I think the data plan is like 40$ a month maybe? For an exact number you'd have to talk to Verizon or my biz partner. I know with the Q it was basically required. With my last phone (Moto N810) it wasn't required though, and after a couple simple changes it had full data access and BT teathering. So certainly some phones offer cheaper options then others. It's just hard to swallow another $15 a month to get access to the data package you already pay for.