I currently have an 8830 WE from Sprint, I just noticed that there is a SIM card in it. This is actually my 2nd 8830 WE from Sprint. I warrantied out the first one due to the screen constantly going all white and not being able to do anything on it.

I don't recall seeing a SIM card in my original 8830 WE. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed it as this SIM card is white and I pull the battery once a day for maintenance and I have inserted and removed my micro SD card numerous times (on both the new and old phones). Every time I power up my phone, it says that it detects a SIM card and asks if I want to automatically detect whether to use GSM or CDMA based on network availability.

So my question is, have the 8830 WE from Sprint always had SIM cards? or is this something new that they have started? I have tried removing it and my phone does not start up so I am assuming I need to leave it in...

My Verizon 8830 did NOT initially come with a sim card but verizon gave me one when I purchased the phone. It is intended to allow connections while in Europe, for instance (it does nothing in the US and should NOT be needed unless Sprint is different).

Maybe you got a refurbished phone when it was replaced and it came with the sim card. But, again, unless Sprint is different (or Erie, Pa is NOT USA???? (G)) you should not need it????

Its not a refurb. They didn't have ANY 8830 in stock (new or refurb), but they were willing to downgrade me to a refurb Pearl. I laughed at the rep and said that if I wanted a Pearl, I would have bought one in the first place.

They ordered me a new one and it showed up the next day, it was brand new and in the box. When the manager went to swap my phones, he said he couldn't swap it because I would have gotten a brand new phone, when the policy is to replace the phones with a refurb. I asked to use the store phone and called Customer Care... I asked to be transferred to the retention group. When the retension guy got on the phone, I told him to cancel my account and that I will not be paying the early termination fee. He wanted to know why, I told him and explained that I had without my BB for 3 days because the corporately owned store didn't have any in stock and now they had new ones in stock, but the manager wouldn't swap it out. He said that he would call the store and get it resolved. I told him I was at the store and he could talk to the manager. Ten minutes after the store manager talked to the retension guy, I left the store with my brand new phone (and extra battery, extra charger, extra case, everything that comes in a brand new box).

The manager was slightly irritated (or maybe very irritated). Either way, I don't care. I got my new phone, I also get a credit on my account for the 3 days without service...

**** Back on topic ****

It's a new phone, so they must be adding the cards from the start now.

**** Off topic ****

I'm pretty sure Erie, PA is part of Canada... I see all kinds of Canadian license plates driving around....

My 8830 "World Edition" came with the SIM card. The Key here is "World Addition" I believe.

That is my understanding. I also believe you need to call and activate the SIM if you intent to travel.

Well, both of the 8830's I had/have are world editions. The first I had for a week (or so) before getting a warranty replacement.

And you are correct on the you have to have it activated.

They could of resolved all that drama just by giving you the phone, stupid manager just didnt want to give you anything for a faulty phone... I would of done the same thing in your shoes if they did that on me.

ALL NEW BB8830s from SPCs are supposed to come with the card. Lockline does not ship refurbished replacements with a SIM card.

I deploy the 8830's at work a lot (almost 300 in the last year).

I always just say 'Yes' to the SIM card question when it boots up and it's fine.

What the others said is correct - it's only for use overseas, and you do need to call Sprint International service to activate it for your trip (activation is free).

I activated mine today on my 8830 for an upcoming international trip. Is there any way to verify that they actually did activate it other than getting to Europe and trying it?