hi..I want to purchase an 8830 for strictly overseas use as I am relocating to the middle east..can I purchase the phone and use it with another carrier in the middle east? The phone is not offered there as of yet..thanks
Hi there, I live in New Zealand and they have just brought out the 8830 World Edition and advised that these will work on CDMA or GSM networks anywhere in the world - it will just be the cost of calls and data that will be high.
If the Middle Eastern networks are GSM GPRS EDGE providers it might be best to buy a GSM device.
Can a CDMA device use a local sim or would you have to use a sim with your carrier on an international roaming tariff? This would be an expensive option.
But yes you can use a BB with a provider who does not stock that particular device.
It would most likely be cheaper and easier to buy the device when you get there - a device specific to the carrier which you will be using. Otherwise, the cost of using a US phone roaming on another network would be very expensive. Plus I don't think you can buy an 8830 from either Verizon or Sprint without a 2 year contract.
outside the U.S you can purchase any phone and pop in any carrier sim and use the phone. I guess the phones in the U.S are altered somewhat. Unfortunatly I dont think this phone has been released in the mideast as of yet
I think that it would work, but unless you are absolutely committed to the form factor of the 8830 it might make more sense to get a Curve or something like that. The countries that I checked all use GSM, so CDMA in the 8830 will be nearly worthless to you.
I have the 8830 with Verizon and it can be set to automatically to roam from CDMA to GSM so if you are planning to travel back and forth to the USA get the 8830. If you do not need GSM and CDMA, why bother? Just get the phone that works best in the country you will be living in.