[DS28]

So I'm considering making the switch from Verizon (8830) to the ATT (Bold). I'm bored with CDMA blackberries being incredibly late with just about everything.

I just found out that ATT's international BB plans require a minimum 1 year contract. I travel internationally somewhat irregularly... 1-2 times a year, I'll be abroad for 1-2 weeks. With Verizon, I've been able to get prorated international deals for that period bolted onto my account, with no contractual change or obligation.

It makes no sense financially for me to pay for the international BB plan on ATT for a whole year. I'm totally bummed because I otherwise LOVE the phone and would love the flexibility of GSM berry. I was thinking about just getting the Bold, unlocking it, and popping in a cheap SIM while abroad, although then I'm without data (unless I've got wifi coverage).


SO, can anyone here suggest any work-arounds I'm not thinking of? I really, really want to make the switch but am afraid I'll be stuck without data when I'm abroad.

[mckinneycm]

Unlock the phone, and then when you go overseas, you can get a prepaid international SIM card.

[DS28]

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

Unlock the phone, and then when you go overseas, you can get a prepaid international SIM card.

For sure. That's my fallback. But then I don't have access to BB data. It would only give me voice/text options. What I'm looking for (and it may not exist) is some way to get BB coverage while abroad.

[mckinneycm]

Yes, they have prepaid BB SIM cards that give you BB data as well. There are a bunch of companies out there that provide them. Where are you travelling to?

[DS28]

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

Yes, they have prepaid BB SIM cards that give you BB data as well. There are a bunch of companies out there that provide them. Where are you travelling to?

Really? that's pretty awesome and I have not seen those before. I go to the UK, 99% of that time is in London.

Which carriers have prepaid BB?

[mckinneycm]

Check this site out. Below the rates, it has a link for BlackBerry users.

Low-cost Europe cell phones and European SIM cards

[DS28]

That looks great in terms of pricing. Thanks for pointing that out.

I haven't really found any postings here or on other well-known forums from people who have actually used it. There's a few posts about it that sound a little contrived but I'd be interested in hearing from someone who has used it.

So... has anyone here tried callineurope on a Blackberry?

[redbandana]

The calling plans look great. However, if you put a 50MB international data package for $59.99 through AT&T and have it pro rated for the time you're abroad you would be paying less than the PDA plans available through callineurope.com

For example 10kbs is .05 (.005*10kbs=.05per/10kbs)

Therefore, 50,000kbs (or 50mbs, which would get through ATT @ <59.99 because you can prorate the plan if you are in Europe for less than a month)

So again: 50,000kbs/10kbs=5000*.05= $250 for 50mbs of data transfer

*note my math may be wrong. However, ATT was more than grateful to cancel my international data package the day I arrived back in the states. My final bill for international data transfer was $37

[redbandana]

Originally Posted by DS28

I just found out that ATT's international BB plans require a minimum 1 year contract.

If you switched carries ATT would require you to have at least a 1 year contract anyhow for domestic voice transfer. They don't require a 1 year international contract

[mckinneycm]

Originally Posted by redbandana

If you switched carries ATT would require you to have at least a 1 year contract anyhow for domestic voice transfer. They don't require a 1 year international contract

All of their International Data plans say 'Requires a minimum 1 year contract" underneath them.

[redbandana]

Originally Posted by mckinneycm

All of their International Data plans say 'Requires a minimum 1 year contract" underneath them.

You don't need a separate contract for international data. If you are currently on a contract with ATT with domestic, it works fine. I've been to Italy several times in the past two years and each time it was prorated. I mentioned my previous experience because it was more delightful than the first time I went abroad.

[weath]

Apparently, there are 2 Int'l Data Plans on AT&T. The Int'l Data Plan that that redbandana is talking about does not require 1 year commitment (Int'l PDA Data, I believe) I have the BB Int'l Data Plan, and as posted on AT&T's website (and re-iterated by the CS Agent), requires a 1 year commitment. However, it is a replacement for the US BB data plan (which is ~$45/mo for BES), not in addition too, so the additional cost is $20/mo.

The PDA plan is removable, but seems to have restrictions on which carriers you can use. Choose the wrong one, and you incur roaming data charges. Just check ATT for the correct carrier in the location you will be traveling to.

There is another thread on this discussion on BBF.

