Hello everyone:

I want to buy my wife a BB off of Ebay maybe refurb and I understand the risks buying from Ebay. I would like to stay around $100-$150, my question is what are some of the good models that I can use on Verizon network with bluetooth should look at?

I am going to buy myself an 8830 next month and my question about this is, if I buy a sprint 8830 unlocked with out a contract can I add this to my current Verizon account and use my own SIM card when travel to Europe and also have a blackerry plan?


Thanks for all your help.

I just want to clarify that I have never owned a BB, I just started reading about them a few weeks ago and I got hooked on the features, I had to enter a model # when I registered in order to be able to register that's why there is a model # in my profile.

I believe an unlocked Sprint BB will only work on... Sprint. They and Verizon only allow their own devices on their network.

You can probably get an 8703 on eBay for about that amount.

If you have not, read this:
Buying a BlackBerry off eBay - BlackBerryFAQ.com

Good luck.

I understand from reading the forums that verizon will not allow another carrier's hardware on its network. If you go with verizon, it must be a verizon phone.

EDIT: JS beat me to it, but I'll ditto what he said about reading the FAQ. Blackberrys are different. There are things you really need to be aware of when buying used.

I believe it is a technology difference. Verizon uses CDMA, so you could not run one of there phones on at&t or t-mobile which run GSM. And vice versa.

~ Derek

The 8830 is CDMA & GSM, why couldn't I use the CDMA with Verizon and GSM from whoever I want since it wiil be unlocked.

Yeah I don't see a problem then. You might have some issues fine tuning the Data on whichever network you choose to run with. The majority of problems with unlocked devices of various types I have seen have to do with data.

~ Derek

If I get Verizon voice and BB data from them, would I be OK if I want to use my own SIM?

The 8830 does take a sim card but only for its GSM frequencies and those GSM frequencies only work outside of North America so the sim won't do you any good in the US.

Verizon phones don't use sim cards. Verizon is CDMA (no sim.) GSM phones use sim cards.

Verizon does not run SIM cards, so their service would not require the use of a SIM card. SIM cards are for GSM networks, so this would work if you went traveling and used a European SIM. If you ran with Verizon CDMA for domestic V and D then when you traveled overseas with a SIM card from that country (as far as I know) your Verizon service would not work there. You would want to ask someone who works for Verizon this specific...I work for another company. You also want to discuss the compatibility of a Sprint BB on the Verizon network. It is unfortunately not as simple as "that is an unlocked GSM/CDMA phone on a GSM/CDMA network...it will not operate seamlessly". Wish it was.

~ Derek

I'm new to all of this but Verizon's version of the 8830 works in the US on the "normal" verizon network. But it can also work in Europe on the GMS network but that European GMS network uses a different frequency than US-carriers' gms networks.

You can get a Sim from Verizon for the 8830 that will allow the phone (data I don't know about) to work overseas (Europe and Asia and others???). Also, I just got my phone unlocked and can use a sim card purchased in Europe for much cheaper rates from what I understand.

I don't know what services you have from Verizon but with a series of work discounts, rebates, whatever, the phone price was $99.00 US. But you do need to signup for a $30.00 data plan.

yes, data will work over GSM in other countries on the 8830.

whats new and anything im missing about the pearl is there any one who knows how to unlock or any new programs

im trying to download i phone themes got any help

whats new and anything im missing about the pearl is there any one who knows how to unlock or any new programs