[fusky]

We have a user who will be transfering to the AsiaPac region and will need a Blackberry that works in "Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and India".

We already have 2 users in Japan using 8707s from NTT DoCoMo USA Namikiteru Wi Fi & Namimail for BlackBerry with AT&T SIMs. My question is, will this device/SIM combo work in all the countries listed? Or will we have to do multiple devices and SIMs to get this to work?

Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks.

[AlexKidd]

I can't give a definite answer, but I can say that most of those countries (China confirmed personally) have nationwide GSM networks with roaming agreements with North American GSM carriers. I do know that Japan is an exception. I've heard they are mostly a CDMA country.

If you needed an absolute all-around world phone, I believe your best option would be the BlackBerry 8830 from Sprint or Verizon - this phone uses CDMA networks where available, and also offers a SIM Card slot which I believe also has a Sprint roaming capable SIM the works in all of these other countries when CDMA is unavailable on the GSM radio. Of course the biggest benefit to this is universal, ubiqitous [sp?] access to the same BlackBerry e-mail and services regardless of location. Cost will be pretty excessive, but not important for the kind of traveller that really demands that kind of universal access.

--Kidd

[fusky]

The issue with the 8830 from Sprint/Verizon, is that it will not work in Japan.

[Dubdub]

I suggest you do a search on here for the countries you need info about. This has been answered many times.

[monkeypaw]

South Korea also does not use GSM. Here's a website that lists GSM frequencies used in many countries. Probably outdated in some cases, but looks good overall. Only Japan and South Korea don't have GSM available.

Do you need a Dual Tri or Quad Band GSM Cell Phone

That 8707g looks like the best option since the specs list all 4 GSM frequencies. If it works for your guys in Japan already, the only concern would be if it works in South Korea.

[stonent]

We tried 7290's where I used to work for people going to China, but the coverage was not good. It was to the point that they'd tell some sales people that it just wouldn't work there. (even though it would in some cities)

Apparently there are roaming issues with CDMA devices as well. From what I heard you can roam on CDMA data pretty much only in your home area. But outside of that it won't work. So lets say you have VZW and take it to Australia. You can get voice roaming on Telstra but not data.

[AlexKidd]

I stand corrected then. It sounds like you would need multiple devices and/or SIM cards to have complete BlackBerry coverage. I used a BlackBerry 7105T in China at least twice and didn't have any trouble, but I was always within reasonable distance of a major city. I was in Beijing, Outlying tourist areas thereof, Shenyang city, Fushun city, and some rural area around Fushun. All had GSM pickup. The 7105T is just a standard quad-band GSM/GPRS phone.

--Kidd

[fusky]

Thanks everyone for the info!

[monkeypaw]

Looks like the 8707g does work in Korea. From this thread:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/rumo...tml#post787732

"Hey, I'm currently in Korea using an 8707g with a T-Mobile sim card. It roams great with KT and fortunately our company has an unlimited roaming plan so we are okay."

[stewsan]

The 8707 will work in all the countries you have listed. In some countries you have to be a little patient as it takes some time for the handshake to occur. Also, some of the providers, have spotty service so have your guys go to manual and try some of the other ones. Also, the 3g works better in some countries than 2g so that also needs to be switched and tried. In fact, looking at your list "most" of the countries have 3g. Also, as a side bar, check your at&t bill for extra charges from some of those countries and have them removed.