Unlocked Pearl from USA

[Blueberry]

Hello, I tried to search on here and was unclear wether or not a Blackberry 8100 Pearl, purchased in the USA, could be unlocked and used on Telstra?

If so, does the Pearl lose any functionality, like SMS or Internet browsing?

I plan to upgrade once in Australia but am curious if I can keep my current phone, unlock it and just switch to Telstra?

Thanks for any help or advice

[brianh]

If it can be unlocked it can be used here. I couldn't tell you how to go about unlocking it, but I have a T-Mobile Pearl from the US, bought here on EBay that works just fine on Telstra; it's just a matter of signing up for the right plan and getting them to send all the Service Books you need. I hope that gives you at least some of the info you need,
Cheers,
Brian

[harps]

I've done this myself with my Pearl purchased from the US back in April 2007 and it has/still works perfectly.

In my situation I have set it up for personal email through BIS and for corporate email/calendar/address book/to do list/memo through BES and had no problems at all.

My work's IT department informed me that setting up this device was just like setting up a device purchased direct via Telstra.

Only issues I have had has been getting the WAP set up to work (need to set up under the US carrier profile), and on some calls there is a 3 second delay before they first hear you when the call connection is made. This is only on calls received, not made.

Due to the current exchange rate I'm now looking at upgrading my 8100 to a 8110 (GPS version) and will definately be purchasing from the US again via eBay. Based on current prices I'm confident I can get an unlocked 8110 for $350 including freight. Sure beats $600 RRP here in Australia!

[Blueberry]

^ yes the Australian prices for phones are fairly high, Ive had two Blackberry pearls and would like to keep the one I have for the meantime until I decide to get something new (maybe the 3G Australian iPhone?)

Im curious how to unlock it correctly. When I was in Australia in 2006 I had a V3 RAZR from the USA and I took it to a Telstra center and the asian lady there was confusing and told me I could not use my Razr in Australia. I was a bit rushed, so I didnt dwell on it but I have friends here telling me it can be done but I have to unlock it.

If anybody has any links on unlocking an 8100 for Australian networks, I would greatly appreciate it. I have about a month to figure this out lol.

cheers

[GaryCutri]

Originally Posted by Blueberry

^ yes the Australian prices for phones are fairly high, Ive had two Blackberry pearls and would like to keep the one I have for the meantime until I decide to get something new (maybe the 3G Australian iPhone?)

Im curious how to unlock it correctly. When I was in Australia in 2006 I had a V3 RAZR from the USA and I took it to a Telstra center and the asian lady there was confusing and told me I could not use my Razr in Australia. I was a bit rushed, so I didnt dwell on it but I have friends here telling me it can be done but I have to unlock it.

If anybody has any links on unlocking an 8100 for Australian networks, I would greatly appreciate it. I have about a month to figure this out lol.

cheers

Hi,

To unlock a BlackBerry device all you need to do is request the unlock code from the carrier you purchased the device from. Once you have the code you just follow these few steps:

1. Go to Options
2. Select Advanced Options
3. Select SIM Card
4. In SIM Card type MEPPD
5. Press the Alt key and type MEPP2
6. Enter unlock code

Thanks,

Gary

[Blueberry]

^ Thanks Gary. Those are the same instructions T-Mobile emailed me. Apparently you have to request an unlock code via customer service. It takes 24 hours to generate your unlock code.

I had no idea it was this easy.

Now that my 8100 pearl is unlocked, I need to figure out what service options in Australia are the best? I have absolutely not a clue what phone company is best. I will probably use my 8100 pearl for no more than six more months...should I get a pre-pay plan? Do pre-pay plans have internet and SMS capabilities with the 8100?

Im curious if it is required that I sign a contract to get internet capabilities on my unlocked 8100 pearl? Since it was made for American networks, will this affect any of the services on the phone? Will I get a new "blackberry" email address with a company like telstra, if I get a data-plan for it?

I would really like to just have a pre-pay SIM, but Im not sure if thats the way to go?

Thanks (heaps) guys for all your help!! Any feedback is appreciated.

[GaryCutri]

At this stage I would recommend sticking with the big three when it comes to choosing a service provider (i.e. Optus, Telstra & Vodafone). When you get to the point of selecting a carrier and BlackBerry plan your American device won't affect you in anyway, just considered it the same as a locally purchased device (we can change firmware if you experience any issues). If you select a pre-paid plan you won't be able to use Blackberry services but phone, sms and internet will work.

[Blueberry]

Gary,

By Blackberry services, do you mean enterprise/corporate email? Which services will not work? The blackberry messenger, I assume? What else?

Currently my pearl has access to Gmail, I installed the google gmail app on the device. This should still work, correct?

I dont really use any applications on my blackberry other than gmail and google maps. I do not think google maps will work in south australia? they do not work very well for Australia, from here in America. Will I lose these applications or have to re-install them? I would think NOT, but Im curious if you know!

One more random question...is it easy to replace the ball in a pearl? my first 8100 lost the ball and I asked tmobile to repair it but they just sent me a replacement. I have the old one and its in very good shape, except the ball fell out. Is that hard to replace on your own? I saw the ball and keyboard for sale on ebay for ten dollars, is this worth buying and putting in myself? is it difficult to do?

Thank you for all of your help...its very appreciated.

[Gregmyers]

If you have a BlackBerry data plan then Google maps and Gmail will work fine (The triangulation cell phone location system on Googlemaps does work, although probably not quite as well as in the US as they use GPS enabled devices to 'plot' the signal for use in this method of location. See link; Google Opening “My Location” To Third Party Applications | BerryReview )
You won't loose the application if you don't delete them but you may need to re-enable them when you set up your new account here.
Unless your confident with taking electronic stuff apart and, the hard part , putting it back together again, then I wouldn't attempt replacing the trackball yourself (It CAN be a fiddly and frustrating job) . Unless of course, you are looking for an excuse to buy yourself a new Berry..

[Blueberry]

^ Thanks Greg, you have been a huge help. I am currently in Adelaide and I bought an Optus pre-paid mobile phone card yesterday. I bought the most expensive one. I finally got it setup, and have an Aussie phone number (does that mean Im honorary Aussie now? haha)

Anyways, I am having problems getting any data connections. I cannot surf the web and google maps will not work. When I try to surf the web in the browser I get an error like this:

"UNABLE to open a PDP context to the following APN: blackberry.wap

this may be happening because the currently selected browser configuration is not compatible with the current network"


Do I need to set the TCP settings or something? APN settings? I am a little bit lost here and very eager to see it working.

I actually have two 8100s that I brought, which i can use or swap parts with. My current one is a little scratched

Ive looked into ball replacement and it looks easy to perform, but I think the hard part is obtaining the correct ball assembly, as there are two different style balls for blackberrys. any help is greatly appreciated!

thanks!~(errrrrr I mean CHEEEEEEEEEERS!!)