unlimited internet access cellphone plans

[darxus]

I went through and figured out the minimum monthly cost for minimal voice plus unlimited internet access (unlimited data, without tethering*) on a PDA phone for each of the four major providers (without tethering / laptop connection). It was kind of painful, so I'll share:

T-Mobile
$29.99 voice (300 minutes)
$19.99 unlimited data: T-Mobile Internet for Smartphones
$50/mo

Sprint
39.99 voice (200 minutes) Sprint Basic Plan
14.99 unlimited data: Sprint® Power VisionSM Access Pack
$55/mo

AT&T/Cingular
39.99 voice (450 minutes)
44.99 unlimited data: PDA Personal Max
$95/mo

Verizon
$79.99 voice (450 minutes) + data: PDA/Smartphone America's Choice® Email
I wouldn't touch this for reasons other than pricing: "If more than 5 GB/line/month are used, we presume use is for non-permitted uses and reserve the right to terminate service immediately." - http://b2b.vzw.com/productsservices/wirelessinternet/broadbandaccessconnect.html
More importantly: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/07/verizon_unlimited.html

Tethering means using your phone for laptop internet access.

Comments

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Do you use tethering for more than your other handheld device? Could you get another device that could do all you need in one thing so you wouldn't need to pay for tethering anymore?

[beowabbit]

Do you use tethering for more than your other handheld device?

At the moment, no, but (1) I want the flexibility to tether other devices (such as an EeePC, or something like Frankie, or a similar very small and lightweight laptop), and (2) in the past, I’ve tethered my work Apple laptop.