Hi Everybody - I've been a long time observer of this board, but only recently registered. I have had several Blackberries over the past few years - all through Cingular and have never really had any problems. I work out of my home in suburban-Philadelphia and many days, the device does not leave the house.

About a week ago, Cingular replaced my 7100g with a refurbished one after a warranty claim (display stopped working). Initially, everything worked fine with my new device - then, last Thursday, I noticed that I was no longer getting emails. Upon further review, I noticed that the device was not connecting to GPRS - only GSM. Thinking there was a problem with the device, I called Cingular support --- after some troubleshooting, the tech said that I must have a bad antenna and/or SIM card and that he would send out another unit. When I asked if it was possible to get a different model in light of the problems I was having, he checked with his manager and told me he'd send out an 8700c as a replacement. Later that night, I was out running errands when I noticed that my 7100g was connected to GPRS again and was receiving emails --- however, when I got back home, it reverted back to GSM. Bear in mind that I have NEVER had a problem getting a solid GPRS signal from my house in the past.

Anyhow, I got my 8700c today with a new SIM card. Low and behold, I am having the same problem! I can still only get a GSM signal - a good one too - usually 3-5 bars. I upgraded the device software to 4.1.0.286 (CSL) hoping that might solve things, but to no avail. I called Cingular support again - he checked the towers in my area and indicated that all seems normal. He told me that even if I only had 2 bars, the device should still connect to GPRS, or with the 8700c, EDGE.

He asked if the device was a refurb, and I told him that I thought it was as the packaging was not sealed. He then opened an "issue ticket" and said that Cinugular techs would have to run tests in my area and I would hear back by Thursday afternoon. If they did not find anything wrong, Cingular would send me out another 8700c as a replacement --- but it seems very strange that two devices would experience the same connectivity problem.

I have not yet had the chance to leave the premesis to see if I can connect to EDGE when away from home - but I'd bet that I will be able to. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Any suggestions for me or for Cingular as to how to troubleshoot/resolve this one?

Worst part is that I can't even complete the enterprise activation until I get an EDGE signal... bummer...

Thanks for any insights you can provide.

Jordan

Try changing the network from Automatic to Manual. Search for available network and try connected to any listed. This doesn't explain the problem, but may be a work-around in the short term. It is possible that Cingular is experiencing a tower problem in your area.

To complete your EA, get your new password and activate it while out to lunch where you get a better signal.

i'm assuming that your account provisioning is okay, as well? i would hope the rep would have verified that first, but just checking...

cingular is having data issues on some of their towers and they are working to resolve these issues...that is why in some areas you may notice you have full gprs/edge and some areas you will only have gsm...its not a phone problem nor is it a signal strength problem, its a data problem at the towers/radios themselves.

no eta unfortunately.