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BoostBerry! (Blackberry 7520 on Boost Mobile)

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Posted by: VMUser1324

Hi, I have a few questions about using a Blackberry 7520 on Boost Mobile. I found this information by searching the forums:

Quote:
madmarvcr
Phone Collector - "I have the 7520 using a Boost sim. For $0.20 per day you get full unlimited data access, but only at 14.4-19.2 kbps speeds. I keep the boost i285 phone as a backup and pay the $0.20 a day, so I can call Boost customer service and complain when Nextel packet data is not working. Its possible to use a Boost sim without the wireless web option, as long as the signal indicator is all caps "NXTL". But dont expect any help from boost if you didnt sign up for wireless web and packet data is not working.

using a boost mobile sim in a blackberry, there is no PIN messaging, no SMS, no push email, no html browsing, but there are work arounds.

What I have found if you dont have a BB plan is to dump as many Service Books as possible. On the BB 7520 i have 5 Service Books

WAP transport
WAP Browser
Desktop [CICAL]
Desktop [CMIME]
Blackberry Browser

with so few Service Books, this essentially forces all the 3rd party apps to use native TCP. If you have all caps "NXTL" in signal, you have native TCP

My BB 7520 has OS 4.0.2.37

here is a list of apps I have working on a Nextel BB 7520 with a boost sim

I don't need instant push email, I just need to check email when I am out.

I use Gmail for Blackberries from shapeservices.
mMail (www.mmail.pl) is a pop3 client that works
www.imobilemail.com is an imap and pop3 client that works too, I just prefer Gmail.

SMS is through email, using carriers SMTP format or number@teleflip.com

For HTML browsing, I have Opera Mini, Minuet and BrowserBoss

I have never used PIN, so I dont know what I am missing, but for instant communication, I either make a call, DC, or use Verichat.

From the Desktop, an unexpected surprise, my Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes all sync up with MS-Outlook. The calendar and contacts are a huge plus. MS-Outook Messages dont sync, but I dont need every email going to the blackberry. For important emails, I just set up rules in Outlook to forward important emails to Gmail account.


Here is the list of apps I have that are working on a BB 7520 with a Boost Sim

Apps I paid for

GMail Mobile 1.3.2 - $30
Idokorro Mobile FTP 1.0.30 - $35
Minuet 2.0 - $25
mMail 2.2.3 - $5
VeriChat 2.66b - $45/yr

Free or Demo I have loaded and working

BBCorrector
BBLight 1.8.2
BBToday 1.5
BBWeather 0.74
bblocal 1.0.29
Berry411 2.6.3
BlackChat 1.0
BrowserBoss 1.02C
Compass 2.0
DynoPlex eFile 3.200.013
Google Local 1.1.1
HelloWorld GPS
JiveSlide 0.964.1
jmIrc 0.95
JournalBar 0.9 beta 1
midpSSH 1.4.20
MiMLite
Mobileplay 1.1.4
Mobipocket Reader 5.1.0.016
Mologogo 1.0.4
Opera Mini 1.2
Quick Note
Ramble IM 0.910.8
SharkModem 1.2.3
SMTP Client 0.1.1
Spot GPS for Blackberry 1.3.1
StopWatch 1.0
Sudoku by Cellufun 1.1
Texas Hold'em King 1.0.16



some gotcha's you have to look out for, when setting this up.
If you buy a used 7510 or 7520 blackberry from ebay for example, it may or may not have an IT policy (policy.bin file). This will need changed or removed and www.blackberryforums.com has some posts on how-to.
Also, I found things work better if you remove all the Sevice Books, except, WAP Transport, WAP Browser, Desktop, and Blackberry Browser. Remember "less is more".

I lost WAP service books twice, once at home, and once at the mall. At home I restored them using the Desktop Manager. At the mall, I did a "take the battery out" reboot which restored the WAP service books."


What I need to know is this:

1.) If I purchase a Blackberry 7520 on eBay, is there a way to use the PC-cable to unlock my Blackberry for use on Boost Mobile (do I even need to?)
2.) If I purchase an unlocked Boost Mobile SIM card on eBay, do I still need to have a Boost Mobile phone as a backup or to register on the Boost Mobile network, or can I just register the new SIM card and just get a new phone number?
3.) So if I backup my Blackberry on my computer, and I delete all the necessary service books on the device, will I be able to effectively use a TCP/IP connection on Boost Mobile without any hitches?
4.) Do I need to be in a "NXTL" service area in order to use the unlimited data access connection on Boost Mobile?
5.) Is the data connection directly through Boost Mobile, or do I need to use Dial-up Networking (hence, the reportedly slow connection speeds?)?

===============

Any answers to these questions would be very much appreciated - I am looking to buy a Blackberry 7520! Thanks!


