I know why I dislike anonymous participants on mailinglists :((

[Jonathon Suggs]

Eric Heinemann wrote:
> Guys/Gals,
>
> Cingular is not clear as to which data plan is the proper one to purchase for a specific phone.  Some reps are well informed, while others are not.  I currently have a Blackjack, and after 3 days of asking which is the proper plan I just decided to screw it and went with the $40/month plan.  Some users have gotten away with the $20/month smartphone plan, and other users have not.  It all depends on who you get on the phone.  I figure it is a standard corporate thing for a company to issue overage charges, and refund them to those that complain, but let those that do not continue to pay them willingly.  I can attest to the fact that communication within a phone company does not exist (used to work for BellSouth).  Mike, from my personal experiences with Cingular, anytime I got overage charges from data, I refuted them and was credited back.  All that is required is to threaten to switch usually.  You do NOT have to sign a contract.  Contracts are used to offer a discount on
>  a phone, that you are not purchasing from them.  All you would have to do is get a sim card from the carrier and have it activated with the voice/data plan you desire.  All of this is from my 5 year experience with Cingular.  I hope this will help.
>
> -Eric
>   
Just for your information Eric, I talked with a rep from Cingular.  He 
very clearly stated that the smartphone plan would work you just have to 
make sure that you use the correct APN (ie wap.cingular.com NOT 
isp.cingular.com or you WILL get the overage charges).  So you are 
throwing away $20/month unless there are other reasons behind your decision.

So to say it very clearly and concisely, "The Neo will work with the 
Smartphone Connect plan from Cingular for $19.95/month"

As far as not having to sign a contract, I'm pretty sure that you could 
do it, but it will take some time and dedication.  Meaning that when you 
ask the first person, they will tell you no...but if you keep going up 
the chain of command explaining that you are bringing your own phone 
then you MAY be able to bypass the contract.  I make no promises on that 
one as this will depend on your own personable ability to negotiate and 
explain your case.