Another question -- if you tether the modem using Mobishark and use the BES option, will that bypass the carrier's network and therefore be part of Cingular's Blackberry Unlimited Data Plan?

I may have created some of the Cingular browser confusion. Cingular BB Support told me this about my $44.95 BB Unlimited Data Plan:

1. No data charges if you use the BB Browser with the APN settings under TCP set to <blackberry.net>

2. Yes, extra data charges if you use the Cingular browser and TCP set as APN: <wap.cingular>

I WAS charged for data during my first partial month but was refunded when I called to complain. Now I have received a full bill with no data charges, however I have not yet used the Cingular browser or wap.cingular. Plan was to do so this month and see what happens to my charges (if anything). However I tried today using APN: wap.cingular User: Password: CINGULAR1 It worked for about an hour and now will not! Go figure!!

Yeah as far as I know the Unlim packages cover any data transmittion thru the phone. whether its internet browser or cingular browser. Its a lil hard for me to see what data charges im getting if any b/c i don't get a bill.


the whole thing about the cingular plans is that depending on what u have determines on a lot wat u can do. u need the tethering ability on your account so u can actually do it. have you ever tried tethering with a phone with cingular and it does let you connect b/c u need them to open up the i forgot what it was call the "portal" lets say. same concept with the BB. the BB unlim email n internet lets u use the browers thru the device it's self but since tethering is different in the sense that the BB is now a modem only, its blocked. So Cingular closes the portal unless you get the actual plan that opens it. I've tried it once on a motorola v551 and nothing. I've gone thru the BB 7100g, the 7290 and now have the 8700c...I'll try it tonight but im sure its not gonna work.


I'll look into this some more about the charges and usage ability

I don't need to tether and I am hoping everything stays the same now that I configured APN: to use wap.cingular instead of blackberry.net. All seems well if Cingular doesn't change anything. I just can't get rid of this "gnawing" feeling that I could be using T-Mobile for about half the price and getting free text messages too! Yet rumours about bad coverage keep me "tethered" to the more expensive Cingular.

Try TMO for 15 days and see how it is in your area.

That's exactly what I was thinking about doing. Apparently I can get a "pay-as-you-go" SIM card and try it out (reception, data, text, third party apps, etc). I hate that I'll have to pay $30 for the SIM car + $35 for activation, + whatever they charge per minute/day/kb, but I think I'll still come out ahead if it works as well as Cingular. I mainly use it in FL, DC, VA, MD, NC and TN.

Got the prepaid card only to find out the sales rep "lied" and in fact you CANNOT use data service on prepaid, voice only. Apparently you used to be able to but now all plans with data access require a contract. Combining this with the fact that I spent three days, four hours, and three levels of "I don't knows" from T-Mobile tech servants, I have decide that the extra $30 a month to Cingular is well worth it!!