Using a Blackberry without the Blackberry features - Possible?

[hillstrubl]

On T-Mobile...it's actually a catch 22. You would need a data plan to download their IM client. But you wouldn't need a data plan to use it, just a text messaging plan. The client uses SMS to send messages. I recommend the unlimited plan.

thats weird, because i actually tried that. I tried a non-BB SIM in my (former) 7100t and attempted to sign on the sms based IM client (it had already downloaded with the the BB SIM normally in it). No Dice. While it does use 3 SMS's to sign on (1 saying sign on, 1 loading hte buddy list and 1 i have no idea) it seems to ALSO use BB data...
just a word of warning...

-D

[BenMarvin]

thats weird, because i actually tried that. I tried a non-BB SIM in my (former) 7100t and attempted to sign on the sms based IM client (it had already downloaded with the the BB SIM normally in it). No Dice. While it does use 3 SMS's to sign on (1 saying sign on, 1 loading hte buddy list and 1 i have no idea) it seems to ALSO use BB data...
just a word of warning...

-D

Good to know. Thanks for the info. Not a problem for me, since I will always have the data plan... But I'll try not to spread unconfirmed information.

[Skaorsk8]

I currently have a BB 7130 as my personal phone on Verizon Wireless, WITHOUT a data plan. When I activated the phone, I declined a plan, and they added it anyway. I called up and sorted it out.

It works for being a phone, syncing with Outlook, text messages, and THAT'S IT. I wish I could get some ringtones on there ... any ideas, please let me know.

Thanks.

[potatocouch]

You can use a BlackBerry w/out a Blackberry data pack but only for voice, sms and its pda functions.
If that works for you then you're set. If you want to surf the web, send/recieve email and/or p2p you'll need a BlackBerry data pack through your service provider.

You do not need a blackberry plan to surf anything ... but a 3rd party software and your set.... then you'll be able to check your email and reply
.. the only thing you'll need blackberry is for email, but compare the price with nextel unlimited phone data for 15.00 , compared to 49.00 unlimted data and email there's no comparsing

[potatocouch]

There's a lot of misinformation on this thread, so let me set the record straight as I've understood the situation to be.

As I understand it, NO carrier will let you use a BlackBerry without the associated BlackBerry data plan, because they've all signed agreements with RIM wherein they agreed to make sure that ALL customers using a BlackBerry were also signed up for a BB data plan.

This is something I heard back in 2005, however, so my info may be out of date. Perhaps things have changed since then, I just can't verify that they have.

this thread is the misinformation .... LMFAO

[razorsharp510]

So what if i have already have unlimited medianet... I used it on my treo and 8125 and i just got the 8700c... i cant use my data on it?...cuz i cant find a web browser... if i cant.. then wat a gipp! or is there a web browser and i just dont know how to use it?... i didnt get the BB cd or instruction book...

[Synncere]

You do not need a blackberry plan to surf anything ... but a 3rd party software and your set.... then you'll be able to check your email and reply
.. the only thing you'll need blackberry is for email, but compare the price with nextel unlimited phone data for 15.00 , compared to 49.00 unlimted data and email there's no comparsing

Maybe for Nextel in the U.S. but here in Canada w/ Rogers Wireless it's impossible.

[razorsharp510]

which 3rd party software do i need?

[potatocouch]

which 3rd party software do i need?

minuet sells a browser thats nice . check it @ handango.com . I also use im+, for instant message, check out pocketday pro that kicks ***..

[doughboy359]

You can also buy a BB device on eBay, put in your SIM card, and use it as phone only. That's what I do. No one is gonna hunt you down and make sign up for a BB plan

can you put one of those prepaid to go sim cards in a blackberry 7100t?

and also,does anyone know how to take off the wireless motorola headset option if the phone was once linked with that type of headset.i just want to use it as a reg phone and talk thre speaker port..

[stufried]

There is an archived thread on blackberryforums.com called byo blackberry where someone got a blackberry working on a standard GPRS account for data and a corporate BES account for Blackberry service. I think this door has been largely closed but I just learned that it ever existed so I don't want to venture.


http://blackberryforums.com/archive/...php/t-192.html

[iav122003]

All that can be done is the following:

1) Get a GSM Blackberry device (you pick the model), pop in your SIM if you have one, and enjoy the SMS/MMS full QWERTY keyboard goodness.

2) Cry because VZW and Nextel probably don't let you activate without an associated BB data plan.

At the moment, I have a Nextel 7520 for data and a Motorola MPx220 for voice.

[candygogo]

All that can be done is the following:

1) Get a GSM Blackberry device (you pick the model), pop in your SIM if you have one, and enjoy the SMS/MMS full QWERTY keyboard goodness.

2) Cry because VZW and Nextel probably don't let you activate without an associated BB data plan.

At the moment, I have a Nextel 7520 for data and a Motorola MPx220 for voice.

I can vouch for T-Mo and Nextel. A rep at Nextel told me that a BB plan will be automatically added to a 7520 or 7100i. As for T-Mo, no plan is added. I had the 7230.

[chbak014]

Hey I saw this thread which brings up another question - does anyone know where the search button is on the forums. I was just wondering because I guess probably a lot of people ask this question. Never mind I'm too lazy to search for it so I'll just clutter the board up with another useless post.

stop being a t\/\/AT. acccounting dork.

[iav122003]

not true, nextel is apparently the only one that doesnt allow that, GSM carriers by definition dont usually care what phone is being used by what SIM.

Bah.

I use know people that use Boost Mobile prepaid SIMs on Nextel 7520 BB's.

On a regular basis. Works like a lucky charm.