Can you use a Windows Phone 7 device without phone service?

I would like to use a Windows Phone 7 device, but not activate phone service and only use it with wifi. Will i be able to use all the Zune capabilities and also access the apps Marketplace via wifi? Does anyone know what is and is not available if I don't activate the phone? So basically it'd be like an Ipod Touch, except Windows Phone.|||Yes... you could use a Windows Phone 7 device without phone service. You can buy the phones without a service contract or via eBay. You can certainly download music or applications over WiFi along with Internet browsing, email, and other functions. In most cases, you'd want to do that because it is faster and don't run up your phone bill (depending upon your plan). You can also purchase music, movies, or apps from the Zune software on your PC and they will be sync'd the next time your phone connects via USB or WiFi.





A few obvious problems...





1. You don't have phone service, you can't receive calls.





2. No text messages.





3. You have to buy the phone out right. Most provides offer the phone over time as part of their contact.





4. WiFi isn't available in many places/areas.





5. You can't call 911, family in case of emergencies, etc.





6. WiFi does chew through the battery. Just leaving it on likely halves the time between charges. Actively using it, along with browsing/apps which use it, likely cuts the time down to 3-4 hours.





Personally, I'd at least get a prepaid phone plan. Put $20 on it and then only use it for emergencies.|||Ask your current provider about transfering (or adding) your new phone to the same plan. Not sure where you are from? AT%26amp;T does offer a GoPlan, where you pay as you go. Once you own the phone, carriers typically don't care what phone you put on a plan.

Report Abuse