The definitive Vodafone / Blackberry Curve FAQ

[Trainerdoc]

Those who have read the forum know that I have had some issues with my BB experience, so I thought that I would help others interested in this BB / network by summarising my experiences. Hope that is OK:

1) Your new Blackberry Curve
Make sure that you check the box before you leave the store. It is possible to receive a test / demo unit- mine was missing the CD and manual. They ultimately gave me a new unit.

2) Your Plan
My plan is the MyBusiness Cap $49 + unlimited email $30 plan, as advertised. At the time of my purchase, I received free 12 month access to Vodafone Compass.

3) Any other inclusions?
The free 2 months access on other business caps apparently does not apply to this plan. Vodafone did say that they would honour the free access as I was misled in the store, but I have so far seen no evidence of this (but I'm only on the 2nd month of my contract, and apparently the free part comes in month 5 or 6)

4) Is internet browsing included in this plan?
According to the website, any internet browsing using the BB browser is free. This has now been confirmed. However, it maybe necessary to speak to Data support as my service books did not have the internet option, only Vodafone Live, which is free to browse, but not free to use. Therefore, going to any site via BB browser icon is FREE.

5) What about other apps that pull data from the internet?
Apps like BBweather, Worldmate Live (I can't get this to work on mine) need to get data from the internet. Apparently this is NOT FREE and is charged at $1 per 5 mins. I am waiting for a reply from Vodafone as to why there is this difference as they both get data from the same source!

6) Is such "excesss" data charged out of your cap?
According to the latest correspondence, it is EXTRA. However, I have a written reply from Vodafone Support saying that it is, so I'm waiting to see what comes of this.

7) I am getting data charges but don't think I've used the internet
A likely reason for this is that you are being accidentally charged for using Vodafone Compass. This SHOULD NOT happen, and you will be refunded.

8) Despite all the above, I still get data charges on my statement
I am still waiting for resolution on this as I do not want to have to wait on the phone with Vodafone every month to sort this out. They so far don't seem to be able to rectify this issue.

I will post with any further updates. Hope this helps somebody.

[boymunga]

Hi Trainerdoc,

Thanks for posting this info, I have been thinking about getting the same Vodafone plan as you to connect it to our work BES (which is with Telstra).

I was under the impression that if I connect it our work BES the internet would go through the BES (work connection) and would be free?

Dose anybody know if this is correct?

Thanks

[GaryCutri]

Originally Posted by boymunga

I was under the impression that if I connect it our work BES the internet would go through the BES (work connection) and would be free?

Dose anybody know if this is correct?

If the BES is configured correctly this is correct. What I personally do when setting up a BES is set the I.T Policy "Enable WAP Config" to FALSE, this will remove the WAP browser and ensure all data travels via the BES.

[SnowYeti]

To use World Mate Live, Google Maps, Facebook etc without incurring charges, you need to have the "IPPP for BIBS" and "Blackberry Internet Browsing Service" Service Books sent by Vodafone. Then you need to go to Options, Advanced, Browser and change it so it looks like :

Default browser configuration : Internet Browser
Default MDS browser configuration: Internet Browser
Default WAP browser configuration: Vodafone Live !

The last option cannot be changed as WAP must go through Vodafone.

When you use your apps that need TCP, they will default to using the Internet Browser.

When I first got my BB, I too did not have the service books so was charged many times of this "$1 for 5 minutes", and made Voda refund me due to their misleading staff!

[BBVirgin]

Is the current Vodafone Blackberry deal the same one you purchased?? Blackberry Curve 8310 plus MyBusiness Cap (Voice and email) ($49 MyBusiness Cap + $30 Vodafone Mobile Email) ??

I am planning on signing up tomorrow morning but am a bit confused with their $30 mobile email which they say is unlimited?

So worried I am going to sign up for something that isnt what I am after given I dont know enough about but know more than the peeps in the shops .....

[andy]

Hi,

All BB plans in Australia have basically the same set-up:

There's a Voice Plan component, in Vodafone's and Optus' case $49 and a Blackberry Email Plan which is a stock-standard $30.

The BB Email Plan is the same everywhere, same setup, same features etc.

So, to answer your question, Yes, the current Vodafone plan is exactly the same as before. The only thing carriers might change here and there are the price of the handset (here: free) and what's included in your Voice Plan (Cap.)

[AquaStewwie]

Originally Posted by SnowYeti

To use World Mate Live, Google Maps, Facebook etc without incurring charges, you need to have the "IPPP for BIBS" and "Blackberry Internet Browsing Service" Service Books sent by Vodafone. Then you need to go to Options, Advanced, Browser and change it so it looks like :

Default browser configuration : Internet Browser
Default MDS browser configuration: Internet Browser
Default WAP browser configuration: Vodafone Live !

The last option cannot be changed as WAP must go through Vodafone.

When you use your apps that need TCP, they will default to using the Internet Browser.

When I first got my BB, I too did not have the service books so was charged many times of this "$1 for 5 minutes", and made Voda refund me due to their misleading staff!

Hi Everyone

Thanks for posting this information ! It was really useful.

I thought I would let everyone know that my new Curve came with these options automatically set for the browser with Vodafone.

[Tfer]

Originally Posted by AquaStewwie

Hi Everyone

Thanks for posting this information ! It was really useful.

I thought I would let everyone know that my new Curve came with these options automatically set for the browser with Vodafone.

You are lucky then... I have never seen one yet that wasn't set to the carrier's browser, and had to be changed.

Always good to check first.... great thread all