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..) EXCEPT if your Blackberry has WiFi, in which case you can connect to the Internet through a wireless access point (a router at home, in a coffee shop, etc.) when it is in range.

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

Yes you will need a data plan to access the internet from anywhere, but if your Blackberry has WiFi you can connect to the Internet through a wireless access point (a router at home, in a coffee shop, etc.) when it is in range.

• 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, unless your Blackberry has WiFi in which case yo may send and receive information over the Internet when connected to a wireless access point (e.g. router).

With a generic data plan in addition you may:

• use a third party browser like Opera Mini, but NOT the resident BlackBerry browser. It has been reported, however, that you may use the built in browser on a Blackberry Curve 8320 when using WiFi and perhaps on other Blackberries and/or when using a data plan.
• 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