phone contract. Are you absolutely positive this is the case? If so, I think I'll just buy the iPhone for 200 (and keep using my dumbphone) instead of buying the iTouch 5 for 300...

 

[KittyToy]

I don't know what the other people were talking about but as long as you don't cancel the line you should be fine.

 

[Applejuiced]

[/COLOR]

This is exactly what I was thinking! It just wouldn't make sense for the data to be enforced for two whole years as long as I continue with my phone contract. Are you absolutely positive this is the case? If so, I think I'll just buy the iPhone for 200 (and keep using my dumbphone) instead of buying the iTouch 5 for 300...

Im very very positive but just to verify call Verizon to make sure.
What the user above postead is false and doesnt make sense.
Verizon, AT&T and no other carrier tie you into a contract to keep a data plan if you're not using a smartphone.
The 2 year agreement is for the wireless service to remain on that line, that's all.

 

[pragmatous]

So you want to upgrade your phone and then swap smart phone with the dumb phone and drop data plan. From what I'm reading you can do that.

Oh I'm sorry, I think I just didn't understand your original post. And you're certainly right, I don't know a whole lot about how these work. However, it doesn't make sense to me that there should be an ETF just for switching back to my previous phone. Isn't ETF only applied to actually breaking a 2-year-contract? I would still fulfill my phone contract... just not the data. But maybe the data is a 2-year-contract itself, I don't know.

Sorry if I'm being slow, I'm just trying to understand what you're saying! I'm also confused as to why so many other people here think it's possible to do what I'm saying when it sounds like it's not, based on your info. Conflicting opinions I guess! Kinda frustrating but oh well :/

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What I said, if you learn how to read, does make sense and it is true If you cancel your phone after upgrading you pay an ETF.

Unreal ...

Im very very positive but just to verify call Verizon to make sure.
What the user above postead is false and doesnt make sense.
Verizon, AT&T and no other carrier tie you into a contract to keep a data plan if you're not using a smartphone.
The 2 year agreement is for the wireless service to remain on that line, that's all.

 

[walie]

I apologize if this question has already been asked, but I couldn't find it anywhere and I am really curious as to the answer!

I'm on a Verizon family plan and my non-smart phone is due for an upgrade. This means I could get an iPhone at the discounted price. Of course, I'd also have to start paying for data, which I do not currently. My question is: if I use the phone for a few months and then decide it's not worth the data charge, can I cancel the data portion of my plan and switch back to my dumb phone, but KEEP the iphone and use it as an iTouch (wifi only, no phone features). Or will Verizon force me to pay two full years' worth of data even if I'm back to using my dumb phone?

On the one hand, it seems unfair that someone could potentially have their brand new iphone stolen or lost and then be forced to pay two years of data despite not even having a smart phone.

On the other hand, the scenario above would essentially allow someone to own the iPhone and use it as an iTouch, all for the discounted price.

I've been trying to get a straight answer about this for ages and nobody seems to know, not even a Verizon employee that I spoke with. Somebody PLEASE help me!

Would it be just as unfair if you bought a car, had it stolen a month later and still have to pay for it?

 

[mohsy90]

[/COLOR]What I said, if you learn how to read, does make sense and it is true If you cancel your phone after upgrading you pay an ETF.

Unreal ...

If you switch phones you do not pay a ETF, which is what the OP is asking. If you cancel the contract you just renewed, then and then only do you pay an ETF.

 

[PhoenixMac]

I've been trying to get a straight answer about this for ages and nobody seems to know, not even a Verizon employee that I spoke with. Somebody PLEASE help me!

Yes you can do this! I have used an upgrade on a dumb phone line put the dumb phone back on the line and cancelled the data plan. For vzw the data plan is not tied to the contract and you can add and drop data plans without changing your contract length.

So yes as long as you put the dumb phone back on the line you. Will have an extended contract with no data plan.

People don't particularly do this because they would rather have a smart phone than to be stuck with a 2 a year old dumb phone for 2 more years.

And most people(not all) that buy the iPod touches are teenagers whose parents won't buy them an iPhone.

 

[Applejuiced]

So you want to upgrade your phone and then swap smart phone with the dumb phone and drop data plan. From what I'm reading you can do that.



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What I said, if you learn how to read, does make sense and it is true If you cancel your phone after upgrading you pay an ETF.

Unreal ...

