Thread: Impossible to run a smartphone through AT&T now without data plan?

I searched extensively on this site and many others, and didn't quite find what I was looking for - so bear with me and excuse my ignorance. I very much hope to resolve this question, so your help will be very much appreciated.

I recently acquired a smartphone, the Touch Pro2, and when I placed my SIM in the phone - it tells me that a data plan is required. If I'm not mistaken, pre-2009, most providers allowed users with unlocked phones without a data plan to only use the phone for wifi, calls, txts, etc. This is what I want, but I have a feeling that AT&T won't allow it. I spoke with the sales rep at the local store, but I know that they can't really speak about loopholes such as that, so I'm here asking you.

With that said, is there some way to get around this restriction, or am I pretty much up against a brick wall here?

Again, feedback would be greatly appreciated - and if this is the wrong section, please direct me to the proper venue.