black berries, require a data plan, there are (3) tiers available
BB email & web $30 month, add-on top of your call plan
the PDA/smart phone plan $45 a month add-on
the BBA tethering plan, which is $60 month add-on
before you ask,, NO you can not get the $30 plan and add tethering for $15 more, verizon will not do this, and there is NO way to hack a BB and use tethering on the $30 BB plan, its not about the plan its about the BB
USING a feature/regular Phone is an entirely different situation, where data can be turned on and off
RIM the people who make the BB's, sells the data services, verizon is simply your connection to the system, RIM requires that BB's, have a BB data plan on the account.
you can switch from a BB to a feature phone & drop the BB data plan, NO termination fees, IF you cancel the verizon account BB or feature phone or aircard, then you have termination fees