[will11209]

Hi. Please help me decide on either the Sprint MOGUL with EVDO (supposedly faster than EDGE) or the T-Mobile Blackberry Curve.

I have Roadrunner Cable broadband access (9000kb/s download and 500kb/s upload) at home and a Linksys WRT54GS router. I believe that both devices let you use your WIFI for internet browsing. However T-Mobile has the Hotspot at Home which I am interested in. (unlimited calling using WIFI) BUT Sprint EVDO has a faster data speed than Tmobile EDGE.

Is it true that using my own WIFI internet connection (Roadrunner through my Linksys router) with the Tmobile Curve doesnt make browsing any faster than using the EDGE network? It would be disappointing if I couldn't take advantage of my home network (Roadrunner cable modem) speed and had to rely on the EDGE network.

I googled it and here is a site with videos claiming this.

»www.boygeniusreport.com/2007/09/···ed-test/

If anyone has this phone please confirm. I have an expired contract with Tmobile and would like to stay with them but Sprint is tempting me.

[John Clark]

The latest OS update for the 8320 actually sped up the 8320's wifi, so that comparison may be out of date.

[TroyDBrown]

My WiFi has been great no problems and very fast. Much faster than EDGE. As for EVDO it is of course much faster than EDGE and is probably available most places you go. With WiFi you need to be connected to an Access Point.

Sprint if you always want "BroadBand" speed.
T-Mobile if you don't mind EDGE while out of range of an Access Point.

Also compare your monthly costs for everything you want and need with both providers.

[TroyDBrown]

Originally Posted by John Clark

The latest OS update for the 8320 actually sped up the 8320's wifi, so that comparison may be out of date.

I looked at that and the only thing I can say is they either had a internet connection that was already maxed out or some other issue. WiFi vs EDGE on my 8320 even prior to update was night and day.

[will11209]

Originally Posted by troydbrown

My WiFi has been great no problems and very fast. Much faster than EDGE. As for EVDO it is of course much faster than EDGE and is probably available most places you go. With WiFi you need to be connected to an Access Point.

Sprint if you always want "BroadBand" speed.
T-Mobile if you don't mind EDGE while out of range of an Access Point.

Also compare your monthly costs for everything you want and need with both providers.

Hi Troy. Thank you for the quick responses. I like the thinner size of the Curve. This is going to be very difficult. How are the operating systems between the two devices. I know this is a Blackberry forum but any unbiased opinions are welcome.

This will be my first Blackberry purchase. I am also a Tmobile customer already (out of contract though) How is the Hotspot at Home? When you connect to your home network (DSL,Cable modem) do you actually browse on the Curve using those same speeds?

[TroyDBrown]

The Mogul is actually one of the best Windows Mobile phones out there. Windows Mobile is still very unstable. You wil notice a lot of memory issues and lockups just like on a PC.

The BlackBerry OS is much more stable and updates are pretty frequent when an issue is found.

I love HotSpot at Home and take full advantage of UMA and WiFi. As for speeds you are no going to see the speeds you see on a computer for WiFi on either the Mogul or Curve, that is simply due to the processing power of the device. I tell my clients its like putting jet fuel in a car you are still going to go 65 not 500. I do assure you WiFi is faster than Edge.

PM me if you have any other questions. Thanks

[John Clark]

The operating systems are virtually the same.

wifi at home is great. I don't have the H@H subscription but I can still use UMA for phone calls and surf the web, and get email at the same time. You'll need to have a "compatible" router. Doesn't have to be TMo's but it needs to be compatible. I use a Linksys WRT54G and all works perfect.

[will11209]

Originally Posted by John Clark

The operating systems are virtually the same.

wifi at home is great. I don't have the H@H subscription but I can still use UMA for phone calls and surf the web, and get email at the same time. You'll need to have a "compatible" router. Doesn't have to be TMo's but it needs to be compatible. I use a Linksys WRT54G and all works perfect.

Hi John. What is UMA? I'm going to pick up this phone tomorrow. Or maybe now, I still have an hour before the store closes.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by troydbrown

...its like putting jet fuel in a car you are still going to go 65 not 500. ...

FWIW, Jet fuel (same as diesel) in a car will not burn and would likely ruin your engine!

[John Clark]

UMA: Unlicensed Mobile Access. You can make phone calls using your wifi internet. If you leave your wifi area while on a call, the call will seamlessly transfer to EDGE and vice versa. It works great for me. Biggest problem of the system is an incompatible router.

If you purchase the H@H I think the router is $50 with a $50 rebate so might as well get the TMo router.

H@H gives you unlimited calling over UMA (at home or at TMo hotspots.)

[TroyDBrown]

Originally Posted by will11209

Hi John. What is UMA? I'm going to pick up this phone tomorrow. Or maybe now, I still have an hour before the store closes.