Posted by: kozi

1. you dont need to unlock it. only boost phones are locked to boost service. nextel phones arent locked, they can be used with boost sims with a couple exceptions.

2. here's what i did. i went to a local sprint store and picked up a boost mobile starter kit which will run you $20. it also has 10 dollars of prepaid usage on it so you dont have to add to it right away. with this kit, you sign up online. basically all you need is the # on the back of your sim, and a legit IMEI from an iDEN phone. what i did was search ebay for nextel i90's until i found someone listing the IMEI. i plugged that into the site, and selected my area. i was assigned a phone number and PTT # and my account was active. then i stuck my sim in my 7520 and it was working fine.

3. there are certian service books you need to have. i got mine from this site. there's an attachment that you add with the desktop manager. just go to back/restore, then advanced. open the file, and transfer it to the blackbery. thats it get it here...
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=645649

4. each letter represents something different on the nextel network, i dont remember what they all are, but yes you need all capital NXTL. mine is always capital NXTL. never any different.

5. its the data network on iDEN. boost and nextel use the same towers. there is no dial up networking, none of that. it works as if you had nextel service and were paying for the blackberry data package, aside from the blackberry browser, email, downloads, etc.

other than that it works really good. just make sure you add money to your boost account every 90 days i think it is. make sure it doesnt deplete to 0. and you will be fine.

ALSO, when you are buying one, the majority of 7520's were used on a BES. if this policy is still on the blackberry when you get it, you're going to have to perform a strange hack to get it to overwrite it with a blank policy, and thats if you know the device password. so in the interest of saving you some time, make sure that the unit has either no policy, or a blank IT policy on it.


Posted by: VMUser1324

Thank you very very much, Kozi! I appreciate your quick reply! I have a follow up question on number 4...

#4.) I live in an area where there is Sprint/Nextel service is available. Previously, I was unable to get Boost Mobile because it used to be a Nextel only MVNO, but since the merger, I get Boost Mobile coverage. I am just wondering if I will still get the necessary coverage with "NXTL" even though the service area is not native "NXTL." Thanks!


Posted by: kozi

As long as there is Nextel service in your area, you shouldnt have any problems. the iDEN network itself has been laid for a long time. the only potential problem you might have with coverage is if you were using a WiDEN phone, which they just recently finished rolling out. (the 7510, 7520 are not WiDEN). As long as your area has nextel coverage, you should be fine. there's a coverage map on nextel.com. Just to make sure you can go into a nextel/sprint store and look at one of their display 7520s to make sure its all capital NXTL. . I doubt it would be a problem though. Sprint and Nextel use completely different networks that arent the slightest bit compatible. if you've ever seen anyone using a nextel phone, your area has iDEN support. Being a boost customer means you are on the nextel network. your billing is just handled different. if someone calls you, they will get the same please wait while the nextel subscriber you are trying to reach is located (might have changed to sprint in some places) you will get a phone # and DC # from the same pool of numbers nextel would use. no one will ever know you are using boost unless you specifically say so. some other hickups you should know about. the address book doesnt work. anytime you try to make a call from it, you will get a message saying call canot be completed. i think DC works ok though. as you read in the other post, you dont have to pay for the data from boost. its going to work regardless, and wont be deducted automatically. anytime you make or receive a call, youll get a txt message saying exactly that. no fee though, its automated. no voicemail. im pretty sure thats it. lemme know if u have any other questions.

also an FYI dont go the cheap route and get the 7510. it will work, but its slow, has small memory, and the backlight is AWFUL. 7520 all the way.

FYI here's what the letters mean
NXTL — You have coverage for emergency calls, SMS messages, phone, walkie-talkie, email and PIN messages, and browser.
NxTL — You have coverage for emergency calls, SMS messages, phone, email and PIN messages, and browser (all but walkie-talkie).
NXTl — You have coverage for emergency calls, phone and walkie-talkie.
Nxtl — You have coverage for emergency calls and phone.
nxtl — You do not have coverage.


Posted by: kepie

It was also that same post of madmarvcr's that helped me go this route a couple of months back.

In my case, I activated my Boost SIM by phone, and I used the actual IMEI from the 7520. The rep was aware that it wasn't a Boost phone. I just said it was a Nextel unit, and she continued the activation.

I used the hack kozi speaks of to get a blank policy. I have no service books at all. I use Opera Mini for browsing and it's never crashed on me.


Posted by: VMUser1324

Thank you very much Kepie and Kozi! This is very helpful! It is interesting to note that you say don't get the 7510, because that is exactly what I was trying to do today lol. However, I am a college student on a tight budget so approx. $35 for the device and $15 for the sim chip off of ebay is enough for me (even though the unit may not be very good). How slow is it and in what manner? If I am using it for just email, instant messaging, and web browsing, will it be sufficient or will it be so horribly slow that it will just be irritating? Thanks again for all the information guys, this really helps!


