Using a Blackberry without the Blackberry features - Possible?

[sanglee]

I just got off the phone with Verizon and they would NOT let me remove the data plan from my account UNLESS I was able to activate a non BB device at the same time. He said 1) RIM and Verizon have a contractual obligation that make them require a BB dataplan on all BB devices activated on the VZW network, 2) the BB device will request data packets constantly which will skyrocket my monthly bill, and 3) there is no way in his "system" to be able to remove just the data plan.

Now granted, I sure there's a way to remove the entire plan and add something else w/o data from the get-go. Remember that his is Verizon -- which is CDMA and does not use SIM cards.

Just thought that I would shared.

[dutsukyampu]

this thread seems a little confusing..with some people saying it is possible to use a BB without a plan..and some people saying that you do..
i want to buy a blackberry 8700.. but only plan on using it for a phone and SMS.
does cingular require you to have a blackberry plan? or can i just use it for voice and SMS?

[apollovm]

My question would be if one can sync email with the usb cable, if we don't have the blackberry service on the line? So to re-phrase - no BB data plan and just a phone plan.
THanks.

[r3booky]

this thread seems a little confusing..with some people saying it is possible to use a BB without a plan..and some people saying that you do..
i want to buy a blackberry 8700.. but only plan on using it for a phone and SMS.
does cingular require you to have a blackberry plan? or can i just use it for voice and SMS?

I don't know about the 8700 & cingular, but for the 8100 (pearl and t-mobile), you can use all the phone functions and some of the pda functions WITHOUT a BB plan. This includes text messaging. However, MMS (picture, video... messaging) requires a data plan, so the 8100 requires the BB plan.

I find it silly, since other phones that don't have data plans, like the RAZR, can send MMS and SMS-almost like if they were phone functions not pda functions. Therefore, buying MMS is not enough to be able to send pictures on the 8100, you'll still need to buy the BB plan. I call that double dipping. I asked if the BB plan included all messaging and I was told no, only internet and email services. If I wanted to send SMS or MMS, that would be extra. So I returned them. I'll just wait for another smartphone that doesn't require extra fees to use.

[sanglee]

Well...we all know how F'ed up Verizon Wireless is with their Bluetooth restrictions, etc...so it seems to be that it's an internal Verizon policy to not activity BB devices without a dataplan. I think all other carriers are okay with it. Anyhow...I cancelled my Verizon account and ported my number to my new BB Pearl on T-Mobile and everything has been perfect. Living in NYC, I've been loyal to Verizon for 10 years now, but I think GSM in NYC has finally caught up with CDMA in terms of call quality and signal coverage.

[meh2006]

IF I had a unlocked 7100, put in a sim, set the APN settings to the same as the cell phone would the data parts work (not including push email and any BES stuff) I really just want to be able to pull email.

[hopetindall]

No NO NO NO NO NO NO

Read this thread.

NO

;-)

PHT

[meh2006]

I did read the thread. It goes yes and no.

[Synncere]

IF I had a unlocked 7100, put in a sim, set the APN settings to the same as the cell phone would the data parts work (not including push email and any BES stuff) I really just want to be able to pull email.

As I had responded to your post in the Rogers forum it will not work. You require a BlackBerry data plan for data connectivity.

[CSOKI Mike]

I don't know where you got your info at, but it is wrong.. RIM dosen't care why you buy blackberries as long as you are buying one.

There is nothing stoping someone from buying a blackberry just to use the keyboard for SMS or whatever reason they want it for.. They don't have to get a BB data plan if they don't want to.. Although if you as me it is pretty crazy to have a blackberry without a data plan

This was impossible to do with Verizon Blackberry's but as of recently it is...

[venomoussvt]

I think alot of this differs from one provider to the next. I am the IT manager at my office and I do all the blackberry conversions/support for our employees here as well. I have set up approx 20 in the last 2 weeks and have had several that nextel "forgot" to add the data plan on. The first phone that this happened to I was puzzled as to why I could not activate it on the BES. I spent a week trying to figure out why the BES would not activate on this phone until I realized that the retard at nextel didnt add the data plan to the existing account when it was upgraded to a BB. My employee used his phone (other than the data features) for the entire week without a single problem. Phone worked great for him as well as his other "phone only" features.

On the note of swapping sim cards, this can be done as well with Nextel. However I hear "rumors" of possibly trying to track which sims are being used in unauthorized phones. (probably a bunch of BS though)

[mobilelite]

it'll work...but there are phones out there that would be better for text messaging

[JR369]

I am using one w/o a BB Data Plan. Bought the BB from Ebay

I have been reading the posts but I'm sooo confused but i think my question
may be a bit different.

I'm thinking about getting a BB pearl or a 7100 new for about 120.00 off ebay. I'm with cingular.
I have 3 questions:

1-if the BB is unlocked alreadly can i program the internet gateway to access on cingular

2-i have the LG CU500 with the 19.99 unlimited internet (so if i use a BB and not tell them will it work)?

3-Do the BB's use JAVA Apps i have Opera Mini which I'm guessing I don't need the special BB web for and the GMaill java app and i get my mail so easy i never have to enter my username or password everytime

Thanks in advance guys

[BlitzSix]

1. no
2. no
3. no idea

[BillBennett]

Anyone have a quick solution for clearing passwords in the Blackberry 7230 (or other later models)? I picked up several units and need to use a couple for voice and one for voice and data. They are currently loaded with the previous customers info.

Any help would be appreciated.