I am a consumer and have had it working since midnight last night just do this exactly as you see it:

Ok, got it done. Here's the how-to. Call 866-788-9387 Select Option 2 Option 2 Option 2

Tell them you want to add BroadbandAccess Connect. The feature code is 71764 no additional charge. Basically 71764 replaces the standard BB Unlimited code from what I understood.

Load the 4.0.2 software. When the phone comes up, it will say DATA CONNECTION REFUSED. The EVDO won't take effect until you do a *22899 which tells the phone to download the new feature code. Once connected, do a Register Now to make the phone download the new Preferred Roaming List which will tell the phone to roam into EVDO first and 1xRTT second.

I want to update my modem FAQ.

1. When configured properly, does it say "EVDO" on your 7250 where it used to say "1X"?
2. Try my modem FAQ. Does it work? What changes are needed to my modem FAQ, specifically for Verizon?

Maybe there arent any EVDO enabled towers near you remember that this has not been a national release as far as I know, I am in NJ and it is working fine here.

You will love this. Verizon Tech support doesn't know their tushie from a whole in the ground. They had me do a soft reset, a (gasp!) hard reset and had me mess with some settings and they still cannot get it to work. They are bumping me up to engineering because "something must be wrong with my phone". They were like, "have you ever had internet on this phone?" and I was like, yeah, until I called y'all and did the upgrade.

Look at your calculator it is improved greatly.

You are probably in a fringe area and it drifts in and out. I bet if you reboot you will get it back, maybe finds a better tower.

Let me make a first crack at writing official BlackBerryForums instructions on activating Verizon BroadbandAccess EVDO on a BlackBerry 7250:

How To Enable EVDO BroadbandAccess on Verizon BlackBerry 7250 or 7130
(VERSION 9)

WARNING: This is confirmed working for Verizon business users at this time. Consumer users can make this work, but you may have to escalate the issue with Verizon. Non-business users of a Verizon BlackBerry should read this post now first. If you are a consumer user, you may able to activate this feature AT YOUR OWN RISK - There is no guarantee - You MAY lose service. That being said, there are success reports by some (but not all) consumers.

1. Call Verizon 866-788-9387
   Select Option 2, Option 2, Option 2
   .
2. Configure Your BlackBerry Account With Verizon
   When somebody answers, say that you want to add "BroadbandAccess Connect" to your account. If they understand this, they will configure the account automatically for you. On the other hand, if you reach somebody who does not understand fully, help them by the following:
   (A) Say you want feature code EVDSB. This will enable enable EVDO.
   (B) If you use voice and data, say you want feature code MNAI 3 for tethering.
   (C) If you use data only, say you want feature code MNAI 1 for tethering.
   
