[mjbanks]

Hey everyone,

I currently have Verizon, and am getting sick of them not fixing my issues. I get packet failure on half the text messages I send, my voice mail is always messed up, etc. So I'm debating switching to Cingular/AT&T.

I'm planning on waiting until the 8300 series comes out to make the switch, but I wanted to get more info about the data plans. I went in today and talked to someone who said I can get the MEdia Bundles for all the usage (BIS, Internet, texting). I'm kinda skeptical about that, because if you go on their website and try to buy a BB, you can only get the $45 BB data plan, then have to pay for messaging on top of that. Can anyone confirm what exactly is needed? I'm trying to figure out if it's going to cost me more a month.

I know I'm going to have to get more minutes with Cingular (most of my family has Verizon, but most of them are looking to switch too anyway).

Another question, semi-related. I am going to travelling to Europe 2-3 times a year, so I asked the woman at Cingular that I spoke with about getting pre-paid Sim cards. She said after being 4-6 months into your contract, they will give you an unlock code for your phone. Is unlocking really as simple is that? Is that the best way to go about it? I'm not to knowledgeable about GSM, so pardon my newb-ness.

Thanks!

- Matt

[Michbb]

I have the same question as you.. but I am thinking of switching from Tmo to Cingular. As far as the phone unlocking it's pretty basic... Once you request your phone to be unlocked they will send you a key to put in and the instructions. Overall I think it takes less than 2 mins to unlock.

[medic223]

There is a plan that is 44.99 for unlimited data and 1000 messages. I do not know what they call it but I am almost sure it is a BB data plan and not a media package. The 44.99 plan also goes down to 39.99 with a voice plan with 450 minutes or more.

Yes getting your BB unlocked is basically that easy. They usually say after 90 days.

[moosehead]

I'm with Cingular...can't comment on the pre paid SIM cards as i have no idea and won't attempt to guess. I'm sure someone will post the answer for you.

As far as the plans are concerned....if you do not require BES you can get an unlimited BB Data plan(email, internet, etc...) for $29.99(BIS) with a voice plan. This does NOT include SMS messages. So you are looking at $29.99 + $34.99(example voice plan) + $4.99(for like 200 txt a month...rough estimate).



If you require BES the unlimted data plan is $44.99.

I hope this helps somewhat.....

[mjbanks]

Originally Posted by medic223

There is a plan that is 44.99 for unlimited data and 1000 messages. I do not know what they call it but I am almost sure it is a BB data plan and not a media package. The 44.99 plan also goes down to 39.99 with a voice plan with 450 minutes or more.

Yes getting your BB unlocked is basically that easy. They usually say after 90 days.

On their website, it says nothing about the 1000 sms/mms. They only show 2 messaging plans... $4.99 for 200, or $19.99 for 3000. Also, the rep I just spoke with said he knows nothing about the plan going down to $39.99 with a voice plan.

Originally Posted by moosehead

I'm with Cingular...can't comment on the pre paid SIM cards as i have no idea and won't attempt to guess. I'm sure someone will post the answer for you.

As far as the plans are concerned....if you do not require BES you can can an unlimited BB Data plan(email, internet, etc...) for $29.99(BIS) with a voice plan. This does NOT include SMS messages. So you are looking at $29.99 + $34.99(example voice plan) + $4.99(for like 200 txt a month...rough estimate).

If you require BES the unlimted data plan is $44.99.

I hope this helps somewhat.....

I was just speaking with a Cingular rep who told me the $29.99 BIS plan doesn't include any internet access, it's only to get BIS email. He also said the unlimited plan doesn't include any sms/mms.

I plan on getting a 900 minute plan. I don't use a BES. I currently have 3 POP3 accounts in my BIS with Verizon, and use Desktop Manager to sync with Outlook for all PIM data.

[medic223]

The data plan I have with Cingular is the 39.99 unlimited plan with 1000 messages. I know a few other people on here that have that same plan as it has been discussed before on here. My bill shows it as BBRYUNL_ALL4

I did have one Cingular rep who had no idea what that plan was and tried to get me to add a message plan on there. After I told her my data plan came with messages, she seemed confused and said that they didn't have that kind of plan.

[moosehead]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Well your rep is clueless then. As I stated the BIS 29.99 unlimited BB plan includes email and internet. SMS is an add on(may have changed as medic has noted...I pay 4.99 for 200).

[kalikidtx]

I also have the Blackberry BIS plane for unlimited internet + 1000 text msgs for 39.99. Its a new plan so you would have to ask for it specifically. Its the best plan out there for someone that uses SMS and internet a lot.

[mjbanks]

Originally Posted by moosehead

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Well your rep is clueless then. As I stated the BIS 29.99 unlimited BB plan includes email and internet. SMS is an add on(may have changed as medic has noted...I pay 4.99 for 200).

Clueless reps are nothing new. Hah.

