[eddieb]

My wife is going to the Philippines and wants her BB to work there. She currently has an old BB and is due for a new one, so she will probably be getting the 8830 so she can "easily" use it overseas. I've read a lot in this forum about the world support for this phone, but nothing specific to the Philippines. Also, info gets outdated pretty quick as things change.

Soooo...my questions: Is the 8830 her best (only?) option for a BB model on VZW that will work overseas? Assuming it does, she will need a GSM sim, right? I heard they may be getting CDMA in the Philippines, but I believe it's not there yet. Does VZW need to do anything to the phone to make it work there? Would she be better off, because of the high charges ($2.49 per minute if I'm reading the VZW website correctly) to get some kind of prepaid phone and go that route? Will data work over there?

I realize that the VZW store should be able to answer these questions, but everytime I ask them anything, I get a different answer from each person I talk to. This forum is way more reliable. Thanks!

[lrdiaz]

I believe 8830 World edition is the only BB available from VZW that will work Internationally. When you order your 8830, get the Global Email and Internet Plan. It will come with a Vodafone Sim Card. Make sure you make your purchase well in advance of the upcoming trip, to ensure your BB is provisioned for International travel, and the phone call to your home landline with specific questions about your past credit history (fraud prevention).
Not sure about the roaming agreements with local providers, but if you can roam on CDMA while there, the charge per voice minute will be cheaper than when roaming on GSM provider.
The BB8830 is sim locked, so you will not be able to purchase a local sim and use it,unless you get the unlock code from VZW.
I have the America's Choice II voice 450minutes US only, and Global Email & Internet for $119.00 per month. It includes unlimited Text, web, and BB email.

[eddieb]

Originally Posted by lrdiaz

I believe 8830 World edition is the only BB available from VZW that will work Internationally. When you order your 8830, get the Global Email and Internet Plan. It will come with a Vodafone Sim Card. Make sure you make your purchase well in advance of the upcoming trip, to ensure your BB is provisioned for International travel, and the phone call to your home landline with specific questions about your past credit history (fraud prevention).
Not sure about the roaming agreements with local providers, but if you can roam on CDMA while there, the charge per voice minute will be cheaper than when roaming on GSM provider.
The BB8830 is sim locked, so you will not be able to purchase a local sim and use it,unless you get the unlock code from VZW.
I have the America's Choice II voice 450minutes US only, and Global Email & Internet for $119.00 per month. It includes unlimited Text, web, and BB email.

Thanks Irdiaz. Good info. If we don't get the Global Email and Internet Package, will that stuff work anyways, but we will be charged by the kb for it? I know when I go to Mexico, that's what happens. But if I'm reading the VZW website correctly again, the charge in the Philippines for this would be $.02 per kb vs $.005 per kb which is what we pay when in Mexico.

[lrdiaz]

If you do not get the Global Email Pkg, I do not think you will be able to get BB Data while roaming. But better check with VZW.