Prepaid Options: CDMA vs GSM

[kgirl06]

I'm pretty sure that this question has been answered in bits and pieces. I've been browsing through the forums and kinda/sorta have some of the information figured out, but still would like some sort of a straight answer.

I have a Sprint BB Curve 8900, and an AT&T Bold 9000. I know Sprint is CDMA, and I'm pretty sure AT&T is GSM. What are my options as far as unlocking or flashing to a prepaid plan? Preferably Boost or Virgin, but anything that actually works in southern Texas would be fine, but I need the Internet-based apps to work, too. I've read about some people flashing over to a different provider and having their apps not working.

Much thanks if you can give me a straight answer!

[ridesno159]

First of all, you don't have a Sprint 8900. That's a GSM device like the 9000. Go to Options> About, for device model.

Internet is difficult here in the US for prepaid plans. You can't get a BlackBerry Data Plan on a prepaid plan here. Your 9000, once unlocked, would be able to use wifi for internet, but many of the standard BlackBerry apps will NOT work (email, BBM, FaceBook, Yahoo IM, Windows Live, etc...) Not sure which Curve you have for Sprint, the only one with wifi is the 8530 though, and that can't be unlocked. Maybe flashed but not sure who would accept it anyway.

Boost does offer BlackBerry's now, but I think they require you to use their own 8330 to get a few of the BlackBerry services. Not sure if they allow flashed phones on their network anymore.

Not sure about Virgin...

[live420]

I'm on tmobile flex plan an I use a BB curve 8520 for about 2 years. Unlimited everything I don't know about sprint but at&t have prepaid plans that you can add internet but there plans are weird an so are their rules I was told their are ways for you to put a blackberry on a prepaid plan by changing your sim card once you've had it on for period of time with their normal prepaid plan but don't quiot me on that I'm not sure you should ask AT&T but as for my flex it just like q regular plan an its perfect for me check it out

[kgirl06]

You're right, my Curve is an 8330; should have double-checked that before posting.

Thank you for the responses; it's looking like I'm just going to have to get a new phone. Kinda sucks, but oh well. I'm too addicted to the Blackberry to switch over to anything else. :-)

[ridesno159]

Well a new phone isn't a bad thing but...

You should look into the flex plan that live420 suggested on Tmobile. If you unlocked your 9000 that would work fine on that plan. Your Bold wouldn't get 3G service but EDGE gets the job done.

I know Boost offers the 8330 on their plans which are very cheap. Their plan does offer some BlackBerry services but not all, I'm not sure what they offer though. Something else to look into.

[Blackberry Buddha]

I have heard that it is possible to flash your 8330 to cricket without some services. Boost does offer unlimited everything but you are required to buy their 8330. Does virgin use sim cards?

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[CarrierUnlock]

Sprint doesn't carry a 8900, but you have a better chance of getting the Sprint device flashed over to either one of those two networks. As far as the native services working. I haven't heard of too many with a success.

[kathleenp980]

Originally Posted by ridesno159

First of all, you don't have a Sprint 8900. That's a GSM device like the 9000. Go to Options> About, for device model.

Internet is difficult here in the US for prepaid plans. You can't get a BlackBerry Data Plan on a prepaid plan here. Your 9000, once unlocked, would be able to use wifi for internet, but many of the standard BlackBerry apps will NOT work (email, BBM, FaceBook, Yahoo IM, Windows Live, etc...) Not sure which Curve you have for Sprint, the only one with wifi is the 8530 though, and that can't be unlocked. Maybe flashed but not sure who would accept it anyway.

Boost does offer BlackBerry's now, but I think they require you to use their own 8330 to get a few of the BlackBerry services. Not sure if they allow flashed phones on their network anymore.

Not sure about Virgin...

Thanks you for the post.

[BiafraRepublic]

I happen to use Virgin. They do require you to use their Curve 8530 coupled with one of their three Beyond Talk plans and pay an extra $10/month on top of your plan for BIS/AppWorld/etc.; however, the plans start at $25/mo before the aforementioned add-on and come with 300 anytime minutes and Unlimited data/web/sms/mms/etc., so it's not entirely onerous.

Also, Virgin is a CDMA carrier, so no SIM cards.

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