Cheapest Blackberry plan?

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quickymart

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Topic # 67926 10-Sep-2010 19:44

I have a Nokia 6121. It's a good phone, but I'm considering upgrading if the price is right.

A Blackberry Bold 9700 would be a great phone to have - I've used it a few times and quite like it - however I have a few queries and hopefully some BB users on here can give me some advice.

(1) My current plan is Mega 20 on a 12 month contract. I understand I could have this on a Blackberry - but I need to purchase a specific Blackberry data plan as well? Is that right?

(2) Is there any benefit from buying it from Vodafone as opposed to just picking up a new one elsewhere? Does it come branded by Vodafone or something (which wouldn't bother me)?

(3) Regardless of which data plan I have, I heard that if you tether the device as a modem it doesn't compress the data (resulting in lower use) as it normally would if you were browsing direct from the device itself. Does that sound right?

(4) I use the FM radio on my Nokia quite a bit, and understand that the Blackberry doesn't come with one, is that right?

Sorry if these are basic questions, I'd just like to know a little more about it before I run out and buy one. Thanks

quickymart

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Reply # 378879 11-Sep-2010 22:41

Over 120 views and no one has anything to say? Man, I wish JohnR was still around, I miss him :(

timmyh

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Reply # 378929 12-Sep-2010 10:39

I think that you can now get BlackBerry service on top of a Smart plan for an additional $10.00 per month, but it really isn't easy to figure out on the Voda website that I can see.

This link tells you it is a $10 add-on, but isn't explicit about which plan. Below it is a link saying "Check out our Smart plans".

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/blackberry/for-you.jsp

When you actually go to the Smart plans page, they don't say anything about BlackBerry, even when you expand the plan details, and the list of Smartphones doesn't include BlackBerry.

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/plansOnAccount.jsp?plantype=mobile&billingMethod=onAccount&planSegmen...

Zeon

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Reply # 378937 12-Sep-2010 11:05

TBH I would avoid blackberries like the plague. They require their own proprietary email sync, their own data plans (which are heaps mroe expensive than normal plans) etc.

I'd go with Iphone or Android TBH

mainlydata

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Reply # 379248 13-Sep-2010 11:16

I think that you can now get BlackBerry service on top of a Smart plan for an additional $10.00 per month, but it really isn't easy to figure out on the Voda website that I can see.

This link tells you it is a $10 add-on, but isn't explicit about which plan. Below it is a link saying "Check out our Smart plans".

FWIW the $10 add-on was offered to my wife last week when a Vodafone dealer (forget which) was trying to sell her a new contract.

I agree Vodafone website is pitiful ... it's ever so slightly better than it used to be ... every so slightly.

Having said that I can see Blackberries on the VF website ...

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileListing.jsp?reset=true&categoryId=cat80064&manufacturerId=5100007&menuKey=mnit700021

I would be very interested in a current BB user commenting on this thread. One thing in particular I don't understand is what the hell is the $10 paying for (ie what is 'Blackberry Service') ?

I don't mind paying it but what am I getting for that I wouldn't get if I bought, say, a Nokia Smartphone and hooked it up to VF ?

VFNZPaulBrislen

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Reply # 379276 13-Sep-2010 12:54

The Blackberry service, from RIM, is a secure email connection. It's not akin to hooking up your Gmail account to your Nokia but rather is a managed service.

That's one of the reasons the govt departments around the world use it - ministries of defence and their ilk around the world use BBs because of this high level of security. complete with things like remote wipe, constant backup, encrypted handsets etc.

You'll have seen some noise lately about a couple of countries threatening to throw RIM out (UAE I think and India) because the level of security is such that they were concerned about people being able to do things without the govt being able to spy on their activities.

ahem.

That's what you're paying for...

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

raftcomm

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Reply # 381694 18-Sep-2010 21:05

(1) My current plan is Mega 20 on a 12 month contract. I understand I could have this on a Blackberry - but I need to purchase a specific Blackberry data plan as well? Is that right?

Yes thats correct. You will need to opt for the BIS addon which will cost over and above your current Mega recurring charges.

(2) Is there any benefit from buying it from Vodafone as opposed to just picking up a new one elsewhere? Does it come branded by Vodafone or something (which wouldn't bother me)?

The main benefit is that the device is all setup with the relevant Vodafone settings. Other than that, there is no other benefit.

(3) Regardless of which data plan I have, I heard that if you tether the device as a modem it doesn't compress the data (resulting in lower use) as it normally would if you were browsing direct from the device itself. Does that sound right?

I cant really confirm this one. When i tether through my BB, my data usage looks the same as the traffic i generate through the vodem.

(4) I use the FM radio on my Nokia quite a bit, and understand that the Blackberry doesn't come with one, is that right?

Correct.

I would recommend that you go onto the Smart plans. Signing up to the Smart 40 gives you 250MB. Add $10 more and you get the BIS service. You can sign up for this plan over the counter.

Hope that helps.

BigDave

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Reply # 381720 18-Sep-2010 22:11

Hi quickymart.

I think most users have now clued you in on the plans, the smart plans provide access to the bis service which is allows you upto 10 personal email accounts that can be configured over pop3 imap owa and web protocols.

As Paul mentioned before the blackberry devices and service are not even in the same ball park as the other Smartphones as they don't use the type of compression/encryption or push nature of email delivery. This in terms of what's in it for you?

The blackberry device is at the top of the pile for data efficiency so it's cost effective.

My views are mine and don't necessarily reflect that of my employer.

muppet

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Reply # 381732 18-Sep-2010 22:58

All I'd say is make sure you actually test/use a BlackBerry before you buy one. I've had two (both company ones) and as a consumer, I'd buy a lump of coal before I paid money for another Blackberry. I mean, they work, but they are so proprietary and the apps for them so clunky that they make a Sony Ericsson P800 look good.

They are excellent for email on the go though, there's nothing out there that beats them. If that's all your after, go for it. If you want a good _phone_ with decent apps, please test one before you part with any money!

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Starplay

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Reply # 381739 18-Sep-2010 23:53

quickymart: Over 120 views and no one has anything to say? Man, I wish JohnR was still around, I miss him :(

Sorry for being off topic... But I know! Is he going to come back at all?

BigDave

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Reply # 381793 19-Sep-2010 10:01

I'll have a chat to Johnr, but i think he was pretty disgruntled with some of the feedback he has gotten through here.

My views are mine and don't necessarily reflect that of my employer.

quickymart

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Reply # 386773 1-Oct-2010 14:52

A little bump here - thanks everyone for your help and comments so far, much appreciated.

*If* I was to get a Blackberry, it would be a 9700. I've used it and found it reasonably good.

Another query: I got a brochure in the mail from Vodafone the other night and there was a good plan that mentioned $10 a month for 1GB which is really good value...however I was slightly confused...can I just have any voice plan and add the $10 on top and away we go? Or is it not quite that simple? Sorry if that's repeating the same, I'm just a little confused by this brochure.

And if they made it with an FM radio, it would be awesome!

quickymart

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Reply # 387073 2-Oct-2010 11:13

Speaking of FM radio on the Blackberry, I did some Googling and found out this app called MobiVoice:

http://cellphones.lovetoknow.com/Listen_to_the_Radio_on_Your_Blackberry

Anyone had any experience with it on a Blackberry? Does it actually work?

BigDave

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Reply # 388213 5-Oct-2010 13:19

I havent used it myself, but then again I don't do alot of app purchases :) I am a cheapskate :")

if its free I'll give most apps a go :)

My views are mine and don't necessarily reflect that of my employer.