Blackberrry Pearl O2 questions

Urban Weigl

I'm considering getting a Blackberry Pearl on the O2 network. I was told in an O2 shop I can use the Pearl as a modem as well, for example to look at some web pages and write long emails with my laptop, and this is part of the all you can eat plan.

Does here have experience with it? I'd hate to get it only to find that it won't work as expected.

Edit: Also looking at the E61, which is more "business orientated", and supports 3G for faster email downloading and web browsing. I am told it will also work with the Blackberry data package, and in fact supports Blackberry push email just like the Pearl does.

damo86

got it today,put opera mini on to it..doesnt work which means it doesnt support the full isp access,can anyone else confirm this before tomorrow cos its going back?

Scuba_Scoper

Got mine on Thursday but am only getting around to playing with the setup tonight. First thing I notice is that I get 'Data Connection Refused' printed on the front page. I have tried sending an MMS to another mobile but no good.

I have looked all over o2's website and tried adding a number of options. Even though the web pages say that settings have successfully been sent to my phone I am not getting any messages.

l am gonna call O2 tomorrow. Will let ye know if I get any further.

Random

Scuba_Scoper - sounds like Blackberry hasn't been setup on your account. Ring care now and they'll add it on.

Scuba_Scoper

Thanks for that ciaranfo

They are down for the nightly backup atm. So, will try later or the morning.

flodis79

damo86 wrote:

got it today,put opera mini on to it..doesnt work which means it doesnt support the full isp access,can anyone else confirm this before tomorrow cos its going back?

Yes, am not a user myself, but I have heard that the all you can eat package is only wap access, not full isp, ie pp.wap.o2.ie rather than pp.internet. But opera mini should would - you can set in the prefs if you want to connect via tcp or wap if im not mistaken-

damo86

yup saw that setting but will have to pay extra for tcp,anyways took it back today and got a k800i instead with the 25mb for 20 data addon so i'm sorted!

Urban Weigl

damo86 wrote:

yup saw that setting but will have to pay extra for tcp,anyways took it back today and got a k800i instead with the 25mb for 20 data addon so i'm sorted!

So it doesn't actually, it's only wap and email and that's it? I was told otherwise both on the phone and in an O2 shop. Was also told I could connect to the internet both on the device itself as well as using the Blackberry as a modem as part of the plan both times.

source

you can't use the apn's pp.internet or pp.wap.o2.ie with the blackberry devices cos they are prepaid and the device only works on post pay, so internet and wap.dol.ie would be your apn.

I used to work for o2 care and used to get so mad when stores told customers that they could get full internet on a blackberry device which you cant on blacberry internet service....only if you purchase a blackberry enterprise server and then the €20 option doesn't apply, not to mention that a bes is approx 5 grand.(desgned for business use)

IF YOU WANT TO SURF THE INTERNET ON YOUR PHONE BUY AN ACTUAL PDA!!!!!! NOT A BLACKBERRY, it's not what the service was designed for.

Urban Weigl

Thanks for the definitive answer, oinse. I actually got misinformed both at the store and calling sales, and the wording on the O2 web site is misleading as well (it seems to say that full internet access, blackberry and wap is all part of the bundle).

So I wouldn't be blaming the people at the stores, it seems to be a general problem that the wording is very confusing. It wouldn't be hard to say it excludes internet access, and is only for email and wap.

Anyhow, in light of this new information, I will not be getting the Blackberry now. I would have used it mainly for email, but also would have liked to be able to have internet access on it. I am glad I didn't go ahead on the information I got from O2, as I would have had the inconvenience of having to return it.

damo86

what is it with phone companies and misleading advertising...first vodafone and then this!tbh sales staff should be more knowledgable...its their job like!
got the k800i instead..so glad i got it!:-)
@urban weigh what are you going to do now?

Urban Weigl

"Anything to get a sale"

lfc1892

Urban Weigl wrote:

"Anything to get a sale"

I have to say I find this disappointing. The reps and the shops are just as confused as customers when it comes to Internet browsing and wap browsing. If you want definitive information on such services, the Data Support department are the ones to call.

An O2 Data agent can only tell you that if you connect via wap.dol.ie it will be included but if you connect via internet, this is charged (around 0.5c per KB) however, the device doesn't let you know which it is connecting over. The only way to make sure is that you have the open.internet and internet APNs removed from your number, or have the wap.dol.ie APN removed.

Clarifications on this have been notified to existing customers and to dealers.

Urban Weigl

I wasn't trying to blame the reps themselves, rather my frustration with not being given the correct information. I've also read at least one post on Boards.ie recently where someone got the €20 data plan, only to find out that it didn't include visiting web sites on the phone when he had been told it was included. Nobody wins in that situation because the customer ends up returning the phone, which cots the customer time and the phone company money (presumably they can't just resell the device if it's already been opened). If anything, I can attest to the fact that the staff in the shops are very friendly, and really try their best. It's just that there's a lot of confusion, and what you say about new information clarifying the plan is going out is very positive indeed.