   Important Note: Simply enabling EVDO using the code EVDSB is free. However, using the MNAI codes will cost an extra $15 per month if you want to tether your BlackBerry to a laptop. In certain states, some people have supplied codes 71764 or 71904 but these should not be necessary.
   If Verizon Customer Service says this feature is not available yet, politely tell them that the VERIZON WEBSITE says it is available - give them this link: http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/vzw402 where it says BroadbandAccess is now available for BlackBerry 7250 today.
   .
3. Upgrade Your PC To BlackBerry Desktop To Version 4.1 or later.
   Download this upgrade from http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/vzw402. Install this on the laptop or PC you plan to use your BlackBerry on.
   .
4. Upgrade Your BlackBerry To BlackBerryOS 4.0.2.41 or later.
   Also download this upgrade from http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/vzw402. Download to the same laptop or desktop PC, and install this OS while your BlackBerry is connected to your computer by USB cable.
   Note: This step might not be necessary for 7130 or newer 7250's sold in 2006. You can verify by going to Options->About on your BlackBerry to check your BlackBerryOS version number.
   .
5. Boot Your BlackBerry - It May Take 30 Minutes
   After installing the BlackBerryOS upgrade, it may take 30 minutes to boot. After you install the newest BlackBerryOS, your BlackBerry will say "Data Connection Refused". Follow the next step to fix this.
   .
6. Enable EVDO on Your BlackBerry
   Dial the telephone number *22899 including the asterik before the five numbers. This automatically tells your BlackBerry to download the new feature.
   .
7. Re-Register Your BlackBerry
   On your BlackBerry, go to Options->Host Routing Table->Register Now
   .
8. You Now Have EVDO on Your BlackBerry
   In your home screen, you will have "1XEV" instead of "1X" at the top if you are inside a major urban center covered with Verizon BroadbandAccess EVDO reception.
   .
9. Using BlackBerry As Modem For Laptop
   Download VZAccess from http://vzw.smithmicro.com/download/ and install on your laptop. This allows you to use your BlackBerry 7250 as a wireless highspeed modem! The modem feature will still work on 1X even if you are not in an EVDO reception area.
   .
10. Alternative Modem Feature
    If you do not want to run VZAccess, there are alternative, more complicated instructions, that can be found at HOWTO: Use BlackBerry As Modem For Laptop. It is not absolutely necessary to use VZAccess, as a user reported it also works without VZAccess on both the 1X and 1XEVDO networks.
    .
11. Note: These instructions are VERSION 9
    Many success reports now exist with these instructions.
    Corrections will be made to these instructions on an ongoing basis.
    These instructions WILL NOT work on any 7750.
    These instructions PROBABLY WILL work on a Verizon 7130.
    These instructions DO NOT YET work on Sprint or Bell Mobility 7250.
    .
12. Possible Problem: If BlackBerry Randomly Switches Between 1x, 1X, 1XEV or "Connection Refused"
    Go to phone, enter ##000000 and hit dial. That is two pound marks followed by six zeros. You will see a screen. Scroll to where it says SIP Password, then type vzw in the password field. Also verify that all three usernames are <phone number>@vzw3g.com on this screen. Then select Save, and Restart.

Just thought I'd throw a quick note in here. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a data support technician, who was working with a customer service rep. They had all kinds of problems activating BroadbandAccess Connect on my account. After 45 minutes of waiting on hold, the data support guy got back on the phone and informed me that he just received a brief from his supervisor that this service is unavailable for non-business consumers until Q1 2006. Basically January.

D'oh! Oh well, I guess I can wait another couple months.

In order to tether, you need to install and run Verizon's VZAccess software. It does all the setup for you.

Then you run VZAccess, and click the connect button.

This should be all you need to update your FAQ, Mark!

-j

Most tether software simply automate stuff that's already been done in carrier dialer software (such as VZAccess). That doesn't mean my FAQ wouldn't work once VZAccess worked.

Has any VZAccess user also followed my FAQ?

I'll update my FAQ to tell Verizon users to simply download VZAccess, but I wanted to see if the long instructions also works.

Also, edited my howto with new information so far.

Let me know, and thanks!

it does set up a dial up connection, but it also installs the Venturi client, which is supposed to help speed up access. I'm not paying the extra $15 right now, so I was unable to do much advanced testing. I logged on, and went to a couple of sites. I assume I will be charged an arm and a leg for this. But I had to try it!

As for just setting up a dial up connection, your current instructions should work as well.

Any word from any Sprint users if EVDO has gone live as well, or will be coming very very soon now that VZW bit the bulllet?

1 - it works on both EVDO and 1X.. it'll say either 1X or 1XEV.. along the top banner of the home screen it'll say something like Modem Mode

2 - I haven't looked at your FAQ, but you need to download the VZ Access Manager software, and configure it that way - it should set up everything properly. Don't know how to get around it any other way

I guess one cant be greedy but all I have left to accomplish to do the happy, happy, HAPPY dance is to install the themes I have created, but I have EVDO and I can also use the phone as a modem, so for now, its just the happy, happy dance. So for the people spending hundreds on the 8700c and r, here is looking at you kids.

No one at Verizon seems to know what is going on with my phone.....

Now they tel me my phone is not a broadband access capable phone. Gotta love 'em!

I would leave the long instructions for now. The dialer keeps on trying to acces VZW Broadband even when you are disconnected from blackberry and hooked up to internet via other means. Quite annoying.

I am a business customer in Indiana. I just called the 866 number listed above and told them to add the code 71764 for the BroadbandAccess Connect feature. I am told that code does not work in my billing area. I said ok how about MNAI3? They said that code works but it will be a $15 charge to add it to the account. They have no way to add EVDO support without MNAI3 and charging the $15. If someone knows how to get around this please let me know.

