This originally started with a single post: Cell phones with WIFI, no data plan required. I saw that post get a lot of traffic, and from the comments left it seemed this is a topic that a lot of people have in common with me. So, I decided to create a page that contains the results of the research that I found. I eventually switched to Page Plus Cellular and I’m very happy with it so far.
Page Plus Cellular is a prepaid cell phone service provider with nationwide coverage on one of the largest networks in the United States. Page Plus uses Verizon Wireless to provide CDMA cellular service to it’s customers. They offer plans that allow a customer to use a Smartphone without needing to purchase an expensive data plan. If you have a smartphone that uses CDMA, you can have them try and set it up on Page Plus to see if it’ll work for you.
Verizon Wireless Phones Confirmed working on Page Plus
Phones page on Page Plus website
Another List of phones from HowardForums.com
If you need help porting your existing number to a phone on Page Plus, see Festoons on EBay. They’ll port your number for $0.99 and you can even get discounts on the Page Plus Prepaid plans through them.
UPDATE 03/16/2011: Festoons isn’t providing this service anymore.
Predictions and Rants on the future of Smartphones
In the smartphone market: Palm is about dead. Blackberry is dying fast. The big players are Apple and Google, with Microsoft fighting to catch up.
Here are some articles that I’ve read that show some interesting data on what consumers are trending to:
- 03/31/2010 – Why Blackberry users will defect – After what may become the final act for Palm, more attention is being paid to Blackberry. From the article, “BlackBerry has long been the choice of tech-savvy executives who are wirelessly tethered to their jobs. But as evidenced in the study, only 7% of BlackBerry owners still use their device exclusively for work.” The article goes on to say, “the BlackBerrys, the Palm Treos, and the Windows Mobile devices never successfully adopted the veneer of “recreational smartphones” nearly as well as Apple or Android. Put simply, iPhones, Droids, and Nexus Ones just look like more fun. And as the “fun factor” became a significant reason why smartphones became as popular as they did, any manufacturer still focusing on the business aspects fell out of favor with users.” Personally, I think it goes beyond just the “fun factor”. The “fun factor” plays a very large role, but the lack of innovation in Palm and Blackberry further lead to a lack of excitement in their products. Google and Apple provide more for less. Palm and Blackberry seem to have that formula backwards and now they are paying a big price. One last note, I know Apple and Google fans want to throw Microsoft in the same group as Palm and Blackberry, but you are missing some key features that gives Microsoft an advantage over Blackberry and Palm. Namely, Bing and XBox Live. These services platforms integrated into a wireless device (if they continue to be actively developed and continue to become more full featured) will allow Microsoft a chance at competing with Apple and Google. The services platform integration (not the phones themselves) is what will determine the main players in this market down the road.
– 03/16/2010 – 40% of Blackberry users willing to trade in for an iPhone – An interesting note about my Blackberry theory: ArsTechnica had an article that showed that 40% of Blackberry users would switch to an iPhone, while 32% would switch to Google’s Nexus One. Another side note from the article: “About 90 percent of current iPhone and Android users plan to stick with their current platform for their next phone upgrade.”
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[...] Cell phones with WIFI, no data plan required on Page Plus – and more [...]
I read your post, and seeing as I have had my current phone for over 2 years, I’m a little behind the techno-babble going on out there today. I, like you resent the thought of paying for a data plan. I think it’s robbery and taking advantage of people who don”t know better. I am for the moment with At&t, but want to have Wi-Fi capability without paying extra, like the idea of GPS too. I am willing to buy a good phone that will do this, (without data pkg) but don’t know what way to go. I thought of the Motorola Razr2 V9x, but don’t know if it will work with the Page Plus you recommended. Can you suggest a good phone for this?
I recently tried out the Samsung Omnia and the Samsung Saga. I ended up going with the Saga, mostly because of the qwerty keypad and the wider LCD. The Omnia does have a good touch screen keypad and a longer LCD (like the iPhone), but the Saga just suited me better. I also played with the HTC Diamond Touch and I liked that one too (just make sure you get the Verizon version if you plan to use Page Plus). I would recommend any of those phones. You can get one on EBay for about $80-$120 depending on the condition. You can check out video reviews of the phones on cnet.com.
