[ycomp]

If I were to subscribe to say blackberry data plan with rogers back in canada, can I then use my unlocked blackberry on a GSM network in another country on a provider that does not offer blackberry and still be able to check my email?

I mean does blackberry data just sit on top of the gprs / edge internet access?

[JSanders]

1. No, not necessarily. Your unlocked BB with a SIM from the foreign carrier would need that carriers data plan as well. With an international data plan from Rogers, you should be able to access data internationaly from the Rogers SIM if you were travelling, AND in an area which has data access... could be costly.

2. The data plan actually becomes the 'EDGE' signal, rather than the 'edge'.

[rambo47]

You might be able to use a generic data plan to check email via the Opera Mini web browser, but that's about it. No push email, no mail through the standard email app, and no Blackberry web browser. You are severely limited with no BB data plan. SEVERELY!

[ycomp]

ok, thanks... yes would be nice to have email on a blackberry... gmail is ok, not great but it works. However, main think I have the blackberry pearl for is that I simply cannot find a better phone for my needs. I can type damn fast on the thing for SMS compared to other phones and it has something that perhaps not every phone has, ability to sync well with outlook and categories so I can filter my phone book.

So all in all I'm happy even without a data plan.. thanks for the info.

Pacman is great too :D

[ycomp]

actually I do have another question, come to think of it...

if there is no blackberry pearl offered in the country, but there is blackberry service on one provider, can I sign up for a dataplan and have my pearl work? is this something that technically should work, I mean? if so I will discuss it with them.

It is is a tough decision though because everyone in this part of the country uses another provider (my current one) and so it will cost anyone who phones or texts me significantly more if I switch to the blackberry capable carrier.