hello everyone,

i'm going to live in the US for the next 6 months. am currently using an european SIM card (am an european citizen) and i've been told i'd have to purchase an american one otherwise my BB wouldnt work.



now, i would like you to advise me on this. how much does a new SIM card cost in the US? are there any SIM cards designed specifically for BlackBerry? What would you recommend? Also, I need my BlackBerry Service to work while i'm across the ocean, too.

Because i'm a student and therefore not extremely wealthy, i'd probably need the cheapest SIM card available - my only condition is that there must be BB service.

Anyone would help me with this please?


I have a BlackBerry Curve 8520.

SIM cards are about 4.99 in Canada, should be comparable to the ones found in the US. SIM cards for the most part are not broken down by model or maker. I would research the large carriers or ask one of the Euro ones if they have an agreement with any of the NorAm carriers.

As for cheap BIS, it's pretty much the same wherever you go. You can even get cheap quasi-BIS service on a Pay as You Go plan. If e-mail is not that important to you, you could also opt for a 'Social Plan'

Since promotions and cost are sometimes fluid, it would be best if you called or visited some of the US carrier sites to see what some of your options are.

Thanks a lot!

since i don't know the US carriers, could you recommend one? there appears to be so many of them i am not sure which one i should choose.

verizon Cell Phones - Smartphones: Cell Phone Service, Accessories - Verizon Wireless

tmobile Unsupported Browser

AT&T AT&T | Cell Phones, U-verse, Digital TV, DSL Internet, and Phone Service

ok, thanks, so i can buy any SIM card at all?

or is it better to consult it with the shop assistant when i get around to buying it?

i'm not exactly the most with-it type of person so in the area of technology, nëtworks and cellphones i am sometimes rather confused.

In the US, if you want BlackBerry Data on prepaid on a GSM carrier, you will need to look at TMobile or Simple Mobile.

AT&T does not currently offer BlackBerry Data on prepaid.
Verizon is a CDMA carrier.

And if you need BIS, you will need to cancel your current BIS account with your current European carrier first. You can only have one active BIS account at a time.

I would await until you get to where you will be staying before buying any SIM or service. You will need to make sure to get a carrier that provides service where you are. Not all do.

You might also select the carrier based on where you will be in the country unless your intending to do a lot of travel in many areas. Each has areas they do best in.