[jefwic]

Originally Posted by veco

QUOTE how do you know that it is not locked? I got mine from Bell as well and they specifically said that unit is locked.

They may have meant it was locked into Bell's network / partners in North America. Ask them if you can put in whatever SIM card you want when overseas.

[Siffleu]

I went to the official 8830 and they say the 8830 from BELL was the only one unlock

[veco]

Originally Posted by jefwic

They may have meant it was locked into Bell's network / partners in North America. Ask them if you can put in whatever SIM card you want when overseas.

I spoke with Bell couple days ago. Bell clearly indicated that the phone is locked to Bell on GSM side (Bell provided SIM with phone) and I can only have roaming when go to Europe (2.99 $ in country I will go). In any case I will be there in about week and I will test this phone and let you know outcome. Just was hoping that I can use 8830 and will not have to borough phone from my friends while I will be there.

[jefwic]

Originally Posted by veco

I spoke with Bell couple days ago. Bell clearly indicated that the phone is locked to Bell on GSM side (Bell provided SIM with phone) and I can only have roaming when go to Europe (2.99 $ in country I will go). In any case I will be there in about week and I will test this phone and let you know outcome. Just was hoping that I can use 8830 and will not have to borough phone from my friends while I will be there.

I'm interested to know your results. I will be purchasing an 8830 and traveling around Christmas time so would be interested in knowing what will work.

[Fire7]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

Unlocking/Locking has absolutely NOTHING to do with whether or not the GSM feature of the 8830 will work within the US.

The reason the 8830 will not work on GSM carriers in the US is because the phone itself doesn't support the GSM frequencies used by US GSM carriers. It only supports frequencies used by overseas GSM carriers.

You can unlock the phone all you want... and it still will not be able to be used on a GSM carrier in the United States.

Verizon didn't "disable" anything with regards to GSM.

The Verizon rep you spoke to hasn't a clue. Options > Advanced Options > SIM Card > Security Disabled doesn't mean that the device is unlocked or "most likely" unlocked. It's got nothing to do with unlocking a phone.
As mentioned above, you can verify that your phone is unlocked by doing one of two things:
1. Options > Advanced Options > SIM Card > m e p d > Network should say Inactive or Disabled
2. Put in a foreign SIM card while overseas and you're able to make/receive calls.

agree
its true the 8830 does not support the two frequencies that are available in North America and its because they don't want you to go to other services plus they would have to pay to the GSM careers for the frequencies so ya it would not be a good business for the CDMA carees to open all 4 frequencies. but there is a difference in verizn I think their 8830 is locked only to their network that mean even when you travel over to EU you still have to use their package and pay them,

[Fire7]

Originally Posted by jefwic

I'm interested to know your results. I will be purchasing an 8830 and traveling around Christmas time so would be interested in knowing what will work.

I'm pretty sure the 8830 from bell is Unlocked ones you go over seas you can use any sim card. the only reason they give you a sim with it is if you want you can have a pakage from them when you go over EU to use but you don't have to you can use any sim card you want

[veco]

Originally Posted by Fire7

I'm pretty sure the 8830 from bell is Unlocked ones you go over seas you can use any sim card. the only reason they give you a sim with it is if you want you can have a pakage from them when you go over EU to use but you don't have to you can use any sim card you want

Do you have any evidence for this statement or you just beleive this would be correct thing form Bell to do.

[mike_187]

Originally Posted by veco

Do you have any evidence for this statement or you just beleive this would be correct thing form Bell to do.

ive tested it, bell units are unlocked.

[veco]

Originally Posted by mike_187

ive tested it, bell units are unlocked.

Thanks for information, looking forward to use 8830 in Europe with local SIM.

[brc]

Will unlocking the VZ version give you the full gps functionality?

[backdoc]

I think its great that someone has figured out what hoops we have to jump through to get the Verizon 8830 unlocked.

Question: I would like to buy one. What is the proper way to purchase and setup the account so that you don't agree to the overseas charges from the initial signup. I am a current Verizon customer with a Treo 700W piece of &^%. I know I have to pay retail for the 8830, how do I refuse the overseas plan?

I don't see a way to pay retail for it on Verizon's website, would I just need to walk into a store?

I like Verizon's service, I go to Europe at least 3 times per year and have a quadband GSM phone that I use with a world SIM so that I can keep in touch. I would love to have my pda BE my european phone, but NOT at the rates that Verizon wants to charge for the "convenience" of not having to change SIM's. I want to use Verizon here in the states AND use a local or international SIM when I want.

Oh, what is the best current plan for someone who uses the web/email a lot?

Thanks,

Steve

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by brc

Will unlocking the VZ version give you the full gps functionality?

No, it won't.
Unlocking has nothing to do with GPS.

