It makes sense that GPS works without data capability. I guess my real question is, how does my carrier (Verizon) treat that data coming from the satellite? It's not free, I assume. So, is that data attached to my talk plan or my data plan? Technically, the satellite data is neither, but does Verizon disable satellite data if talk and/or data are disabled? I'll have to call Verizon tech support...

If my GPS works even if my talk plan and data plan are disabled, then I will structure my phone's survival apps to maximize the capabilities of GPS. Satellite communication is likely to be most reliable type of communication on my phone, followed by text, then email, then talk.