Hmm maybe that's Barry bug? my bb do have [a-z] only only password.
I do get EDGE speed when I use mine, I doesn't have G3 on mine.
I wouldn't know if it would give you G3 speed.
Anyway I'm glad it works for you now.
I do highly recommand WICD - it makes network manager seem very clunky and unfinished. Maybe when you get home and has wired connection in case of problems.