Hi all,

I am a (reasonably) satisfied BB user. I have an 8800v through Vodafone in the UK and previously had an 8700. Apart from the "too-small" keys on the 8800, I love the simplicity, reliability and utility of the BB devices.

Question: I do not think my phone is 3G capable (could be wrong though). Are there any plans to release a 3G enabled BB?

Cheers!

avmad

No, it's not 3G I'm afraid. I think there is one BB (8707?) that it 3G, but not sure if this is "full" 3G.

there is a 3g enabled BB on VF which is an 8707 - but it's a 'nothing' device unless you travel to Japan.. it's an older device which has a slower processor and a shorter battery life than a regular BB (and an older O/S etc)..

remember than as BB just delivers files as textual data the 'need' to have a 3g device is limited. Plus the newest UK devices are now wifi enabled..

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

There is rumored to be a 3G enabled BB next year sometime

Well, I don't really miss 3G, but that could be because I haven't ever had a 3G phone. Bertiebassett is right that for e-mail BlackBerries don't really need 3G. However, I would like the faster browsing speed of 3G. This is especially true in the UK where we don't have widespread EDGE - your best bet for EDGE here is O2 which has rolled out edge to about 40% of the network (assume this is by population, though) in preparation for the iPhone.

I have a quick question. I read a lot of threads where it says there is not a 3G BB device, yet on the back of my 8830, it clearly says 3G CDMA. Is this an error? Is there really not a 3G, or just not a 3G GSM?

Depends on your interpretation, I guess. Many equate 3G to the GSM world.

However, CDMA and EV-DO run at what are close to GSM 3G speeds, average 400-900 kbps and max of 2.4 mbps for EV-DO and 3.4 mbps for current 3G implementations. Theoretical limits for 3G are upwards of 10-14 mbps, but I really doubt that you will see that on a handheld/cellular device.

Thanks all.

Since posting, I came across another user getting high speeds with EV-DO...

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...tml#post649806

...and I was getting excited that there really was a 3G BB available

As far as I know, EV-DO is a US only network though.

Personally, I would love any increase in speed as the browser is quite slow via gprs on vodafone.

Cheers!

avmad

For many BB users, 3G speed will be used to its potential in a tethered modem situation. Other than that audio/video upload/download is the primary concern.

Of course this is all based on the current browser options (somewhat limited). With an upgrade in browser (especially rendering and UI), 3G will be more necessary.

Keep in mind that the speed you get depends on a number of different variables and what someone else gets may or may not be close to your speed. Some of these variables are the connection, your location, distance to the tower, congestion at the tower, processor and memory.

Either way I think my point remains. Everyone is saying there isn't a 3G BB device avail, but they in fact are avail, just not for GSM.

I am new to the BB world so I may not fully understand, but I tether to my BB with my laptop and easily get 3G speeds.

Why do most people equate 3G to GSM? It is also used to signify CDMA EV-DO as well, isn't it?

Like I said, I'm new to this so I'm no expert.

Probably because 80% of the planet uses a GSM based wireless carrier.
While CDMA is popular within the US, it's largely unused and unrecognized for the rest of the world. Many people tend to forget that EVDO is a 3G technology.
Don't take it personally