[duane534]

I've found that the Curve 8900 suits my needs but for two things. First of all, I've realized I need 3G. I have a number of applications I keep running in the background which require data (for instance, GPS tracking, navigation with real-time data) which I would also like to use while on a voice call. Also, I run into the "I'm thinking..." hourglass more than I would like. It seems to me that the Tour would be the phone for me. However, I am NOT going to Sprint, and I am extremely hesitant to go to Verizon. I'd like to stay with T-Mobile, if possible, or go to AT&T. By switching from a T-Mobile BlackBerry 8900 and going to an AT&T BlackBerry 9630, would I be losing anything? More importantly, would I be gaining anything? If I have to drop down to EDGE on AT&T, it's a no-go. Also, I really, really want that hourglass to go away.

[ffejie]

I would recommend the Bold if you want to switch to AT&T. It doesn't make sense to run the Tour on a North American GSM network.

Also note that the Tour will probably lack the ability to do both voice and data simultaneously. http://www.blackberryforums.com/rumo...oice-data.html

[rambo47]

Curve 8900 + 3G - WiFi = Tour. With a faster processor.

[ffejie]

So it's really:

Curve 8900 + 3G + Faster Processor - WiFi = Tour

[duane534]

Originally Posted by ffejie

I would recommend the Bold if you want to switch to AT&T. It doesn't make sense to run the Tour on a North American GSM network.

Also note that the Tour will probably lack the ability to do both voice and data simultaneously. http://www.blackberryforums.com/rumo...oice-data.html

Is that for certain? I doubt it, just for the fact that that would mean if you weren't in a 3G area of a GSM network, you'd lose everything, right? Also, I absolutely abhor the Bold's form factor and shoddy camera. However, if I lose WiFi, that's acceptable, as my sole use for WiFi is for T-Mobile UMA, which would be unnecessary on AT&T, anyway.

[ffejie]

I'm not sure you'll ever get an official 9630 on AT&T. This would mean you would have to buy it at full price and bring it to AT&T.

I'm also not sure the 9630 will even work on AT&T. When I get mine, I will plug in a AT&T SIM card and check it out. Check back July 13th (I hope).

[kjjb0204]

An unlocked Tour will not run 3G on AT&T. GSM and EDGE, yes, but not 3G. If you have to have a 3G BB on AT&T, your only choice is a Bold. The Bold can also do simultaneous voice and data, which a Tour on AT&T will not. Tmo doesn't have a 3G bb. So, that leaves Verizon and Sprint. What's the hesitation going to Verizon?

[duane534]

Why would it not run 3G on AT&T? It's got the right bands.

The Bold would be a downgraded phone for me. Ugly form factor. Half the memory. Half the camera. Not worth it.

As far as Verizon is concerned...
Their coverage in my area isn't as good as AT&T or T-Mobile with UMA.
I regularly change phones, and I don't want to deal with dragging it into a store to flash them and the fact good phones tend to be GSM.
Their rate plans are more expensive.
I absolutely ABHOR the way that they cripple phones. I can handle no WiFi if the coverage is good enough, but the way they did the GPS on their Curve and Bluetooth on other models... Unacceptable.

[kjjb0204]

Wirelessly posted

Cause it doesn't have 3G built in for gsm/edge. 3G on the tour is specific to cdma.

The cost argument doesn't work for me since every carrier is $99 for unlimited minutes which I need.

You don't need the carrier to switch phones. It's all DIY with a blackberry swap.

[duane534]

Hmm... And, I'm the same way, but with unlimited text and data with no messages. LOL

And, how would you swap phones on a CDMA carrier?

[kjjb0204]

Wirelessly posted

Originally Posted by duane534

Hmm... And, I'm the same way, but with unlimited text and data with no messages. LOL

And, how would you swap phones on a CDMA carrier?

You can swap esn through your verizon account online. Then use bb desktop manager to swap data to a new bb.

[duane534]

Interesting. What if you don't have a BlackBerry, though? (Hypothetically, of course.)

[kjjb0204]

Originally Posted by duane534

Interesting. What if you don't have a BlackBerry, though? (Hypothetically, of course.)

Don't know. Maybe you could check iboughtacrappyphone.com for answers on that one.

[rambo47]

Dunno about Verizon, but on Sprint with the Everything data plan, unlimited BIS is included. I pay $60/month for:
450 Anytime Minutes
Nationwide Long Distance - ROAMING Include
Unlimited Sms Text Messaging
Unlimited Picture Mail
Unlimited Data Usage
Sprint Navigation
Unlimited Blackberry BIS
Unlimited Mobile to Mobile
Caller ID, Call Waiting, Three-way Calling, Voicemail, yadda yadda...

The point is that some plans include BIS, no need to switch data plans to get BlackBerry data. You have to have a BlackBerry plan, but it might be included in what you already have.

[duane534]

I can actually get a corporate AT&T plan ($29.99 = 2k mins, unlimited messaging, unlimited BIS), but there's a few things that hang me up. I'm not going to put a 2G phone on a 3G network. I'm not giving up unlimited tethering. I'm not getting a Bold.

[kjjb0204]

Wirelessly posted

Originally Posted by duane534

I can actually get a corporate AT&T plan ($29.99 = 2k mins, unlimited messaging, unlimited BIS), but there's a few things that hang me up. I'm not going to put a 2G phone on a 3G network. I'm not giving up unlimited tethering. I'm not getting a Bold.

So you can get 2000 minutes plus bis and messaging for the normal cost of BIS alone?

[duane534]

Yep.