Can you turn the data off?

In a word, no - not with or from the iPhone except for when roaming internationally.

If you live in the U.S., the unlimited data plan for the iPhone 3G is not optional with at&t - it is required.

Even if it was possible with AT&T, no network connection means no voicemail. However, that is a moot point since it is not at all possible with AT&T to get an iPhone for voice only.

My not possible I mean a 'legal' phone, not a phone that has been jail-broken!

Message was edited by: GregF-ATL

It's possible to have an iPhone without data but they'll catch it with one of their audits and force you to add data within a month.

I think that's what the ipod touch is for.

GregF-ATL wrote:
Even if it was possible with AT&T, no network connection means no voicemail. However, that is a moot point since it is not at all possible with AT&T to get an iPhone for voice only.

My not possible I mean a 'legal' phone, not a phone that has been jail-broken!

Message was edited by: GregF-ATL

Voice mail will work without data. It will just be normal voice mail that you have to dial in to VM. "Visual VM" won't work, though.

In Canada, Fido will let existing customers buy an iPhone without a data plan if you choose to pay for data as you use it (a pay as you go data option) as long as your existing voice plan is at least $20 a month. While the friendly Fido guy said this is acceptable, he did caution that the iPhone constantly uses data (EDGE/3G/WiFi...whatever is available) to do all sorts of things in the background including synchronizing the clock and using numerous apps. So basically he said while it's possible to get an iPhone without a data plan he would strongly not advise it as data usage costs would be ridiculously expensive.

To my knowledge you can't shutoff cell phone data usage from the iPhone (besides turning off 3G or intl roaming) but would instead have to call Fido or Rogers and put a data block on your account. I'm not sure whether they would allow that on an iPhone plan though, but it never hurts to ask.

You may also find this link useful: http://krisabel.ctv.ca/blog/_archives/2008/7/3/3774742.html