Curve 8530 with Virgin Mobile

[N467RX]

Ok, so here's the current scenario.

I have a Nextel i1, which for the most part works ok, but the data is very slow and battery life is poor. Even a simple task like putting something on twitter or a facebook status can take 5 minutes, or can't be done at all. Oh, and the i1 is running Android 1.6 which means I can't get a lot of newer apps. Most of the times I've needed something from the internet or an email I've been better off asking for someone's 3G phone and checking it out. I couldn't even load a flight tracker when I needed it, the phone kept on acting up.

I still have 1 more year left on my contract, and with the price of their phones, buying the 8350i or their new Android phone means I gotta pay $400. Since I have heard mixed reports about the iDEN network, I don't want to spend that much money on a phone.

Now, I have full roaming in Mexico (which I need) with the i1, and direct connect, which works good and I do use it. At the same time, almost my whole family has some form of BB device with BBM.

So I'm looking at simply having two phones, the i1 and a prepaid BB with data, mostly for data and some messaging.

-Is the Virgin 8530 full 3G or are there any restrictions? I know they use a 3G chipset (which makes them way better than the EDGE-limited 8520s)
-Does Virgin allow to bring phones from outside the network? let's say a Curve 3G or better that I get from eBay or newegg or something like that?
-Are there any known issues with the email or BBM? I do plan on getting the BB addon to have full service, as I really want the phone for data more than calls.
-How good/bad is the battery life?

I know VM doesn't have roaming, but I think I'll be good with the Sprint network, plus, I'd still have my Nextel. And if else fails, good old ham radio.

[BBFXPro777]

1. The 8530 uses full 3G.

2. Virgin will not allow you to bring in another phone unless it is Virgin Mobile-branded.

3. Email and BBM are the same with any Blackberry. Also, there is no additional charge for BIS service.

4. With moderate use and content encryption enabled, the battery lasts me up to about a day. Without content encryption, 2 days is achievable. But remember, it's how you use it.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com