Blackberry data plan...or not?

[domer]

I’m not sure if this is the correct place to post, so no harm meant if not.

I am a Sprint (CDMA) user looking to purchase a BB 7250 or 7130e as a non-business user. This is what I learned today after visiting 2 Sprint stores and speaking with 3 Sprint reps over the phone (one of which was a BB tech specialist):

1) When I attempted to purchase a 7130e via a Sprint store I was told that I need to add the BB data plan and EVDO plan to be able to purchase a BB.

2) After speaking with the BB tech specialist I was informed that should I attempt to purchase a BB used and activate it without subscribing to a BB data plan I would be in breach of contract.

3) The other 2 Sprint reps, though very nice, had no idea what they were talking about. In-fact, when discussing “push” e-mail with one of the reps, he kindly informed me that Sprint did not push e-mail, but rather it came through a computer. Huh.

I currently am a Treo 650 user for the last year and a half. Great device in concept, just has not functioned adequately enough (with countless hours spent on forums,etc.) for my needs. I’d have to equate the Treo as the Communist Manifesto of phones, great on paper, lousy in practice.

Anyway, my primary need is reliable phone and e-mail. My company supports BB and Treos. I believe for the BB they use BES (?), and for Treos they use Verizon’s Wireless Sync software (whether you are a Verizon subscriber or not). Push e-mail is a must, as I am expected to reply to certain e-mails within in 30 minutes and my work finds me out of the office most of the time and want the “real-time” of push.

Sorry for the long-windedness, but any thoughts on whether I can purchase a BB “used” via ebay or some such way and activate the phone under my current Sprint Vision plan? I have the $100 2000 minute plan with unlimited Vision and 2 lines of service. Do I really need to subscribe to Sprint’s BB data plan. I have heard of people who have not and are using their BB just fine with their company’s server.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

[Zeeshan]

Dude, im in like the same boat as you, also have a 650, also want the BB same questions, I hope someone knows so we can get some answers :) I will NOT spend $39.99 a month for the BB data plan....rediculous.

[TRUEST ONE]

I tried to go the BlackBerry route...but the six reps I spoke to (in stores and on the phone) made it clear that you must purchase the BB data plan with any BB phone. The pricing is rediculous. I have yet to know anyone who is telling the truth about having a blackberry and not paying the extra for that particular data plan. Even the nextel (sprint) blackberry data plan was REQUIRED! So I did the only sensible thing for my situation....got a ppc 6700.

[domer]

Wow, this is brutal. My only goal is to get my one corporate e-mail account. I have no desire to tether or use bluetooth for DUN. One tiny little e-mail account and they want me to spend an extra $40 plus $15 for EVDO. :frustrate

Ok, had to get that out :)

How has your experience been with the 7600 Truest? Someone in the office picked one up, but she hasnt' set it up with IT yet so I can pick her brain :furious:

[Zeeshan]

Jeez, im itching for a new pda phone, but i think im going to do the sensible thing and hold out for the Treo 700w, I dont want to pay the extra money right now for the 700p and still have palm os. it'll be like the same phone i have now, but a little better (i know the 700 is a lot better, but i just dont feel its $679 better than the 650...at least with palm os)

[domer]

I looked at the 700p (despite the issues that I've had with my current 650) thinking that with EVDO I'd be able to receive my e-mail more efficiently. Well, after spending some time at the treocentral forums I'm a bit disappointed. The more I read, the more I fear another buddy release.

[bluecoyote]

Yeah, this is the same problem I'm facing with Blackberry... and I really would like one, too.

The good thing I hear is that you can tether it to your laptop at no additional charge. Is this true? If so, it might be worth it with EVDO :-) . But to my knowledge, this is correct.

[domer]

I hope that's the case, given the data plan fee and all the data we are apparently going to be using (according to Sprint). I just heard (over at blackberry forums) that the 8700 is due to Sprint in the fall. That would be great, as I definitely prefer the full keyboard to that of the 7130's. Of course, there is the 7250 option for now. Although with the price of the phones being that of a car payment, it can get a bit ridiculous!

[bcoutlander]

I was leaning towards replacing my 650 with the 700p, but now I am really considering getting the 7130e or 7250.... I like the idea of tethering included with the BB plans where it would be another $40+/month with the Treo.

So anyone here have hands on with the 7130 yet???

[S11208]

I was leaning towards replacing my 650 with the 700p, but now I am really considering getting the 7130e or 7250.... I like the idea of tethering included with the BB plans where it would be another $40+/month with the Treo.

So anyone here have hands on with the 7130 yet???


Yes i have a blackberry 7130e it kinda a step up from the big brick phones that i used to have in the past with blackberry. It even has a built in browser and sms/text messeging now. Its kinda ok, i'll just see if i like it for 10more days. My treo 700 should arrive any minute though. I ordered my treo700p since tusday

[TRUEST ONE]

TO be honest, I love my PPC 6700 and thought about the 700p, although the os works I feel that it's too outdated. I think I am going to wait for the 700w and try it out before I decide to replace my ppc 6700. I believe the windows mobile 5.0 just works better for my situation. So I believe that 700w with windows mobile in the palm hardware will make a good candidate. I have had no problems with my 6700 and I have added several hacks/tricks for customization. Domer, I don't believe Sprint's new blackberry is worth the extra data plan. Perhaps you should wait a bit longer (if possible) and feel things out!

[bluecoyote]

I think nothing can compare to the OHO of a Blackberry. If tethering is included, it's a fairly good deal. It works more like a phone than Windows Mobile, which is a good advantage.

I do like the flexibility of Windows Mobile OS, even if it is nothing but garbage in comparison to OS's like Series 60 and S80.

[Brooose]

I have had BBs on my account with regular vision plans and had no extra charges. Just buy the phone from telesales and call in the ESN swap yourself. One advantage of clueless reps is that you can always find someone who will put a BB on your account and not force you to buy the extortion BB data plans.

[River1979]

Wow, this is brutal. My only goal is to get my one corporate e-mail account. I have no desire to tether or use bluetooth for DUN. One tiny little e-mail account and they want me to spend an extra $40 plus $15 for EVDO. :frustrate

Ok, had to get that out :)

How has your experience been with the 7600 Truest? Someone in the office picked one up, but she hasnt' set it up with IT yet so I can pick her brain :furious:

That's wrong. If you spend the $40, that includes EVDO. If you go on Sprint's site and pretend to order the phone, after the talk plans, the next choice is the Blackberry email/internet and then it's the miscellaneous add-ons (SMS, mobile to mobile, etc...)

But here's something I just discovered that should make us all feel better:

If you go with Nextel's Blackberry, their email/internet drops from 39.99 to 19.99 for Sero

BB 7100i
Blackberry 7100i Now Available!
Stay connected anywhere you go. With SERO, you can get unlimited Blackberry Email & Web access for only $19.99!

According to the small print at the bottom, Sero ends this month. Since the 700P was just added a few days ago, I'm hoping the Blackberry will be added soon. And if the Blackberry data plan is the same as Nextel's, I'll get the Blackberry for sure and will have no problem paying 19.99. If not and it stays at 39.99, I'll just get the 700P.

:(