[diegomarchetti]

Well, I was a happy BB user untill 4 months ago. I owned a great 8700g (TIM Italy), the only problem was the track-well on the right side of the phone (I'm left handed), so I switched to HTC Tytn. I do not want to start any comparison, since I'm writing in here it means off course I prefer BB instead of freaking Windows Mobile devices. Got few questions for you gurus. I saw that new there's the new awesome device... the Pearl. Unfortunat'ly my GSM provider keep on seeling the 8700g and do not have in his catalogue the Pearl. Question: can I buy it elsewhere and just insert my sim (which is still enable and registered to BIS) ? If yes, where? I mean I was looking for an online shop or un-branded BB phone but I see that only GSM provider sell this goods. Second question. I'm traveling alot in African countries where they have GPRS services but not Blackberry agreement with my provider. Can I set the Pearl for example, to check email using normal GPRS conection (like I'm doing actually with my HTC or with any other GPRS phone?
Thanks alot to all of you.

Diego

[NJBlackBerry]

Question: can I buy it elsewhere and just insert my sim (which is still enable and registered to BIS)

You must have it unlocked before using it with another SIM. The SIM is not registered with BIS. The BlackBerry itself it.

Can I set the Pearl for example, to check email using normal GPRS conection.

Unforunately you can not. The BlackBerry requires connection to the BlackBerry Network for all data services. Plain old GPRS doesn't help at all.

BTW - I think the Pearl is great, and being able to scroll left handed is just one reason.

[takeshi]

Is there a good resource for determining where Blackberry data is available? I've looked at GSMworld but they don't really have this info, IIRC. I was trying to determine if my wife would have data services on her 8700c while in Australia, Indonesia and Taiwan before she left earlier this year. I could confirm GPRS coverage but not Blackberry coverage specifically. Luckily, her 8700c was fine in all three countries and we were able to constantly keep in touch with Blackberry Messenger.

[NJBlackBerry]

Check with your host carrier. They will show you where they have roaming agreements. It is possible for a carrier in another country to support BlackBerry data services without them actually selling the BB.

[kmccarthy]

Try eBay or even these forums for an unlocked or even not unlocked pearl, you can always unlock it yourself.