Can I buy a black berry ( not thru verizon) and activate it without a data plan?

[dick_bee_bad]

The way I understand it, how you communicate with your provider are the apps that they create. How do I know this. Right now I am using a Sprint Samsung A900 on MtetroPCS. The only things I can do with the Phone is text, send and receive local and long distance phone service. The rest is specific to Sprint services.

[Dan S]

My voyager broke (go figure) and now I am lookin to get a new phone ad I was looking at buying a black berry curve. I want the phone for texting and keeping organized but I do nor want adata plan. If I don't buy the black berry thru verizon and activate it online do I have to get a data plan?