We are researching implementing a blackberry solution and I was just wanting to know if anyone could offer up bad experiences with any carriers or devices. And has anyone installed the BES on a windows 2003 active directory DC? And as one last request, anyone have any comments about pitfalls with set up.
thanks

Some of those questions might be better answered by posting in the BES Admin forum...

In terms of carriers, like general cell phone service, can be dependent on a number of factors with geographic locations playing a large roll. the RIM devices in general are very stable software-wise and more rugged then other smartphones out there. For heavy email use the 7290/7250 tend to work better as they have a full qwerty keyboard. Bluetooth does not provide any sync / data capability on the devices and can only be used for audio and limited serial (keyboard) connectivity.

We chose Verizon for their coverage in the continental US - was I surprised to find out that you cannot 'pool' the minutes for users in different (they have 4) geographic areas. You need to set up 4 accounts to accommodate their lack of a national view of their business.

Annoying - not a killer

If you're thinking of Blackberry as a moblie solution in terms of email, application usage and system access it's the way to go! All over the world there are more and more people getting hooked to these devices. You have diffrent facets to the carrier arena whether you pick Verizon, Cingular, Nextel , T-mobile.. etc it all is based upon area coverage. I know of Blackberry users in diffrent parts of the world all they vary for example; In New York : Verizon/T-mobile , State of Washington : T-mobile Atlanta : T-mobile/ CIngular and Nextel ..Flordia; T- Mobile . California : t-moble ....most users that go out of the U.S have T-mobiile. Where are you located ? I you like more info I could help you along the way.. please emal me.