The model being released soon does NOT have GSM in it it is simply a CDMA device. Roc a fella could be right about a blackberry in the future with dual capabilities but the model coming out in a week or so will NOT be CDMA/GSM

or so..?

My question is will a dual CDMA/GSM device work for data/email in overseas GSM markets or only phone support?

34th Street - Store (1 miles)
134 w. 34th St
New York, NY. 10001
(917) 351-8000

I just called and the manager told me that:

The 8703e isnt expected until october and that he expects a GSM blackberry as well. In October Verizon is adding global support. He wasnt sure about full retail pricing, but since he is a bberry user he is waiting and watching for this device. He aslo said its VERY unlikely that they (Verizon) would launch this device in a week.

Take it for what its worth

I would take the word of Boy G. and Roc over that store employee.

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8700: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

BG Could the 8705 that should up on the FCC site last week be the GSM/CDMA model?? It was mentioned that it could come out on 9/28.

right now I am with Sprint... (for me is cheap because of discounts) but if Verizon comes out with this beast... should I buy the Sprint 7130e or jump ship to the full qwerty goodness of the Verizon 8703... Decisions? Help please!!! Opinions are welcomed.

You could probably just wait for it to come out on Sprint... Rumors are saying it should show up on Sprint shortly after Verizon. They ARE rumors, however...

BoyGenius or anyone who may be willing to answer ... Do you know anything about the Sprint BB 87xx?

I agree. My experience has been that the store has no clue about release dates. In fact, I recall walking in with my 7250 when it was new (and I ordered via mail) and the reps having no idea the phone had been released to corporate customers and there were none in the store.

Could be. Maybe the 'g' stands for Global. I just hope that someone can confirm that Verizon won't release the 8703e CDMA only now and in October a dual device. I would think most would want to wait for the latter.

It does not state CDMA anywhere regarding the 8705, but who knows, I am certain the 8703e will not be GSM, just CDMA.

talked with tech support today they hinted around about an august 28th,29th release date for the 8703 they did state that testing is complete in the field let's hope this is real i am ready to throw my 7103 in the river too many bluetooth issues keeps cuting off when i switch from bluetooth in the car to handset

BG...thanks. The more I think about it seems highly unlikely to release the 8703g on 8/28, then another similar device with CDMA/GSM thirty days later.

Ehh who care's about Gsm, you want Gsm and good int'l service, your lookin at the wrong service provider, if it does have it-great, if it doesen't-great. I'm just glad they are releasing a newer model that is Qwerty, Evdo, now all i have to pray for is that the price is reasonable. IMHO

I still wonder why VZW doesen't have any info on it at their website, it's coming out in less than a week, i'm sure all the people who go out and buy a 7250 from them tomarrow and the nest days are not going to be very happy come the 28th.

so how much faster is EVDO really compared to EDGE.. what are everyones thoughts on the EVDO 8700 vs the EDGE... will it even be noticible?

To me the differences are significant.
EVDO generally will give you about 300 to 700 Kps download speed, whereas EDGE will only give you about 75 to 150 Kps.

For short, text email or IM, EDGE will suffice. But if you want to use your device to surf the web, for instance, EVDO will make a huge difference.

thanks any EDGE users/tmobile in particular have any thoughts?

also, would a verizon blackberry have all the same capabilities as my current tmobile 8700? i know verizon likes to cripple features (IMing/Bluetooth), but would I still be able to load software/yak-on/change themes/etc?

your best bet is to ask the 7130e customers in the 7100 forum. As a verizon pocket pc client I can personally say they crippled the shit out of my xv 6700, but nothing a few hacks couldn't take care of.

28..28..28..28..29..

good idea.. i will post over there.. im tempted to switch from my new tmo 8700g to the EVDO one.. but if its crippled like everything else... no way...

any currents7130 customers on this thread?

I currently have the 7130e on Verizon. The only crippling that I know if is the disabled Bluetooth tethering. In fact, this is the first device that Verizon allowed USB tethering... For a price.

There may be more, but not that I'm aware of.

Kerry

What I have always noticed with Verizon is that they hardly advertise any of their new phones until it has been released.

I spoke with my bb rep at work and he hasn't hinted the release date, but he did hint that the retail price will be about $300 to $350. Of course, a hint isn't a definite answer :-\

Here's the link

Exclusive: Screen shots of the 8703e Blackberry - RIM Blackberry Forums - Pinstack.com

what does crippling mean?

Verizon usually disables certain Bluetooth features on their phones. For the most part the Blackberry bluetooth profiles have stayed intact.

Hi jibi,

From the pics on pinstack of the 8703e the OS is 4.1.344 and it only has the Verizon, Dimension, and Icon themes. Can you check into creating an .alx for this OS which includes the other themes?

The FCC doc refers to both a GSM and a PCS antenna - could this be a sign of both?

Specifically: https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/f...e_or_pdf=pd f

Refers to PCS Radiated Emmissions..... (pg 16-18)

that said most other parts of the doc refer to GSM-850

would someone in the us who doesnt travel abroad have anything to gain from a dual cdma/gsm phone?

Probably not.

Sounds good(hopeful) but I don't think so. You would want to see CDMA freq. testing and not GSM. CDMA for voice on Verizon.

I don't see it being possible....Boygenius said no as well as many others...

a PCS antenna is need for the 1900 MHz band no matter if its CDMA or GSM. Its stil needs that antenna.

I agree. But the specs on the FCC site only mention GSM freqs. You would want to see CDMA testing for voice. Additionally, I believe those docs are for the 8705(g).

i've tried all over manhatten and so far no dice. frequently stores will get the phone on a friday the weekend before the launch and my inside info tells me that they might sell you one early if they have them in inventory?!.

contact says anyday, whatever that means. i pushed him on it and was told some stores will be given shipments earlier than others.

As someone who frequently travels (over 40K Air Canada Aeroplan miles YTD) and is forced by Corporate policy to use Bell CDMA, I'd really like the flexibility. There are MANY people in the same situation as I am.

In fact, if you look at the REAL movers and shakers (people that make WAAAAY more money than me) frequently have the same issue.

This was just posted on the FCC site. Maybe August 28th is the release date!

https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/c...6ARBF20CW'

Confirmed, this is the 8703E...What makes you think the release date is August 28th by something in the this info?

No. But now that its posted on the FCC site, it can be released by Verizon.
Only going by what the 8/28/06 rumors are.

I would still assume the rumors are accurate. But this is by far the closet to the actual release date I have ever seen an FCC approval. And according to the Docs, it's NOT GSM