Ahoy hoy fellow Blackberry users,

First off, been using my 7130e for quite a number of months. I've been a Sprint customer for a very long time. I'm moving to New Zealand next month and I am starting to learn about how GSM and sim cards work.

Here's my question....

Can I buy a T-Mobile Blackberry 8100 Pearl phone here in the United States, get it unlocked (I've read there are a few people who help you do this), move to New Zealand and then get a Vodafone sim card, pop it in and I'm good to go?

I don't really know how any of this really works, from what it sounds like my plan will work. Vodafone NZ isn't selling 8100's yet and I don't want to get there only to have only the phone portion work. They do sell blackberries and I'll buy a blackberry plan I just don't know how it all fits together.

Thanks in advance, cheers

Bosch

Vodafone in NZ should work with your Pearl as long as it's unlocked. When the Pearl is unlocked just pop in Vodafone's SIM and you're all set. Your best bet is to email Vodafone and explain what you are trying to do and see if they can give you more information.

Good Luck with the Move!

- JOhn

I suspect the safest thing to do is call Vodafone to get definitive answers. Make sure you get a service rep who sounds like he or she knows the answer, versus someone who sounds ignorant.

I'd also call a few times, so to get different reps to answer the same questions.

Do you need a Vodafone SIM or will an unlocked Pearl [meaning no Vodafone SIM card required?] work in Vodafone's network?

I think unlocked phones will work with any carrier that uses GSM technology.

Who knows, you might get a New Zealand member in here to answer the question.

Excellent, thanks for the replies! I'll definitely check with Vodafone ahead of time. Good suggestions.

Thanks again!

Mate, I'm from New Zealand and have done this already for when I visit my fam. It works no worries.