BlackBerry Forums Support Community

Skeeter007 · 05-01-2008, 05:33 PM

I have been waiting, like many others, for the CMDA Curve to hit the stores for months, and it did today! I was really looking forward to purchasing one at Alltel. They had them available...however, here's my story...

I am in my office everyday, my computer is on all day long, and I am very happy with being able to hot-sync my Palm device. I also am a long-time customer of Alltel, and I prefer not to give up my 'now really cheap' monthy cell rate. But, I really want to carry only one device, and I really want it to be the new Curve.

So, I want to use the new Curve to hold all my contacts, calendar, etc. via hot-sync, and continue to enjoy the 'now really cheap' monthy rate by not adding a data subscription...hey, I sync it everyday anyhow! I walk into the Alltel store ready to pay full price in cash with no discounts, and transfer my Alltel number, and they tell me the Curve phone will not work without a registration code that they cannot provide unless I subscribe to the Alltel data plan.

Can you help me? Is a work-around option available? Do I buy an unlocked phone? Or, is the Alltel staff at my local store incorrect?

Please help!! THANK YOU!

JSanders · 05-01-2008, 05:42 PM

Welcome to the BBForums!

Yes, you will need a BlackBerry Data Plan for the service.

It does cost more, you are paying for the reliable, dependable and secure BlackBerry network and Push email. It is worth it. An unlocked BB from another carrier will still need a Data Plan.

aiharkness · 05-01-2008, 06:02 PM

Wirelessly posted (8700g)

Maybe I'm saying same thing as JS, but I understand some providers will not activate a blackberry without the customer buying the data plan. Some do, but apparently yours does not. Maybe I'm just repeating.

But you will appreciate the data service if the cost isn't a deal breaker for you.

Skeeter007 · 05-01-2008, 08:30 PM

aiharkness:
Thank you. Just to reaffirm...I am only looking for hotsync capability, not data service, plus continuing to use my current voice plan. Do you know who offers blackberry activation without buying a data plan?

mark0341 · 05-01-2008, 08:30 PM

Wirelessly posted (8330)

That's correct the Alltel BlackBerry's can't be actived without a data plan.

Dubdub · 05-01-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter007

aiharkness:
Thank you. Just to reaffirm...I am only looking for hotsync capability, not data service, plus continuing to use my current voice plan. Do you know who offers blackberry activation without buying a data plan?

No carrier that I am aware of.

Skeeter007 · 05-01-2008, 08:50 PM

Thanks...I was told otherwise a few months ago, so I was searching for a means of making it happen. It was actually an AT&T sales rep who told me, but, AT&T service is poor in a couple of key areas...like my office!

aiharkness · 05-02-2008, 05:53 AM

If our local tmobile store is the general rule, you can buy a blackberry from them without activating a data plan. But I don't know why not, because it's < $20/mo added on to voice plan for unlimited data.

I don't know what hot-sync means in the sense of a blackberry. You will be able to use Desktop Manager with a PC to sync you PIM data with Outlook or something similar (you will have a number of options). But the blackberry does not sync email.

You will need a blackberry data plan to get email pushed to the blackberry. It does not download email in the conventional sense, and there is no client to do so, as far as I know. You may be able to access internet email with a third-party browser (opera mini) if you purchase a generic cell phone data plan and not the blackberry-specific data plan.

Skeeter007 · 05-02-2008, 07:03 AM

aiharkness:

Thank you!

I use Outlook for email, contacts, calendar, notes, etc. And, because I am at my desk everyday, I wanted to be able to grandfather my cheap cell rate that I enjoy now, and use the Curve in place of my Palm device, which I hotsync. It is my understanding that Blackberry Curve has the same hotsync capabilities, and I very much like the Curve, so I want to skinny-down to one device for cell and "Palm" uses.

When I do the math over the course of a new 2-year contract with Alltel, it will cost me approximately $850 to have the instant data access from a data plan, over my current voice plan.

I wanted to save this money, even if I had to pay additional for the Curve...generally, I keep a device for a LONG time, and it pays to plan carefully to avoid the ever-increasing technology rates.

livspop · 05-02-2008, 09:36 AM

Sounds like you should look at a Windows Mobile device if you want to stay with Alltel. You ARE NOT required to have a data plan with one of those phones as long as you do not purchase the phone with discounts (basically you have to buy the phone retail).

Skeeter007 · 05-02-2008, 09:38 AM

Thank you...good advice. Although, I am dissappointed that I will not be able to utilize the Curve for my situation.

takeshi · 05-02-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubdub

No carrier that I am aware of.

Definitely TMO and at&t, if not others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter007

Thank you...good advice. Although, I am dissappointed that I will not be able to utilize the Curve for my situation.

Let your carrier know. They do these things because their customers let them do so and continue to give them their money.

Skeeter007 · 05-02-2008, 11:00 AM

takeshi:

I just called Alltel, and the representative explained the same as did the retail guy...they are required by Blackberry to sell a data plan in order to use the phone features. Can I purchase a Curve 8330, unlock it, and assign my Alltel telephone number to it?

aiharkness · 05-02-2008, 11:39 AM

Wirelessly posted (8700g)

Skeeter, the Alltel guy lied or doesn't know and is guessing. It isn't RIM. It's the carrier.

I think takeshi's point was you should complain.

You will find, I believe, that Alltel will only activate a phone that they sell. Not a phone sold by another carrier.

Sith_Apprentice · 05-02-2008, 11:42 AM

Its highly recommended by RIM to activate a BlackBerry data plan with the device activation. I wish ALL carriers required it. Getting the phone for looks cheapens the device. If you want a BlackBerry, get a BlackBerry and have it work as intended. Many carriers require the BB plan, Verizon being the largest.

aiharkness · 05-02-2008, 11:48 AM

Wirelessly posted (8700g)

Required vs recommeded -- not the same thing.

Data plan required in order to use the phone features -- Thay is not a clear, unambiguous statement. Obviously, data plan is required for blackberry data services. But for the "phone"?

I recommend the data plan, too. I just want to give people information the best I can.

Sith_Apprentice · 05-02-2008, 11:51 AM

it is required for many functions. but you are correct the carriers can phrase that any way they want. This way though, the consumer gets a clear understanding that the phone will not work as intended without a data plan

michaelcannella · 05-02-2008, 11:52 AM

this posts are annoying me...skeeter if you want a blackberry get the plan or else theres no point of you getting one

aiharkness · 05-02-2008, 11:55 AM

Wirelessly posted (8700g)

No reason to be annoyed. People do use blackberrys without data plans to meet their needs. If Skeeter needs something else, fine. But there should be no compalint with a forum member asking questions in order to better understand.

jsconyers · 05-02-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aiharkness

Wirelessly posted (8700g)

No reason to be annoyed. People do use blackberrys without data plans to meet their needs. If Skeeter needs something else, fine. But there should be no compalint with a forum member asking questions in order to better understand.

Agreed, and at least he is doing research and not just running out and buying a device just to realize it doesn't suit his needs.

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Alltel New 8330 Curve Registration Requirement??