Just got my 8700c, and I can't figure out how to get started with data connection and email. I have a "Data Connection Refused" text that stays on the screen - how do I get it activated? The Cingular store let me leave, so I thought I was ok, does it take a while? Do I need to do something to get going? Help please!

You need to have a Blackberry Connect account. The unlimited package is 44.99 on top of your voice plan. When this is set up, they send the service books and you are good to go.

You have put in the SIM card, right?

Call 611 from your phone (or 1800CINGULAR from a landline) and have them add a blackberry data account to your plan. Then go to www.cingular.com/blackberry and look for the BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) set-up. I'm assuming you're not a corporate user since you don't know how to do this on your own.

Got the data plan, went to site you provided, entered pin/IMEI, but said not recognized! Will call C.S. to get it straight, thanks!

You can also click on either "Individual Activation" or something and activate it from the BlackBerry itself. It will automatically populate the IMEI and the PIN for you, reducing the chance of "user error." I don't mean to be offensive, but sometimes the 8 can look like a B, etc.

if you need to, goto options->advanced options-> then goto host routing table and click register now. You should see the service books in there. 611 wont help you much, you would need to contact PMC but they are closed. I believe there is an after hours cue that may help you.

I remember getting the pin/imei not recognized error. You have to put the numbers and letters in exactly as shown. If letters are capitals, you must put them in capitals. Otherwise you'll get the not recognized error.

Got it working! Cingular rep didn't set me up right, went to a different guy, he got it worked out. As a recent convert from PPC, let me say THIS THING ROCKS!!!!!

seattle18, I'm a PPC convert as well and I've been extremely impressed with my 8700 so far. I was a die hard PPC fan and then tried a Treo for a while (liked that one alot). But, this BB is great! I'm thinking of switching my Exchange hosting acct from 1and1.com to someone that has BES hosting. But, with the bluetooth setup to sync with my PC, I'm not sure if I really need it.