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09-21-2007, 07:33 AM
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#41
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Oct 2005
Model: 8220
Carrier: WiFi hotspot
Posts: 1,009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sgt_Strider
The review said that VOIP calls cannot be made over wifi. Does the reviewer mean that AT&T is using software to prevent VOIP packets from going through wifi? Or that there just aren't any softwares available for the BB to make VOIP calls?
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Software to make VOIP calls is not available.
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Does surfing the internet with wifi significantly faster than surfing over EDGE?
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Not much faster, not for me, at least. I have good GSM coverage where I live.
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I also heard that even if you connect the 8820 to an unsecure wifi network, the BB platform will still encrypt your connection so that your incoming and outgoing e-mails are protected.
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Yes, it does. Using blackberry over public or unsecure WiFi is much more secure that using these other WiFi devices that just transmit your emails cleartext.
If you have noticed, some ISPs started to address it, for these other WiFi devices, by switching their users to encrypted mail protocols.
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Since VOIP doesn't work at all over wifi, won't you still need the presence of a GSM network to make voice calls?
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This is correct.
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Is it possible to disable EDGE and GPRS and only use wifi for data services?
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It is possible, just disable 'Mobile Network' under 'Manage Connections.'
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09-21-2007, 07:35 AM
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#42
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Jan 2006
Model: 9550
OS: v5.0.0.32
Carrier: VZW
Posts: 126
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Until these WiFi BB's can do VoIP calls, they are worthless IMO. We have over 800 devices and if they supported VoIP, we could take advantage of our corporate WiFi connection and IP-PBX to make employee to employee calls while on the campus....for free. When we leave the office, calls are billed via the GSM network.
Greedy American companies......
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09-21-2007, 08:28 PM
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#43
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Knows Where the Search Button Is
Join Date: Sep 2007
Model: None
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Rogers Wireless
Posts: 34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Berry One
Software to make VOIP calls is not available.
Not much faster, not for me, at least. I have good GSM coverage where I live.
Yes, it does. Using blackberry over public or unsecure WiFi is much more secure that using these other WiFi devices that just transmit your emails cleartext.
If you have noticed, some ISPs started to address it, for these other WiFi devices, by switching their users to encrypted mail protocols.
This is correct.
It is possible, just disable 'Mobile Network' under 'Manage Connections.'
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So if someone makes a VOIP program for the BB, then technically it should work over wifi right?
If you disable mobile network, then will the BB still be able to make voice calls over GSM? I want the phone to only use GSM for voice calls and wifi for data services.
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09-22-2007, 07:06 AM
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#44
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Oct 2005
Model: 8220
Carrier: WiFi hotspot
Posts: 1,009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sgt_Strider
So if someone makes a VOIP program for the BB, then technically it should work over wifi right?
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Correct.
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If you disable mobile network, then will the BB still be able to make voice calls over GSM?
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It will not. Mobile Network is for both GSM and GPRS/EDGE. When you disable it you are left with WiFi only.
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I want the phone to only use GSM for voice calls and wifi for data services
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As long as your blackberry is near strong WiFi signal this is what it will be doing. You will only see data 'leaking' to GSM when WiFi is not available.
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09-23-2007, 08:56 PM
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#45
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: tri-state
Model: 9530
OS: 5.0.0.328
PIN: n/a
Carrier: tmob
Posts: 1,097
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Wirelessly posted (8100: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8100/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)
Not entirely sure of how this wifi BB thing works. i understand the @home tmo thing, but if i decided to buy an 8320, does that mean that the phone itself would not browse or communicate via wifi unless its thru an @home connection ? For example, my friend has a bar/restaurant that offers free wifi. i had brought my psp there once and was able to surf no problem. Would that be the same with the 8320 ?
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09-25-2007, 11:55 AM
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#46
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No longer Registered.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Model: 1
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Aircraft
Posts: 86
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I bought a WIFI phone for skype and was glad to get 50% of what I paid for it! Total junk! Couldn't hold a call for more than 30 secs.
