[Griz30]

My wife is wanting a new BB Storm 2 that she can use here in the states as well as overseas in Thailand. I know I need an unlocked phone to do this, but will verizon support an unlocked Blackberry that we can take the sim out of?? I am amatuer at this so explain as much as possible..thanks

[Motorcycle Mama]

On Verizon, you will be using the CDMA side of the device. So unlocking will not have any affect on that side. As long as the device is a Verizon branded device and the ESN is clear, you can use it on Verizon.

[MidnightDraven]

No.

[nathanl]

i used my phone in a Aruba and it cost a fortune be sure to shut off data transfer or your going to need a small loan lol

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by nathanl

i used my phone in a Aruba and it cost a fortune be sure to shut off data transfer or your going to need a small loan lol

Or, alternatively, when you're connected to a WiFi hotspot, turn off the Mobile Network, turn on Data Services and there's no charge at all.

[Griz30]

Ok...so let's say I am connected to verizon and I have an unlocked Blackberry Storm and I travel to Thailand. I should go to "manage my connections" and change it over to GSM??? I am like a real beginner at this and I don't want a hugh bill when I get back...what are my options? 1. go get a new sim when I arrive?
2. Then do's and don'ts??

[Motorcycle Mama]

What type of service will you be connecting to in Thailand? Does the carrier you will be using use SIM cards?

[JSanders]

If the user, your wife, will be in Thailand for extended trips, or often, she will want to get Verizon's international calling and/or data service. Then, she will connect in Thailand with GSM service. It's all according to what and how long she'll be there.

A trip for a couple of days, I'd do simply what I described a few posts above.

[Griz30]

No..we are going for 3 weeks at a time and Thailand uses a GSM service through prepaid sim cards. I guess I really don't know what to expect since I never done this before. I just bought her phone off Ebay so I won't put service on it till we get back..will it work?

[Motorcycle Mama]

If Thailand uses GSM, you will be able to use a prepaid SIM card to get voice and text. You will not be able to get any data service with that. And you will not be able to use any applications which use data.

You need to make sure that the device is unlocked before you go and then you will be fine.

And it will be fine when you get back and want to use it on Verizon.

[Griz30]

Cool thanks...I assume if I get to a Wifi spot she can use the data stuff then...

[Motorcycle Mama]

Maybe ... maybe not.

Data on a BlackBerry depends upon having the correct Service Books loaded. It you don't have the device active on Verizon with an active BlackBerry Data Plan, you may not be able to browser the internet over WiFi.

[Griz30]

How do the people overseas use their blackberrys? I know in thailand everything is prepaid...so it's not like they get a monthly data package. And where do I go to get the proper service books loaded in?

[JSanders]

Most carriers around the world do require a monthly contract. There are some, like O2 in Great Britain that allow prepaid data.

To the get service books, you'll need a blackberry data plan.

[Motorcycle Mama]

You get the Service Books from the carrier. If you don't have an active BlackBerry Data Plan, then you won't have them and BlackBerry Data features will not work even over WiFi.

You might want to consider looking into Verizon's Global Plans if data will be important to you. International Services

Alternately, if you know people who are currently using BlackBerry Data in Thailand, you might ask them from what carrier they obtained service.

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by JSanders

If the user, your wife, will be in Thailand for extended trips, or often, she will want to get Verizon's international calling and/or data service.

Originally Posted by Motorcycle Mama

You might want to consider looking into Verizon's Global Plans if data will be important to you. International Services

Good idea!

[Griz30]

Thanks Guys