I have a question about the data plan and the phone.

[bugmenot1]

I've heard conflicting reports about the need of a data plan with the G1. I was planning to buy the phone and a $25 data plan. Activate the phone through 3G, then cancel it next month and use the Wi-Fi for the rest of the features. I can't find a straight answer though. Does the phone ask you to log in again if you leave a 3G area? If you remove the battery or let it drain all the way, when powering up do you have to log in again? If not then I think I'll buy the phone, but as far as I know, you only have to log in and use 3G when setting up your phone for the first time, after that you don't need the data plan again? Unless of course you factory reset the phone.

Can anyone clarify this, thanks.

[bugmenot1]

No one has removed the battery and re-powered up or started it up after a completely dead battery, really?

[booyaka]

it asked me to type in my password when i removed the battery but i also placed another sim card in there.

[bugmenot1]

Can you do me a favor, could you take out the battery alone and see if it asks you to log back in? Thanks.

[daveman123]

I am wondering the same question, I am on the fence and will either go out and buy it today or not based on this. I've heard conflicting reports and no clear cut answer. To my knowledge, I assume two things in favor of bypassing the need for a data plan even if it were to come up:

1. If you need to login, order the data plan and then cancel it through tmobiles web site since it changes within an hour.

2. If there are any unlocking tools for the phone in the near future, I'm sure it will help bypass the need for a data plan.

3. Unrelated, I've read that the GPS system on the G1 was a little different than regular phones. There were rumors that the GPS would not run without the data plan. Can anyone confirm that this is not true, and that the GPS functions will work without the need for the data plan?

[rdgdmd]

I have ther g1 and I don't have. A data plan. I was able to preordser without choosing a data plan. When it arrived, I just placed the sim card and prompted me to sign in to my gmail acct via the gsm network because it was the only icon on the notification bar. No wifi,edge, or 3g icons in there. Hope this helps. I double checked that with a tmo cs that I donLt have the data plan

[bugmenot1]

GSM? Whats that?

[daveman123]

Hmm rdgd you may be a special case since you didn't have the option when signing up. =/ Have you by any chance heard from anyone else or your friends if they were able to cancel it *after* they ordered it? The T-Mobile store says I have to get the data plan when I buy it later today so I can't skip it like you did.

[bugmenot1]

I'm willing to pay for the first month, but after that I may cancel the data plan, but I still want to use the phone for calling, messaging, and wifi features.