Three and BlackBerry

[Steen]

So here's the situation. I'm with 3 and just days ago I bought an unlocked BlackBerry 8120 from SimplyMobiles.com.au. It's wonderful and me love long time!

Then I remembered that I had to set up the MMS on it and after doing quite a bit of research, I found out that I can't configure this myself and I'll need service books. I also found out that BlackBerries (or at least the US carriers that provide them), treat MMS differently and you'll need BIS or BES for it to be enabled.

But...MMS is included in all Three cap plans. And their BlackBerry solution page says nothing about MMS being included in BIS or BES.

So basically my question is: can I use MMS on 3, and if so, would all I need to have is the correct service book(s)?

[Gregmyers]

Hi Steen,
I'm not up on '3' moble plans but if it's anything like Optus try this;
'Options'>select>'Advanced Options'>select>'Default WAP Browser Configuration'>select. (There should be an option for '3 Mobile' there.) Select it and save changes.
MMS is sent and received over WAP. You might have to get WAP enabled from your carrier.
If all this does not work, just drop a reply back here and I will check it out with 3 Mobile.
Hope this helps...
Kindest Regards,
Greg Myers

[andy]

Hi Steen,

Are you saying your 8120 (which is not a 3G capable device) works on Three's network? I was not aware that this was possible.

I thought 2G phones/devices don't work when you insert a USIM.

If yours does and even more works on Three's BIS plan, then I'd be really interested to know how you accomplished that

My contract with Three is nearly over and I was looking to upgrade to a Blackberry plan but was holding off because the 8707g doesn't really do it for me.

[Steen]

Thanks for the reply, Greg. All I have under the Browser menu is "Default web browser configuration: Wi-Fi Browser" and I can't change it.

I'm pretty sure WAP is enabled because I was able to send and receive MMS' on my previous phone. At the moment, I'm getting this message when I try to compose an MMS: No MMS Service Record, message cannot be sent. You will only be able to Save Draft.

I think it's the setting's that I'm missing -- and I know what they are, I need to find a way to get them into the phone, and that's what prompted me to think of service books.

I don't suppose anyone on Three can send me their service books?

Now... Hi, Andy

Yes, I'm saying that you can use a non-3G phone on 3's network just by sticking the SIM in the phone -- it just means that you're roaming all the time.

This is seriously not ideal if you are considering using a non-3G phone with 3's BIS as you have to pay $30 a month and are only able to get 2mbs allowance on roaming, as opposed to 2gbs of data and unlimited email in 3's broadband zone.

As for me, I'm just mooching off Wi-Fi until my plan runs out, at which point I will likely find a new carrier. (Because 3's phone selection doesn't do it for me anymore, and that's why I bought my shiny new Pearl in the first place.)

[andy]

Ok, got it. Thanks for pointing that out again.

Interesting enough you will get 1000 emails a month even while you're roaming on Three's BIS plan.

I heard somewhere though that if you're forcing the mobile to roam constantly then you're in violation of Three's Terms of Service and they can terminate your contract (as they have to pay Telstra hefty fees apparently.)

I generally like Three's handsets and their data plans (not their coverage though); it's just a shame RIM hasn't come out yet with another 3G Blackberry than the dated 8707g. But that's rumored to happen as early as next week.

[Steen]

I just had a look over the Terms of Service and it doesn't mention anything about roaming. They're already charging an extra fee of $1-something per mb downloaded, and I'm not even using that Planet 3 stuff at the moment.

[andy]

It's actually worded this way:

"4.2 The USIM remains our property and we may recall it for upgrades or modifications or in other exceptional circumstances so that we can continue to provide the 3 Services to you. We may also recall the USIM when your agreement ends. The USIM is only provided for use with Handsets and Other Devices approved for use on the 3 Network and may be locked so that it cannot be used on an Other Provider's network or with an unapproved handset or other device, such as a GSM handset. This is to maintain the integrity of the 3 Network and to ensure that we can provide 3 Services to you."

While they have no way of telling what kind of handset you use, they assume it is an unapproved (or more important not a 3G capable) handset if it is roaming continuously. And it costs them big bucks.

I'm told that some people actually use this to get out of a contract.

[Steen]

So you're right. It would still be one hell of an assumption to cancel a USIM because it's gone roaming, but not have proof that the phone isn't approved by 3.

Besides, I know people on 3 who supposedly live in the broadband zone but are constantly roaming on their (legit) phones when they're at home. It's not like they're roaming all the time, but you'd think that by now 3 should be able to cater for these situations in an economical way. If it really is costing them big bucks, wouldn't they limit their roaming services a bit more to prevent customers from using more than the necessities? (Or jack up the prices to something like $3/mb.)

In the meantime, I'm going to look into other carriers who can provide the basics and more than just 3G media players

[Gregmyers]

While we are on the subject of '3 Mobile'. I have a question for you guys (and girls). I have a sister who spends approx 7 hours a day on mobile to Scotland everyday and as you can imagine her phone bills are quite high. She has asked me to look into a cheaper option for her (of coarse my initial was BlackBerry email but she wants the voice contact). She is out of contract on Optus so the best provider wins... I was looking at the 'Skype'/GSM phone as an option for her. Would this be the cheapest option for voice ? (Non landline) And what is the '3 Mobile' network like in Perth ? (As you can probably tell, I haven't had a lot to do with '3')
Thanks for any help...
KR
Greg Myers

[Steen]

Skype is excellent but unfortunately, Skype for mobiles doesn't allow you to use credits which means you can't call any actual phones -- only Skype to Skype talk. If your sister doesn't need to call from her mobile, has access to any old computer that can run Skype and a decent headset, you can probably look into the rates that Skype offer.

If not...

Three has this international data pack for 3's personal accounts where they charge $7.50 a month and gives you 100 mins of talk -- not nearly enough right?

But if you put her on a 3's business account, I think the international rates are the same as Vodafone (personal and business), which is about $0.16 per 30s. I don't know if this is for mobile as well as landlines though.

And I'm not sure about Telstra or Optus.

In short: don't get the Skype phone, or you'll be stuck with 3.

I hope that helps.