That's not even close to what you said earlier but glad you at least caught yourself and backtracking now.
Unreal

 

[hoosiergirl2012]

Would it be just as unfair if you bought a car, had it stolen a month later and still have to pay for it?

well... yes, that seems like it would be equally unfair, right? haha I can't tell if you're agreeing with my point or not!

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Yes you can do this! I have used an upgrade on a dumb phone line put the dumb phone back on the line and cancelled the data plan. For vzw the data plan is not tied to the contract and you can add and drop data plans without changing your contract length.

So yes as long as you put the dumb phone back on the line you. Will have an extended contract with no data plan.

People don't particularly do this because they would rather have a smart phone than to be stuck with a 2 a year old dumb phone for 2 more years.

And most people(not all) that buy the iPod touches are teenagers whose parents won't buy them an iPhone.

aaah THANK YOU! You can't imagine how happy I am to finally get an answer to this. I agree, for most people, they'd rather just use the iphone as an actual phone. But for me, a poor grad student who doesn't want to pay two years' worth of data, this seems like a win-win solution as opposed to purchasing the new iTouch for 300 (which is what I was originally planning on).

Anyone else done this? Or am I the only weird one? haha

 

[7thson]

I can't help but wonder how Verizon is going to feel about you pocketing a $650 phone for $200. I understand what you want to do and I don't think it is going to go over well with Verizon. The whole point of them subsidizing the phone is that they will recoup their loss during the 2 year contract you will be tied to for buying said subsidized phone. When you sign that contract, you are obligated to pay the monthly amount for voice, text and data. If you tell them that you "lost it" or the iPhone was "stolen," they will flag the MEID and it won't work as a phone anymore, which is kinda sad to think about. That being said, if you can't get a straight answer from Verizon,(which surprises me), give it a shot, wait a week and go back to see if they'll do it. Pull some Jedi mind tricks on them. If they balk, just go back to your old plan and get refunded your $200. Let us know how it all works out.

 

[Applejuiced]

I can't help but wonder how Verizon is going to feel about you pocketing a $650 phone for $200. I understand what you want to do and I don't think it is going to go over well with Verizon. The whole point of them subsidizing the phone is that they will recoup their loss during the 2 year contract you will be tied to for buying said subsidized phone. When you sign that contract, you are obligated to pay the monthly amount for voice, text and data. If you tell them that you "lost it" or the iPhone was "stolen," they will flag the MEID and it won't work as a phone anymore, which is kinda sad to think about. That being said, if you can't get a straight answer from Verizon,(which surprises me), give it a shot, wait a week and go back to see if they'll do it. Pull some Jedi mind tricks on them. If they balk, just go back to your old plan and get refunded your $200. Let us know how it all works out.

That's nonsense.
They dont care what you do with the upgraded device as long as you stay with them for the next 2 years.
That's not part of the agreement and your assumptions are way off.

 

[7thson]

That's nonsense.
They dont care what you do with the upgraded device as long as you stay with them for the next 2 years.
That's not part of the agreement and your assumptions are way off.

I think that's the whole point. They'll be stuck in a smartphone contract for two years. I just don't believe Verizon will take a hit on this. Granted, this is a family plan so maybe just data for them to pay for.

 

[pocky]

YES you can do this, as long as you are NOT canceling the contract you got the iPhone with.

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or any carrier for that matter does NOT care what you do. As long as you keep to your promise by paying the contract. Think about it. $650 phone, vs a 2 year contract. Even if you are paying ONLY the $30 PORTION of that account $30 x 24 months = $720 is what Verizon will get from you for that line only, not including the $$$ for whatever else lines your account entails.

 

[PhoenixMac]

I think that's the whole point. They'll be stuck in a smartphone contract for two years. I just don't believe Verizon will take a hit on this. Granted, this is a family plan so maybe just data for them to pay for.

Verizon does not care one bit as long as they get the 2 year contract out of the deal. I have upgraded a dumb account to an iPhone 5 called Verizon and told them to take the iPhone off the line and to put a test dumb phone on the account and they did and I cancelled the data plan and put the iPhone on my unlimited data plan line no problems. They knew what I was doing and gave me a fake dumb phone so I didn't even have to buy a dumb phone to put on the account it took my monthly payment from $40 to $10 a month for that line and they know it.

 

[Millionaire2K]

Quick easy answer!!

YES YOU CAN PUT A DUMB PHONE BACK ON THE iPHONE LINE AND REMOVE THE DATA PLAN.

 

[7thson]

I concede my doubts to those who say otherwise. I have been outright lied to by a Verizon sales rep, but somehow I will get over it.