Use of phone without voice & data carrier

[badpuppa]

I am interested in getting a windows phone 7 (wp7) for the apps, games, music and other functions. I really don?t need a cell phone and would like to save the carrier charges. I would like to use it around the house, hooked to my home network using Wi-Fi. I have been told that wp7 devices won?t work at all without signing up for a voice & data carrier. They suggest I get a tablet .I would prefer a wp7 device. I would like to know if a wp7 can be used without a voice & data carrier signup for non-phone functions and if so any special procedures needed and in what ways it might be limited other than phone use. Any information would be helpful.

Thank You
badpuppa

 

[Luisraul924]

As far as I know there are no limitations on that... you can use it just fine WiFi only.

 

[jalb]

I used my Surround for about a month before it was activated - wifi only. It did fine.

 

[wolfman-fu]

My LG Quantum works fine without the data and voice on it, though it does remind you that you have no SIM card in it when you power it up. I know this only because I keep switching between the LG and my android phone.

 

[cdook]

Yea I know a few of the regulars bought AT&T phones before was service was in their area. They used them WiFi only for a few months.

 

[Winterfang]

That's pretty interesting to know.

 

[jimski]

Phone should work fine w/o a carrier connection using WiFi. One drawback is that WiFi turns off about 30-40 seconds after your phone goes to sleep (unless you are plugged in) so receiving mail in the background would not work for example. I assume you can download apps and use things like live tiles, but MS servers might get a bit confused trying to send down updates when the phone is sleeping. And apps that update on a timed basis, like every night at 12:01am, may not update unless you phone is screen on or plugged in. Otherwise, all should be OK. My Tilt2 has been on since last November w/o a SIM and once I turn on WiFi I can do everything but make phone calls or send texts.

Sent from my HTC Surround using Board Express

 

[WayCool]

Works great. Nuf said ! You can also use the phone (sans marketplace and Zune) via usb to your PC.

 

[badpuppa]

Thanks Again

I would like to thank all the people who answered my post. I've purchased a HTC Arrive and it is working fine. So I'm in the party.

Keep Smilin'
badpuppa

 

[Michael-Dallas]

I'm late in this party, but I'm intrigued. Why a phone instead of a tablet if you're just using it for wifi?

Michael.

 

[wolfman-fu]

Well myself I was using it without a sim card just so I would not have to have two contracts and I can switch back and forth at will.

 

[badpuppa]

To answer Michael, I wanted to be able to easily use the wp7 apps, games, music and camera. Its size will allow me to use it on the go as a PDA (personal data assistant) to replace my prehistoric Sony Clie (a palm device). I like most things about the wp7 devices except paying high cell phone carrier charges as I don?t feel I need a cell phone. Since I like electronic gadgets maybe a tablet is in my future, but I?m waiting for more selection in Windows tablets maybe with Windows 8. It makes sense to me.

Keep Smilin?
badpuppa