wifi/data confusion

[Guest LessThanSte]

Im starting to get confused by all of these data options that are being talked about. Im planning on heading into town and getting my mitts on a Diamond in the next hour or so but want to confirm details before i do.

It would seem that Orange dont offer unlimited data anymore. Shame, but then i dont see much of a problem.

We have BT internet at home and thus have access to all of the bt wireless hotspots in coffee bars and the like around the country. I also have access to birmingham university's wireless service and, presumably, at home aswell.

I used to have a wireless plugin card thing for my old imate jam which allowed me to use the internet more or less anywhere, so i assume wifi on the diamond is basically the same as this, correct?

In which case, what is the real need of the unlimited data that was being offered by Orange? Is it for periods when i cant find a wireless hotspot (in coventry, for example!)? Does it have ANYTHING at all to do with the GPS that the phone has built in? does tt6/7 require usage of the orange data system (250mb or whatever it is!)?

Confused!

[Guest darthbane2k]

Im starting to get confused by all of these data options that are being talked about. Im planning on heading into town and getting my mitts on a Diamond in the next hour or so but want to confirm details before i do.

It would seem that Orange dont offer unlimited data anymore. Shame, but then i dont see much of a problem.

We have BT internet at home and thus have access to all of the bt wireless hotspots in coffee bars and the like around the country. I also have access to birmingham university's wireless service and, presumably, at home aswell.

I used to have a wireless plugin card thing for my old imate jam which allowed me to use the internet more or less anywhere, so i assume wifi on the diamond is basically the same as this, correct?

In which case, what is the real need of the unlimited data that was being offered by Orange? Is it for periods when i cant find a wireless hotspot (in coventry, for example!)? Does it have ANYTHING at all to do with the GPS that the phone has built in? does tt6/7 require usage of the orange data system (250mb or whatever it is!)?

Confused!

Mark my words.. DO NOT buy this phone or commit to any sort of contract with this phone unless you have an unlimited data plan in place.

Try Vodafone, T Mobile or O2 for such plans

[Guest LessThanSte]

Mark my words.. DO NOT buy this phone or commit to any sort of contract with this phone unless you have an unlimited data plan in place.

Try Vodafone, T Mobile or O2 for such plans

Why is this then?

[Guest Neil5459]

Why is this then?

I wouldn't go quite as far as saying don't buy this (or any current) phone without a data plan, because you can turn data off if it's not required.

Having said that, you would be losing a lot of the automatic functionality if you don't have some sort of online data plan. WiFi is OK for those times when you are within range of a hotspot, but there are 2 problems. One, keeping WiFi turned on will kill the already limited battery life, and Two, WiFi can only work when the device is 'awake' so you would need to do all your data transactions whilst using the device, rather than in the background.

If you have a half decent data plan, then things like Email scheduled/Push retrieval, RSS feeds, Weather updates and QuickGPS can happen 'behind the scenes' with the device on standby. You may be lucky to live/work/study in areas with high WiFi coverage, but for most of us, WiFi away from home is a rare luxury :D Without a data plan, you would be unable to fire up the browser for a quick reference or phone number look-up over Yell etc should you find yourself away from a hotspot.