Posted by: kozi

Depends what instant messaging app you are using. If you're using verichat, it will be practically unbearable. the lag even while moving through your contact list will make you crazy. I use Yak-on on my 7520, and i think its the best out there considering its only $20. I wasn't able to get it to run well on the 7510 though. The device would lock up after around a day of use because the logs would get constant errors caused by yak-on. email is going to be tricky. you have only a couple options, the google mail checker, and imobile mail. both of them cost money, and neither one run very fast. when you check your email, it checks whats in there, it doesnt download those messages. this means you have to click the message, then download the message. it really soured the whole experience for me, but then again I was spoiled with PUSH on my former phone, the 8700G. The real killer on the 7510 is the backlight. It is awful and i am not exaggerating one bit. Ramble Instant messenger will work good, although the alerts suck. The program must be running, and on the display to give alerts. if you run it in the background, you will not get alerts. Also, if your chat window starts to get full from a long conversation, moving to the background, and back to that conversation will cause a 5-10 second pause for it to load. So you're asking will it work? It will work yes, but i wouldnt do more than one thing at a time. you're severely limited with space and ram on the 7510. it also wont have GPS or Bluetooth.
35 dollars is a good deal though. i originally got my 7510 for 45 and replaced it with a brand new 7520 for 80.


Posted by: thewak

I just got a blackberry 7520 from a coworker, how can i check if there is a policy already installed?

Also Kozi, im looking to use it for web browsing, instant messagin (AIM) and text, no phone service or walkie talkie, can i do all of this according to your boost method? And if i dont use any minutes and just use them for emergency will i still have to add minutes every 90 days?


Posted by: kozi

thewak, it depends on what os is installed it will either say under options, security if its OS 4.0. If it is 4.1, it will be under options, security options, general settings listed under services: on the bottom. Most times the device will require a password to use if it is on a BES, but its entirely up to the administrator.

I havent had much luck texting. I havent tried sending from the blackberry, but I know it hasnt received any from my tmobile phone yet. ive tried about 5 times. the only way i was able to is by email at NUMBER@myboostmobile.com. those are the only ones that work.

Boost policy states that if a phone stays unused or hasnt added any money within 90 days of the last account credit, the service will be disconnected, and there's a fee to restart it. i guess its just their way of making sure people dont just latch onto numbers and never use them. what i did was asked for a number from a different area just to mess with friends and family occasionally. i dont know what the minimum is that you have to add to it every 90 days. i havent had mine that long. from what i understand places like 7-11 and walmart sell reboost cards.

it will do aim, and web browsing as if you were paying for the legit blackberry data plan with the same speeds. aside from the fact that it cant download any software, the opera browser is much better than the blackberry browser.


Posted by: VMUser1324

Hey guys, if I have my Blackberry 7520 on with Boost Mobile, I obviously can't get service books sent over-the-air via Nextel to my BB, so is there a way that I can get service books (specifically, the WAP Transport/WAP Browser ones) by downloading them to my computer and then sending them to the device? If not, (I don't have them, but I have the other 3 service books listed above) can I still do data and stuff over TCP/IP? Please help, thanks!


Posted by: kozi

it depends what os version you are using. for os 4.1, you only need provisioning and web client. for 4.0.2, you will need the ones listed in the post by madmarvcr. i send you instructions in a previous post as to how you would load your service books in. there's also a link to where you can download them. basically you have to open the desktop manager and click on backup/restore. on the next screen, click on advanced. go to the file menu and select open, and browse to the file of the service books you downloaded (after unzipping of course) click ok, and it should appear in the left side of the window. click on it to highlight it, and press the right pointing arrow, which will transfer it. thats it.
-koz


Posted by: cellphone-guy

I really like my BB 7520, but I'm not sure if I have the thing set up correctly. I have been able to install Opera Mini (3.x) and have it running just fine. But apps like GMAIL and even BB411 don't seem to want to connect or work.

I'm using a BB 7520 with OS 4.0 on Boost Mobile.

I don't have a clue when it comes to all the cryptic settings on the BB and I really don't understand why they had to make it all so difficult to understand. But here are a few setting that are on my BB. I'm hoping that someone here can perhaps spot some wrong settings or advise me on correct settings or additions.

Under "Security"........

I -DO- have an IT policy by the name of "default" but it doesn't seem to have too many settings:

password: disabled
lock handheld upon holstering: no
content protection: disabled
content compression: enabled
Services
Desktop [various numbers here]

I know that I have heard of people having problems when they have an "IT policy" but I have no idea what that means or if that's indeed what I have listed above.

