Getting BES Service while on a BIS plan... is it possible?

**danfrancisco** · 08-18-2008, 10:57 PM

Hi all,

Ok, let me set up the scenario. My company offers two options for BB use. Get one of their handsets (usually the old side wheel ones) and they pay for the BES license and data usage (no SMS or additional mail services allowed) OR I can use my own phone, they'll pay for the BES license but I'm responsible for the data charges.

I decided to go with option 2 because I didn't want to have two phones and wanted a Pearl. So I got the Pearl about two months ago and got put on the $15 1.5 MB BB plan (BIS). In addition because I re-upped for another three years (boy do I regret that), they gave me three months of unlimited data. I then asked them that since it was basically a three month trial, could they please switch the BES option on. The rep said sure. So lo and behold, I'm on the $15/1.5 MB BIS plan with unlimited data *AND* I've got BES service. Life's good.

But now I'm onto my last month of the three month unlimited trial. I have to decide what I'm going to do now. BES data plans are clearly way more expensive so I was wondering if I could get away with signing up for the $30/6GB or see if there is a reasonable $15 plan out there yet still retain my BES service.

Is the BES service just a switch they flip? Nowhere on my bill does it say that I'm on BES. It only says I'm on the $15/1.5MB BB plan. Does anyone think that after my three month unlimited trial is up they'll remove the BES service? Does anyone know what the BES service looks like on a Rogers bill? Have I somehow found a loophole? If Rogers were to somehow announce a $15/100MB plan in the next month and I got it while somehow still keeping my BES service, I would be stoked! Anyone here have any insight as to how Rogers gave me my BES service without putting me on a BES plan?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

**hsumra** · 08-19-2008, 11:47 AM

Lowest BES plan available is $40, that will give you 7 MB...

There is a $45 options which is BES only for 300 MB...
BES is not just flipping a switch...
Rogers will probably not releasing a $15 100 MB options... and I would say it would not be BES! BES is very unique in pricing... You wont get BIS pricing on BES, sorry!

**danfrancisco** · 08-19-2008, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by hsumra

Lowest BES plan available is $40, that will give you 7 MB...

There is a $45 options which is BES only for 300 MB...
BES is not just flipping a switch...
Rogers will probably not releasing a $15 100 MB options... and I would say it would not be BES! BES is very unique in pricing... You wont get BIS pricing on BES, sorry!

Thanks for the input. If the BES option is not a "switch", than I'm wondering how my account is set up with a BIS plan while still getting BES service? Like I mentioned earlier, I'm not set up on a BES plan nor do the letters BES show up anywhere on my Rogers bill. I do have the license through my work though.

**hsumra** · 08-19-2008, 03:48 PM

In regards to you getting BES Services, I do not really have an explanation for that; however, it may only be included while you are on the 3 months of unlimited email...
How long have you been on BES?
Have you gotten any invoices since been on BES?

**danfrancisco** · 08-19-2008, 04:04 PM

I've been on BES since I got the Pearl. I've gotten two invoices since then and none of them reference any BES plans. It's really kind of strange. Not that I'm complaining

Nonetheless, I have to make plans for when the unlimited promotion runs out. The fact that there is no mention of BES on my account anywhere, leads me to believe that maybe I'll continue to have the service after the three month unlimited trial. Fingers crossed!

**frasereales** · 08-19-2008, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by danfrancisco

I've been on BES since I got the Pearl. I've gotten two invoices since then and none of them reference any BES plans. It's really kind of strange. Not that I'm complaining

Nonetheless, I have to make plans for when the unlimited promotion runs out. The fact that there is no mention of BES on my account anywhere, leads me to believe that maybe I'll continue to have the service after the three month unlimited trial. Fingers crossed!

What is your definition of BES? I have my Outlook mail from my office registered on my Blackberry on a BIS plan, using Outlook Web Access. I don't have access to server mail folders and wireless calendar sync, which are true BES features. If neither of those are a problem for you, then don't worry about it. I am really curious if you have the ability to wireless sync your calendar on BIS.

**hsumra** · 08-19-2008, 06:24 PM

Technically speaking, one should not be using BIS to access company email as BES provides better security/encryption...
The reason companies set people on BES is the security, also, if I adding something to the device calender it will not update your webmail calender... if you get an invite for a meeting on your berry it will update both webmail and the device; however, new entries only update the device, or webmail, not both...

In the end, no company paying out the cash to get a CAL to use BES would want you to use the less secure BIS...

**frasereales** · 08-19-2008, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by hsumra

Technically speaking, one should not be using BIS to access company email as BES provides better security/encryption...
The reason companies set people on BES is the security, also, if I adding something to the device calender it will not update your webmail calender... if you get an invite for a meeting on your berry it will update both webmail and the device; however, new entries only update the device, or webmail, not both...

In the end, no company paying out the cash to get a CAL to use BES would want you to use the less secure BIS...

I work for a small law office that doesn't have a BES server. I am the resident tech guy (for lack of a better term) and pretty much have permission to do whatever I want when it comes to networking and email on the work computers. I noticed that when Rogers upgraded to BIS 2.5, I was suddenly able to access my OWA email. Strange but true!

**danfrancisco** · 08-19-2008, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by frasereales

What is your definition of BES? I have my Outlook mail from my office registered on my Blackberry on a BIS plan, using Outlook Web Access. I don't have access to server mail folders and wireless calendar sync, which are true BES features. If neither of those are a problem for you, then don't worry about it. I am really curious if you have the ability to wireless sync your calendar on BIS.

I'm not sure what the definition of BES is but what I am capable of doing with my BB is sending/receiving company emails and synchronizing of my Lotus Notes calendar (including the ability to accept/decline/counter meeting invites). In other words, I do have access to server mail folders and wireless calendar sync.

It's such a mystery to me how I have access to these services yet aren't being billed a BES plan. Maybe it does have something to do with the BIS 2.5 upgrade that frasereales mentioned.

**mattburns9999** · 08-19-2008, 09:52 PM

I want my work email without being on BES. They use outlook, but u can only access it from work computers. How could I have the emails sent to my phone?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**frasereales** · 08-20-2008, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by blackberry9999

I want my ork emailk without being on BES. They use outlook, but u can only access it from work computers. How could I have the emails sent to my phone?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

You can set it up on the Rogers BIS site. Email server should be:

https://mail.domain.com/exchange