Wording like this doesn't help, though, from the business web site: "Unlimited internet email and WAP browsing". Since it's very obvious that email works over the internet, it seems to indicate that internet, email, and WAP are all included. When they're not. It would be better to say "email and WAP browsing", and also list additional pricing for web browsing/internet access. That way, there could not be any confusion.

lfc1892

Yeah, point taken.

I know that Foinse brought this up internally at O2.

All in all, I think that the Pearl is a lovely tool but wait until the 8800 comes out! It's the Pearl with full Qwerty and is currently in testing.

Internet browsing on the €20 is actually cheaper than I mentioned above but I don't remember the actual prices. (sorry )

Urban Weigl

The Pearl most definitely is a lovely tool, and I actually suggested it to a customer of ours who needed a mobile email solution a few weeks ago. I will continue to recommend it to anybody who asks me about mobile email, and I'll be recommending it on the O2 network as you have the best deal.

I was almost going to get one myself, but would have needed to be able to access our internal helpdesk system, which is web based and not included in the price plan (I initially thought it was due to the wording and what I was told). I would have also needed an SSH client, again not included (there may be a third party client, but pricing wasn't clear and I wasn't able to find out).

If you don't mind me asking, do you know if the 8800 will be a 3G device, or if any 3G BlackBerry's will be released in the future? I ask because it makes a big difference browsing the web and downloading email attachments, and even simple things like SSH are more responsive.

tech

Ok Ive been doing some research into the Pearl and the deals out there

Vodafone

You can get the Pearl for €169 you then need to have a Voice tarrif before you can add the data Tariff

O2

You can get the Peral for €199 and pay €24.20 inc VAT for the data pack no vocie tariff required.

Both packs have unlimited e-mail and WAP internet access and neither can be used as Bluetooth modem with your laptop

Again O2 are offering the best deal, Vodafone are trying to push the Blackberrys as a smart phone rather than just an e-mail device and also that is the Way Blackbery want to go is top try and hit the phone market...

Im gonig to get one on O2 I think, I know having voice and e-mail on the one device is nice but on the other hand its nice to walk away from a beeping device at the weekends when all the mails are flowing in the to device ,.....

lfc1892

Urban Weigl wrote:

The Pearl most definitely is a lovely tool, and I actually suggested it to a customer of ours who needed a mobile email solution a few weeks ago. I will continue to recommend it to anybody who asks me about mobile email, and I'll be recommending it on the O2 network as you have the best deal.

I was almost going to get one myself, but would have needed to be able to access our internal helpdesk system, which is web based and not included in the price plan (I initially thought it was due to the wording and what I was told). I would have also needed an SSH client, again not included (there may be a third party client, but pricing wasn't clear and I wasn't able to find out).

If you don't mind me asking, do you know if the 8800 will be a 3G device, or if any 3G BlackBerry's will be released in the future? I ask because it makes a big difference browsing the web and downloading email attachments, and even simple things like SSH are more responsive.

Hi Urban, the 8707 is 3G and is already available. I'm not sure if the 8800 will be 3G though, I'll check it our for you and get back to when I know

lfc1892

tech wrote:

Ok Ive been doing some research into the Pearl and the deals out there

Vodafone

You can get the Pearl for €169 you then need to have a Voice tarrif before you can add the data Tariff

O2

You can get the Peral for €199 and pay €24.20 inc VAT for the data pack no vocie tariff required.

Both packs have unlimited e-mail and WAP internet access and neither can be used as Bluetooth modem with your laptop

Again O2 are offering the best deal, Vodafone are trying to push the Blackberrys as a smart phone rather than just an e-mail device and also that is the Way Blackbery want to go is top try and hit the phone market...

Im gonig to get one on O2 I think, I know having voice and e-mail on the one device is nice but on the other hand its nice to walk away from a beeping device at the weekends when all the mails are flowing in the to device ,.....

Tech, just to let you know (and this is unofficial) you can use the BB as a Modem and you can arrange a Surf Tariff. The reason it isn't publicised is that the method used to setup the Surf Tariff can cause other things to rate incorrectly such as email usage etc.

tech

tell me more please sounds interesting thanks

lfc1892

tech wrote:

tell me more please sounds interesting thanks

At the moment I can't answer this. There is only one data agent who knows how to do it and she isn't around for me to talk to today. I'll have an answer for sure shortly and will update you.

lfc1892

http://blackberryforums.pinstack.com/8068-blackberry_8800_in_detail_specs.html

Specs at this URL. It has Wifi!!

Also, EDGE, this will shortly be available on o2 after the upgrade to Ericsson network. However, the device isn't 3G, sorry!:o

tech

nice one the 8800 loko sweet, might hang on a little if this comes to O2 shortly

Thanks for link #

tech

a very good web site, loads of good info on RIM

lfc1892

yeah, it is a really good site.

Very sexy Blackberry too!

Urban Weigl

lfc1892 wrote:

http://blackberryforums.pinstack.com/8068-blackberry_8800_in_detail_specs.html

Specs at this URL. It has Wifi!!

