Using Blackberry abroad

siamese0109

Hi
I have a BlackBerry Bold 9700 on Orange. I have it set up to receive my e-mails and have the Facebook application running which alerts me when I receive posts etc on there. I want to know how to set it up so that when I'm abroad I can use my BB instant messaging facility (because as far as I'm aware that's still free) but I also want to stop any other data being received so that I'm not hit with a huge bill when I get home. I've looked all over and can't find anything that puts things in simple terms for me TIA

DUTR

It won't be free when you are abroad, get a sim locally when you are away or go to an internet cafe.

gurner

On the Blackberry go to Options.
Select 'Mobile Network'
Under here there is an option whether to use Data Services while roaming.

I have this set to Off for travelling as the roaming data charges are very high.

siamese0109

DUTR wrote: »

It won't be free when you are abroad, get a sim locally when you are away or go to an internet cafe.

Really? I was told the Blackberry messenger was still free even when abroad. :huh: I already have a spanish sim that I use for all my calls and texts normally

siamese0109

gurner wrote: »

On the Blackberry go to Options.
Select 'Mobile Network'
Under here there is an option whether to use Data Services while roaming.

I have this set to Off for travelling as the roaming data charges are very high.

Thanks for that but that also disables the Blackberry messenger as far as I can tell

DUTR

siamese0109 wrote: »

Really? I was told the Blackberry messenger was still free even when abroad. :huh: I already have a spanish sim that I use for all my calls and texts normally

I would hate to see a sob story thread when you return, you will get charged, that I am sure.

in_the_Cotswolds

Speak to your service provider. I'm with O2 and last year went to Norway for 9 days.
Went into the O2 store and had Blackberry overseas added on. I still received emails and spent a hour on MSN and it only cost an extra £18 that month. Be careful as your Blackberry Unlimited doesn't cover abroad. Well not O2!!

siamese0109

Thanks! Have I got it really wrong then? I'm talking about the Blackberry Instant Messenger that you use with the pin number - I've been told this is free BB to BB anywhere in the world including across different countries. I know I'd pay for calls and texts via Orange when I'm roaming but understood this was different!

in_the_Cotswolds

I must admit I don't use Blackberry Messenger, but if you need the data network then you will be charged for it. I've seen posts on here where people have been billed £100+ for browsing and downloading emails.

watcherman

BBM will cost you a few pounds abroad, just dont go downloading mega big attachments....A week in the USA cost my wife and about a tenner each, using BBM and text only attachments.