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-- Net access on VoiceStream without DataStream? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=11559)

I just got Handspring's e-mail about expanded VisorPhone coverage, but I can't find an answer to an important question. Can you go online with VoiceStream without spending an extra $30 a month for its DataStream service?

I've read contradictory things on various threads. Some people say you need Datastream, others that you don't. Does anyone have actual experience? If so, what speed are you connecting at?

Right now I'm getting on the Net with my VDX and Startac cell phone, with a simple cable connecting the two. No special accounts needed. The speed's not blazing (even with Blazer), but adequate at 14.4.

Also, how does Voicestream's GSM coverage compare with Verizon's CDMA or AT&T's TDMA coverage? I was unhappy with AT&T so I switched to Verizon, which has the best coverage here in the Northeast. I live and work in NYC but travel to other cities and also outside of cities in this region.

I'd love to get a VisorPhone, but not if I can't get the same e-mail and web access as I have with my simple Visor-and-cellphone setup, or if the coverage isn't as good.

You don't need the DataStream service. All Voicestream accounts are supposedto have data service activated, which allows you to use your voice minutes as data minutes. When I got my phone it would give me an error when trying to connect. I talked to a customer support person who told me everything was fine and all accounts had the feature. I eventually convinced him to double check to see if indeed my data service was activated. He said that it was, but just to make sure he re-activated it (I forget his exact words). He told me that is should have worked in the first place, blah blah blah. Anyway, after the "re-activation" my data service works!

Yours might work from the get go, as it has with some others. If not you'll have to convince the CS person to make sure everything is set up right, and have them activate the service for you. Just ignore anything they say about the "DataStream" service, and tell them you don't want any extra features.

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With voicestream you dont need the data plan, it is less expensive but so far my experience was not good with the data plan, I can connect with regular minutes, fast, fast enough,but could not connect with data minutes. after multiples calls to CS, I decided to cancel my data minutes and continue my regular plan, and so far no problems connecting.
go ahead give it a try,

With Voicestream you need infostream if you want to use SMS and SMS e-mail, right ?

For the record, I can make data calls w/o Datastream.

quote:

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Originally posted by george_vc
With Voicestream you need infostream if you want to use SMS and SMS e-mail, right ?

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>>. If not you'll have to convince the CS person to make sure everything is set up right, and have them activate the service for you. Just ignore anything they say about the "DataStream" service, and tell them you don't want any extra features.
<<

In my 2d hour of tech support calls with different reps, this is more difficult than it seems.

I hate Voicestream. Doesn't everyone?

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My 2 cents

I just want to ring in with my experience that data is included with ALL accounts with or without datastream/infostream. Datastream simply gives you different 'bucket' of minutes to use for wireless access.

I spent 3 months on the phone every other day trying to figure out why I had data service everywhere except Baltimore, so I've had this conversation MANY times with the CRSs.

Suddenly, my connection is working again. Perhaps my constant complaints were finally and mysteriously acted upon by someone.

BUt I think we can agree on one thing: doncha just hate Voicestream's service? I just got back from a long vacation and have spent hours on futile tech support calls. The last one went something like: "Could you check the status of this trouble ticket..."

What's your IME #? Ok. Let's turn your phone on and off.

Of course, we'd already done all this crap without success or there wouldn't be a trouble ticket. She knew nothing about this issue, but she wasn't even going to give me the satisfaction of looking up the trouble ticket status until she wasted another half hour of my time even those it was all too evident that she was clueless.

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Voicestream service may stink, But Jaime Lee Curtis is GORGEOUS!

Read the title.
'nuf said