A Smartphone with a regular voice plan?

[Aspyred]

Hey guys,

I've been using a freebie phone with Telus for a while now (in Canada), looking to switch out to Rogers. Anyway, I was looking at some phones for my soon-to-be new plan, and amongst the smaller, sleeker Sony and Motorola cell phones (ie. the S500i or the newer RAZR's), I noticed the sleek Blackberry 8800.



Now, I basically have no need for a data plan whereby I need to send e-mail or connect to any sort of corporate database, but I won't lie to you, the QWERTY keyboard (for texting) and the sleek design of the 8800 sold me, despite the absolute waste of how this sounds (and is).

I know Rogers is a GSM carrier, which with my newbie knowledge, allows me to, for example, purchase an 8800 over eBay (as long as it is either #1: unlocked or #2: on Rogers), sign up with Rogers, slot my new SIM card with the ported number of my previous Telus account, and be off?

I know it seems like a waste without a data plan of any kind, but speaking with a representative at a Rogers kiosk, he said it's very possible to get a smartphone and sign up with just a normal voice plan. But what else am I missing here? I know functions like e-mail or what have you will not work, but is there something else to all this? It's just the other cellphones don't enthuse me as much as this sleek body of a phone. If anyone wants to convince me otherwise with a nice 'normal' cellphone, have at it -- I'm on the fence here.

Also, one more thing. I know the expensive (upcoming?) Blackberry 8820 has built-in Wi-Fi, but I don't understand how great this is for smartphones. I mean, it's not like the iPhone where you have the 'full' web browsing experience, no? What makes integrated wi-fi, a) that alluring? b) that expensive?

As always, I appreciate your guys' support : ) .

(I realize there has been another thread posted about a similiar issue.)

[NetBrakr]

Hello and welcome to Brighthand.

It sounds like smartphone isn't for you, because you are looking for something more basic.

I have the Palm Treo 680 Smartphone, and I don't have any data plan because it is too expensive ($40 per month). But I used it a lot, tasks, memos, documents, music, video, camera, games etc. If the 680 have WiFi, I would like it much better, because as a college student, I used the internet a lot for research, IMs, emailing, or just simply browsing the web. I am getting another device (Palm Tungsten C) for those stuffs. Again, it would be have great if the 680 got WiFi, all-in-one device.

If you don't want to do all of those stuffs, then the smartphone isn't for you. Just get a regular cell phone.

Capt. JC

[Antoine Wright]

For the most part, carriers will not sell you a smartphone without a data plan. I would recommend getting a high end feature phone instead of a smartphone as you get some of the PIM benefits, and no possible carrier issues.

BBs are a different beast, as moreso than a data plan, carriers usually won't sell one without a BB specific plan. If you really need calendaring, etc. a BB is not the best in that area - though reading again it just seems that you want the feel of the hardware moreso than the ability of the device.

You can purchase an unlocked device on places such as eBay, MobilePlanet, etc. and that would work. But you have to ensure that you disable any means for your device not to go online.

[Aspyred]

Firstoff, I appreciate your guys' prompt and helpful replies : ) .

In terms of Wi-Fi, I'm planning on getting an iPod Touch in the near future for my internet needs, reason for that is I am on campus where Wi-Fi coverage is available (though I'll need some hack to authenticate my college login), but I'd much rather have the 'full' browsing experience. I've seen some of the internet pages on smartphones, and they all look rather dumbed down to be honest (unless you guys advise me otherwise).

I'd like the Blackberry as a daily organizer, and though the Treo is definitely a viable option in that category, AWright would be right that I just love the look and 'feel' (well, I have yet to truly feel it) of the BB.

And AWright, you mentioned "You can purchase an unlocked device on places such as eBay, MobilePlanet, etc. and that would work. But you have to ensure that you disable any means for your device not to go online."

I'm not sure I know what that means. I'm going to ask another Rogers representative soon, but I *can* purchase an 8800 over eBay (hopefully for no more than $200 CAD) that is either unlocked/on a Rogers network, sign up for a new account with a new SIM card and slot that baby in, right?

Since you guys clearly seem like you know what you're talking about, what else would I have to consider to make sure this eBay'ed 8800 would work on the Rogers network without too much hassle? To this point, I've only ever had el-cheapo phones that Telus has given me for free on a 2-3 year term on a Family Plan. So I'll be the first to admit I know very little about all this.

And NetBrakr, thanks for the warm welcome . Otherwise, to be frank with all of you, the BB is just dead sexy, and while I could easily just get a cellphone, I can't help taking my eyes off this thing. If any of you watch Entourage (I'm a big fan), it's apparently the mobile phone of choice during the last season.

[NetBrakr]

I'm not sure I know what that means. I'm going to ask another Rogers representative soon, but I *can* purchase an 8800 over eBay (hopefully for no more than $200 CAD) that is either unlocked/on a Rogers network, sign up for a new account with a new SIM card and slot that baby in, right?