UMA allows you to make calls over your WiFi connection. So if you have poor reception at home you wont anymore. Also if you sign up for HotSpot at Home $9.99 all calls made over UMA (Domestic) are not deducted from your pool of minutes.

[will11209]

What is the difference between the Blackberry/Enterprise Server Internet Plans and the T-Mobile Internet only plans?

BlackBerry Enterprise Server Plans
To access corporate e-mail and wirelessly synchronize your e-mail, calendar, and contacts with your desktop e-mail application, your company must have a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.** All plans have unlimited Web browsing, BlackBerry Internet E-mail, and BlackBerry Enterprise Server access.

**Note: BlackBerry Enterprise Server software is an additional charge and must be purchased separately. To find out if your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, ask your IT department.
Plan name Whenever Minutes Data per month E-mail per month Price per month
BlackBerry Minutes & Mail Enterprise 1000 Unlimited Unlimited
$69.99

BlackBerry Minutes & Mail Enterprise Ultra 1500 Unlimited Unlimited
$89.99



BlackBerry Internet Service Plans
Integrate up to 10 of your existing e-mail accounts and have your messages pushed right to your BlackBerry handheld. Choose a data-only plan with unlimited e-mail and Web browsing, or choose one of our bundled Minutes & Mail plans to add tons of Whenever Minutes®. to these great data features.
Plan name Whenever Minutes Data per month E-mail per month Price per month
BlackBerry Unlimited None Unlimited Unlimited
$39.99

BlackBerry Minutes & Mail 1000 Unlimited Unlimited
$59.99

BlackBerry Minutes & Mail Ultra 1500 Unlimited Unlimited
$79.99



Internet Only Plans
Uptop
Only need Web access? Get unlimited Web browsing on your laptop or Internet device wherever T-Mobile has coverage.
Plan name Whenever Minutes Data per month E-mail per month Price per month
T-Mobile Total Internet None Unlimited Unlimited
$39.99

T-Mobile Total Internet for Data Cards None Unlimited Unlimited
$49.99

[TroyDBrown]

Originally Posted by will11209

What is the difference between the Blackberry/Enterprise Server Internet Plans and the T-Mobile Internet only plans?

Unsupported Browser

Enterprise would be a setup through your company. If this is just for you personally you would just go with BlackBerry Internet Service Plans. Which is also a $19.99 add on to an exisiting Voice plan

[will11209]

Oh I see. So UMA is the same as T-Mobile Hotspot @ Home? Is it like Skype or Internet phone service on Roadrunner cable?

[John Clark]

BES is for corporate users. TMobile Internet is for standard cell phones and won't get you all the Blackberry features.

Unless you are on a corporate system you want the Blackberry Internet Service add on. It should run you an extra $19.99 for the Blackberry Data Plan. Those look like bundles with voice minutes. You can get those or another plan if you like but make sure you add a Blackberry Internet Service Plan to whatever you decide.

[TroyDBrown]

Originally Posted by will11209

Oh I see. So UMA is the same as T-Mobile Hotspot @ Home? Is it like Skype or Internet phone service on Roadrunner cable?

It is like VoIP / Skype / Vonage but using your cell.

[will11209]

Troy and John:

Thank you for your help guys. I posted on howardforums.com and crackberryforums.com and got a response the quickest here.

are you replying to my posts using your blackberry curve devices? what are you data/voice plan combos if i can ask?

i dont want to stay between 50-80 a month. i think 300 min is enough for me. 29.99(voice) but the rep at the store i need at least a 39.99 to add hotspot@home.

i currently have the 39.99 (myfaves) plan but if i get the hotspot@home i would rather downgrade to 29.99 and lose the unlimited night minutes and myfaves and use that $10 for the hotspot and data plan charges.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by will11209

Oh I see. So UMA is the same as T-Mobile Hotspot @ Home? Is it like Skype or Internet phone service on Roadrunner cable?

Yes, UMA allows you to make calls over wifi. UMA calls still go against your minute plan. If you subscribe to H@H that gives you the "unlimited" calls over wifi.

[TroyDBrown]

Originally Posted by will11209

Troy and John:

Thank you for your help guys. I posted on howardforums.com and crackberryforums.com and got a response the quickest here.

are you replying to my posts using your blackberry curve devices? what are you data/voice plan combos if i can ask?

I have a 2000 Minutes Faves Plan with BlackBerry Internet add on. I do post from my Curve but am on my Notebook right now.

[will11209]

i picked up the tmobile blackberry this afternoon and tried both EDGE and WIFI. unfortunately its not as fast as i wanted it to be. the phone is nicely designed but even with WIFI, browsing is very slow.

most pages do not load correctly or i get stuck at "requesting..." or "retreiving? scripts" and it stalls.

i will hold on to it for a few days before trying the mogul from sprint w/ evdo.

its currently being charged and the power is off. the light is flashing green slowly. how do i know when it is fully charged?