[Island Roots]

I am looking to get the Blackberry 8900 once it comes out on the AT&T network, however I have a few lingering questions.

I would most likely be forced at point of purchase to get a Blackberry data plan, which I would then cancel shortly thereafter (leaving me with only a voice plan and no data plan).

Will I still be able to browse the Internet via WiFi (e.g. from my wireless network at home)? Also, will I be able to use the email program on the 8900 when I'm connected to a WiFi network?

Or will I be required to have a Blackberry data plan in order to use any of the Internet functions, even over WiFi?


Since I spend most of my day within WiFi hotspots, I am hoping to get away without having a data plan.

[JSanders]

ATT does not require the Data Plan for purchase of BlackBerrys.

WiFi internet yes (if it is, and should be as other WiFi BlackBerrys are, you can set the browser to a HotSpot browser and be fine).

RIM push email, no, not at all.

[Island Roots]

That leads me to another question. Would I be able to use the email program on the Blackberry at all (without push notification)? For example, could I set up an email account to use IMAP so when I connect to a WiFi spot, it syncs back up with the email account?

Or is my only option to go through the web browser to access email?

[JSanders]

No. no RIM services without the BB Data Plan. No BB Messenger, no push email (POP or IMAP).

There is a good thread over in the WiFi section of this forum on what works with WiFi and what doesn't. Use that as a guide.

[iLawCDN]

Just my personal opinion... data plans are so cheap now... why not get a basic one, and just at least have email?

Honestly, I can't see myself using a Blackberry without PIN either. Once you have entered the world of PIN, there's no going back.

[Island Roots]

Originally Posted by iLawCDN

Just my personal opinion... data plans are so cheap now... why not get a basic one, and just at least have email?

Honestly, I can't see myself using a Blackberry without PIN either. Once you have entered the world of PIN, there's no going back.

The way I understand it, PIN just enables you to send messages to other Blackberry users. I know very few Blackberry users (can't actually think of any off the top of my head that are in my phone book).

Also, data plans may have come down in price but at $30 for the cheapest plan on AT&T, that almost doubles the price of my current data plan.