Yes, all you need to do is to buy an "unlock" version and just put the SIM card in, and you should good to go.

Since you guys clearly seem like you know what you're talking about, what else would I have to consider to make sure this eBay'ed 8800 would work on the Rogers network without too much hassle?

Well its depends on what are you doing on the device. Every smartphone have the basic daily orangizer.

Capt. JC

[Adama D. Brown]

And AWright, you mentioned "You can purchase an unlocked device on places such as eBay, MobilePlanet, etc. and that would work. But you have to ensure that you disable any means for your device not to go online."

I'm not sure I know what that means.

Most carriers will let you access the internet on a mobile device even if you're not signed up for a data plan. Catch is, they tend to charge ridiculous prices, like $15 per megabyte. If you don't get a data plan, you should make sure internet access on your account is locked out, so that you don't accidently get online and end up with a nasty surprise on your phone bill.

[Aspyred]

Yes, all you need to do is to buy an "unlock" version and just put the SIM card in, and you should good to go.

I sound redundant, I know, but I just want to make sure -- it also works if the phone is on the Rogers network, yes? Like for example, an eBay entry that says something like: "BLACKBERRY 8800 ROGERS PDA PHONE /with EXTRA ACCESSORIE".

Otherwise, one of the reasons I'd like to do this is that I have a Rogers Corporate Plan I'm eligible for. My plan was to basically buy the 8800 off eBay at a decent price+shipping, port my Telus number (I have like days left on my service agreement), get signed onto a normal voice plan with Rogers and then do the paperwork to get signed onto this funny Corporate Plan.

Though it does offer a Corporate 25 MB Blackberry Data Plan available ($55.45/month CAD before taxes), as you guys can tell, I wouldn't be able to justify the extra cost, cost of the phone through them aside.

In terms of cost, I'm hopin' for:

• Unlocked/Rogers networked BlackBerry 8800 for $200 CAD (shipping incl.)
• Port the Telus number for $15
• Sign onto the Corporate Voice Plan for $27.95 (250 Any-Time minutes, System Access, 911 @ 1 year term), includes basic Voice Mail, things like Call Display/Forwarding/Waiting, No Answer/Busy Transfer, Group Calling
• Add unlimited evenings (6 PM) and weekends for $7 and some text message bundle (20% discount).

So essentially, $200 for the phone, and thereafter, a bill of approx. $40 CAD before any applicable taxes. If I could get your guys' opinions, does that sound reasonable/good deal/what have you?

And I appreciate the forewarning there, Adama . I wouldn't want to log onto some image-intensive website, just to accrue $3-5 in charges right there, if not more.

EDIT: You guys have been absolutely awesome so far. Just thought I'd add that in there (reputation wise as well)!

[Adama D. Brown]

I sound redundant, I know, but I just want to make sure -- it also works if the phone is on the Rogers network, yes? Like for example, an eBay entry that says something like: "BLACKBERRY 8800 ROGERS PDA PHONE /with EXTRA ACCESSORIE".

Yes. If it's locked to Rogers, it will work fine for you. The only way it doesn't work is if you try to use a locked phone on a different network.

So essentially, $200 for the phone, and thereafter, a bill of approx. $40 CAD before any applicable taxes. If I could get your guys' opinions, does that sound reasonable/good deal/what have you?

Looks reasonable to me--though you make no mention of minutes, $40 is a pretty reasonable bill for basic service plus text and extended nights and weekends even if the minutes were low.

[Aspyred]

Great, absolutely great to hear, Adama! Wow, with all that flexibility that GSM provides, I don't know why I was on a CDMA carrier to begin with.

Otherwise, the Any-Time minutes for that plan are 250 per month. I think I'm good to go, though (!), I did make a pit stop at a Rogers and Telus kiosk earlier today just to see the sexy Blackberry, and Telus intrigued me with the Treo 755p.

It's nowhere as sleek as the BB, but what attracted me was the scheduler (the rep there said it was much more colorful, useful and distinct than the BB), the Treo is cheaper, and the fact you can create Microsoft Office documents on the device.

As a student herself, she said she uses that to make her notes (which to be sounded a bit ridiculous, someone typing incessantly into a smartphone during class seems a bit...much), but it does sound that much more convenient. I'm not sure if that's a big selling feature or not, but, it's definitely something. I would, of course, still stick with Rogers, but the phone itself...hm.

Otherwise, I'm good to go, I can't wait to get this baby into my hands. Thanks again for your guys' support.

[Adama D. Brown]

I'm not even sure why CDMA carriers exist.

One note is that there isn't a direct equivalent of the Palm 755p on GSM. The closest relative is the 680, which lacks the high-speed internet, but then that's not a consideration for you anyway.

It's true that the Garnet OS that the 755/680 run is somewhat more robust than the Blackberry platform. The Blackberry is designed first and foremost as an email device, with other considerations secondary. As such, it doesn't have the more extensive software options that can be found on Garnet and Windows Mobile.