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3g

3g

341 posts

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#18911 29-Jan-2008 12:34
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I've had a Blackberry for a while and have found the 3MB data allowance per month sufficient for corporate email.

Recently (with apps like GTalk, Google Maps, Opera Browser) I started to use a bit more data and started easily using up the 3MB allowance, so decided to get an extra data allowance.

After contacting Vodafone I got a 1GB data plan added.

Problem is that the billing system doesn't actually acknowledge that I have anything more than the 3MB data allowance.
It shows up that I have 1024MB data plan attached to my account, but after the 3MB is used up, I start getting billed at $2/MB.

It took me a while to work out what the problem is (and I've also got an enquiry lodged with Vodafone billing), but after seeing my paper bill yesterday (and also after talking to data support @ Vodafone), we worked out that because all data (whether it be email or general IP/internet traffic using applications such as Google Maps) get's routed through the blackberry.net APN, the system doesn't use the extra data allowance I've added onto my account.

My questions:
(1) I've read on the internet that you can set another APN on your Blackberry (under Advanced Options, TCP).
I normally do this when I want to use the Blackberry as a tethered modem, but I've also read that the setting can be used by applications on the Blackberry?
What I'm hoping is that this is true and that way I can use applications on my Blackberry and actually utilize the additional data allowance (versus just giving Vodafone $59.95 for nothing - as is the case currently).

(2) Do I need to use a specific APN? Or will any of the Vodafone NZ APN's work?

Any other suggestions will be greatfully received 8-).


Nigel H.

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kellery
8 posts

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  #113071 25-Feb-2008 22:20
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Sorry this does not really answer your question but is along similar lines, if you were using the Blackberry
as a modem, and with the new blackberry 100mb data plan available, would this data be used for GPRS usage through the modem? 
Or would you also need an additional data plan? or even worse would you be getting charged at $2mb as is Nigels case above. 

Thanks

Kim



antoniosk
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  #113094 26-Feb-2008 06:26
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I had the same problem with my Voda subscription; I used both Blackberry and web services, but they couldn't sell me a 1GB pack that applied across APN's.

This is a billing issue for Vodafone to resolve for you, but I suspect that none of their data plans are built in the billing system to be valid for use with the Blackberry service.




________

 

Antoniosk


johnr
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#113110 26-Feb-2008 10:00
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There are new Blackberry plans which include new Data allowances.

All INFO in link below

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/business/blackberry/internet-service.jsp

Monthly fee $35.00$45.00
National mobile data allowance (applies to all email and web browsing using the BlackBerry browser)10MB100MB
Cost per MB of over-plan BlackBerry data$2.00 per MB$0.50 per MB



johnr
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#113111 26-Feb-2008 10:03
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antoniosk: I had the same problem with my Voda subscription; I used both Blackberry and web services, but they couldn't sell me a 1GB pack that applied across APN's.

This is a billing issue for Vodafone to resolve for you, but I suspect that none of their data plans are built in the billing system to be valid for use with the Blackberry service.


This is not a billing fault!

When using Blackberry for internet traffic this is moving through the blackberry.net.nz APN not www.vodafone.net.nz that is why they are rated different!

VFNZPaulBrislen
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  #113117 26-Feb-2008 10:41

As John says, this is not a fault at all... it's the way the service is set up.

BlackBerry data runs through the RIM APN and off to Canada. It's completely separate from the Vodafone APN.

I'm not sure how Telecom bills for BlackBerry services (or TelstraClear for that matter) but I'm sure it's similar. The Telecom search says there's no information on BlackBerry... it must be there somewhere.

Cheers

Paul




Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz


kellery
8 posts

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  #113235 26-Feb-2008 22:14
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Thanks for the clarification.

So does that mean all data traffic is going through blackberry.net APN?? Even when using 3rd party apps such as google maps??

And also if I used my BB as a modem, it would also be using the blackberry.net APN, or would I be able to use the vodafone.net APN?

So in summary, if I wanted to use it as a modem, am I able to use my BB data plan, or do I need an additional Vodafone data plan.

quite confusing at the moment but making more sense. Thanks for all your input

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