you dont have to use the bb plan but you would get charged per KB. 1 cent per KB. i always noticed people on the media plan with a blackberry so i know it works but one day i learned and was suprised to see the system charge the customer per KB since he was on a media bundle and after a couple of months the system caught up with him, he had a bill of over $900, and since a rep did notate the acct stating he was aware he had to be on the bb plan not media bundle and that he was aware he might start getting charged per kb his credit request was DENIED so i would'nt recommend you going to the media bundle plans.

There really isnt any reason to buy a blackberry without a data plan, kinda useless. A smartphone can be used on a media plan just dont give AT&T the imei for the smartphone, give them a old imei. Thats worked for a friend of mine for a couple years.