Hi there,

I got a Blackberry last week, unlocked it so i can use any SIM, so i'm2 trying out various tariffs and plans a the moment.

I'm currently using Orange (UK) on their BIS £5 tariff on pay-and-go, and i have a few simple questions that i'd like simple answers to, so if anyone can tell me what i need to know about the Orange UK BIS £5 tariff and a few technical questions about set-up, i'd be ever-so happy...

First off: settings:

1) in this section of the Blackberry: 'Options > Advanced options > TCP' ..The TCP setting refers to WAP access, correct? it requires an APN and username/password to complete.. is this for WAP?

1.a) What is the correct APN setting for Orange (UK) BIS?
1.b) Is WAP access included in the £5 BIS plan?

I ask this, because it seems like many apps that i use that require downloading data tend to want to connect via WAP and not BIS - it seems i am being charged for WAP access by these apps, which obviously i do not want.

I've called them many times, and it seems like i get a different answer everytime. They guy on the phone said he had 'blackberry.net' entered into his TCP setting, another CS agent said 'orangeinternet' and another told me to use 'orangeworld'. Confusing, huh!?

Next question.....

2) It is a real pain in the arse to find my credit going down when i can't figure out which app is using what connection. Some aps allow me to set the connection to BIS, but many connect via WAP (TCP).

I'd like to set on my Blackberry a permission to deny all requests for WAP/TCPaccess, but to allow all requests made via BIS.

Now, when i browse to 'options > advanced options > applications >' how do i set [i]global[i] permissions for all apps?

Is it 'set default permissions'?

Lastly to anyone reading this....

Like i said my blackberry is sim-free, so i can use any network. Is there a specific network that you feel would suit me better, or one that you can recommend through experience.

I've searched a few networks myself, but i much prefer to hear a user-experience, and networks tend to hide away all their BIS and decent WAP plans in a tiny tiny section of their website, which doesn't help!

I'd prefer a pay-as-you-go tariff, but i'm open to any pay-monthly if they do special offers.

I'd really want a BIS data plan which includes unlimited WAP/TCP for a monthly fee. That is my ideal.

So if you can recommend a network, i'm in the UK, remember!

So. Thats it, my first post here. Thanks for reading, and i'll appreciate any reply that can help me out.

Thanks!

1) yes.
1.a) google it.
1.b) no. wap will come out of any internet plan (i.e. t-mobile to get email is BIS, to get internet is web n walk)
all apps will want to use data, most if not all will use the BIS connection.
get the right apn settings.
blackberry.net is usually correct, i have general.t-mobile.
which still filters through BIS unless I use the wap.

2.global is default yes.

orange is the only pay as you go offering BIS.
t-mobile (which i am on and familiar with) do have their SIM only plans (so contract, which is rolling 30 day) which has BIS plans. But with t-mobile you need the BB email booster to a)get email b) setup for internet and you need their internet plan to access the internet.
this is 12.50 on top of a sim only; except their sim only +internet which is therefore 7.50 for BIS (but usually works out the same anyway).

O2 i believe have the same for their sim only plans, the ability to add on BIS. Im not sure how thers work (whether its just email or email and internet) at around £10 on top.

These are the easiest options as far as pretty much paying as you go options vs. full contract.

Thanks for the reply!

Looks like i'll have to look more closely at WAP plan from Orange. It appears a bit crap for PAYG customers, they only have the following data plans:

£1 bundle, for all day mobile access
£2.00 daily capped rate, so you never pay more than this a day
£5 for a week of anytime mobile internet access

Where as pay-monthly offers these data plans:

£1.47 daily capped rate, opt in so you never pay more than this a day
97.9p daily bundle, for anytime mobile internet access
£4.89 monthly bundle, for unlimited evening and weekend browsing
£4.89 per month for anytime mobile internet access*
£7.34 per month for anytime mobile internet access

I'll give T-Mobile a bell. Thanks!

Orange APN settings: ORANGEINTERNET