I'm thinking about picking up a BB 8310.

I have a few questions... mostly about the GPS:
1) who provides the GPS service?would this be from the phone provider? or is it like other GPS systems that is pretty much independent from phone/BES service providers?

2) also, would there be a usage fee for the GPS?

3) what would be involved in getting map updates, etc?

i'm planning a move to the dubai, and if i buy the handset from canada, i'm not sure if it will have the most up to date maps of dubai. problem is - the sale of blackberry handsets are limited to very few models in dubai, so i wouldn't be able to buy this particular model (to hopefully get more updated local maps).

4) Because you can only buy some models (8300,8700g,pearl8100,7290) there, i'm wondering if there is any way/reason why an unlocked 8310 bought in canada would not work there?

thanks

Welcome to the group, dariva.

There are both free versions of mapping programs as well as products offered for sale from several sources. Among the free applications are googlemaps and the native blackberry maps. See Stinsonddog's gps page, http://home.comcast.net/~tamsterra/O...kberry_GPS.htm for much good info. Also see the gps subforum here if you haven't already done so.

In a nutshell, the gps (either internal or an external bluetooth gps puck) provides the position information for the mapping program. The mapping program downloads the map or map data and updates as you move (if you are using the gps). Check ahead of time to make sure the application covers the regions where you plan to be when using it. You must have a data plan. If you are using one of the free applications, you may pay additional data fees unless you are on an unlimited plan.

On the unlocking question, I don't know best answer. I'll leave that to others.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Unlocked it should work in dubai!

The mapping/ GPS service is provided by a third party vendor most use Telenav! But those services are limited to north america now.there may be a company in dubai that provodes such services. I would check with the service providers in dubai

GPS is free. No cost. It is paid for by US tax dollars and the signal is out there for anyone to use worldwide with a proper receiver.

To get real info from the GPS data, you need a map program that supports the GPS data. That is generaly where the cost is, In the US and on the BB, BBMaps and GoogleMaps are free map applications. TeleNav is a service provided by ATT for GPS enabled phones for a bout $10 a month. VZNav is a similar service provided by Verizon. I think both only work in the US, but I could be wrong. Can't speak for the rest of the world however.

As for buying in Canada, unlocking and working in Dubai, make sure the Dubai carrier is GSM and supports the BB with the BB dataplan. You will most likely have to play with a few settings to get it to work, but barring that, it should be fine.