[redbandana]

Originally Posted by weath

Apparently, there are 2 Int'l Data Plans on AT&T. The Int'l Data Plan that that redbandana is talking about does not require 1 year commitment (Int'l PDA Data, I believe) I have the BB Int'l Data Plan, and as posted on AT&T's website (and re-iterated by the CS Agent), requires a 1 year commitment. However, it is a replacement for the US BB data plan (which is ~$45/mo for BES), not in addition too, so the additional cost is $20/mo.

The PDA plan is removable, but seems to have restrictions on which carriers you can use. Choose the wrong one, and you incur roaming data charges. Just check ATT for the correct carrier in the location you will be traveling to.

There is another thread on this discussion on BBF.

yes you are correct regarding different international data plans. I did use the PDA data plan as did a family member, who was using the Bold. ATT credited both accounts. I guess YMMV.

[DS28]

I've heard different things from their phone support, in-store reps, and people here, so I guess YMMV. I checked out "callineurope" and it actually sounds really interesting. For the UK, you get BB service for $2.50 a day, with "unlimited" data (up to 75mb). Their customer service was super helpful and friendly.

I'm still torn about making the switch NOW to a Bold, or holding out for some CDMA variant of it.

[kasperapd]

Now if you did go the "callineurpoe" route, would your unlocked Bold really work for data, or would that PIN be tied to the AT&T BIS service at home???

[shawn1899]

So if I am going on a trip for a week, and I sign up for the internantional data plan, 20mb for 24.99 does that give me the ability to get email, pin messages, and web on my blackberry?

Or would I need to to get the blackberry plan for pin and email?

[rdrakea]

Originally Posted by DS28

So I'm considering making the switch from Verizon (8830) to the ATT (Bold). I'm bored with CDMA blackberries being incredibly late with just about everything.

I just found out that ATT's international BB plans require a minimum 1 year contract. I travel internationally somewhat irregularly... 1-2 times a year, I'll be abroad for 1-2 weeks. With Verizon, I've been able to get prorated international deals for that period bolted onto my account, with no contractual change or obligation.

It makes no sense financially for me to pay for the international BB plan on ATT for a whole year. I'm totally bummed because I otherwise LOVE the phone and would love the flexibility of GSM berry. I was thinking about just getting the Bold, unlocking it, and popping in a cheap SIM while abroad, although then I'm without data (unless I've got wifi coverage).


SO, can anyone here suggest any work-arounds I'm not thinking of? I really, really want to make the switch but am afraid I'll be stuck without data when I'm abroad.

All you need to do is call and sign up for an add-on international plan before your trip. Just leave the plan on for a couple of months when you return because some international billing is delayed and you need the plan on your account when the charges come though.

It's all on AT&T's website, AT&T International | Wireless from AT&T, formerly Cingular

Data Global Add-Ons for Smartphones, PDAs, BlackBerry and iPhone
Keep up with email and browse the web with your Smartphone, PDA, BlackBerry or iPhone++ when you travel abroad. AT&T has created Data Global Add-Ons with lower rates in over 65 countries. Discounted Countries are subject to change. For a complete list of discounted countries visit att.com/dataconnectglobal for current information.
There are four packages available:

• $24.99/month: 20MB Data Global Add-On gives you 20MB of usage within over 65 countries
• $59.99/month: 50MB Data Global Add-On gives you 50MB of usage within over 65 countries

[Globetrotterdoug]

Originally Posted by rdrakea

All you need to do is call and sign up for an

• $24.99/month: 20MB Data Global Add-On gives you 20MB of usage within over 65 countries
• $59.99/month: 50MB Data Global Add-On gives you 50MB of usage within over 65 countries

Doesn't AT&T have an unlimited Blackberry Intenational plan? I'm sure I have that. Great deal!

[shawn1899]

so does the 20 mb international plan require a 1 year commitment?

or just the blackberry international plan for 64.00?

[x14]

Originally Posted by Globetrotterdoug

Doesn't AT&T have an unlimited Blackberry Intenational plan? I'm sure I have that. Great deal!

It appears that AT&T got rid of the unlimited international plan. Now you can only get

• $24.99/month: 20MB Data Global Add-On gives you 20MB of usage within over 65 countries
• $59.99/month: 50MB Data Global Add-On gives you 50MB of usage within over 65 countries
• $119.99/month: 100 MB Data Global Add-On1 gives you 100MB of usage within over 65 countries
• $199.99/month: 200 MB Data Global Add-On1 gives you 200MB of usage within over 65 countries