[duane534]

When I say "best company", I mean Rogers vs Fido, etc...

[Motorcycle Mama]

If you want to use the device on AT&T, the "best" company to buy it from is AT&T.

Do you have specific reason why you would be asking about Rogers and Fido (either of which are compatible with AT&T)?

Do you mean "cheapest" as opposed to "best"?

[duane534]

I'm concerned about branding, bloatware, and crippling.

For instance, right now, I'm using a 9930 from Verizon on it. I love it because:

1. There is no bloatware, not even service books placing virtual preloads on the screen.

2. I've got OS 7.1 quasi-officially.

3. No CarrierIQ.

4. Mobile Hotspot prompted me for APNs, which allows me to tether without carrying a data plan.

I hate it because:

1. EDGE

[Motorcycle Mama]

1. "Bloatware" is really irrelevant on a BlackBerry. It takes up minimal space and is extremely easy to hide.
2. Ok. And?
3. Ok. No Carrier IQ on AT&T either.
4. Ok. Not sure what that has to do with the question you asked in your OP.


1. So get a Rogers or Fido or AT&T branded 9900 and you won't have that issue.

[Dubdub]

If you have a BB on AT&T, they require you to have a BB data plan. If you don't have one, then once the BB is detected by a network scan, one will be added.

[tsac]

With Carrier IQ even if they see it in your pocket they add the data plan

[duane534]

I know that the bloatware is really easy to hide. I just don't like it, by principle. It's what kicked me off of Android. It's MY device. Even if I buy it subsidized, I pay a bill for two years. It is my device.

I run OS 7.1, but I'd prefer a device that officially runs 7.1, so that it won't be a problem in the event I have to do warranty work.

The fact that there was CarrierIQ on ANY BlackBerry, regardless of how it got on there, burns me to no end. Not against RIM. Just against the industry. Load balancing can be performed without software on the device.

The fact that I can change my APN on the Mobile Hotspot lets me get hotspot without paying for an additional data allowance. I assume the way that they control that is through a service book. Thus, that should be the same, regardless of what it is branded, as long as it is NOT AT&T-branded. Right? (I'm on tiered data. I'm not using it to put excessive load on the network. I just pay for 200 MB of data and would like the option to use it however I like.)

I wasn't actually trying to NOT carry a data plan, but that does present me with some ideas. I have some friends and family on other carriers who I could see getting on #TEAMBLACKBERRY. I guess that if I gave them my older BlackBerry handsets, that could get them in. They wouldn't HAVE to carry a data plan, as the carrier wouldn't know what the device IS, but when they inevitably want data, they'll be hooked on the Crack.

For me, I think I will poke around Fido and Rogers' sites and see what a white 9900 will run me. CrackBerry Kevin's got me wanting a white one.

[Motorcycle Mama]

It's interesting how much additional information (and drama) you have added since your original post.

Most of you have said in your last post has nothing to do with "who is the best company to buy it from". And had you included it in your first post, the answers you received might have actually addressed your drama.

[Dubdub]

Most carriers require a dataplan for a smartphone. They do periodic system and IMEI scans and when a device is detected that requires a BB data plan but doesn't have one, it is automatically added. Not going to get away from that, particularly on AT&T and Verizon.