8220 to 8230
 

I have a new 8220 that i just bought. I just found out that my carrier has sold out to verizon. I will need a phone that will work on verizon. My phone works off of a sim card. Is there a way to convert my new phone to be used with verizon....Thanks

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

laman, to the best of my knowledge there is no way to use one phone in place of the other they as are two two totally different technologies (CDMA vs GSM) and one will not work on the others network.

Sorry to say you have to get a new phone for your Verizon service. You might try swapping or selling your phone here on the forums. Just remember that you will need a CDMA phone for Verizon network, and if you are considering using another CDMA phone that is not Verizon branded it will have to be unlocked. (I believe I've seen somewhere in the forums that Sprint phones will not work on Verizon, but I'm not positive)

Good luck

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

Jazman is partially incorrect. As stated, you cannot use a GSM (8220) on the CDMA network. You'll need an 8230. But you cannot put a non-Verizon device on their network, they will not allow it. No amount of unlocking (even if a CDMA device can be unlocked) will make it happen.

The 8230 is no longer sold by the carriers, but you may find a used one, but before you buy one read this (it is applicable for any used BB purchase) Buying a BlackBerry off eBay - BlackBerryFAQ

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

Forgot to tell you that right now the 8220 is selling on Ebay, Amazon, etc. $100-$125 new/unused, $75-$100 in very good shape, with no problems/damage to the phone.

So you see, at least your old phone isn't worthless.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

DubDub, thanks for the save on my response, I knew I had read somthing about a Sprint phone can't be used for Verizon, just didn't realize that nothing can be flashed/used for Verizon but their own phones.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

I want to thank you'll for our reply. Have always used phone with sim cards. This buy out caught me by surprise.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

I bet it will be a while before you need to convert however, or has the word already come down from on high to get it done or else?

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

Tell me about it, I'm with Tmobile and we just got the news 2 days ago that Tmobile will be entering into a total buyout by ATT. Not sure whats going to happen with that, but I've got a funny feeling its not going to be good.

Only bright spot for me is that both providers are GSM with similar technology.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

I wouldn't worry about it as it isn't gonna happen anytime soon, if at all. It will take at least a year to get through all the regulatory hoops and close the deal. Even Congress is going to have a hearing and look into it. Politicians have to have their hands in everything these days I guess. Plus after it closes, it will take a while to get everything integrated. my guess is you are looking at 18 to 24 months minimum. No sense getting your knickers in a knot about it now.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

As of July 31 our Centennial phones will not work. I was using a blackberry 8100 and just bought a 8220 before I found out about this buy out. I don't text or do internet just use it as a plain phone. I read with verizon you have to pay a data plan for blackberry. I don't understand why since I only use it as a phone only, just call and receive calls..

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

Verizon automatically adds an appropriate data plan to all devices that "require" them, whether you need it or not. AT&T does the same.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

Data plan is a ripp off if you never use it..

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

Then you need to change to a different carrier.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

The carriers i have checked on require data plan with blackberry.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

Then you need to look at different devices.

Or you need to accept the fact that a data plan will be required.

Re: 8220 to 8230
 

laman, alot of carriers have been coming out with new limited Blackberry plans for really low prices ($10-$15 vs $30-$35) The difference between the two is that the limited plans are capped usage of 200mb of data vs restricted usage of more than 5gb of data.

I know you say you have no use for the data function on the phone, but if you give the very lowest (cheapest the carrier offers) plan a try you may find out it is of allot more use to you than you might think.

I first got a Blackberry because I wanted to use the push email function to help me keep up with my work email (I spend alot of time driving around) Like you, I had no use for any smartphone functions, never had one, never wanted one. I never even used SMS/MMS text on my old phone, even though I had unlimited texting on my plan for my wife and daughter.

After I got my new phone my life became so much easier with the push email function that shortly I discovered I couldn't live without it (instant office in your pocked) Later on I started using the UMA/Wi-Fi settings to overcome the problems of missed call while in buildings. A friend at work uses Blackberrys and he talked me into using BBM (Blackberry Messenger) to keep in touch on short topic messages during the day, and now I use it with several different people on a regular basis. I started to play with the Blackberry internet browser one day when I needed some weather information before scheduling some work to be done outside, now I've downloaded a weather application that I use continually when scheduling anything. I've even started using an application for keeping up with the sports scores and games that are going on during the week.

I guess the point I'm trying to make to you is if you had told me I needed this phone, and its services 10 months ago (and thats how long I've owned it), just like you I would have told you your out of your mind, its a total waste of good money. Now I cant see how I can get along without it.

Oh yeah, and here's the good part, Blackberries are so good at compressing data that I've discovered I don't need the $25 unlimited plan that I signed up for and I've switched to the $10 200mb plan because I do all the things I've told you about and never go over 10mb to 15mb of use a month.

So, if you care to take the advice of someone who couldn't have agreed with you more 1 year ago, give it a try for a couple of bucks a month, and if its not for you, you can always cancel your BB service, sell the phone on ebay, and buy a regular one.