Hello from Toronto
 

Newbie to world of BB here in GTA (Aurora actually).

Here is my situation - was a BM user, but ported over to Rogers to get GSM service, as I was going to Europe for several weeks on vacation. I signed up with Rogers on a Digital NA voice only plan, using an unlocked Nokia E51. My company pays for my cell phone bills, so thats OK. Very few people are authorized "Smartphones" (I am not one of them), and the only platform we support anyways is Windows Mobile. No BB's or Symbion or Palm support.

Anyways, I came across a good deal on a mint unlocked BB 8820. I bought it, and am thinking of switching over from the E51 to the 8820, to use as a phone (bigger screen, better texting etc.).

Since I cannot use either for corporate e-mail - I am willing to pay the difference for access to personal e-mail and/or data usage. For people familiar with Rogers BB, what are my best options?

1) I believe I can spend $15/month for personal e-mail access only (i.e no data usage from browsing etc.). Is that correct? Can I get this with a non Rogers purchased BB?

2) What about the $30 for 6G data plan? is this the best option? Can I get this option with a non Rogers purchased BB? Is this a true Rogers BIS Blackberry plan, or not really a "Blackberry" plan (i.e. data only)?

3) Am I better to spend $30 for a 300MB BB plan?

I don't expect to surf the web that much (and the 8820 has WiFi). I have no idea how much data I need. Any advice for a newbie would be helpful and appreciated.

Sorry to ramble.

Thanks

Dave K
(Auroraboy)

Welcome to BBF!

Y'know I'm not from Canada but if my carrier had a $30 for 6GB plan, I would sign up for it in a heartbeat.

Welcome to the group.

Some friendly advice...
 

Welcome to the world of BB. Rogers plans can be very confusing and some of their rules are really even more exasperating. The bottom line on the decision comes down to how you plan to use the BB and how much data you will utilize in a month (one of the best design features of the BlackBerry is how it compresses data when you download/transfer data).

1) The $15 plan is not supposed to be available for use with any corporate e-mail accounts. I am not sure how they check this, but that is the official rule. Also, this excludes you from the browsing and OTA downloads on the BB.

2) The $30 for 6 GB requires you to make a 3 year commitment to the plan. I donxxx8217;t know about you, but unless I am committing to a 3 year BB device contact (i.e. a BB Bold), I am hesitant to commit to a 3 year data plan. I have not tested this, but some of the commentary seems to indicate that the newer 3G SmartPhones will be able to provide a lot more streaming data and downloads so you would need the extra Gbxxx8217;s on a monthly basis if you were at the 3G level.

3) The $30 for 300 Mb plan is probably what I would recommend for most users. The BB 88xx doesnxxx8217;t have as much memory as the Bold and unless you are doing streaming (YouTube even recommends that you upgrade to an Unlimited Data Plan before you start using their site) you probably wonxxx8217;t use the whole 300 Mb in a month (remember that is about 10 Mb a day) and you have the ability to utilize Wi-Fi when you can.

The bottom line comes down to how much data you will use in a month. Maybe some feedback from other users may be in order here. Is it fair (or allowed) to ask users how much data they utilize in a month based on the BB device and apps they use? Hope this helps.

Welcome to BBF!

Thanks all for the welcome and feedback. I was not even aware of the 3 year commitment for the $30 for 6GB plan. It's not like Rogers calls it out on their website. It also seems odd to charge $25 for 4MB, and $5 more for 300MB.

I went to 3 Rogers stores yesterday to try and get some of these questions answered. I could not even get to speak to someone in one store (only 1 working), and in the other two stores, they certainly were not very knowledgeable about BB plans.

Thanks again for the welcome and the knowledgeable answers.

Welcome. You Canadians beat us to the Bold.

I was able to get ahold of Rogers CSR on Sunday morning and signed up for $30 300MB plan. Next closest plan below that is 4MB for $25. Can modify at any time and no contract. The current $30 for 6GB requires 3 year contract. According to latest news, Rogers will have lower data plans Oct. 1 ($25 for 500MB and $30 for 1GB etc.).

Kind of cool that the 8220 connects via WiFi, if available, instead of using Rogers.

Even learned a few shortcuts today!

Welcome.

Hello and welcome!