Need help choosing new BB

[j4clark]

I currently have a BB 8830 on the Bell Canada network and want to upgrade to a newer phone. I am trying to get straight info on which new phone will work best in the US as I travel a lot. From what I can tell - the newest phones like the 9700 are on the new HSP network in Canada which means GSM in the US (which carrier?) and the Tour is still a CDMA phone which means it will be CDMA in the US (Verizon?).

My 8830 has always had excellent coverage in the US compared to my collegues GSM phones - being CDMA. I am trying to make a good choice for travel between the 9700 (or 9000) and the Tour - any help would be appreicated.

I've been going through the forums without success trying to piece together the info I need.

[sedalia066]

Being a 9000 owner I am prejudiced toward both the 9000 and 9700. A lot depends on coverage.

ATT is GSM. Verizon and T-Mobile are CDMA. If CDMA equivalent is good in your home area I'd lean to a CDMA phone for what may be best overall service in US surveys

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[rainor94]

Buy the Blackberry 9700 best blackberry so far. There is no reason to get a CDMA phone. in the US the phone will roam on AT&T and T-Mobile. (the post above is incorrect) I have never had any coverage problems when going to the US but when my family and I traveled with some friends and they had bell cdmi phone, they tried to roam on Verizon and it had no signal where we were. The location was pretty remote and it was an emergency as the rental car had died. In the end they borrowed a GSM phone which had service and was roaming on AT&T.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Want2CBetter]

T-Mobile is NOT CMDA, T-Mobile is GSM. T-Mobile and AT&T carry the 9700 (I have Tmo) and coverage can be excellent but is spotty in some areas of the us. Each of them have coverage maps on their web sites. I would suggest you check the coverage before you buy. Verizon is CMDA and has the Tour (9630) - you may find better coverage with them. Sprint is also CMDA but their coverage lacks as well. If you go the Verizon route, I would suggest waiting until the Essex (or the Tour 2) comes out in late Jan or Feb of this year.

I personally have the 9700 and LOVE it. It is by far the best Blackberry out right now.