I was previously with PP and found T-mobile Pre-paid worked better for me. When I found you blog was going to go back and even purchased a phone on ebay. Now I had found someone doing this same thing with T-mobile and think I will just stay with them and pick up a smartphone for that network. FYI for anyone interested: http://tiny.cc/bpoa7
SAMSUNG CORBY PRO!
http://www.knowyourmobile.com/samsung/Samsungcorbypro/samsungcorbyproreviews/325984/samsung_corby_pro_preview.html
What is the latest and most expensive cellphones this year ?-;’
sometimes it i have a hard time selecting which mobile phone to buy. there are too many options to choose from.:-*
I need help!
I already pay 60 a month for verizon service with text on an lg voyager. My 2 year contract is almost up.. I have an iPod touch with wifi access in my house. I want a new phone that could potentially be a mobile wifi hotspot for my touch that does everything I will need data wise. I can not afford another 30 bucks a month for a required data plan. What’s the deal with page plus? Is the service coverage as good as verizon? If so sounds to good to be true!
HELP I need Help!
Ok so my year contract for verizon is up in one month and I want a new nice phone. I currently pay 60 bucks a month for service and texting with my lg voyager. I have an IPod touch that works for all my data needs when I have a WIFI connection.
Is there any way I could potentially get a new phone without a data plan and use it as a mobile wifi hotspot for my Ipod touch?
Does PagePlus support WiFi?
is this possible at all for any carrier?
Please let me know
Using your phone as a WIFI hotspot depends on your phone. I know there is software for Windows Mobile and Android devices that will turn the phone into a WIFI hotspot. You would have to check if there is software available for any other phone OS.
Page Plus doesn’t care if your phone does WIFI or not. They are simply a prepaid wireless carrier that uses the Verizon Wireless network. If your phone works on Verizon Wireless, there’s a good possibility it will work on Page Plus (but they may have to attempt to reprogram the phone first to see if it works). For a list of phones that have been known to work on Page plus, read further up in the page.
thanks Chris for the quick reply
if I only used the wifi to be a hotspot for my touch.. what kind of data charges would i rack up? would the 20mb or 50mb per month plans PagePlus offers be enought to cover me?
I wouldnt do anything on the phone.. just allowing my touch to connect to wifi would I be responsible for all data sent and recieved thru the wifi on the touch?
im no trying to be overly cheap I just already have devices that can do what I need and do not want the required data package verizon forces on its customers.
I understand. Why purchase a new device if you are able to get what you want with your existing hardware…
I don’t know if 50 MB / per month for data will be enough for you (it all depends how much you use the data plan and what you are using it for). I really only use it when I absolutely need to access my email and there is no WIFI available (which doesn’t happen often for me). Because I only use the data plan in that scenario, 50 MB per month is enough for me.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.
I don’t see why they would charge you for all the data if it is coming from a wifi spot. Your not actually using theirs, so what would they care. When it transmits, it only transmits from their web application to their server. Since you are using a wifi spot, then you are not using their equipment. I just switched over to them and I really love them. I was paying verizon 89 a month, now only 44. I get my refills off of http://www.pageplusdealer.net and sometimes they have good deals on phones too.
Hey Brian, great article, thanks for the info.
If I understand this correctly, let’s say I’m on campus with wifi every where… I don’t need a ‘data plan’ because I can just use the wifi for free (or use wifi at home from my wireless router?). But, if I happen to get stuck in an area that has no wifi, then I may want to consider the 50mb/mo plan in case I need to check a bus route, my email, etc.
If this is correct.. then is there a setting on the phone where I would switch back and forth between using the wifi, and when out of range of free wifi, I would switch to the data plan usage?
Looking for some clarity on that specific topic b4 making a purpose. Thanks again for the article.
errrr.. I meant “Chris”.