I think the best idea is to just buy a USB VOIP phone, plug into laptop and use Skype. That should work anywhere I believe.
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09-25-2007, 01:43 PM
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#47
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: san francisco
Model: 8320
PIN: n/a
Carrier: t-mobile
Posts: 2,166
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Quote:
I want the phone to only use GSM for voice calls and wifi for data services
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It is possible to do what you want, I have mine set this way as well; go to Options -> Mobile Network and change the entry Connection Preferences to Mobile Network Only. You will now have voice via GSM only and data via WiFi (when connected). Data will fall back to the mobile network when WiFi is turned off or disappears.
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09-25-2007, 01:49 PM
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#48
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CrackBerry Addict
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dallas, TX
Model: Q10
OS: 10332129
Carrier: at&t
Posts: 504
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thank you. interesting, i don't seem to have the choices you described on my new at&t 8820. when i go to Options then Mobile Network, i only see two choices: (1) Data Services; and (2) Mobile Network: Cingular
Data Services is set to On. i can change it to Off or Off When Roaming.
if i click left of the pearl on Mobile Network: Cingular, my only choices are Help, Select, Diagnostics Test, Switch Application, and Close
any other ideas how i could accomplish what you're suggesting? thx much
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09-25-2007, 01:53 PM
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#49
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: san francisco
Model: 8320
PIN: n/a
Carrier: t-mobile
Posts: 2,166
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Quote:
Originally Posted by btaylor1
thank you. interesting, i don't seem to have the choices you described on my new at&t 8820. when i go to Options then Mobile Network, i only see two choices: (1) Data Services; and (2) Mobile Network: Cingular
Data Services is set to On. i can change it to Off or Off When Roaming.
if i click left of the pearl on Mobile Network: Cingular, my only choices are Help, Select, Diagnostics Test, Switch Application, and Close
any other ideas how i could accomplish what you're suggesting? thx much
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My statement above was based on the 8320, so I'm not sure what's available on the 8820 in this regards. I will however relate a mishap of mine that ended up with my 8320 "missing" the menu items like you see -- I used the Switch Device wizard coming from an 8100 and it killed all my UMA controls on the new 8320. I had to wipe the device and start over (without using the wizard) to get my UMA control elements back on the phone.
Do other people with 8820 devices see this menu option in the Mobile Network screen?
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09-25-2007, 08:57 PM
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#50
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: So Cal
Model: 9000
Carrier: TMo/AT&T/Voda/3HK
Posts: 63
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I have tried various OS versions on the 8820 and I have not seen the option mentioned above. I have only Data Services (on/off), Mobile Network (carrier name) and Network Selection Mode (automatic/manual).
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Using 8220/9530/9000/8120/8820/8320/8800c/8100t/8700v/8900/9630
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10-03-2007, 09:15 AM
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#51
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Model: 8900
Carrier: TMO
Posts: 5
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I apologize if this has been covered already; I did not have time to read the entire thread, but one item caught my eye.
I recently moved from the 8100 to the 8320 on TMO. When making the purchase they offered me the "opportunity" to pay an additional $9.99 a month for the wifi service which I declined as it did not seem worth the cost. When I got home I was able to successfully connect to my network through wifi, and make and receive calls even though I had the "Mobile Network" turned off in the Manage Connections screen.
So unless I am mis-understanding the functionality of the connection manager, it seems possible to make calls through wifi without the additional TMO plan.
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10-03-2007, 02:33 PM
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#52
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BBF Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2005
Model: Z30
OS: 10.2.1.x
PIN: s & needles
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 34,720
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Yes, I connect to my wifi and I don't have the additional hotspot @ home service. This additional service just gives you 'unlimited' wifi calling. Without the H@H service your wifi minutes are deducted from your regular minute plan.
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10-03-2007, 05:26 PM
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#53
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Dec 2006
Model: dr01d
OS: FroYo
Carrier: Verizon (LTE!)
Posts: 335
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Clark
Yes, I connect to my wifi and I don't have the additional hotspot @ home service. This additional service just gives you 'unlimited' wifi calling. Without the H@H service your wifi minutes are deducted from your regular minute plan.
