So a buddy gave me his old 2G iPhone (nice guy

) and I'd like to give it to my wife to replace her current flip phone. She has no interest in roaming data (would be fine w/ WiFi around the house for browser, etc.), but would want to replace her current iPod and use calendar, clock and other standard apps.
Do I have to Jailbreak and go to another carrier to do this or is there a way to just use it as a phone and disable Edge data?
I have an iPhone 3G that isn't unlocked, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Thanks in advance!!
First things first, Im not sure if you are saying you have At&t or not.
If you are with At&t you dont have to switch carriers. If you are not with At&t you MUST UNLOCK it to use it. It simply will not activate with another carrier unless it is from overseas.
If you are with At&t and refuse/dont want to jail break it you can call At&t and have them activate it. BUT you will be charged activation fees, be put into a renewed 2 year contract that REQUIRES a data plan. At least $20, since its the old iPhone, $30 if its not available any longer, I dont know.
There is NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER, even if you disable data or block or whatever. You are not given an option to choose a data plan or to not have one. If you tell them you have an iPhone and have them activate it that is how it must be.
You mention NOT wanting to jailbreak/unlock YOUR 3G. Im not sure your reasoning, but if you do not want to at least jailbreak the old iphone your asking about, you will have no choice but to sign a new 2 year agreement and pay the monthly data plan chages. Its up to you.
If you CALL them they will tell you you MUST HAVE a data plan & new 2 year contract and add $20 a month for it. (2g is $10 less a month than 3G) That is, if it is still available. IDK
Now if you can bring yourself to jailbreak it you can simply insert your wifes sim card into it and it will work. I have been using a 2G iPhone on At&t for over a year that way. I use Wi-Fi at home or where its available, and if not Oh Well... I dont need it! lol You will need to call them and tell them to disable all internet/data usage on the line so you dont have any usage and incur any extra charges however.
Of course you will hear about how its "wrong" or "immoral" or whatever. I personally dont agree that I should have to pay for the "privilege" of using an iPhone as long as Im not using any data! IF your using a non iPhone data plan with it, then it may be a gray area, but thats a whole nother' discussion!
You might also hear about them (At&T) looking for iphones or whateveron their system/network, but I can only tell you I have never gotten any warnings about not having a data plan or anything to that effect. I have been using it that way for over 14 months. I believe it is because I do not use any data therefore they dont see any usage, so there isnt a chance that im on a "incompatible" (read less money/profit for them) data plan. They can tell I have a iPhone from my IME number, but im guessing the way they look for offenders is by their data usage.
Ultimately it is your decision.
Hope that helps!