[fourstringfuror]

OP, I'm not sure why you are angry with BlackBerry, but as has been mentioned several times, BIS is required if you want to use your 9800 for more than phone calls and texting. Period. End of story. It has always been that way. Your 9800 manual doesn't tell you to configure a BIS account before setting up your mail because BIS is part of the activation process: it's accepted as fact that you will have done that before you even turn the device on. Do you understand? It's too bad your carrier and/or local dealer are either too stupid or dishonest to tell you that.

I am amazed you're willing to wait this long for a written explanation from you carrier about this situation. That alone should tell you the problem isn't with BlackBerry, but your carrier.