I'm trying to set up a system where I have google voice and a data plan only. Currently trying out google voice + wifi which is working fine, but I sometimes do need coverage when I'm wifi inaccessible. Any insights on data only plans?
edit: oddly enough, another alternative is to sign up for one of those providers that have free wifi hotspots all across the city (e.g. CableWifi, XfinityWifi), which could be cheaper than a data plan
T-Mobile has a plan where it's $30/mo for 5GB of 4G/LTE data (no overages, just throttled after that), unlimited SMS/MMS and 100 voice minutes. If you have a solid LTE signal, FaceTime Voice works very well. I'm sure other services would work similarly well. It's a bit meh over 3G due to latency and T-Mobile's LTE coverage is very mediocre at best. But, you absolutely get what you pay for.
I'm also trying to find a data only plan. I know verizon offers data only for iPad.. I wonder if there is anyway to sign up for that and hack an iPhone to use it?
I certainly don't know enough to say but I imagine someone here might.
I bought my iPhone (3GS) in France when I lived there. I signed up for a 1 year contract and cancelled it after 10 months, no penalty because I was leaving the country. Bouyges unlocked my phone without any hassle.
When I got home (US) I bought an iPad with AT&T 3G and put that SIM card into the 3GS. I had to install a special profile to make everything work, but that was all it took for a data-only 'phone' plan.
It's a bit klunky. I make calls with an app called Talkatone, and the quality when I'm on 3G gets very bad. It's better at home and work over wifi, but some friends still complain about sound quality and lag.
edit: oddly enough, another alternative is to sign up for one of those providers that have free wifi hotspots all across the city (e.g. CableWifi, XfinityWifi), which could be cheaper than a data plan