Configuring the phone to use WIFI vs. using the data plan would be a setting on the phone itself. I’m sure most phones have this option (I know that both the Samsung Omnia i910 and the Samsung Saga can do this). I keep the data connection off unless I’m not around a WIFI connection. I only use the data plan for Google Maps, and for checking email when I absolutely need to and I’m not near a WIFI connection.
Hi Chris,
Is there a way to turn off/disable data connection feature on Omnia i910? My wife only wants to keep the Wifi feature. Because my 5 yr old son likes to watch cartoons on his Mommy’s Omnia using our home wifi, sometime he has been able to connect to Pageplus’s data when he was away from our house and in turn it wiped out the credit in my wife’s acct in 10-15 minutes (I guess Pageplus charges a ton for the data service). I don’t want him to do that again and the only way would be for me to disable the data connection feature on omnia.
Here’s a good link that gives you a couple of options to disable the data connection on the phone: http://www.bytetips.com/how-to-disable-gprs-on-windows-mobile/
Thank you for exploring this! I have a pita question in my long and winding saga of the cellphone. Here goes: Like everyone else, I want wifi but I just want to use what’s available in the air, I don’t want a $400+ per year “data plan”. I’m already paying $600 a year to access the internet, thank you very flocking much. I currently have a crappy phone and a contract with tmobile. I would like to buy a nicer, wifi capable phone (but buy it out of contract, and not upgrade to a data plan), and then switch over to a paid plan like page plus when the contract runs out. Is this possible or would it only work if I had Verizon service to begin with?
Chris, with the Samsung Saga, did you have to do anything (like unlocking) to use it with Page Plus? I found a used one on Ebay, but the retailer states that this phone is only to be used with Verizon and is not for pre-paid or other service providers. Now I’m unsure.
Karen, if you plan on using Page Plus, the phone would need to be able to use Verizon’s network. I’ve been told that there are Verizon phones that are not compatible with the Page Plus network, so you might want to look into that before purchasing a new phone. Click Here for a page that has links to various sites that I found showing compatible phones with page plus.
It’s my understanding that T-Mobile is GSM and Verizon is CDMA, and most phones use one or the other.
Eric, no I did not have to unlock the phone. The phones I had switched to Page plus were both Verizon non-prepaid phones. It’s my understanding that Page Plus does not work with Verizon prepaid phones, only the regular Verizon network phones.
I have a palm Treo 700w (dinosaur I know) with page plus,
and have the wifi card in it and I love it. not so small I cant
use. the best part is I only paid $39 for a factory refurbished
phone on ebay. it is for us old timers that like the bigger phones.
LOL
As a recently ported to page plus from verizon (not
prepaid). It is easy to port over but it must be a verizon cmda
type phone so at&t phones will not work. Wrong signal type.
page plus does have data packages but for some of the phones you
must be somewhat tech savy to change to page plus port or you will
keep trying to go to the verizon default page. some phones are
easier to change the port than others but be prepared for a lot of
web reading. Page plus has limited info on their customer service
lines. I suggest the howard forums. Blackberrys from verizon are
not an option on page plus either. Theoretically you can take your
phone to some on to “jailbreak” to page plus port or deal with no
internet access. My phone did work with texting immediately, but I
can’t speak for all.
If Verizon phones work on PagePlus can you use iPhone 4 on PagePlus?
Thanks for the postings. I am looking for a phone that will sync with Outlook for contacts, calendar, tasks and notes without paying fo a data plan. I was told at a Verizon store that nothing was offered. Hopefully something will come along in the near future.
Well just to smooth it all out for anyone who wants to consider pageplus wireless its ok, serves the purpose but if you don’t buy a Pageplus Wireless phone forget about getting data and photos its not a 100% this will happen for you. Pageplus Wireless is not the best thing sense sliced bread I have had this service for about 8 months the customer service people are not smart about setting up configurations with the WAP settings which will allow you to get the MMX meaning pictures they won’t help you with this part at all they just tell you to buy there phones this is there little hustle to sell more phones so
i am telling you now if you have a Verizon phone go with Lightyear Wireless everything will work with your Verizon phone and you won’t be posting messages like I am doing now.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for all this great info. I’m at the end of my AT&T contract with my iPhone and will be removing the data plan because I found that I can either do without or didn’t use many of the functions of the iPhone. I would much rather use a smart phone that just accesses my home (paid-for) network or a free hotspot.
