[east]

Just checking to see if anyone has any new experiences with using a 8830 internationally.

In August, I am going on a post-Bar trip to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bali. This fall, I'll need a blackberry for work so I was hoping to get a 8830 so I stay connected while traveling this summer. I'm hoping to find a solution for making the occasional voice call, checking email regularly, and browsing the internet.

I was hoping that getting a 8830 w/ Sprint's International roaming plan would at least let me access my email with some consistency while abroad.

So far, from what I've read on this and other forums, the Sprint 8830 is a somewhat rocky experience. Most of it seems due to Sprint's inconsistent customer service and not properly provisioning the 8830 for international use.

I appreciate any suggestions or reading any experiences about using the 8830 abroad.

[benjabi]

I used my blackberry 8830 in India in February...i pulled out the Telus Sim Card and I didn't need nor want Data so I turned data off, and used the BB as a phone using a simcard from an Indian Mobile Company. It worked perfectly! Advantage was no outrageous roaming charges, and it was pay as you go in India. Plus everywhere but Canada it seems, its free incoming calls!

[mervynle]

THe single reason why I left Sprint for AT&T was that on two trips that I took, my international roaming was not working due to provisioning problems. THe funny part is that they were not consecutive trips either. After coming back and spending endless hours with Sprint on the phone I bit the bullet and switched to using an 8310 on AT&T. Their international roaming has been excellent on every trip I have taken (both voice and data).

[djm2]

Japan will be a non-starter for you with the 8830. I had decent luck with it otherwise. Provisioning after activation of the SIM seems to be the most important issue.

[hornet303]

Last November I had to go to Denmark and Amsterdam for business. I had to get my phone provisioned with a VZW SIM card, and I think they turned on International Email. Once I landed in Copenhagen, everything started up just fine. I could send and receive calls (expensive ones of course), but data and SMS messages were normal cost. Being able to use google maps in a foreign country was a life saver.

I kept my voice calls down to a minimum, and had I needed to use a lot of voice, its very easy to pick up a pay as you go type SIM card. I imagine you loose data and SMS messages at that point, not sure.

[BB8100]

Verizon 8830 - Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, UK, Spain, France, Canada, Peru, Israel
No issue. Turn on once off plane and it is like I never left US

[kwampach]

Originally Posted by BB8100

Verizon 8830 - Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, UK, Spain, France, Canada, Peru, Israel
No issue. Turn on once off plane and it is like I never left US

Same here, went to Paris in September, worked like a charm. Definitely worth the extra 20 bucks for that month.

[WhizzledBlury]

I've used my vzw 8830 in India, Nepal, Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg), Panama, Guatemala, Brazil (Rio and Sao Paulo), London, and Norway. Never had a single problem with voice but can't always get data. Some places I have local sims some I just use the vzw/voda card. When I went to India/Nepal I racked up a $450 bill on data and voice... because I forgot to switch to a plan before hand. My best suggestion would be to think ahead for what and how much you will be using and get a plan accordingly. Data adds up QUICK if you don't have a plan...which doubles so for voice.