Using an unlocked Balckberry

Doublespresso

This maybe a long shot but perhaps soemone on this board will know.

I recently bought an unlocked Blackberry on eBay (previously on T-Mobile) and I'd like to start using it on a differnt GPRS network (Orange and/or a foreign network/SIM when travelling)

I know that Blackberry uses a "push" technology in conjunction with a server but I was told that MS Exchange will do.. but what else?? Do I have to change some settings etc?

FYI when I pop an Orange SIM the phone element of the Blackberry works fine, i.e. the SIM is not rejected, but the email function doesn't.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

omega27

There's no point buying a Blackberry on eBay unless you already have one & want to upgrade (same network). Basically you register on a page provided by your network (eg: http://www.o2email.co.uk/) & need the device PIN & IMEI. If you get another handset, you can change the PIN for your account to match your new handset but it might say that it's already registered to another account!

Of course you'll be able to use it as a phone, but you can't use any of the mail features. Orange don't even support Blackberry so have no carrier page to set the device up. If you were on T-Mobile/O2/Voda then you would need to subscribe to the Blackberry service (from about £10/£15 per month). But you could walk into the O2 store & get a 7100x for £15/month on the Blackberry service for £99!

Doublespresso

Thanks for that. I already own a Blackberryon on a contrat with T-Mobile and I know about linking the handset to the mail serivce provided by the network/s.

However there are many 3rd party companies (i.e. not Mobile networks) offering Blackberry services independently - ususally to corporate users. (just search in Google)

From what I understand the mobile networks carries the GPRS signal but the email service is provided via a mail server (e.g Microsoft Excahnge server) that may have an additiona Blackberry software added to it.

I am trying to find a way to use my spare "unlocked" handset for when I travel abroad using a local SIM card thus avoiding the extortionate roaming charges.

Then again, it could be that I misunderstood the whole concept...

omega27

You still need the Blackberry service on your subscription - it adds a GPRS APN which the device uses to create a constant connection to the Blackberry server. The 3rd party companies provide Blackberry Enterprise Services so you can synchronise your calendar etc.. unlike the BWC you'll be using at the moment through T-mobile.

It's not like the device will work with any GPRS connection - it has to be the special Blackberry one, so you can't just put any SIM card in & expect it to work. No idea how/if you would get the service on a foreign SIM. I've never seen Blackberry on PAYG!

You might be a lot better looking at http://www.blackberryforums.com/ for more details.