What do I need a Data Plan for?

From BlackBerryFAQ

• Do I need a data plan to get email?

Yes, without a data plan all you have is phone, SMS, and PIM services. (ie... Outlook, Contacts, Calendar ect..)

• Do I need a data plan to access the internet?

Yes you will need a data plan to access the internet

• Do I need a data plan for MMS?

Yes, on most carriers, you will need a data plan to send/retrieve MMS messages.

With NO data plan you may:

• make phone calls
• send/receive text SMS messages
• NOT use any instant messenger program that anyone has found so far
• use the device as a standalone PIM
• NOT send or receive any information over the internet, in any way shape or form, despite what you heard about it being possible

With a generic data plan in addition you may:

• use a third party browser like Opera Mini, but NOT the resident BlackBerry browser
• may get email either via a web interface (using Opera) or other third party app, but NOT BlackBerry push email
• use a number of third party applications that require net access, including some instant messenger programs, as long as they're available to install from DM because:
• canNOT install apps OTA because that requires the resident browser
• canNOT use BlackBerry messenger or do PIN-->PIN messaging

With a BlackBerry data plan you may do all of the above plus:

• receive true BlackBerry push email from up to 10 different email accounts
• use the resident BlackBerry supplied browser to access the internet
• install applications OTA via the supplied resident browser
• use BlackBerry Messenger and send PIN-->PIN messages