All,
Hello, just joined. First time caller, long time listener....er.....

Anyway, Just wanted to let y'all know that I got my 7100G working through Cingular after a couple of hours on the phone with the Cingular tech.

The settings are basically the same as outlined in the FAQ, but with a few modifications:

Starting at Step 8:

IMPORTANT SPECIAL CONFIGURATION STEP
Click Properties -> Advanced and add only ONE of the following Extra initialization commands with the appropriate carrier-specific APN Setting:

For Cingular:
AT+cgdcont=1,"IP","wap.cingular","",0,0

Then on step 9 "Add a New Internet Connection"
1. Click Next

2. Select "Connect To The Internet" then Next

3. Select "Set up my connection manually" then Next

4. Select "Connect using a dial-up modem" then Next.

5. Check only the Standard Modem (if prompted).

6. Give the connection a name such as "BlackBerry Modem", then Next.

7. On the next screen, pick one of the following phone numbers, depending on your carrier:
....If you use GSM/Cingular/AT&T/TMobile: Enter phone number *99***1#
(per the Cingular Tech the *** are pauses)


8. Click Next.

9. On the next screen, pick one of the following, depending on your carrier:

....If you use Cingular:
.........Username:
.........Password: CINGULAR1

10. Clear all checkboxes ("Use...when anyone..." and "Make this the default...")

11. Click Finish

Once the the connection has been created, check the properties page, Networking Tab, Settings: make sure that "Enable Software Compression" is unchecked. I have not played with this much, but my settings are set under the TCP/IP properties > Advanced > General tab, "Use IP Header Compression" is checked.

Also, under the FAQ heading "I use Cingular. It doesn't work!"
I asked about these options, and evidently they have been re-named.
I previously owned a Sony Ericsson T616, and used it as a modem, so I had the "Media Works" package on my account already. The cost is $19.99 for 1500 Text Messages, 300 MMS messages, and Unlimited WAP internet access.

I have reviewed my past Cingular bills, and I have used in excess of 20 MB, with no additional charges as shown on last month's bill:

Msg/KB
Included Msg/KB Billed Billed
Wireless Data InPlan Used Msg/KB Rate Total Charge
MEdia Works
MEdia Works WIX
Text Messaging 1,500 248 0.00
INTERNET XPRESS 20,615 20,615 0.00 0.00
Subtotal $0.00


Explanation for using the wap.cingular APN as opposed to the isp.cingular? According to the Cingular tech, there are three APN's that are available and provisioned on the GPRS network: 1) blackberry.net - used for connection and transport to the BES server. 2) wap.cingular - used for internet connections (browsing, etc.) from the Blackberry. 3) isp.cingular - used for all other services (Laptop Connect for example, which for unlimited service is $79.99!)

If you use the wap.cingular, it is tagged as WAP traffic, therfore billed as if the traffic originated from the browser of your Blackberry!

I have been using my Sony previously, and have had pretty good luck with it. I am now using my Blackberry with very good results. Matter of fact, I posted this message using my Blackberry as a modem!

Rick