Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Hello

I don't have a data plan, and only use my Blackberry for voice over GSM/EDGE and Internet over wifi.

The recent outage for EMEA countries is the opportunity to ask what it's all about.

In the Messages and SMS applications, I can send the following items: Email, PIN, SMS, MMS, Instant Message.

I've only used SMS. I know MMS is multi-media SMS, ie. text + sound/video, altough I never used it because GSM/EDGE is too slow for this.

I'd like to know what Email, PIN, and Instant Message are, and how they basically work network-wise. The blackout seems to mean that all messages go through Blackberry's servers in Canada unless the user connects to a corporate server.

Thank you.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Those messages are sent over the data side of the connection and go through RIM's servers. MMS is also considered data and won't work without the right data plan. Even BES (corporate connection) messages go through RIM's infrastructure.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Thanks for the infos.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Not exactly. According to Canadian news, there are three server farms (Network Operating Centres). Two are located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and one in Slough, UK.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Good to know.

Apparently, "PIN" is the unique ID that identifies a Blackberry so it's a bit like a phone number, but what's the difference between Email and Instant Message?

So there's no way for a company to avoid having data passing through RIM's servers, even when setting up their own BES servers on both ends?

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Text messages avoid all servers.
Instant Messaging (BlackBerry Messenger) is BlackBerry to BlackBerry only.
E-Mail is messaging across multiple platforms, with multiple accounts (Yahoo, Google, Corporate, .....)

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Email is email.
Instant Message is an instant message.
(Not really sure what you're asking here.)

Correct.
All BlackBerry data uses the BlackBerry infrastructure set up and managed by RIM.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

if you have a BES and provide Wi-Fi access to it, BlackBerries will be able to connect directly to the BES without going through RIM.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Thanks for the clarification about E-mail vs. IM in Blackberry and how to avoid relying on BB's servers.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

That's only true if the handheld is on the same local LAN as BES.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

So what happens if I connect to the Net through wifi at Starbuck's? Will IM go through BB's servers?

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

What kind of IM?

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

The option that is displayed when I go into "SMS and MMS" > menu > "Instant Message": If I'm connected by wifi on the road, will this IM go through RIM's BES servers or is there a way to send it through my company's BES server?

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

In that context IM means BlackBerry Messenger, which goes through RIMs servers.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

What app are you using to send the Instant Message? AOL, Yahoo, Google Talk, etc. ? Sounds like BBM, which is a RIM app.
If it's a native RIM app, it will touch the RIM infrastructure.
If it's a third-party app, then you'd need to contact the developer of that app and ask them.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Thanks for the info. So even with my own BES servers, an outage at BB means we're stuck, and the work-around for IM is using another venue such as Google, Yahoo, etc.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Depending on the type of outage, yes.
Sometimes only BIS is affected, sometimes only BES, and sometimes BOTH.
Sometimes there's only one specific service, such as BBM, that is affected.

No, not necessarily.
You'd need to use an app that doesn't require the use of the RIM infrastructure.
The native AOL, Yahoo and Google Talk apps are all RIM apps... and would also be affected by a RIM outage.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

The only guaranteed communications that will work in an outage is voice and SMS text. Unless your carrier has an issue.

Re: Blackberry outage for newbies?
 

Thank you.