Android WiFi with out an Android Mobile Data Plan

[obrien040362]

I was woundering if i bought a Cell Phone with out a Data Plan that had Android WiFi that i could still access the Android Network when I was in a WiFi area?

Is Android WiFi Apps the same as Android Mobile Apps?

Thanks

 

[Pryomancer]

I'm not sure exactly what you're saying, but the data your phone receives isn't affected by your connection type. I.E. whether on mobile data or wifi, it's still the same.

Maybe you're not asking this, but if you don't have a data plan, you can still call and text, those won't be affected.

 

[obrien040362]

Thanks for your response

"what I am saying" is

My freshman in college son lives on campus that has very good WiFi coverage. He has a talk and text plan (no data). He needs a new phone but does not want to spend the money for a data plan. But for $100 he can get a new phone that picks up the Android Network via built in WiFi. So he thinks as long as he is in a WiFi area he can surf the Android Network free of charge.

 

[Pryomancer]

What do you mean by 'Android Network'? There is no such thing as far as I'm aware.

 

[jonbonazza]

Lemme try to answer your question.

If you do not have a data plan, you CAN still use a wifi connection. Your cellular provider has no rule over wifi. Second, by "Android Network" I assume you mean the "Android Market" where one can purchase/download apps and games. If this is the case, then you can do everything in the android market with just a wifi connection. You do NOT need a data connection. The only thing a data connection is good for is if you wish to do any of this stuff, or anything else requiring the internet on the go, meaning, where there isn't wifi access.

 

[obrien040362]

Thank You

Yes I meant the Android Market.

Now I just need to convince my provider to allow me to buy a phone with out a data plan.

How do you pay for an App. Is it justed added to your cell phone bill?

 

[Chidori602]

Thank You

Yes I meant the Android Market.

Now I just need to convince my provider to allow me to buy a phone with out a data plan.

How do you pay for an App. Is it justed added to your cell phone bill?

if you get the phone on contract, meaning reduced price, they will force you into a data plan.

 

[jonbonazza]

if you get the phone on contract, meaning reduced price, they will force you into a data plan.

Unfortunately, this is correct... Any provider out there will refuse to sell you a smart phone on a new contract w/o a data plan, and most will even force you to upgrade to a data plan even if you just wish to activate a phone you have already obtained by other means.

Thank You

Yes I meant the Android Market.

Now I just need to convince my provider to allow me to buy a phone with out a data plan.

How do you pay for an App. Is it justed added to your cell phone bill?

Apps are paid for via a Google Checkout account. Android OS is highly integrated with one's Google account. At the moment, Google Checkout is the only method of paying for an Android App, but other methods such as Paypal are in the works.

 

[obrien040362]

I have never signed a contract for cell phones, but might have to do some day. If I do then I wil have to buy insurance since my teens are irresponsible.

My provider is cincinnati bell. The problem is they don't have "cool" phones that kids like, but the smart phones qualify as "cool" phones.

Without a contract I can get a Nokia Blaze for $130. The Blaze has Wi-Fi.

The only answer I have gotten from cincinnati bell (young employee) is I need to pay 3 months of data then I can cancel and just use the WiFi. So that is another $90 (and I told her that sounds like a 3 month contract and I am buying the phone at the "no contract price"). I also need to verify her answer with a manager.

 

[jonbonazza]

I have never signed a contract for cell phones, but might have to do some day. If I do then I wil have to buy insurance since my teens are irresponsible.

My provider is cincinnati bell. The problem is they don't have "cool" phones that kids like, but the smart phones qualify as "cool" phones.

Without a contract I can get a Nokia Blaze for $130. The Blaze has Wi-Fi.

The only answer I have gotten from cincinnati bell (young employee) is I need to pay 3 months of data then I can cancel and just use the WiFi. So that is another $90 (and I told her that sounds like a 3 month contract and I am buying the phone at the "no contract price"). I also need to verify her answer with a manager.

So now I am really confused... The nokia blaze is not an android phone, nor is it even a smartphone...

 

[siiva]

I was using an HTC Legend with this exact same scenario: Bought the phone outright, purchased only a phone/txt plan, and use wifi for apps/data whenever it's available.

The problem is, Virgin Mobile has been charging me not only for Data charges but also for Tethering. I have never tethered the phone, and I even told android NOT to use the mobile network for a data connection when wifi is not available.

Beware of this with your provider... make sure they put a data lock on the phone so this doesn't happen to you.

 

[Thefoodman52]

I was using an HTC Legend with this exact same scenario: Bought the phone outright, purchased only a phone/txt plan, and use wifi for apps/data whenever it's available.

The problem is, Virgin Mobile has been charging me not only for Data charges but also for Tethering. I have never tethered the phone, and I even told android NOT to use the mobile network for a data connection when wifi is not available.

Beware of this with your provider... make sure they put a data lock on the phone so this doesn't happen to you.

You know, you can contest those charges. Just bring the phone in, and show them there is no option to tether. Also, show them how you have it set up to block any data connection from the carrier and that it only works over wifi for anything data related. If they still want to charge you for things you're not using or doing, bring your issue higher up their ladder until it gets resolved.

 

[obrien040362]

It is a "Cincinnati Bell Blaze" and there website says it is an Android Phone with WiFi.

 

[Drhyde]

It is a "Cincinnati Bell Blaze" and there website says it is an Android Phone with WiFi.

The phone is made by commtiva with a 600 Mhz processor, etc. The guts of the phone are basically in line with phones like the Mytouch 3G Slide and Optimus phones so not bad for performance.

The only warning I would give is make sure you can even make it past the google account page. When I purchased my girl's MyTouch 3G (and later the Slide), they had no way to bypass registering the account via mobile data whereas my Nexus One allowed me to use Wifi to create the account. Other than that, I used my Nexus One on wifi for several months before adding a data plan. The benefits of it included keeping my phone on Edge data or no mobile data to save battery. As long as you can make it past the Google account set-up page with Wifi, you're fine.