[egomez]

Hi guy, I just orderd a 7100i and I had some questions. Right now I have a Nextel i880, I understand that in order to get emails, and use the net I have to have the BB Data Service Plan from Nextel. For the time being can use the phone without the bb service? Will I still be able to send and receive regular phone calls and regular text messages?

Thanks in advance,
Eric

[JSanders]

Eric, yes. Without the BB Data Plan, you have a phone and SMS message ability.

[buzzmaker]

Word of Caution. Once you upgrade to the data plan, Nextel/Sprint wont let you use the phone without the data plan. I tried to have the 49.99 extra taken off for a few months and I was told I can't do that while I use the phone. I was not in a contract.

[cek151]

Originally Posted by buzzmaker

Word of Caution. Once you upgrade to the data plan, Nextel/Sprint wont let you use the phone without the data plan. I tried to have the 49.99 extra taken off for a few months and I was told I can't do that while I use the phone. I was not in a contract.

i think that's alot of bull if they told you that.

[finch]

No bull, NEXTEL requires BlackBerry users to have a data plan if you don't they'll add the base plan in most cases without notice.

Originally Posted by cek151

i think that's alot of bull if they told you that.

[egomez]

Thank you guys for the info! I apreaciate it.

[BallHawk3]

Yes they require you to have the bb plan.

What's the way around it? Take your i880 sim card and put it in the 7100i. I think the 128k sims(black sim card) work in the 7100i. But normally the 7100i comes with a 64k sim (yellow).

Phone calls should work........but here's the BIG BUT having no BB data plan means NO SERVICE BOOK. No service book means no SMS. You won't be able text message unless you somehow manage to put the SMS service book on the phone somehow. You can normally accomplish this by adding the data plan, get the service books then remove the data plan. Now just make sure you never remove the service book which means not updating or reloading software.

Honestly, there's no point in using a bb if you don't have the data plan. Why have it then? Just get a regular phone

[Tritan]

Originally Posted by egomez

Thank you guys for the info! I apreaciate it.

You can use the phone as a pda. I have been doing that for a week just to see if I can get used to the extra bulk , i have an 880 also. Its hard giving up the form factor but you gain alot more phone with features. With my work they will pay 35.00 of any phone plan i pick. I get the data for 39.95 added to the 55.00 nextel plan plus tax and insurance brings my bill to 60.00 a month.. ouch.

[egomez]

Your right, the direct connect and phone works but I cannot send texts. I totally agree Ballhawk, I know that I am not using the bb to its full potential; the thing is that my i880 is broken, and I got this phone for free from my brotherxxx8230; I only use the i880 for personal use (phone calls, direct connect and text messaging), never any internet or emailxxx8230; So the 50 bucks extra monthly really isnxxx8217;t worth it for me.
Is there any way to get the service book without adding the data plan? Maybe using a PC to upload it or something?

Thanks guys any help would be greatly appreciatedxxx8230;

Eric

[rnwjr]

I have a 7100i as well and just switched the sim cards... One thing I have noticed is no SMS and each month I use $5 to $15 worth of data and actually don't even have browser so I am not sure what is using data... Anyone else experience this?

[stonent]

The phone is desperately trying to connect up to the blackberry network. That's why.

[rnwjr]

Aaah... Is there any way to disable this action?

[wirzy79]

I am wondering why nextel hasn't added this to me. I am on a corporate plan, and registered the new phone with them, and the office is twittling their thumbs with the data plan. Even the guy I spoke with was surprised they didn't add it yet. I want them to add it.....