Can't speak for other carriers, but Verizon prohibited me from using a smart phone on a non-data plan. I assume some technological breakthroughs are required to permit that pairing.
That sucks. While I was a student, I just got the cheapest prepaid SIM card for my old Nexus One and paid the $10/mo for unlimited texting. Wifi blanketing campus, my house, and my favourite bar meant I rarely missed data. I certainly wouldn't go with Verizon if that was the case.
Fair enough. I guess I was under the mistaken impression that carrier subsidies were a bigger deal with all smartphones than they really are.
Att won't let you use a smart phone without a data plan. Or at least, the reps I've talked to insist it isn't possible.
Yup. Get the same plan as the Nokia user, and then use free Wi-Fi, applications, etc...