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So calls are available through the WiFi without the @home hotspot server BUT they are normal minutes?
I just got my wife a Curve (upgraded from a 7100) and it is accessing our home WiFi awesome. The emails, SMSs, and MMSs are going through like lightning! I assumed the calls would still be dropping in some rooms though whenever the tower wasn't in a clear line of sight.
If the calls are still going to use the WiFi without the @home hotspot service then I REALLY want a WiFi capable BB!
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10-03-2007, 05:36 PM
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#54
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BBF Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2005
Model: Z30
OS: 10.2.1.x
PIN: s & needles
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 34,720
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That's correct.
Dropped calls on UMA can be attributed to router settings usually. See the wifi faq's at Main Page - BlackBerryFAQ for proper settings for your router. If you router doesn't have the settings then a firmware upgrade may be necessary or worst case, you'll need a different router.
You should be able to initiate calls on UMA/WIFI and they should transfer seamlessly to EDGE if you leave wifi coverage.
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10-03-2007, 06:16 PM
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#55
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Dec 2006
Model: dr01d
OS: FroYo
Carrier: Verizon (LTE!)
Posts: 335
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I had done the "switch blackberry" from her old 7100 to the new curve so it did not give me the "UMA". I am getting it all setup again right now though (and UMA seems to be working).
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10-04-2007, 06:07 AM
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#56
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Dec 2006
Model: dr01d
OS: FroYo
Carrier: Verizon (LTE!)
Posts: 335
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Its all fast now - SMS, MMS, Internet, and PHONE! I am pretty jealous of it....anyone want to buy a pearl or trade it for a curve?
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11-11-2007, 09:20 AM
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#57
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Nov 2007
Model: Bold
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Rogers
Posts: 109
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Our offices are all Wi-Fi enabled, and from an analysis we did the vast majority of our BB users' phone calls and BB emails are being made within our offices, so for us being able to use Wi-Fi instead of the cell network is a natural.
HSPDA is a non-issue for us, as data service cost is what's driving our decision, not bandwidth. Using a rock-solid Wi-Fi network versus a spotty/slow cell network for voice and data services is a big plus too.
In my opinion the Wi-Fi hardware and UMA/GAN support of the 8820 and 8320 are really "next generation" even though RIM doesn't advertise it as such. I think that position will be much easier to see a year from now with more/better UMA/GAN providers and lots of software written to take advantage of Wi-Fi.
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11-22-2007, 10:47 PM
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#58
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New Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Model: 8820
PIN: N/A
Carrier: ATT
Posts: 2
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Just got an 8820 here. I find the main use of WiFi for when I am in areas with poor cellular data coverage such as in my office or quite a few companies I visit that don't get a good signal in the building. Allows me to send/receive emails during meetings.
Also find it very useful in hotels when travelling abroad to use IM+ Skype to make calls to landlines for low rate (EDGE/GPRS isn't really fast enough for good SkypeOut audio in my opinion from experiencing).
Really hoping they will enable SIP on the device (like the older wifi-only 7270 had) instead of just UMA since only TMo in the US has UMA services.
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11-23-2007, 12:56 AM
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#59
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Pattaya,Thailand
Model: 9900
Carrier: T-mobile,AIS,Globe
Posts: 147
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tahoe_jeeper
Also find it very useful in hotels when travelling abroad to use IM+ Skype to make calls to landlines for low rate (EDGE/GPRS isn't really fast enough for good SkypeOut audio in my opinion from experiencing).
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You've had a good audio connection on wifi with the IM+ Skype? I've used the EDGE and also found the audio lacking. I've just picked up a 8320 and will be trying in on wifi in Japan tomorrow.
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11-23-2007, 12:57 PM
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#60
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Nov 2007
Model: 9800
PIN: N/A
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 58
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IM+ for Skype isn't using data for the voice call -- it's sending you to a GSM gateway. Even GPRS is more than enough bandwidth for the signalling data that gets the standard GSM call going.
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