BB Minutes & Mail Plan (with non-BB phones)

[mixinluv2u]

I currently have the grandfathered BB Minutes and Mail plan (1000 anytime minutes/unlimited text/unlimited data for $60), which I am very reluctant on giving it up.

It seems like if I upgrade my phone through t-mobile they are forcing me to switch to their newer plans one way or the other, Blackberries or not.

If I get a new phone myself, will I be able to just stay on this plan and have it function correctly? What if I get a phone that's not a Blackberry?

[Myveggies]

That is not true unless it's a VERY recent policy change.

My brother just updated from the Curve to the 9700 on 1/23/2010 and was able to grandfathered his old plan and cost.

You will have to extend your contract though for two years.

[mixinluv2u]

Did your brother have the Minute&Mail plan?

I had 2 different customer service rep checked for me and they both said it's forcing me to add the "required data plan" if I upgrade to BB9700.

I asked if I can keep my plan if I get the phone elsewhere (like eBay or craigslist or what not) and they said yes.

Which leads me to my other question, if I get a phone elsewhere, like say Nexus One unlocked from google and paid full price. Can I just swap the sim card over and use my current Blackberry Minute&Mail plan for the 1000 minutes plus unlmited text/data?

[Myveggies]

Originally Posted by mixinluv2u

Did your brother have the Minute&Mail plan?

You had a plan that included everything for one price instead of voice + add-ons? You might want to wait for someone who's more knowledgeable about the inner workings of that to help you then.

My brother had the $39.99 1000 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and weekend. $19.99 BIS and $4.99 for 400 texts.

I don't know why they won't let you upgrade and keep plan if you are willing to extend your contract. It makes sense you have to swith to EM+ if you are currently off contract and stills wants to remain off contract.

[mixinluv2u]

When I signed up for the plan originally, it was listed as $59.99 for 1000 minutes + unlimited text and data. But when the rep read back to me of what my plan entails, she read it as $39.99 for 1000 minutes + $20 for unlimited text and data.

[NorrisCell]

This is a tough situation. In certain instances, the system forces a rate plan swap, which I do not feel is fair. In most cases though, I've been able to bypass the mandatory plan switch on upgrades I have done in person. I have also checked into a couple forum members' accounts in order to verify their ability to keep grandfathered data. If you would like a sure answer, forward me your name and cell number in a direct email and I will see if it is possible.

As far as the Nexus, recently myself and other subscribers have not been able to use their SIM card with a BB plan in Android or smartphone devices and have data access. There does not seem to be a pattern though, because some users here have no trouble switching phones.