Activating a smartphone with Verizon?

[Grant]

I'm trying to go from a "dumb phone" to a smartphone on my Verizon account online but it won't let me, and it also won't let me activate it by calling from the phone. Do I have to actually go in and adjust my plan for the $30 data package first, and THEN activate the phone? Or do I HAVE to take it in the store and pay them an additional $30?

 

[consuelo]

Yes for any smart phone in verizon you need the $30 data plan at least. And no the charges are added to the bill since its going to 30 more dollars each month.

 

[Masterofyourhead]

you have to go to store to activate the wonderful data plan by getting a smart phone.