also, i have tried my "normal" blackberry sim in the e90 and i cannot activate. i can only activate the e90 with my bbc plan sim. however, i think different carriers may indeed allow a normal blackberry plan (not connect) to be used for bbc. maybe ask your carrier if your plan also works for bb connect.

are you in the UK? i go to bracknell about once every 2 months, and have been using my e90 with BES with no problems.