New Data Fee - How do y'all feel about that?

VZW does have a point, since a large majority of customers fall in the "whoops I didn't mean to category, please refund me those seven dollars."  However I do not agree with the "mandatory" aspect.  Now, last time I checked it wasn't either you get the $9.99 per month plan or you can't get this phone.  But if it is then shame on VZW.  What they should do is block DATA.  Anyone can do it manually.  So if you get any of the enhanced media phones (envTouch, Rogue, etc) without a data plan if you were to access the browser by mistake you'd automatically get a message saying "Dial *611 to Add Data Services".

Unfortunately, if you're smart enough to complain about it, you're smart enough to not make the mistake on your own.  It's the other 90% of the customer base that's too ignorant and ruins it for the rest of us.

For your personal case, you can use your upgrade in any way you want.  A lot of times going to a "simpler" model means you'd get closer to the ever so sweet FREE price.  Doing an env2 to env3 upgrade shouldn't require the data plan.  It's not an enhanced multimedia device last time I checked.  Nor would the Alias require the data plan.

Keep in mind the cheapest "smart-phone" plan is $30 on top of the voice minutes you're already paying.  So this 10 dollar fee, while an additional expense, still remains at just a third of what a smart phone would have to pay additionally.

Lastly, try using the billshrink.com service.  It's pretty handy to sit down and figure out the cheapest set up for your family plan.

I got the phone from eBay Dec 2009 and upon upgrading to the EnV Touch via *228, I was forwarded to an operator that told me that in order to upgrade a $9.99 a month data plan is now required. I tried to talk my way out of the data plan but it was to no prevail. It's a good point that a simple solution would be to deny the phone data access but unfortunately verizon is greedy. I'd also like to point out that your eligibility for a phone upgrade in march is only a sales pitch for you to get a new phone and to lock you in as a customer!  If you're happy with your phone right now than you won't need to upgrade. You won't automatically be locked in another 2 years after March, instead you'll just be paying Verizon the regular monthly bill without being under contract. Lastly, March is coming up but it seems the future of phones is getting better and better!

Wait did Verizon just reclassify the enV Touch as an EMP now? (Gah! I thought it was only the rogue that was an EMP, btw is the Rogue any better than the enV Touch in any way?)

If that's the case I got lucky buying it when it came out and throwing in the good ol' vpak in there.

I made a post about this when it went into affect awhile ago (http://www.env-touch.com/general-env-touch-discussion/data-plan-required-as-of-11809/).  This required data plan of some sort for the Env Touch was made mandatory of November 8, 2009.

Once you block data on your account, you can no longer send or receive picture messages.

I read a story a while back about a VZW customer whose son used data on a new phone when they didn't have a plan... to the tune of $22,000 in one month! First, I cannot understand how that is even possible. Apparently he used 1.4 GB, which if my math is not wrong means he was charged $15/MB, which is freaking crazy.

Anyway, because this guy got Good Morning America and other press involved, VZW credited his account the entire month. Of course every other customer just footed the bill. I am absolutely for VZW blocking data usage on a phone... but they wont because it's more beneficial to charge another $10-$30 a month for data usage.

Their excuse is that they're streamlining.  haha