Unlocked Blackberry Internet/Web Question

jdunne08

hi,
if i bought an unlocked Blackberry 9700 and put any irish sim into it will the internet work in it? i doubt it will i just wanna see what expereince people have had with doing this. And Sim free means Unlocked aswell doesnt it?

does it make a difference if the fone was Irish and unlocked compared to an english fone that was unlocked, different firmware etc..

cookie1977

Blackberry's require an add on to be active either via pre pay from vodafone costing 50 cent a day (and soon Meteor) or via a bill pay add-on/plan such as O2's advance plans or Three's BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) add-on for 9.99 per month.

WIth out the add-on nothing works except calls and texts. You need the add-on even to get wifi to work

racer1

Why is there an extra cost for blackberry cookie?

cookie1977

The 50 cent a day is what vodafone charge for pre pay BIS access. Meteor will be launching pre pay very soon:
http://www.meteor.ie/blackberry/payg_registration/

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

Blackberry's require an add on to be active either via pre pay from vodafone costing 50 cent a day (and soon Meteor) or via a bill pay add-on/plan such as O2's advance plans or Three's BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) add-on for 9.99 per month.

WIth out the add-on nothing works except calls and texts. You need the add-on even to get wifi to work

Really? so even if you buy the fone in a shop you gotta pay for that add on?
so if i bought an unlocked blackberry and bought that add on i would have no problem with the internet or coverage? would the web be slower than normal?

cookie1977

Yes unfortunately. It is just a talk and text device without the add-on. Even MMS wont work as it uses data. If you got a pre pay service or bill pay add-on everything will work perfectly

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

Yes unfortunately. It is just a talk and text device without the add-on. Even MMS wont work as it uses data. If you got a pre pay service or bill pay add-on everything will work perfectly

thats stupid since there so dear in the first place, youd think thats included.
ive seen ads saying its sim free that means the person got it unlocked right?

cookie1977

If it's sim free then it was unlocked and can be used on any network.

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

The 50 cent a day is what vodafone charge for pre pay BIS access. Meteor will be launching pre pay very soon:
http://www.meteor.ie/blackberry/payg_registration/

any ideo how much that will cost, monthly/weekly?

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

If it's sim free then it was unlocked and can be used on any network.

ok thanks alot. do you have an unlocked blackberry?

cookie1977

Meteors? Probably similar to vodafone or at best 9.99 per month. But it's free for a few months when meteor launch it (vodafone had something similar when they launched it but now it costs money). Re bill pay plans, which network?

cookie1977

jdunne08 wrote: »

ok thanks alot. do you have an unlocked blackberry?

Yes I have an unlocked blackberry 9700. Bought from the O2 network, unlocked and then now used on Three's network

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

Yes I have an unlocked blackberry 9700. Bought from the O2 network, unlocked and then now used on Three's network

and you dont have any problems what so ever? coz i bought an INQ chat 3g from england, unlocked it and now i have bad coverage slow internet speed and i dont want that with a blackberry

cookie1977

I've no problems with coverage. If you're worried always test the network you're thinking of moving to by getting a pre pay sim (most cases they're free). Look to see consistent strong 3G signal at work, home and play areas.

If you've strong coverage then you'll have no problem with blackberry services on your device

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

I've no problems with coverage. If you're worried always test the network you're thinking of moving to by getting a pre pay sim (most cases they're free). Look to see consistent strong 3G signal at work, home and play areas.

