[bmoore]

So is this firmware update out yet from Verizon? If so where can one find it? If not any thoughts as to when it is expected?

[udontknowjack]

I was told months ago, this will simply be an OS upgrade that Verizon will provide to BB users and there will be no additonal charge for EVDO on the BB. Your existing unlimited data plan should cover it. We'll see if all that is still true. This is what Verizon told me when they were trying sell me the 7250s for my company.

Oh, and it isn't available yet.

[Ominx]

Does anyone have any updates on the evdo upgrade yet. I presume not since it probably would have been posted, but just wondering.

[udontknowjack]

Well, I heard from my Verizon rep maybe September. They also said it is going be designed so you can connect it to your laptop and use it as a wirless network card so they will be charging more for it.

[aristobrat]

That'll be nice. Where I work buys a lot of VZW aircards (for laptops) for folks that also have BlackBerry's. Sounds like we can save some money if we can just have the 7250 use their BlackBerry as a modem... (vs. having to pay for two separate data plans).

[PCW]

VZW originally let it spill, albeit unofficially, that eventually all EVDO-capable VZW Blackberries would need a simple OS upgrade in order to utilize EVDO, which would be included in the current unlimited data plans.

I hope they don't use the modem capability has an excuse to boost the pricing, unless it will be an optional add-on feature (at an extra cost) to the current pricing.

I certainly don't want to be charged for an add-on modem capability that I don't intend to use.

[jnelson2000]

The EV-DO portion for the 7250 is in final stages of testing at RIM. It will be included in the 4.0.2 release that all carriers will be getting over the next several months.

[bperkins]

Originally Posted by PCW

VZW originally let it spill, albeit unofficially, that eventually all EVDO-capable VZW Blackberries would need a simple OS upgrade in order to utilize EVDO, which would be included in the current unlimited data plans.

Any link for the "unofficial information"?

VZW Blackberries would need a simple OS upgrade in order to utilize EVDO, which would be included in the current unlimited data plans.

Any idea on what the cost to use the EVDO if not on an unlimited plan?

[bmoore]

Originally Posted by quats83

I work for Verizon and just purchased the 7250/ EV-DO will be available in June early July as stated before, with a firmware update. This comes from our exucitive director of programing in EV-DO.

Is this firmware update out yet.. If how does one go about getting it..

[Bunker]

Originally Posted by bmoore

Is this firmware update out yet.. If how does one go about getting it..

Not yet. The carriers have started testing and certifying the code though. Another couple of months most likely.

Bunker

[yahtzee]

Originally Posted by spatton

Verizon EVDO will be a tethered solution to the BB.

As will the Sprint 7250 in about 3 months.

[twomblys]

In april it was a few months...now 5 months later it's a few months..I love the rumors here

[ILoveAlliO]

I just spoke to a verizon representative and the gentleman said that verizon wireless has chosen NOT to enable ev-do on the blackberry handset. As he said... this was the final decision.

After that, I blew up at him and became so frustrated at the fact that this guy just wasnt giving us any hope of having ev-do on our blackberries

[jibi]

as of 2 weeks ago, they were planning on enabling EVDO within a month or two, and now they aren't? you may want to talk to someone else, to be honest. the 7250 will support EVDO and tethered EVDO with the next OS release - whether that be 4.0.2+ or 4.1. the 7130e will also support EVDO with OS 4.1.

[CyberJack]

JIBI:
I invested in a Verizon EV-DO account and hardware (I'm on TMO) and I have a hard time believing that Verizon would not create some extra cost or penalty for tethering. After all why give away the revenue stream they seem to be enjoying from selling seperate EV-DO accounts and hardware. I must say I was really annoyed with Verizon as they really pushed me to buy the Audiovox 5740, which quite frankly is a piece of crap in my mind. It had poor reception and no external antenna port, I gladly paid the difference to get the Kyocera KPC650. I know the post is part venting, but what I read in another forum was that the reps were heavily SPIFFED on the 5740 and Verizon enjoyed greater margin. I mention this only because I can imagine when tethering is available they will provide you a 100 horror stories on why it is a poor choice for service. Caveat Emptor as always

[essay182]

wow thats awesome that evdo is built in to the 7250! i didnt know that. i was just thinking about how great an evdo blackberry would be the other day! i really hope verizon gets their act together and ads evdo compatibility soon!

[Bunker]

Originally Posted by essay182

wow thats awesome that evdo is built in to the 7250! i didnt know that. i was just thinking about how great an evdo blackberry would be the other day! i really hope verizon gets their act together and ads evdo compatibility soon!

Breaking news - Oct 25th is the target date for market release of EVDO for the 7250 for Verizon. Adding EVDO will probably use the same prices plans that are used when buying an EVDO data card.

I was told that the code has been approved by Verizon and it is ready to go.

Bunker

[bperkins]

Kick ass. Bunker do you think the 7130e will launch about the same time?

[NJBlackBerry]

Originally Posted by Bunker

Adding EVDO will probably use the same prices plans that are used when buying an EVDO data card.

That would be $59.99/month if they use the same pricing plans as today.

[bperkins]

Hmmm. Not so kick ass. EVDO on 7250....good...paying more...bad. Surely they would not increase the BB plan just because it has EVDO. Only benefit would be tether and browsing, but I normally have a Wifi connection and would not need the tethering option.