Hi all, I bought a second-hand 7230 (the UK Vodafone model) on the naive assumption that with OS4 I could get non-BB-specific data apps (eg the Reqwireless browser) at least to work. Obviously no dice (I'm a pay monthly Orange UK customer with a regular gprs data plan).

Has anyone had any success in getting any UK carrier to upgrade a regular monthly tariff to one that is BB-aware (ie without having to buy a new phone / contract)?

Orange in the UK only offer Enterprise service - BES only. And, as an Orange customer, I can say with authority that they're the least knowledgable and most useless and non-customer focused carrier I've ever had the displeasure of being a customer of.

Try one of the other big three. They all sell BBs with Prosumer service and should be able to sell you a BB enabled SIM.

I have an O2 BlackBerry!

I purchased the BlackBerry from Expansys and on the six month of my pay-monthly contract I had O2 downgrade my voice and SMS tariff to O2 100 and add a BlackBerry data tariff.

The people at O2 are really good with BlackBerry questions and they have excellent technical support (blackberrytechnicalsupport@o2.com); however I can’t speak for the rest. T-Mobile seemed to know the least when a friend asked them about a BlackBerry for himself.

If you would like to use a pre-paid tariff then your out of luck though; please read the following for more information.

prepaid data plans in UK

Thanks for your suggestions. I just emailed the O2 BlackBerry guys and they suggested that I walk into one of their shops for more information. Based on my experience of the technical prowess of O2 shop staff I'm not sure they're going to understand that I already have a BB and just want a pay-monthly BB-enabled sim...!

Of course they will; just explain to them your situation!

They may tell you, like they did when I asked the same questions, that you need the SIM card that comes with the BlackBerry!

Politely inform them that it’s not so and you can use a normal SIM card. Tell them to ring the Chester store should they still not get it!