Can I use BB Curve without a BB plan on AT&T?
 

I'd like to get an answer from some BB experts out there.

I currently have a plan with AT&T for voice and unlimted text and MediaNet data plan. On my Noka phone, I use voice, web, MMS, SMS as well as Google apps.

I like the Blackberry for QWERTY and want to use it as a messaging device and a phone. But I have no use for the BB push mail service. I want to use the BB Curve browser, SMS/MMS for messaging and Google Mail app for mail.

So, if I were to purchase a BB Curve from a 3rd party and insert my current AT&T SIM card, can I use the BB Curve as I described above without paying extra for the BB service? I swap phones all the time and this isn't a problem but I'm expecting there's a bit more to Blackberries because of their BIS.

Does it matter whether I purchase a AT&T locked BB or an unlocked one?
What will I not get? I know voice and SMS will work. But how about MediaNet and MMS?

If you purchase an AT&T 8300/8310 then it doesn't need to be unlocked. If you get one from TMobile or another GSM provider you will need it unlocked.

With a MediaNet plan you should be able to use the GMail app with TCP settings. However, results vary depending on the exact plan as BB's aren't really designed to work this way. I don't think you'll get MMS, though.

youre gonna lose blackberry mail, browser and the pin messaging.

For browser just pick up opera mini which work quite well.

Youre gonna have to enter your internet apn setting in the option (just search the forum it easy to find (like on rogers for me it simply internet.com without password.

Further details go to this section of the faq
How to use BlackBerry on Generic Data Plan - BlackBerryFAQ.com

for mms i dont know, i tried to use it one time (didnt know what i was really doing) and got an sms from rogers (my providers) about mms not implemented in my plan.

Basically none of the standard clients will work, so you'll need to find an alternate browser, mms client, chat client, e-mail client. All these standard clients require service books which are either delivered by the RIM relay or BIS.

Anything which uses the TCP connection will work if the APN=that provided for internet access by your network(RIM uses UDP).

cheers

Worm

MMS works just fine on ATT with a standard data plan. you must make sure the APN is correct though

What is your APN setting?

wap.cingular

cingular1

Same as my setting. I was asking something similar on another thread. I think the conclusion here is that without the BB Plan, MMS is not going to work on a BB (at least on AT&T).

you have to have *a* data plan. but the media net 1mb plan was working on my 8100 pearl and 8120 before i got a BB data plan on them. That being said the 8320 has some significant issues with ATT and MMS. I have had it work with no issues, but many many others can not get it to work

Not sure how you managed that Sith_Apprentice. MMS is reliant upon WAP MMS Transport/MMS client service books, which are delivered by the relay. The only way you can connect to the relay is via the APN provisioned by your carrier for BlackBerry use.

The settings herein relate to a service provided by your carrier however, and so would work if this Service book was in the device even if you weren't subscribed to BIS/blackberry APN. The same is also true of the browser, provided the Service book for the browser in use has the settings in for either WAP or internet use via your own carrier's APN.

cheers

Worm