Also, EDGE, this will shortly be available on o2 after the upgrade to Ericsson network. However, the device isn't 3G, sorry!:o

That's absolutely fantastic news about EDGE, I've been waiting for it to be available along with 3G from an Irish network. Also the Blackberry 8800 looks sweet.

lfc1892

Edge was just an added bonus on upgrading to the Ericsson network for the HSDPA

Urban Weigl

lfc1892 wrote:

Edge was just an added bonus on upgrading to the Ericsson network for the HSDPA

Still, that's a very nice little bonus to have. Am I correct in assuming that it would mean that if I am using a data card with O2, and I leave a 3G coverage area, it will fall back to EDGE (or EGPRS, I'm not sure what the correct term is), instead of falling back to standard GPRS?

lfc1892

Urban Weigl wrote:

Still, that's a very nice little bonus to have. Am I correct in assuming that it would mean that if I am using a data card with O2, and I leave a 3G coverage area, it will fall back to EDGE (or EGPRS, I'm not sure what the correct term is), instead of falling back to standard GPRS?

Unfotunately this isn't necessarily the case. At the moment it is the 3G masts being upgraded

WizZard

Any word on the 8800 coming out on O2?
I like the fact that it has Wifi, much handier than GRPS when I'm in suitable locations

The 9000 series, due for release in Q4, will have 3G + WiFi and be generally a "better" 8800 device

tech

Its currently in testing with O2 due for release in 3 -4 weeks hehe nice 1, this also has GPS software of it

I hope the price is affordable ??

Urban Weigl

Gotta admit, the Blackberry 8800 does look pretty darned sexy. I hope O2 have plans for a "better" Blackberry data plan, where you can browse the the web etc.

tech

they look the business al right dont they

WizZard

3-4 weeks?
Brilliant, I'll be signing up for one as soons as they are available!

Akula

Most of the networks which have announced the 8800 so far though seem to be shipping the variant without a camera or wifi. If you look at vodafone uk's site (the best predictor for here) their version has neither.

Disappointing.

Will have to see how nice the gps is to decide whether it is worth the upgrade from the 8700. The one thing that worries me is that bbmaps seems to work on the premise that you download the maps over the air which could lead to some horrific data charges.

tech

THE BBMAPS can be downloaded on 02 for free? as its umlimited data transfer

Also has this WIfi ?? or is it reffering to A mobile WIfi technology rather than 802.11g???

Akula

I've been being charged by o2 for data transfer other than my bbmail usage and o2's own wap sites for the last couple of months now....

Are you being charged?

Akula

Also if it has wifi it will be 802.11b/g but i doubt it will tbh.

Urban Weigl

The Blackberry "all you can eat" plan for €20 a month includes wap and email, it does not include internet or indeed browsing the web.

source

tech wrote:

THE BBMAPS can be downloaded on 02 for free? as its umlimited data transfer

Also has this WIfi ?? or is it reffering to A mobile WIfi technology rather than 802.11g???

Remember the APN it all depends on the APN

tech

but can you b rowse all websites on your blackberry?? as lonf as you dont use it as a Modem with your laptop?

Urban Weigl

tech wrote:

but can you b rowse all websites on your blackberry?? as lonf as you dont use it as a Modem with your laptop?

No. You cannot, at least not as part of the BlackBerry deal. Only WAP browsing and BlackBerry email.

tech

what sites are WAP based, where can I get a list of WAP sites

Thanks

tech

is boards.ie a WAP site ?

whisht

I have been using Blackberrys for about 18 months now and can confirm that the Blackberry charge does in fact cover unlimited email AND internet using the built in browsers. I can view in WAP mode, or Blackberry mode or IE emulator to view full sites and none of my bills have extra charges for any of my browsing, BUT, if I was to load Opera browser and use the O2 ISP apn settings under TCP/IP, this is charged extra. Also, I tried Google Maps recently with the internet apn and this does add extra to your charges.

Regarding using it as a modem, I have done this also using a mini usb cable to USB on my laptop and it works fine, BUT is quite slow and O2 at some stage sent out a letter advising that if the owner operated "over usage" of the Blackberry as a modem, they would be charged accordingly, but to be honest, its so slow, I only ever used it with the laptop if I was stuck, but also was NEVER charged for this!

Hope this clarifies things a bit, although I have a feeling its gonna open a can of worms

Random

Using the inbuilt browser + email = unlimited for 20eur + VAT

Any other internet related thing (other programs / using your bb as a modem / etc) = extra charges.

whisht

EXACTLY

Sums up what I am saying, but some people are under the illusion you have WAP browsing only. This is NOT the case

Also, you CAN use the Blackberry as a modem for your PC or laptop using a mini-usb cable, but not via Bluetooth. The Bluetooth on Blackberry is very basic and is "more or less*" only for headset support

*depends on model

tech

it seems to me now that it could cost me a small fortune if I go browsing using Opera or go onto NON WAP sites,

whisht

tech wrote:

it seems to me now that it could cost me a small fortune if I go browsing using Opera or go onto NON WAP sites,

You havent read properly!!!

OPERA- Yes!! Small fortune
NON WAP sites - NO! Included free

tech

so using the in built broswer I cn surf away happy out then?

Random

tech wrote:

so using the in built broswer I cn surf away happy out then?

Yes. That is correct.