[bigsaucybob]

I need a new blackberry for college, I am currently using a blackberry Curve (8300) from AT&T.

At the college, the lecture halls are located underground and I get NO service. Sadly, I am going to be spending a lot of time in these lecture halls and I will certainly need something to do.

If I am running solely on Wi-fi and no cellular coverage...will that still allow me to use BBM and send/receive text messages?

I am willing to switch to T-Mobile since they have a wi-fi curve, but not verizon.

[akosnitzky]

I think you will need a data plan to do what you need to do.

[Dinan3]

you will need a blackberry data plan for BBM.

you don't have to switch carriers to get the 8320 working on AT&T, unless you're already wanting to go with T-Mobile. Just find one that is unlocked and pop your SIM card in there.

[akosnitzky]

To infer what Dinan said, you can text/sms.

What do I need a Data Plan for? - BlackBerryFAQ

[John Q Public]

I use my 8820 (AT&T) without a data plan (I do however have a text messaging plan). It's alright if you don't need push email and can always connect to wireless ap. If your campus is like mine then there's wi-fi in every building so that's not too big of a problem.

As for BBM, it is a PIN messaging service and will not work without a data plan. However, there are other programs for IM that will connect via wi-fi (i.e. JiveTalk) so IM is possible.

As for text messaging, without cellular coverage you're pretty much out of luck. If you use an email client such as LogicMail which will connect via wi-fi you can email text messages but you will be unable to receive them. If the recipient has the means, he/she can email you the response but in that case you'd be better off using IM. This method of text messaging is not worth the trouble to do regularly, but can be useful in a pinch.

Sadly, I am going to be spending a lot of time in these lecture halls and I will certainly need something to do.

I've always found that listening to the lecture and taking notes works well for combating boredom... and bad grades.

Hopefully this helps. There's a lot of knowledge on this board, so if you have a question do a search and if you don't find what you're looking for just ask.
Good luck in school!

[thaKing]

Originally Posted by Dinan3

you will need a blackberry data plan for BBM.

you don't have to switch carriers to get the 8320 working on AT&T, unless you're already wanting to go with T-Mobile. Just find one that is unlocked and pop your SIM card in there.

i think he is considering switching for service, not necessarily the 8320 - only mentioned 8320 because he thought maybe he could do what is needed without actual BB service, but instead using wi-fi...

i know exactly how you feel...i have at&t and get zero service in my office...only verizon works in our building...i'm not willing to switch to verizon just for the office....i just go near a window when necessary...

[dunkley]

Make sure you will be able to connect via the wifi.

My uni has a Cisco VPN setup - and I can't use wifi.

[Dubdub]

Just make sure that the service you pick, t-mo, in this case has the phone coverage when and where you need it. Switching just to get a certain device isn't the way to make a carrier decision.

[bigsaucybob]

Hmm, very interesting.

So basically, I cannot use BBM or text without cellular service. Unless I get a 3rd party app.

Great, I am going to be one very bored student. I bet Verizon gets service in the lecture hall, too bad I will transfer to a different school before I switch to Verizon.

[Dubdub]

Originally Posted by bigsaucybob

too bad I will transfer to a different school before I switch to Verizon.

Now that is a novel approach to picking a college or cell carrier!