If you've strong coverage then you'll have no problem with blackberry services on your device

good idea, you helped me alot with this. Thanks.

cookie1977

No problem. Blackberry's rock If you've any questions about them post back.

ostrich

Am currently on Vodafone, Using blackberry 8250 on pay and go. I top up 30 a month to get free calls and text plus internet and my €30 is there to call other networks.:D

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

No problem. Blackberry's rock If you've any questions about them post back.

lol, will do. thanks again

cookie1977

ostrich wrote: »

Am currently on Vodafone, Using blackberry 8250 on pay and go. I top up 30 a month to get free calls and text plus internet and my €30 is there to call other networks.:D

I think for people who signed up recently (offer's over now) you got free BIS till May. So thats what you're benefiting from.

http://www.vodafone.ie/offers/payg-blackberry/

With free Facebook, BlackBerry, Messenger and email until May 2011
if you switch before April 10 2011

highlydebased

cookie1977 wrote: »

You need the add-on even to get wifi to work

Untrue.

I have an unlocked Blackberry and am using it on meteor at the moment- obviously they are meant to be launching their PAYG BIS in the next few days but

Wifi works perfectly, and there are some settings you can change which will allow Opera Mini Broswer and the gmail app to work- just like normal phone internet. I have the 20 euro free meteor texts and browse promotion at the moment so it costs me no extra.

cookie1977

Neon-Circles wrote: »

Untrue.

I have an unlocked Blackberry and am using it on meteor at the moment- obviously they are meant to be launching their PAYG BIS in the next few days but

Wifi works perfectly, and there are some settings you can change which will allow Opera Mini Broswer and the gmail app to work- just like normal phone internet. I have the 20 euro free meteor texts and browse promotion at the moment so it costs me no extra.

I'm afraid it's not untrue. What could be happening for you is that meteor may already have the system up and running and so you've gotten the service books or you acquired the service books before moving to meteor and the wifi service book has stayed on. Either way you need the wifi service book to avail of wifi and you can only get it by having or once having the bis add-on

highlydebased

cookie1977 wrote: »

I'm afraid it's not untrue. What could be happening for you is that meteor may already have the system up and running and so you've gotten the service books or you acquired the service books before moving to meteor and the wifi service book has stayed on. Either way you need the wifi service book to avail of wifi and you can only get it by having or once having the bis add-on

Definately not Meteor service books- if thats the case surely their BIS would work too :O

I've never had BIS at all nor do I think did the phone ever.

So, in short, you dont need BIS to use wifi.

cookie1977

In your service books under settings does it say wifi anywhere?
You say you have an unlocked blackberry. Did you get it from someone else?

FYI:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/general-8300-series-discussion-curve/226559-wifi-without-data-plan.html

CatMc48

ostrich wrote: »

Am currently on Vodafone, Using blackberry 8250 on pay and go. I top up 30 a month to get free calls and text plus internet and my €30 is there to call other networks.:D

This is the same for me - I got a bb from Vodafone back in November, and had free bbmsngr, fb and twitter until Jan '11. Checked my credit levels after this and was being charged €1/day to use the previously mentioned bb apps.
Since then I too top up with €30/mth which gives me free internet along with free Vod-Vod calls and txts, or free any network txts. The €30 then goes towards all other calls/msgs. Definitely the best option cost-wise.

So I think this is untrue:

cookie1977 wrote: »

I think for people who signed up recently (offer's over now) you got free BIS till May. So thats what you're benefiting from.

http://www.vodafone.ie/offers/payg-blackberry/

I do have another query regarding unlocked bb phones though - my bf just bought an unlocked one and there doesn't seem to be a bb app world icon on it. Any ideas how to get this onto the phone?
He too is going to top up by €30 as above, so will post again at a later date to advise if this works and he gets the bb apps for free with his top-up. I know bb msngr is working fine already.

cookie1977

I'm not following you very well. The blackberry services on vodafone are 50 cent a day and not 1 euro a day unless you're using a different apn. Anyone who signed up to blackberry last year with vodafone before February this year got free blackberry services till February then anyone who signed up after this up until April 10th has free blackberry services until May. So I'm not sure what you mean by untrue?

In relation to your query. If he's been provisioned for blackberry services on payg then to get appworld he just needs to go to:
www.blackberry.com/appworld.