[hooper610]

Originally Posted by backdoc

I
Question: I would like to buy one. What is the proper way to purchase and setup the account so that you don't agree to the overseas charges from the initial signup. I am a current Verizon customer with a Treo 700W piece of &^%. I know I have to pay retail for the 8830, how do I refuse the overseas plan?

I don't see a way to pay retail for it on Verizon's website, would I just need to walk into a store?

Call Verizon Telesales. They will ship it to you fedex next day for free at full retail.

[whoscalling]

When I bought mine I refused the sim card and the overseas option. It was as easy as that.

I did this with the hopes of finding a way to use a local sim. If I cannot do this by the time I leave for overseas travel I can go into the Verizon store and get the VZW sim

[livspop]

Just a heads up: Alltel is releasing the 8830 in mid August. The GSM side will be unlocked.

[veco]

Originally Posted by veco

Thanks for information, looking forward to use 8830 in Europe with local SIM.

Just to confirm that Bell 8830 is unlock on GSM side. I am using it right non.

[gfrnk69]

Well fellas,

I work for VZW and i just got an email with the following stating the following:

Concern: RIM has released new software for the BlackBerry 8830. This software includes updates or
fixes for the following known issues:
xxx8226; GSM to CDMA Reconnect
xxx8226; Call Collision
xxx8226; System Determination (GSM Mode)
xxx8226; Calendar Sync Issues
xxx8226; Ringer Volume
xxx8226; Unlocked SIM Functionality - The device can now be unlocked to support the use of
non-VZW SIMs for voice and data service on GSM/GPRS networks.
Important Note: Customers using third-party SIMs are not supported by VZW while
roaming on GSM/GPRS networks.
xxx8226; Added Stereo Bluetooth Support - Device now supports A2DP and AVRCP
Bluetooth profiles which adds compatibility with stereo Bluetooth headsets
xxx8226; Keypad Backlighting
xxx8226; CDMA Radio Fixes
Resolution: As of August 2, 2007 customers may download the new software from VZW.com to
update their 8830.
Process: Existing customers looking to be upgraded may access the new software via a computer by
following these steps:
1. Go to Cell Phones, Mobile Phones and plans for Personal - Verizon Wireless
2. Select Support > Phones & Devices from the main title bar.
3. Select Phone / Device Brand
4. Select BlackBerry from the list of manufactures.
5. Select the BlackBerry 8830
6. Select BlackBerry 4.X Software (located at the bottom of the page) in the Downloads section.
7. Customer will be directed to the following page in the SmithMicro website:
BlackBerryâxxx8222;¢ 4.x Software Download Information on this site will provide the customer

I have the pdf file but if anyone knows how to post a pdf file over the 48kb limit, PM me and i'll send it so u can post it

-Frank

[dclawyer]

Is there a way to for me to upgrade using a Mac? I don't own a PC?

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by dclawyer

Is there a way to for me to upgrade using a Mac? I don't own a PC?

No, you need a Windows PC and Desktop Manager to upgrade your handheld OS.
Do you have an Intel-based Mac? If so, you could always try Boot Camp and load Windows natively on the machine.

[complacent23]

Originally Posted by gfrnk69

Well fellas,

I work for VZW and i just got an email with the following stating the following:

Concern: RIM has released new software for the BlackBerry 8830. This software includes updates or
fixes for the following known issues:
• GSM to CDMA Reconnect
• Call Collision
• System Determination (GSM Mode)
• Calendar Sync Issues
• Ringer Volume
• Unlocked SIM Functionality - The device can now be unlocked to support the use of
non-VZW SIMs for voice and data service on GSM/GPRS networks.
Important Note: Customers using third-party SIMs are not supported by VZW while
roaming on GSM/GPRS networks.
• Added Stereo Bluetooth Support - Device now supports A2DP and AVRCP
Bluetooth profiles which adds compatibility with stereo Bluetooth headsets
• Keypad Backlighting
• CDMA Radio Fixes
Resolution: As of August 2, 2007 customers may download the new software from VZW.com to
update their 8830.
Process: Existing customers looking to be upgraded may access the new software via a computer by
following these steps:
1. Go to Cell Phones, Mobile Phones and plans for Personal - Verizon Wireless
2. Select Support > Phones & Devices from the main title bar.
3. Select Phone / Device Brand
4. Select BlackBerry from the list of manufactures.
5. Select the BlackBerry 8830
6. Select BlackBerry 4.X Software (located at the bottom of the page) in the Downloads section.
7. Customer will be directed to the following page in the SmithMicro website:
BlackBerryâ„¢ 4.x Software Download Information on this site will provide the customer

I have the pdf file but if anyone knows how to post a pdf file over the 48kb limit, PM me and i'll send it so u can post it

-Frank

Sweet! I'll play around with it this weekend and see what happens Thanks for the heads-up!