After reading the title of this post, you probably think I’m cheap and crazy. How and why would anyone use a Blackberry smartphone without a data plan? I do carry a Blackberry Bold device for work so I’m fully aware of the need to receive email wirelessly. However, I because we use computers for practically the entire day, it simply wasn’t necessary to purchase the data plan for our personal mobile device. The Blackberry Curve model was included in the price of the cell phone contract and it’s pretty handy for texting or browsing with a Wi-fi connection. Many places such as McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, Home Depot, public libraries and most shopping centres offer free Wi-Fi, so Internet browsing isn’t a problem. When I was up north this summer, there was even Wi-Fi access at the local Canadian Tire. The main issue is not being able to access email messages or use Blackberry Messenger (BBM) because a data plan is required for those services. Since most of my friends have iPhones or Android devices, we usually send SMS text messages anyway.
My favourite feature of the Curve is the built-in FM radio, part of Blackberry operating system 7.1 . All you need to do is plug in headphones and you can digitally tune in to local FM radio stations. This works without a data plan or Wi-Fi connection! It’s a neat little feature that you can take advantage of anywhere, except if you’re on a subway. In that case, having a data plan wouldn’t do anything for you either.
You poor Canadians have the most expensive cell phone rates in the world.
On a recent trip to Canada I purchased a Rogers sim and some time and paid $100. It hardly lasted any time at all. Everything else was great but your cell rates are a rip off.
Thanks for your comment, Razor. I completely agree with you. Canadian cell phone plans pale in comparison to other countries. I’m not sure why we’re so behind the times.