But today. Then buy again when a 3G device is released.

I'd love to take your advice, but ...

Seriously, I'm in about the same boat. I have a 7290 through Cingular and am about to upgrade to the 8700c (for $250). But I'd wait if I thought something really new was coming by the end of the calendar year. If not, I'll see if the Cingular store is open today. Unfortunately, I'm not in one of the favored 16 markets with UMTS/HSDPA.

I don't want anything but a BB (my first one was the 850) and I do need to travel internationally and be data-compatible.

Any thoughts or advice?

In my opinion it would not matter if you were in one of the 3G markets in the US. As it currently stands, the limitations of the 8707 in my opinion out weigh any advantage it may have over an 8700 with one exception: use in Japan if that is really important to you.

Its nice RIM (and Vodafone) have the 8707 out, but its an early generation device at best. Hopefully over the next several months they will work out kinks, but I would expect it would be Vodafone driving this in Europe and elsewhere vs. Cingular in the US. Just my opinion.