Originally Posted by kalikidtx

I also have the Blackberry BIS plane for unlimited internet + 1000 text msgs for 39.99. Its a new plan so you would have to ask for it specifically. Its the best plan out there for someone that uses SMS and internet a lot.

That sounds like a good deal. I'll make sure I ask about it.

I'm putting everything off until the 8300 is officially released. I also want to know more about HSDPA and when it will available in BB devices

[Dubdub]

The BBRYUNL_ALL4 is a fairly new plan.

As for the dataplan, as others have said, you need a BB dataplan for Internet and email access.

[puckplayer4]

Originally Posted by Dubdub

The BBRYUNL_ALL4 is a fairly new plan.

As for the dataplan, as others have said, you need a BB dataplan for Internet and email access.

is your bb plan for BES or BIS? the website doesn't show it (not surprised).

[archer6]

Here are the _current facts_ as I'm on Cingular.
1) I pay $29.99 for BIS unlimited internet and email.
2) Plus $4.99 for 200 text messages.
3) Then airtime.
These are the three components needed for full service usage of your BB.

Here are the links to verify pricing:
BIS Unlimited Internet Access, Unlimited Emails $29.99
Get Started | Cingular Wireless
200 Text msg $4.99
Get Started | Cingular Wireless
Airtime Plans:
Get Started | Cingular Wireless

Hope this helps,
Cheers....

[sonic117]

Yea the website is not matching to the information packets I got from the Cingular store. The Unlimited plan is 44.99 without a voice plan. If you add a voice plan, the price is dropped by 5 bucks making it 39.99 with 1000 messages.

I was so set on getting the 8800 but after doing more research and seeing that the 8300 is coming out with WiFi and Camera, definately holding back now until it comes out. I love Verizon which I am on now but they just dont have the phone selection I want nowadays and GSM is something I need to get used to and switch away from CDMA

[Dubdub]

Originally Posted by puckplayer4

is your bb plan for BES or BIS? the website doesn't show it (not surprised).

BBRYUNL_ALL4 is a BIS plan

[sonic117]

sorry to hi-jack the thread but does anyone have a corporate discount on their BB plan? if so, is the discount applied to the voice plan and/or data plan? just curious!

[Texas_Traveler]

* Yes, the $29.99 plan includes unlimited internet access

* Yes, if you have a corporate discount (i.e. 20%) you get a discount on the data plan as well

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by mjbanks

I went in today and talked to someone who said I can get the MEdia Bundles for all the usage (BIS, Internet, texting). I'm kinda skeptical about that, because if you go on their website and try to buy a BB, you can only get the $45 BB data plan, then have to pay for messaging on top of that. Can anyone confirm what exactly is needed? I'm trying to figure out if it's going to cost me more a month.

As you've heard, not all plans are on the site and a lot of Cingular reps are really clueless. Off the top of my head, you have the following BB data plan choices. Pricing might be slightly off as this is all from memory:

1. BIS only $34.99
2. BIS Max (with 1000 SMS) $44.99
3. BES $45.99
4. BES Max (with 1000 SMS) $55.99
5. 4MB BES - I don't recall pricing at all but this plan is worthless
6. BB International - don't remember
7. Tethering - roughly $70

AFAIK there's no BB data plan that doesn't include email or doesn't include web. It's all or nothing. I know the first four plans have a $5 discount when added to a qualifying voice plan. Not sure about the rest.

Originally Posted by mjbanks

Another question, semi-related. I am going to travelling to Europe 2-3 times a year, so I asked the woman at Cingular that I spoke with about getting pre-paid Sim cards. She said after being 4-6 months into your contract, they will give you an unlock code for your phone. Is unlocking really as simple is that? Is that the best way to go about it? I'm not to knowledgeable about GSM, so pardon my newb-ness.

They certainly don't just give it to you but you can request it at that point.

Originally Posted by sonic117

I was so set on getting the 8800 but after doing more research and seeing that the 8300 is coming out with WiFi and Camera, definately holding back now until it comes out.

8320 actually. Cingular may or may not carry it. They tend to be kind of squirrely about WiFi on their devices.

[valvehouse]

Originally Posted by Texas_Traveler

* Yes, the $29.99 plan includes unlimited internet access

* Yes, if you have a corporate discount (i.e. 20%) you get a discount on the data plan as well

I think that the $29.99 plan is for new service subscribers only - I'm trying to upgrage from an existing account and when I log in to the Cingular site, the $29.99 option goes away.

[akg]

Originally Posted by valvehouse

I think that the $29.99 plan is for new service subscribers only - I'm trying to upgrage from an existing account and when I log in to the Cingular site, the $29.99 option goes away.

I switched from a regular phone plan to a BlackBerry plan and got the 34.99 BIS (-$5 discount for voice) and after adding the 1000 SMS it was 39.99. As far as if you can get just the 29.99 BIS w/o SMS, I don't know but I don't see why not.

[moosehead]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Does not matter if u are new or existing customer as long as u add a voice plan u can get it for 29.99.