I was wondering if you have run across any new phones in the year since you posted this original article that are wifi capable but can be used without a data plan. I’ve been reading about some phones that have wifi, built-in browsers, GPS, and all sorts of things that may activate in a hotspot without a data plan. So, any new info to note? Thanks.
Steveo,
No I haven’t really looked at any other phones on Page Plus. Lately, I’ve been thinking of taking the exact opposite approach of the article: Taking on a monthly plan with unlimited data and text, but low minutes with the intent of using VOIP for the calls.
Virgin Mobile has an unlimited data/text plan with 300 minutes for $25/mo: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phone-plans/beyond-talk-plans.jsp
However, I haven’t heard a whole of success stories using VOIP exclusively on a cell phone. If I figure out a good, easy way to do this without sacrificing call quality or price, then that’s the next path I’m headed down. If I figure it out, I will definitely share it with everyone, but to be honest, I haven’t really been looking too hard.
hey great article…im currently with page plus and i just lost my phone..yeah i know =/…im thinking about buying the samsung omnia 2 or the omnia i910, the page plus representative told me that not all phones get wifi and the internet etc on page plus unless you buy from them or one of their dealers…is that true? i just want to make sure that if i buy one of those omnias i can use all of it, you know what i mean…thanks
Mike,
I had an Omni i910 that I purchased from EBay and the WIFI worked just fine. I didn’t care for the keyboard on it so I sold it and bought a Samsung Saga.
im kinda leaning towards the omnia 2…what do you think? and thanks for replying.
i guess what i really wanna make sure of is that if i buy an omnia 2 everything will be working fine with pageplus service…
This is a really awsome article and I like the approach. You have tackled a number of the matters that interest me the most. I’ll unquestionably be coming back to your blog for additional useful commentary.
Mike,
The Omnia worked just fine for me on Page plus. I just bought it because I thought it would be a good replacement to my iPod Touch and it really wasn’t. The apps for the iPod Touch and the touch keyboard were much better than what the Omnia had. Otherwise, I think it’s a good phone. Clear call quality, decent size touch screen. I just didn’t care much for the touch keyboard on the Omnia.
why? what’s with the keyboard?
Not sure about Verizon but Nokias go undetected by AT&T (they will catch if you use another brand that they sell). I have bought many unlocked phones & paid for minutes but relied on free wi-fi to surf the web on my Nokias.
Mike,
There’s nothing wrong with the keyboard on the Omnia. I just think I was spoiled with the iPhone keyboard. I think the iPhone/iPod Touch has a better touch keyboard then the Omnia does.
hey chris, what do you think about this review…especially what he says about the battery….
http://www.amazon.com/review/RNJ9YSF4JQBBH/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B004O4UAY4&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=
the booklet says not to use the hone without fully charging it first, which i have already done, but at the same time..ive had two bars since last night, and the battery hasnt gone down any…i just used it to turn off all the verizon apps etc…
Mike,
I don’t remember having any issues with the battery life of the phone. I would agree that if you have unused/unnecessary applications running on the phone, then turn them off, but I don’t remember this phone having that kind of problem. If you bought the phone used, it’s possible the battery might be going bad and you need to purchase a new battery for it.
Hate Hate Hate ATT, leaving after 15 years of bad service. TMO has $50 text talk web plan and thinking of doing that and using wifi for calls when I have to work in a remote location that I have wifi and TMO towers in town. Don’t want to sign any contracts with TMO (1 yr at most if I can get a screaming deal) but wondering how I can buy a nice 4G unlocked TMO phone off Ebay, get a prepaid TMO sim, sign up for monthly 4G $50 plan AND port my existing #. Am I crazy? Can this be done?
