Talk is Cheap....

While the benefits of a multifunctional Smartphone are undeniable these, some people just want a phone or can only access certain parts of a phones functionality (ie the Deaf cannot make phone calls).  Various functions have replaced this including SMS messaging, Video Conferencing (Video Relay) and many others.  But talk is still cheap....

Almost all phone plans focus heavily on Talk-Time which is fair enough if that's all you use but what if you don't?

Most plans come with about 100 free SMS per month.  Phones like iPhone get around this by sending messages through your data plan to your iTunes account (blue messages) but still revert to the old fashioned way when this is not accessible (green messages).  But you still  need to pay for the Talk-Time you don't use.....

And video conferencing will chew through your data plan in no time *for many Deaf this is a much more appropriate method as it allows for communication in native sign language).