Let me make a first crack at writing official BlackBerryForums instructions on activating Verizon BroadbandAccess EVDO on a BlackBerry 7250:
How To Enable EVDO BroadbandAccess on Verizon BlackBerry 7250 or 7130
(VERSION 9)
WARNING: This is confirmed working for Verizon business users at this time. Consumer users can make this work, but you may have to escalate the issue with Verizon. Non-business users of a Verizon BlackBerry should read this post now first. If you are a consumer user, you may able to activate this feature AT YOUR OWN RISK - There is no guarantee - You MAY lose service. That being said, there are success reports by some (but not all) consumers.- Call Verizon 866-788-9387
Select Option 2, Option 2, Option 2
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- Configure Your BlackBerry Account With Verizon
When somebody answers, say that you want to add "BroadbandAccess Connect" to your account. If they understand this, they will configure the account automatically for you. On the other hand, if you reach somebody who does not understand fully, help them by the following:
(A) Say you want feature code EVDSB. This will enable enable EVDO.
(B) If you use voice and data, say you want feature code MNAI 3 for tethering.
(C) If you use data only, say you want feature code MNAI 1 for tethering.
Important Note: Simply enabling EVDO using the code EVDSB is free. However, using the MNAI codes will cost an extra $15 per month if you want to tether your BlackBerry to a laptop. In certain states, some people have supplied codes 71764 or 71904 but these should not be necessary.
If Verizon Customer Service says this feature is not available yet, politely tell them that the VERIZON WEBSITE says it is available - give them this link: http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/vzw402 where it says BroadbandAccess is now available for BlackBerry 7250 today.
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- Upgrade Your PC To BlackBerry Desktop To Version 4.1 or later.
Download this upgrade from http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/vzw402. Install this on the laptop or PC you plan to use your BlackBerry on.
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- Upgrade Your BlackBerry To BlackBerryOS 4.0.2.41 or later.
Also download this upgrade from http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/vzw402. Download to the same laptop or desktop PC, and install this OS while your BlackBerry is connected to your computer by USB cable.
Note: This step might not be necessary for 7130 or newer 7250's sold in 2006. You can verify by going to Options->About on your BlackBerry to check your BlackBerryOS version number.
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- Boot Your BlackBerry - It May Take 30 Minutes
After installing the BlackBerryOS upgrade, it may take 30 minutes to boot. After you install the newest BlackBerryOS, your BlackBerry will say "Data Connection Refused". Follow the next step to fix this.
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- Enable EVDO on Your BlackBerry
Dial the telephone number *22899 including the asterik before the five numbers. This automatically tells your BlackBerry to download the new feature.
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- Re-Register Your BlackBerry
On your BlackBerry, go to Options->Host Routing Table->Register Now
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- You Now Have EVDO on Your BlackBerry
In your home screen, you will have "1XEV" instead of "1X" at the top if you are inside a major urban center covered with Verizon BroadbandAccess EVDO reception.
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- Using BlackBerry As Modem For Laptop
Download VZAccess from http://vzw.smithmicro.com/download/ and install on your laptop. This allows you to use your BlackBerry 7250 as a wireless highspeed modem! The modem feature will still work on 1X even if you are not in an EVDO reception area.
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- Alternative Modem Feature
If you do not want to run VZAccess, there are alternative, more complicated instructions, that can be found at HOWTO: Use BlackBerry As Modem For Laptop. It is not absolutely necessary to use VZAccess, as a user reported it also works without VZAccess on both the 1X and 1XEVDO networks.
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- Note: These instructions are VERSION 9
Many success reports now exist with these instructions.
Corrections will be made to these instructions on an ongoing basis.
These instructions WILL NOT work on any 7750.
These instructions PROBABLY WILL work on a Verizon 7130.
These instructions DO NOT YET work on Sprint or Bell Mobility 7250.
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- Possible Problem: If BlackBerry Randomly Switches Between 1x, 1X, 1XEV or "Connection Refused"
Go to phone, enter ##000000 and hit dial. That is two pound marks followed by six zeros. You will see a screen. Scroll to where it says SIP Password, then type vzw in the password field. Also verify that all three usernames are <phone number>@vzw3g.com on this screen. Then select Save, and Restart.