CatMc48

Hey cookie1977,

Before I got my bb, I was signed up to internet being €1 a day if I used it, as I wouldn't always go online on my phone. Once my free bb app's ran out in Jan, I started to be charged again when I went online - but now that you say bb is 50c per day, I didn't know that so to be honest it might have only been the 50c, I just knew my credit was going down! For this reason I now top up with the €30 which gives me free internet usage for the mth along with my calls and txts.

I got from your post below that you're saying you can only receive the BIS through either having availed of the free service by buying your bb when the offer was on, or that you pay the 50c per day, but NOT by topping up with the €30 per month - when I know by topping up with the €30/mth you can avail of the services ('free' as such-you're already paying i the bigger top up amount!)
I think I must've just took your post up wrong. So that's why I was saying it was untrue! Sorry!

Originally Posted by cookie1977
I think for people who signed up recently (offer's over now) you got free BIS till May. So thats what you're benefiting from.

cookie1977

No problem. What you describe is interesting. Can you tell if your 30 euro is decreasing daily due to BIS (Blackberry internet charges) or is it staying high?

Would a mod care to comment?

Keano

cookie1977 wrote: »

No problem. What you describe is interesting. Can you tell if your 30 euro is decreasing daily due to BIS (Blackberry internet charges) or is it staying high?

Would a mod care to comment?

What you need a mod to comment for?

cookie1977

CatMc48 wrote: »

Hey cookie1977,

Before I got my bb, I was signed up to internet being €1 a day if I used it, as I wouldn't always go online on my phone. Once my free bb app's ran out in Jan, I started to be charged again when I went online - but now that you say bb is 50c per day, I didn't know that so to be honest it might have only been the 50c, I just knew my credit was going down! For this reason I now top up with the €30 which gives me free internet usage for the mth along with my calls and txts.

I got from your post below that you're saying you can only receive the BIS through either having availed of the free service by buying your bb when the offer was on, or that you pay the 50c per day, but NOT by topping up with the €30 per month - when I know by topping up with the €30/mth you can avail of the services ('free' as such-you're already paying i the bigger top up amount!)
I think I must've just took your post up wrong. So that's why I was saying it was untrue! Sorry!

Keano A Legend wrote: »

What you need a mod to comment for?

Because the user is unsure if they're paying 50cent or 1 euro a day for BIS services and they're saying that by topping up by 30 euro per month they think they're getting BIS services for free. It would be nice to hear from a mod which is correct.

CatMc48

Hey cookie1977,

Yep, am 99% sure that I'm not being charged for the internet now, as I check my credit regularly and it's not diminishing too much! But to be 100% sure I'm going to check it for the next 2days and report back

I have another question regarding the sim free bb I got my bf. He has tried downloading the app world through the link you advised, but it's just not working. Does he need to ring Vodafone to apply the BIS services to the phone? And I know this is prob a stupid question - but what does BIS stand for? Is it Blackberry Internet Services?

cookie1977

yes. vodafone would have to provision him for the service. Thanks also for clarifying

Cakes.

What add-on is needed for the WiFi ? Will I get it as soon as I log on to the internet and be charged 50c ? or do I have to buy it from vodafone ?

I was looking on the vodafone website and the only add-on I could see was a daily broadband add-on for €3.

How do I get the add-on to use my WiFi ?

Any help Greatly Appreciated.

CatMc48

So, a little update for ye all....

In reference to the cost of using bb services on Vodafone network - I currently top up with €30/mth which gives me free calls and txt to vodafone along with internet usage - have checked my credit over the last few days and I'm getting all bb messenger/facebook and internet for free.

My bf rang vodafone and got the bb services onto his mobile phone - they add the services with their tech support group - he powered off phone, removed battery, powered back up and all services were there - including links for bb app world/fb/twitter and a few others, which in turn meant he didnt have to search online for the links. Very handy and very quick update from Vodafone.
He too has topped up with the €30 as above, and is using all bb apps and internet for free as part of the top-up.