-------------------

Under "Browser Push"
(these are checked)

enable broswer push
enable MDS push
enable wap push
service load
prcoess MDS auto
MDS hosts allow all
process SMSC auto
SMSC hosts allow all
process IP auto
IP hosts allow all
service indication
process MDS auto
MDS hosts alow all
process SMSC auto
SMSC hosts allow all
Process IP auto
IP hosts allow all
Other Messages
(same settings as all of the above)
allow WAP push applications (checked)

------------

Under "TLS"........

messaging (CMIME) desktop (cannot change this setting)

TLS is set to proxy
allow HTTPS redirections NO
trusted hosts:
empty

--------------------

Under "WTLS"....

Encryption strength Allow Weak
Prompt for server trust YES

--------------------

under "TCP"...

No data entered for APN

--------------------

under "Service Book"....

IPPP for BIBS [IPPP]
Desktop [browser config]
desktop [sync]
Desktop [CICAL]
Desktop [IPPP]
Desktop [ALP]
Desktop [CMIME]
Provisioning [provisioning]
Blackberry Browser [BrowserConf...]

---------------------

Under "Location Based Services".....

Nothing is active or working

-----------------

Thanks for looking! Opera Mini installs and works fine, but stuff like GMAIL and even BB411 don't seem to work!

I love the BB7520, but I sure do wish I understood all those rediculous settings!

Any help would be appreciated!

cellphone-guy


Posted by: cellphone-guy

Quote:
Originally Posted by kozi
Being a boost customer means you are on the nextel network. your billing is just handled different. if someone calls you, they will get the same please wait while the nextel subscriber you are trying to reach is located (might have changed to sprint in some places) you will get a phone # and DC # from the same pool of numbers nextel would use. no one will ever know you are using boost unless you specifically say so. some other hickups you should know about. the address book doesnt work. anytime you try to make a call from it, you will get a message saying call canot be completed.


actually the address book does work. You need to go into:

phone option/smart dialing

(to access it, hit space, click the wheel, choose options, select smart dialing)

and then set the country code to UNKNOWN

it works for me!

cellphone-guy


Posted by: Kerzhan

Quote:
Originally Posted by cellphone-guy
actually the address book does work. You need to go into:

phone option/smart dialing

(to access it, hit space, click the wheel, choose options, select smart dialing)

and then set the country code to UNKNOWN

it works for me!

cellphone-guy


Actually, that's part of it... in Smart Dialing, also change your National Number Length. So, in the USA you choose Country Code +1 and change the National Number Length to 11... everything then will work as expected!


Posted by: jmitney

I know this is probably a stupid question, but how do I install Opera on my 7510 without using the internet browser. When I tried to do it via the PC, it says there's a "fatal error." I read something about the WAP browser, but I'm not really sure what that means. I'll bake delicious cookies to anyone who can help!


Posted by: N8phv

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmitney
I know this is probably a stupid question, but how do I install Opera on my 7510 without using the internet browser. When I tried to do it via the PC, it says there's a "fatal error." I read something about the WAP browser, but I'm not really sure what that means. I'll bake delicious cookies to anyone who can help!



I had the same problem. Update the BB's software/firmware to the 4.0 and it will work

Mel


Posted by: djzemel

will tethering work with a BB 7520 and a Boost SIM card. if so, can someone please please tell me how to set it up. please note that i am a novice. thanks.


Posted by: GregGebhardt

I loved the 7520! Still the best as far as durability. Give me the case of the 7520 with the screen and electronics of my 8820 and you got a heck of a device.


Posted by: boostxtberry

u guyz re good. thanks for all this information. now... i really want to be able to txt on my blackberry 7520. and there's no "imposible" thing in electronic world. we just need to find a way around this. you said something about xxxxxxxxx@myboostmobile.com but is everyone going to be able to txt me like that from their actual phones, or anyone that wants to send me an sms has to go to outlook or other emailing programs on a computer? please be a little more specific about this. and about the sms on blackberry. does anyone have knowledge what's the difference between a regular phone and a blackberry at sending sms? maybe this way we can get to the bottom of the problem and solve it once and for all


Posted by: boostxtberry

you know... nobody tells that u actually don't have an sms option on the 7520. there is just none. i go to the address book and try to go to the sending options of a contact, and it just doesn't have the option to send sms. there is just e-mail and pin. i do have all caps on my 7520. anyone knows what's going on? does the phone not have an option at all? cuz if that's so, i will just change it. thanks


Posted by: lesleyanne

I just got a BB 7520 and it does everything except text message the only service books that i have on it are provisioning and mms client. I have opera mini, nimbuzz, i have the gps and the internet. all I want to do is to be able to text message as well can somebody please tell me how to set it up




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