At this point a generic FAQ isn’t good enough yet.

a different vzn cust svce rep tried code 71904 which had same description as the other code. but, then still cant authentication problems, so maybe that code only works for certain groups of users like employees or enterprise

It took a bunch more time than I would have ever thought reasonable and of course it is not documented that the boot takes 1/2 hour and since tech support wasn't even aware of the upgrade when I called, I assumed that my BB had left the planet. All is up and 1XEX is steady after updating my roaming with *228 option 2. Sweet.

oh wow, I think I finally got someone at verizon that knew what they are talking abou!! It's working!!!!

Marks (detailed instructions work with vzw). Two little details. The standard modem only allows choice of speed up to 115k. It sets the modem up as the default device. The last one is easy to fix ny right clicking and setting cancel as default cannection.

It still seems to wat to try to reconnect after you remove the blackberry and use another connection.

I keep telling you guys excalate to the highest level of support, insist on it, the lower levels barely know what a blackberry is.

First post so I'm getting the dumb questions out of the way; is there any benifit to doing this if I live outside the EVDO coverage area?

Yes, because you can use the blackberry as a modem to a laptop. If your outside EVDO range but still inside 1X it would still work just wouldn't be as fast. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I too was told by Verizon support that it is only for B2B users.

Shad

Confirmed. It still works as a modem in 1X areas. So as long as you're able to receive BlackBerry emails, you can tether to a laptop computer now with a Verizon BlackBerry 7250.

Shadowless, you have to go up the leves of command. The lower people doen't know what they are talking about. I had a guy argue with me that they DO NOT offer this for blackberry at all! You have to keep pushing.

Are you a business user or a consumer?

Before you do this you need to make sure you have desktop software version 4.1 installed.

This is absolutely true, and I am not a business customer. I've found that this is all new to the VZW reps so there are going to be some that think you don't know what the hell you're talking about. You either have to move up the chain or call back and try to get someone different. When I first talked to VZW I gave the gentleman the link to download the firmware upgrade for the 7250 which clearly states it is available for the device. You may want to try that.

An everyday, regular Joe Consumer.

Consumer, and i have been saying from my first post last night, go up the levels of support basic level do not know, I guess they were caught with their pants down on this one. Either that or someone let the cat out of the bag a bit too early. In either case it is too late now so push and dont give up it is there.

Ok, so I spoke to Verizon and there is a $15 charge for my area. Aside from tethering to my laptop, is there any other benefit to upgrading? The tech guy said I did not have to change my account to run the upgrade and promised me my berry would work fine without changing the account. Should I take his word for it?

If Verizon Customer Service says this feature is not available yet, politely tell them that the VERIZON WEBSITE says it is available - give them this link: http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/vzw402 where it says BroadbandAccess is now available for BlackBerry 7250 today.

Regardless of whether the cat was let out of the bag too early or otherwise -- The fact remains is that dozens of users are now successfully using a Verizon 7250 as a wireless highspeed modem for a laptop today. If somebody at Verizon says otherwise, just remind to Verizon that their website contradicts what they are saying and then give them the official verizon web address that says BroadbandAccess is now publicly available for BlackBerry.

Any word on the ALLTEL units?

It was also reported that BlackBerry Browser works noticeably faster. However, remember that newer versions may have bugs that still need to be ironed out, so try this upgrade at your own risk.

I am told by Verizon that their feature codes only are letters and start with RM or something. :( not a clue

From my experience Verizon operates separate divisions within the company. Each one works a little different and sometimes when you do something like move a phone from one home calling area to another it takes a day because of the transfer from one division to another.

Regardless, remind to Verizon that their website contradicts what they are saying and then give them the official verizon web address that says BroadbandAccess is now publicly available for BlackBerry. Politely tell them that the VERIZON WEBSITE says it is available - give them this link: http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/vzw402 where it says BroadbandAccess is now available for BlackBerry 7250 today.

This will cause an automatic escalation to Level 2, a supervisor emergency, and spontaneous self-destruction of a robotic CSR.

Then if you get it working, then post instructions (and your location) that got it working in your specific case.