Beware of data usage on non-RIM BlackBerry apps

[jes]

Beware of data usage on non-RIM BlackBerry apps

Vodacom warns that non-RIM BlackBerry apps can cost users money because of out of bundle data charges

[Ivanr]

I wonder why networks provision the SIM for APN's internet.apn and Blackberry.net when selling this type of device in the first place??? Is it for a network profitability??

[hereticangel]

fine if your on cellc , only 0.15 per mb OOB rates!

[IRVING]

I wonder why networks provision the SIM for APN's internet.apn and Blackberry.net when selling this type of device in the first place??? Is it for a network profitability??

Some services like streaming (youtube) do not work on the blackberry.net apn so that is why they provision the sims by default with the internet apn as well

[BGE]

So yes it's a BB issue.

Can Vodacom help their loyal subscribers to minimise the damage this problem is doing?

Yes.

How?

Dropping the totally ridiculous OOB data rates... sending all BB subscribes an SMS warning them of this problem and offering the internet apn inhibitor activation as a remedy while RIM fixes their OS... BB subscribers who wish to activate the inhibitor could possibly just send a reply SMS with "yes"... like all those others Vodacom send out... or just contact the call centre... and lastly as the service provider to 2.4 million South African BB users, they can put pressure on RIM to roll out a final bug fix patch for this problem, the OS controls the apn!

Will they do it?

Nope.

Why not?

[Allin]

Can Vodacom help their loyal subscribers to minimise the damage this problem is doing?
Yes.
How?
Dropping the totally ridiculous OOB data rates...

Loyal subscribers can obviously port to CellC where the OOB rate is only 15c/Mb!

[BGE]

Loyal subscribers can obviously port to CellC where the OOB rate is only 15c/Mb!

You can't port a contract... if you so desperate to get away... then you'll have to pay a cancellation fee(wasn't there consumer protection act rules/regs that now govern that?)... I wonder how bad that would really be when compared to the saving you'll make amotised over the new CellC contract period.

[Allin]

You can't port a contract... if you so desperate to get away... then you'll have to pay a cancellation fee(wasn't there consumer protection act rules/regs that now govern that?)... I wonder how bad that would really be when compared to the saving you'll make amotised over the new CellC contract period.

You're correct, you port your number.

[masontdk]

how can you know when its using OOB?

[akescpt]

So yes it's a BB issue.

Can Vodacom help their loyal subscribers to minimise the damage this problem is doing?

Yes.

How?

Dropping the totally ridiculous OOB data rates... sending all BB subscribes an SMS warning them of this problem and offering the internet apn inhibitor activation as a remedy while RIM fixes their OS... BB subscribers who wish to activate the inhibitor could possibly just send a reply SMS with "yes"... like all those others Vodacom send out... or just contact the call centre... and lastly as the service provider to 2.4 million South African BB users, they can put pressure on RIM to roll out a final bug fix patch for this problem, the OS controls the apn!

Will they do it?

Nope.

Why not?

how will they maximize their screwing of their customers if they did that? don't be silly.

[BGE]

how can you know when its using OOB?

You don't... 2 things you can do to protect yourself:

1. Block the internet apn by calling the contact centre and requesting the internet apn hibitor be activated. But some 3rd party(non-RIM) apps may fail... so...
2. Buy a smallish data bundle to cover your @ss in case the Vodacom OOB shark comes lurking... but doesn't that just defeat the intended purpose of the BIS service anyway?

[TirNaNog]

This is mainly a Vodacom issue lol.

[entrepr]

Eddie Moyce also said that they are not aware of any BlackBerry BIS billing issues.

Never a good sign. If you are not yet aware, rather investigate and respond.

[Kosmik]

Haven't had the issue on MTN.