Since the unexpected disconnection of my cell phone early in June, I’ve been suffering from a lack of on-demand data access. The constant email drip I was accustomed to is long gone, as well as the anytime, anywhere web access. Moving overseas is a lengthy and difficult process, with the result that I haven’t yet been able to sign a new phone contract. Instead, I’ve had to make due with prepaid cards.
I didn’t think this would be so difficult since I have a Blackberry Bold, which has wifi capabilities. Imagine my frustration when I discovered that prepaid cards don’t allow this functionality to work – thoroughly annoying since the hardware exists and I specifically bought this phone & had it unlocked for that reason.
How is it possible that this practice is viewed as ok? Why should I have to buy wireless data coverage in order to connect to my own broadband network at home? The two should be completely disjointed. To make matters worse, I can’t buy a data plan with a prepaid account. I have to sign a 2-year contract, something I am not ready to commit to until I have settled down somewhere.
I can’t be the only person with this problem. I will eventually sign up for a data plan, but in the meantime I want to be able to use Google Voice while I’m in range of my wireless network. The T-Mobile system of not allowing the hardware in my phone to function properly is technologically senseless and frustrating. If anyone has worked out a solution, by all means post it.