I queried with the vodafone representative about the 50c a day charge and they said it will be in place, prob come june/july - there must be a glitch in the system allowing bb users to use the bb services for free (when they have topped up with €30) - im not sure, but maybe if you don't top up with the amount that gives you the free internet, then you will be charged the 50c/day - anyone care to comment on that?

Hope this information is helpful

cookie1977

It is Cat, very interesting. Thanks for coming back with it.

jdunne08

does vodafone have another option other than 50c a day? like i read there was a 9.99 BB data plan on vodafone but i cant seem to find it on their site??
any1 know anything bout this?

cookie1977

Emobile and meteor have 1gb BIS (Blackberry internet service) for 9.99 per month on pre pay or 3GB BIS service for 8 euro on bill pay as an add-on. Vodafone have BIS as an add-on for their bill pay plans for 9.99 or as part of their blackberry perfect choice access starting at 45 euro per month
http://www.vodafone.ie/planscosts/paymonthly/pca/?ts=1305059471707

jdunne08

damn it musta been bill pay where i read that. its just that i got a meteor sim and registered for BIS must just top up to activate it but i cant get 3G on my BB so i havent topped up or does the 3g get activated with BIS??

cookie1977

What model do you have?

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

What model do you have?

the 9700, unlocked

cookie1977

You should get 3g if BIS is not active and 3G (note the capital G) with the little 4 dot blackberry symbol if BIS is active.

Once it's activated on your account go to:
http://meteor.blackberry.com
and register your device with meteor

cookie1977

The APN under tcp/ip settings in settings should be:
blackberry.net
no username or password

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

You should get 3g if BIS is not active and 3G (not the capital G) with the little 4 dot blackberry symbol if BIS is active.

Once it's activated on your account go to:
http://meteor.blackberry.com
and register your device with meteor

ya thats what i thought i should have 3g i dont know what the problem is there, so do you think i will get 3G if i top up and activate BIS even tho i cant even get 3g

cookie1977

Not really. Under settings, network settings make sure you dont have only 2g on. You should have either:
3G & 2G
or 3G

jdunne08

so you dont think i will get 3G?? it was on just 3G and all i got is a constant SOS not a bit of coverage so now i have it on 3G & 2G to get coverage

cookie1977

You may not have good 3g coverage where you are. Does any other meteor device have 3g coverage where you are?

jdunne08

cookie1977 wrote: »

You may not have good 3g coverage where you are. Does any other meteor device have 3g coverage where you are?

im in cork, just put that sim into my old fone, no 3g. when i manually seach for network on BB there is a meteor 3G option but it wont connect. is there payg bis on o2 or three?

cookie1977

jdunne08 wrote: »

im in cork, just put that sim into my old fone, no 3g. when i manually seach for network on BB there is a meteor 3G option but it wont connect. is there payg bis on o2 or three?

Only vodafone, emobile and meteor offer pre pay bis at present. O2 were rumoured to be offering it this summer but nothing yet.

jdunne08

damn coz vodafone does work on it i tried da mothers sim on my bb and i got the 4 dots and 3G so it works just not happy with them charging daily, ill just top up 2moro and see if i get it working, thanks for your help

cookie1977

jdunne08 wrote: »

damn coz vodafone does work on it i tried da mothers sim on my bb and i got the 4 dots and 3G so it works just not happy with them charging daily, ill just top up 2moro and see if i get it working, thanks for your help

No problem. Good luck

jdunne08

ok so i topped up and activated bis, all woking fine i have the 4 dots but only when i put on my wifi, i dont get the 4 dots when the wifi is turned off is this normal?? (still no 3G either just GPRS)

cookie1977

jdunne08 wrote: »

ok so i topped up and activated bis, all woking fine i have the 4 dots but only when i put on my wifi, i dont get the 4 dots when the wifi is turned off is this normal?? (still no 3G either just GPRS)

In network settings are data services on and 3G on?