Need Some Help With service...

jkool · Thread Author #1 08-12-2010, 04:47 PM

First of all I am new here so HI all!

I was given a suggestion to post this here so I am. I hope someone can help?

OK...I just got a Blackberry 8520 T-Mobile (I live in the U.S.) My GF is canceling service so I wont have any phone soon. I did unlock it so that is good I thought?

I looked all over for cheap service since I am a single dad & take care of my son & handicapped mother & unemployed right now.

I would like it for minimal phone use & texting. Data is optional.

I saw Straight talk...gotta use their phones...(YUK)

I thought I found the perfect solution with page plus until I found the only phone you cant use is a blackberry...Grrrrrrrr!

Then I saw Virgin Mobile.....they informed me I must use their phone ONLY!

This was my first Blackberry & I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

I hate to give it up. Is there any options I have for inexpensive service.

I really liked the no contracts, no sign up fee, 1000+ minutes & texting.

Like I said...Data is optional.

Thank you so much in advance.

JKL

K Bear · #2 08-12-2010, 05:28 PM

If your phone is truly unlocked, then you do not have to have anything other than voice on your phone. If you are looking for pre-paid, you can look at the T-Mobile Complete packages or one of the lowest EM+ plans.

Armando175 · #3 08-12-2010, 05:29 PM

Welcome to CB! Your best solution is Simple Mobile (click here). If you're Blackberry is unlocked, all you need is a SIM card from them. They're GSM and they piggyback on the T-Mobile network. No contracts to worry about and you can bring unlocked GSM phones. You'll get unlimited nationwide talk and text for $40. You're Blackberry won't be able to get e-mail, BBM, MMS, some apps, and anything that requires the data package. I've never used them but check them out. I hope I have helped you in some way.

From Simple Mobile website: B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Phone). No need to buy a new phone if you already have an unlocked compatible GSM phone. Simply purchase our SIM card, pick a plan and insert into your own GSM phone. It's that simple!

*Please note: Full Blackberry BIS services and MMS coming soon!

Currently supported on Blackberry is Web access via Opera Mini browser and Gmail via the Gmail application. Instant Messaging and Social Network services are not currently supported but will be available at BIS launch.

Sidekick supports Talk & Text only. (No Web or MMS)

jkool · Thread Author #4 08-12-2010, 08:46 PM

THANK YOU! Funny, I just stumbled on them before I read your post!

Seems like a good deal. I dont have data now with T-Mobile but I can access yahoo mail & local weather free through web2go from them which was nice.

It's a shame a few other plans would be about 10 to 15 bucks cheaper but then I would need a new phone.

Oh...it also seems like you have to pay Simple Mobile a $12 sim card fee.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NorrisCell · #5 08-13-2010, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Bear

If you are looking for pre-paid, you can look at the T-Mobile Complete packages or one of the lowest EM+ plans.

TMO Complete is just EM+ packaged with a phone already.

Artemis68 · #6 08-13-2010, 08:13 AM

SimpleMobile is a good choice. The only bad thing is that their "unlimited data" is not unlimited. They shut your data plan down if you go over 1GB in a month.

If you never hit 1GB and are okay without push email/BBM, I say go for it!

K Bear · #7 08-13-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artemis68

SimpleMobile is a good choice. The only bad thing is that their "unlimited data" is not unlimited. They shut your data plan down if you go over 1GB in a month.

If you never hit 1GB and are okay without push email/BBM, I say go for it!

That's when WiFi comes in handy. Having the 8520 means he has a WiFi option, but will not have UMA.

Norris- your right about the T-Mobile complete. My bad.

Artemis68 · #8 08-13-2010, 10:28 PM

Yeah as long as the OP watches his data usage and makes sure to use wifi for stuff for streaming, SimpleMobile is fine.

I also wanted to add that SimpleMobile, unlike T-Mo, does not have roaming agreements with ATT. You are limited only to T-Mo native network and cannot roam at all. Not sure if that's a problem for you but just check native T-Mo coverage in your area, not counting any ATT-roaming areas.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

jkool · Thread Author #9 08-13-2010, 10:55 PM

as MY luck would have it....

After a week of all day & late night homework, thinking I finally found a solution with simple mobile.....

Everything just got flushed down the toilet!

My GF (soon to be ex) needs the phone back as well. So No more Blackberry!

Now I am at the very beginning again!

I thank you all so much for your help.

I am gonna end up with some crap flip phone from the 90's just to have some sort of service.

It sucks...I went from a sony erricson to that blackberry & that was my first taste of "high end" now I get it taken away and got to step back to a non smart phone!

The irony of it!