I'm hearing conflicting news about tmobile's internation email plan for $20. Does it include data (web browsing, chat) or not? It sounds like data costs $15/mb. Another thread in this forum states that the international add-on does include data but that seems inaccurate.

Secondly, if web browsing is an extra expense, how much data do people actually use? I typically have verichat running all day and this $15/mb makes me think I'll spend thousands overseas!

Thanks

Have you called T-Mobile rather than relying on hearsay?

This is what I heard from a friend who is using T-Mobile. But I think it's worthwhile to call T-mobile to find out.
Then again, I'm using Cingular international unlimited roaming package for USD 70/month, including web browsing.

Is there anybody using T mobile international unlimited? I did call T moblie and their reply has been NOT including web browsing.

On the other hand, email, attachment all very similar to web browsing. an answer from an actual user might be the best answer.

thanks.

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Call TMobile. I wouldn't rely on second hand information.

I was in the UK from Oct-05 to Feb-06 using T-MO unlimited intl bb, and never got any extra charges for data( Pocket Express, Verichat, and Internet Browser). I am on BES, and it may be a different story on BIS service.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

I want to hear from users as well.

I have BIS and have recently upgraded to the 8700g. I previously had the 7100t, but for this discussion, I doubt that there is a difference.

I was overseas for 3 1/2 weeks between the end of December '05 and the beginning of January '06. I travelled from Singapore to Sydney on a Cruise Ship with several stops in between. My limited time on shore certainly kept my data rates low, but I was most certainly charged for data at the going rate for each country. I believe that the rate was $15/mb as you have stated. I signed up for the $20/month unlimited International E-mail service as well because I wanted access to send/receive E-mail while I was gone without the worry of how much data would be contained in each message. I basically signed up for 1 month and removed that service upon my return. So, yes, T-mobile charges for International data. Perhaps there is an even better plan that provides unlimited data access as well, but I am not aware of one.

Keep in mind, even though there is a per-MB data rate on chat, I suspect that you will find it to be much cheaper than using the phone or accessing E-mail for messages.

brott, thanks your reply was very helpful.

the main reason i posted was to hear the experiences of tmo customers who have actually used the service. i will still sign up for the $20 add-on when i go abroad but i don't understand how they even distinguish email from other types of data service. also, per what irdiaz said, is there a difference between BES and BIS international data plans?

i do know that cingular's unlimited international data plan includes all data such as web browsing.

i chat and read rss feeds on my blackberry a lot and i have a feeling the $15/mb is going to kill me! haha

I had this discussion with a T-Mo rep when I did my BB upgrade and they told me the international add-on covered both email and internet. Both unlimited and you can turn on - turn off the access plan whenever you want, is prorated based on number of days you have it turned on.

After posting last night I decided to research this with T-Mo since I have had inaccurate information in the past from their reps. Not surprisingly I was told by 2 reps, one standard CSR, the other a BB/data specialist that the international plan ONLY covers email. No browsing, no data transfer (aka no IM clients) no nothing unless you are willing to pay extra. You can receive SMS for free, sending SMS costs $0.35 each.

this is amazing how we all get different answers from the same company. Is it possible that T-mo have changed since Brott's trip?

T-mo has confirmed on the unlimited Email and prorated for the days used, but not sure or don't want to be certain about data. Is there someone just got a bill for April or March?

Thank you for contacting T-Mobile. My name is Agnes and it is my pleasure to assist you today with any issues related to our service.

I understand from your e-mail that you are enquiring about the $10 fee added on to the standard BlackBerry data plans when travel overseas. You would like to know if the $10 fee will include unlimited e-mail and web browsing. I am pleased to assist you with your concerns today.

For our Unlimited International BlackBerry, it includes:

" Monthly Charge: $19.99
" Unlimited International roaming
NOTE: Web browsing is not included. Applicable charges apply for all web browsing.
Customers can send and receive e-mail with no roaming charges as they travel internationally
" Customers must be on a BlackBerry rate plan or have the BlackBerry feature added to their voice plan.
" All accounts with this feature should be associated only with BlackBerry devices.
" This feature cannot be added to accounts that have any other type of data rate plan or data feature on the account.

If you require further assistance, please respond to this e-mail with your case number or you can call Customer Care at 1-800-937-8997. We have Customer Service Representatives available 24/7 to discuss your account.

Thank you for choosing T-Mobile, and allowing me the opportunity to assist you today.

With Regards,

Agnes F.
7265653
Customer Care Specialist
T-Mobile USA

--------------

There you go

Been using for 6 months, probably a dozen countries in Europe and Asia, and have not been charged a penny for data. And I use it a lot, including tethering the 8700 as a USB EDGE modem for my laptop. I do not know if it makes the difference, but, I also have link2exchange BES.

8700c running on TMO using BES and BIS.

I just hung up with a TMO CS rep and she told me that ONLY email is covered in the Unlimited Int'l Data plan. NOTHING else - just email. The $19.99 pricing is pro -rated however.

true... 19.99 int's pakg includes unlimited data. Whenever I go outside the country I always call t-mo and add this to the plan..
come back and remove it... that way they only charge for the usage and not complete 20 dollars..
works fine.

the BB Messenger is the best.. I use that more than the email ..

i called tmobile and they said that the international add on, only covers e-mail. The rep "noted" it in my account (urgh!). I'm traveling overseas in a few days and I was relying on the international plan for data, ( I was also going to tether it to my laptop). I'm using the $19.99 BIS plan. Has anyone on the BIS plan used the international add-on - if so were you charged for data?
This is an odd situation because I keep finding posts where people say that they weren't charged for the data, however they all seem to have BES.

Clear as mudd.......

I just dialed this TMO Int'l Cust Care number: 1 505-998-3793.

This rep tells me for $19.99 all web browsing and chatting and e-mail IS INCLUDED in the plan. ALL DATA is included - unlimited.

I then asked him if it mattered whether you were on BES or BIS and he said ---"NO. It doesn't matter".

I'm inclined to go with this answer as I think this source @ TMO is more reliable than the monkeys who answer the "normal" customer service questions.

I know over here their unlimited is split. Unlimited email (50mb fair use policy) is £10 and Unlimited data (2gb fair use policy) is £7.50 but together is £12.50 or something like that.

Funny, everyone said to call TMO. People did and all we get are confusing answers. That's why we need to hear from actual users and their experiences.

You're also getting conflicting reponses from people who have used the international unlimited plan if you read the thread...

I think that is why the information would be more accurate from people with actual usage and bill or bills. What TMO say and do might be 2 separate things...