Why do I have to sign up for a shared data plan? This more than doubles my monthly bill?

[Barry79]

I am eligible for a new cell phone in May. I do not need or use any data plan. Why do I have to sign up for a shared data plan? This more than double my monthly bill . Surely there is a work around for this. 

[tsizzle · Accepted solution]

The fact that its shared is really unimportant, if there's no one else on your account it works the same as any individual plan. You can keep your plan & add features to meet whatever min. commit they have for the device you want ($45 for Smartphone Lite, $70 for Smartphones), the reason your bill is going up is likely because:

a) you're taking a more expensive phone than your current one

b) your old plan was based on a 3-year contract and if you renew, you will have only a 2-year term

[Barry79]

I currently have a Blackberry on a 3 year $0 contract.

I'd like to get an Iphone 4s that is listed as $0 on a 2 year contract.

What I don't understand is why I should be forced to sign on a data plan when all I want is a phone that is offered on the same $0 dollar plan for a 2 year contract as my current Blackberry. Why is it necessary to get data when I don't need it?  If I needed data I would sign up for it,not being forced into it.