[sfr0003]

Friends, Changing the carrier from Sprint to At&t because of poor Sprint voice plan. My existing BB model is 8830 but will get a 8800 from At&t. I have a current backup using the BB Desktop Manager. Question 1: Current Sprint plan allows Phone as a modem (PAM) feature. But at&t charges $15 extra for teethering, well, can I use the PAM feature using 8800 without paying extra $15 bucks? Also, can I restore my existing backup with the new 8800? Also, sprint 8830 is an unlocked world phone so can be used in international travel but what about the 8800 with at&t? Any suggesstions, I really love the Sprint data plan but the call drops in voice plan. Also, how much you guys are paying as an At&t premier memeber? Please help. Thanks, Sam.

[juwaack68]

Welcome to the forums.

1 - No, if they charge you $15 for PAM, then you need to have that feature to use it - and they won't add it if you don't pay for it.
2 - Yes, you can restore your backup to the new device.
3 - Yes, you can use the 8800 from AT&T for international travel (I have several VP's using 8800's). If you're going to do a lot of international travel I'd recommend getting the $69.99 unlimited data plan (requires a 2yr commitment for the plan).

Good luck.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by sfr0003

Friends, Changing the carrier from Sprint to At&t because of poor Sprint voice plan. My existing BB model is 8830 but will get a 8800 from At&t. I have a current backup using the BB Desktop Manager. Question 1: Current Sprint plan allows Phone as a modem (PAM) feature. But at&t charges $15 extra for teethering, well, can I use the PAM feature using 8800 without paying extra $15 bucks? Also, can I restore my existing backup with the new 8800? Also, sprint 8830 is an unlocked world phone so can be used in international travel but what about the 8800 with at&t? Any suggesstions, I really love the Sprint data plan but the call drops in voice plan. Also, how much you guys are paying as an At&t premier memeber? Please help. Thanks, Sam.

Good luck with the Death Star. Since you're going ATT, why not get the 8300 instead. Smaller size, better keyboard.

[BallHawk3]

Originally Posted by ArgonNJ

Good luck with the Death Star. Since you're going ATT, why not get the 8300 instead. Smaller size, better keyboard.

+1 one on that. But it won't have built in GPS.

The 8800 and 8830 are pretty much the same and the change should be seamless for you. The only difference is the PHONE AS MODEM feature, is not include with the at&t bb data package, you have to add it on. Plus the speeds won't be as the sprint when using as PAM.

But when browsing from your device, it will vary.

I have a 8700g with t-mo and had a 7130e and 8703e with sprint. When browsing on the phone, I really noticed no difference in speeds, very similar, and this is from los angeles.

[lordhamster]

The 8800 will work overseas, IF and only IF you activate International Roaming with cingular. The phone is NOT unlocked however. That means you can only use AT&T $2/min + service overseas. You won't be able to use local phone carrier's sim cards like you would on the 8830. You can have the phone unlocked through third parties though

[CyberJack]

I don't own a Sprint phone but a colleague does and indicated to me SMS pricing is very different with Sprint vs AT&T.

If you use SMS it might be worth checking. Again I don't know for sure but would look into it.

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by sfr0003

But at&t charges $15 extra for teethering, well, can I use the PAM feature using 8800 without paying extra $15 bucks?

Maybe (I can't other have said that they can -- YMMV) but the pay-per-use rate will make $15 seem like a steal.

Originally Posted by ArgonNJ

Good luck with the Death Star. Since you're going ATT, why not get the 8300 instead. Smaller size, better keyboard.

Why does eveyone blindly recommend the Curve? I don't see anything in the OP's post that would indicate that the Curve is preferable. Keyboards are entirely a matter of personal preference.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by CyberJack

I don't own a Sprint phone but a colleague does and indicated to me SMS pricing is very different with Sprint vs AT&T.

If you use SMS it might be worth checking. Again I don't know for sure but would look into it.

Sprint's SMS costs are $.15 a message. Or you can get 300 messages for $5 per month.

[Sjjones]

Went the other way (att to sprint), don't get rid of you 8830 so quickly, the att data service is very very slow compared with Sprint.

Sprints pricing is way cheaper then ATT also? very surprised thats your reasoning.

Before leaving you should talk with sprint retentions dept, they might offer a better deal then what you have now also.

if you work for a company they might have a discount with sprint , i get another 20% off my total bill for example?

[Sjjones]

Originally Posted by juwaack68

Welcome to the forums.

1 - No, if they charge you $15 for PAM, then you need to have that feature to use it - and they won't add it if you don't pay for it.
2 - Yes, you can restore your backup to the new device.
3 - Yes, you can use the 8800 from AT&T for international travel (I have several VP's using 8800's). If you're going to do a lot of international travel I'd recommend getting the $69.99 unlimited data plan (requires a 2yr commitment for the plan).

Good luck.

Regarding the international plan you don't have to have a 2yr agreement i put it on then off whilst i went on vacation without issue.

[wcberry]

Originally Posted by lordhamster

The 8800 will work overseas, IF and only IF you activate International Roaming with cingular. The phone is NOT unlocked however. That means you can only use AT&T $2/min + service overseas. You won't be able to use local phone carrier's sim cards like you would on the 8830. You can have the phone unlocked through third parties though

Or just call ATT International desk and tell them you would like to have your phone unlocked as you will need to use a local SIM for phone calls. If you have had your account for a while, ususally more than 6 months, they will email you the codes for free. I have unlocked two 8300s and one 8800 that I have that way with no problems. Sure you can pay a 3rd party company but no real reason to if you are not new to ATT and even then it would be worth a shot. I have got the unlock codes via email in several hours but once I was just given the code verbally over the phone while I was asking for it.

[ladydi]

have you considered t-mobile? If they are in your area, you will get unlimited data for $20 (BIS) or $30 (BES) and they allow you to tether for free. I don't know about their international plans/policies.

[BallHawk3]

Originally Posted by ladydi

have you considered t-mobile? If they are in your area, you will get unlimited data for $20 (BIS) or $30 (BES) and they allow you to tether for free. I don't know about their international plans/policies.

international calling rates are much better. And the Inernational blackberry plan is just $20 extra (plus your current $20 BIS).

[sfr0003]

Originally Posted by Sjjones

Went the other way (att to sprint), don't get rid of you 8830 so quickly, the att data service is very very slow compared with Sprint.

Sprints pricing is way cheaper then ATT also? very surprised thats your reasoning.

Before leaving you should talk with sprint retentions dept, they might offer a better deal then what you have now also.

if you work for a company they might have a discount with sprint , i get another 20% off my total bill for example?

I have $15.00 FF500 minutes plan but the voice plan is bad and call drops often. I am in Texas, what about yourself and how is the quality for you?