The End of an Era-- No More Data for Me (Resolved)

[Hook]

I'll put a link to this in the "PAYG Data Plan Can Work Thread" but I didn't want to post this there because I hope that thread keeps exploring new options as they evolve. However, after using Gophone Data for 3 years and really enjoying the convenience, their latest move to force PAYG data users onto monthly plans means I will no longer be able to justify it. I talk a little, I text a little and I sometimes use data because it's convenient. Two or three times a year I travel for business and then it can be really convenient.

The way things are set up now, I rarely pay more that $12.50 for a month of everything. Now they are asking me to pay $25 a month plus the minimum $5/month to roll over data. Twice as much for no increase in usage, they are, in essence, asking me to pay for resources I don't use for the little bit of convenience of access to data. If I wanted to waste money, I might go for that Straight Talk AT&T SIM that give me unlimited data for $45/month.

It has been fun and it has been convenient, but it has never been necessary. It is not worth $30/month to me. My Nexus One will be retired to a wifi-only back up. A waste, as it is very capable device, but I won't use it as a phone and take a chance of accidentally using data at $0.01/kb. I'll put the sim in a basic Samsung flip-phone. Prefer a phone with real buttons for making calls anyway. And, as little as I text, T9 is fine. A $25 refill will probably last me 3 months instead of two. I guess I was prescient buying a new wifi-only new device.

I can always change my mind, but for now, this is fine. I'll miss my mifi, but not all that often. (I'll keep it as long as I can, by rolling over data one last time on April 17th. May 17th it will be gone).

Too bad. It has been fun. For a brief little while, 3 years, I had exactly what I wanted and needed. Should have known that wouldn't last.

[NetBrakr]

This is a sad sad day.

[Mi An]

Sorry pal I hope something else comes along to fill the gap. Even if not necessary, it's always nice when stuff fits just right.

[brickman65]

That does stink Hook! If it weren't for the camera on my iP4 I might travel the same road with my iPad acting as my WiFi only device. Who knows, maybe things will change soon or WiFi comes so ubiquitous, like Ed think, no one will need a "smartphone"!

[Hook]

That does stink Hook! If it weren't for the camera on my iP4 I might travel the same road with my iPad acting as my WiFi only device. Who knows, maybe things will change soon or WiFi comes so ubiquitous, like Ed think, no one will need a "smartphone"!

It's frustrating. A lot of people really do use enough of everything to warrant plans. I realize I'm a minor niche case. I work 9 hours a day in a building with no reception of any kind so I can't even give out my cell number because it is unreliable. I couldn't use more than I do if I wanted to.

What I had with AT&T was perfect for me and, as far as I can tell, no real skin off their nose. I didn't give them a lot of money, but I didn't really ask much of them. My $3 flip phone will require the same administration of an account as my Nexus One required, but now they will have less money from me.

I just don't get it.

[jigwashere]

I admire your commitment to conscientious, frugal spending. I feel guilty spending 50 dollars a month after having done so well on my 30 dollar plan for so long. I also like the fact that your Player is such a high-end device, yet not nearly as expensive as an unsubsidized smartphone. I keep thinking I should downgrade back to my TP2 and de-converge. Unfortunately, I think I've become a bit addicted to my current setup.

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

[raspabalsa]

My feelings regarding data plans are similar to Hook's. It's no wonder that I too have a WiFi-only device. My smartphone does not have a data plan, but every now and then (perhaps two or three times a year) I think about getting one, and sometimes I even go as far as talking to a sales rep to get the current plans and tariffs. But I always decide against it. Plans are too expensive, they tie you for 18 months at least, and I now have a good internet connection and WiFi both at home and work. In the past 3 months the most I've been offline was in the 3-hour trip from the camp to the city. I'd like the convenience of being online anywhere with cell coverage, but it's just too expensive, and I really don't need that level of connectivity.

[Hook]

I admire your commitment to conscientious, frugal spending. I feel guilty spending 50 dollars a month after having done so well on my 30 dollar plan for so long. I also like the fact that your Player is such a high-end device, yet not nearly as expensive as an unsubsidized smartphone. I keep thinking I should downgrade back to my TP2 and de-converge. Unfortunately, I think I've become a bit addicted to my current setup.

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

Again, you get a lot out of what you spend. I spend $40/month on cable internet. I get a lot of use out of it, but I could spend less. I'm not being frugal. I just really can't use cellular much.

[thock]

Yeah, Hook, actually you ARE being frugal, if you're getting a lot for your $40. The only reason to give up that $40 charge every month would be if it were truly a waste, and you weren't getting any benefit from it.

As for me, I need to keep data, because I don't want personal stuff going through work servers, yet I do need the ability to get e-mails throughout the day. I don't necessarily need to respond to them, but I do need to know what's going on.

If you don't need data, then there's no reason to pay for it, and it looks like you've got the PDA solution all figured out.

Tracy

[LandSurveyor]

I guess we all just have to roll with it and you've already figured out your new route.

My solution is still working for me and I was actually able to spend less because Page Plus started offering a $12/mo. plan so I no longer have to pay for voice minutes I never use.

Here in the less-civilized parts, wifi is still thin on the ground so I will have to stick with my prepaid Tmo plan for data but that's OK.