I HAD TO REPLACE A CELL PHONE, OTHER ONE GOT WASHED, I KNOW,ANYWAY,I CALLED AT&T, GUSS WHAT,GO TO COMPUTER AND GET ONE, WE DONT HAVE ONE FOR YOU AT THIS TIME. ALREADY ON CONTRACT. AND I HATE THAT. NEVER DO CONTRACT AGAIN WITH THEM OR ANYONE ELSE.ANYWAY,AFTER 3 WEEKS, GOING ALL OVER TOWN, AND THEN TURNED TO THIS COMPUTER. CHEAP ENOUGH, ONLY THING THE BOOK THEY SENT( WIFI) I CANT READ IT. WITH HELP ITS HEARD TO READ.FINALLY GOT IT TO TURN ON!!PLEASE, CAN ANYONE HELP ME. I CANT GET IT TO CALL OUT
. WE HOOKED IT UP WITH AT&T SO IT SHOULD WORK. BUT, I NEED ENGLISH BOOK, TO SHOW ME HOW TO GET IT RUNNING.
I have a smart phone and virgin mobile is my carrier i was wanting to know how can i turn on my hotspot and have wi fi for all devices?
I read your article about a year ago. I was new to smartphones, mainly wanting something that combined phone, contacts, and my address book. I switched from Verizon to Pageplus. Their service in one year has really stepped it up. I started with a Samsumg Omnia Windows phone, but switched over to the HTC Incredible Droid, as my computer is a MAC. Its more than I could have expected, I do want I wanted plus surf the internet, have photos and videos of mine on the phone, watch NETFLIX on it, and text. The only drawback in syncing everything, which I do through Google, is the google syncing duplicates addresses, and I have to merge them frequently. Small price to pay for WIFI access at PAGEPLUS for $29.95.
Hi Chris, Excellent info on this website! I am looking for a smartphone with wifi and no data plan, and am thinking of going down the route you took.
1) You had mentioned you got the Motorola Droid for $60, but may I ask where you bought it from – checking ebay, its about $130(USD).
2) The kitty wireless site has extensive notes about checking OTHER NETWORK and ESIN before buying the phone, did you go through this with the seller you purchased your droid from? Did you look out for anything else – condition(e.g.mint) etc?
Thanks
Continuing from previous post, one more question:
3) Do all droids (2, 3, X, bionic etc) work on Page Plus easily just like droid?
SM,
1.) I had been watching a couple auctions before I found a Droid for a good price. The pictures the seller posted of the phone made the phone look like it was in worse condition then it really was, so it was a really good deal for me.
2.) No. The only questions that I ask sellers on EBay with regards to phones that I am interested in are: 1.) What is the condition of the phone (any damage at all to the phone)? 2.) Is the ESN clean? –> If the seller did not describe the product accurately, then if there is a problem with the product, and the issue requires you to enter into EBay and Paypal’s dispute process, you should be covered. I haven’t been burned by this process yet. This still requires you to do your own homework on whether or not the phone works on Page Plus.
3.) I can’t speak for Droid 2, X or Bionic, but yes the Droid works great! But, some quick google searches yield the following results from posts on the forums:
Droid 2 = Yes
Droid 3 = Yes
Droid X = Yes
Droid Bionic = Unknown: Couldn’t find anything on the first page of a google search.
Hi Chris. Glad I found your site. Thanks for being cheap and doing all the legwork! Tell me this, though: if I do want to occasionally use data via the cell network of Page Plus (because I’m not near wifi), does it work? How are the data charges if so? Is it WAP only or is it faster? Thanks for all the great info.
Steve
Steve,
With the Talk n Text 1200 plan through Page Plus, you get 100 MB of data. I only turn on the data connection on my phone when I need it. The Page Plus website doesn’t say anything about 3G, but on my Droid, it says I’m connected to the 3G network, and since Page Plus is a prepaid Verizon Wireless carrier, you should be using Verizon’s 3G network. I haven’t had a problem with speed on the data plan, but then again I don’t use it much either.
If I’m at At&T customer using a t-mobile unlocked my touch, do I need a data plan? I used the at&t apn to set up and activate my phone but I only want to use the internet and app features when I am around wifi. Will I be charged data if I’m not on wifi? (Not using the internet while not in wifi, just using the talk and text).