Blackberry "unlimited on device browsing"

[willibad]

I hope that someone can shed more light on this than Nashua Mobile.

I recently renewed my cellphone contract and got my first Blackberry. I was under the impression that the R59 I pay every month covers all on-device internet usage and email. I installed Google Maps/Earth for mobile devices, and asked Nashua if this too would be included.

Their response was that "Google maps is a 3rd party application and will be billed as bandwidth separate from the BIS bandwidth." I asked why this would be billed seperately, and what happened to the "unlimited on device browsing", their response was:

"Browsing and downloading with in the blackberry.com browser website is free, but the minute you start to enter a url you go outside of that environment and that will be charged."

Can someone please help me to understand what "the blackberry.com browser website" is, and what they could mean with "the environment" mentioned above.

 

[bwana]

Can someone please help me to understand what "the blackberry.com browser website" is, and what they could mean with "the environment" mentioned above.

Never heard of it. My advice is to randomly dial a number on your phone and ask whom ever picks up. They probably know more than the person you spoke to at Nashua

I've yet to come across an application - with the exception of Vodacom's own Live - where you run the risk of getting charged, including Google Maps.

What you will get charged for is using your device as a tethered modem.

 

[VodacomData]

HI

Any 3rd party apps will charge you.
Why not use blackberry maps ?

Regards
VodacomData

 

[oronte]

Your first mistake was taking out a contract with Nashua Mobile. Look at the Blackberry Bold Tips Thread for more info.

 

[Jez123]

With all due respect VodacomData, I do not agree with your statement that "Any 3rd party apps will charge you".

 

[Freshy-ZN]

Would be nice if these people selling this service actually knew what the hell they were talking about!

 

[bwana]

HI

Any 3rd party apps will charge you.
Why not use blackberry maps ?

Regards
VodacomData

:erm: Since when exactly? Because if that was the case my missus' facebook usage would leave me in financial ruin.

 

[Waaib]

I have not noticed any data charges since moving onto Blackberry. I'm on BES so not sure if different.

I have Gmail, Facebook, Ubertwitter and use Opera 5 Beta for browsing. All use data so if they should be racking up usage if what Nashua told you was true.

As far as I know it has to do with the APN that the app uses. If it uses BB as the APN then there is no charge. (I don't know what an APN is or stands for )

 

[Waaib]

I think Facebook on Blackberry is a BB specifc app that doesn't charge extra - because it routes it's data via the BB service.
That's why they specifically advertise "Free Facebook"
FB is free anyway isn't it? Not if you use it from a phone 'cos then you pay data rates normally but not on BB.

 

[willibad]

HI
Why not use blackberry maps ?

For one, it doesn't have Google Earth overlay.

 

[VodacomData]

:erm: Since when exactly? Because if that was the case my missus' facebook usage would leave me in financial ruin.

Facebook is a blackberry app on your device.
If you check your settings , you will see an option to add BB calendar BB contacts e.t.c.Apps basically not approved by BB are charged.

And if your missus is using the BB browser for FB she wont be charged

Regards
VodacomData

 

[bwana]

I think Facebook on Blackberry is a BB specifc app that doesn't charge extra - because it routes it's data via the BB service.
That's why they specifically advertise "Free Facebook"
FB is free anyway isn't it? Not if you use it from a phone 'cos then you pay data rates normally but not on BB.

I've yet to come across apps that dont route through the inclusive blackberry APN. I've been using the service for years now and the only additional fees I pay is when the device suddenly decides to use vodacom live. I'd love to be able to disable that garbage permanently.

 

[assagai]

HI

Any 3rd party apps will charge you.
Why not use blackberry maps ?

Regards
VodacomData

Another misinformed vodacom employee? Sorry VD but you are incorrect.
vodacoms staff's levels of awareness around their own services is a constant source of amuse/amazement to me.

I use viigo (streaming radio), vision for youtube, gmaps, without charges.
The phone usually prompts you when you are switching to "wap"
Heck, even the speedtest app doesn't get charged for and that's very cleary a 3rd party app.
There are tons of 3rd party apps on appworld by non-rim developers that use BIS.

 

[bwana]

Facebook is a blackberry app on your device.
If you check your settings , you will see an option to add BB calendar BB contacts e.t.c.Apps basically not approved by BB are charged.

And if your missus is using the BB browser for FB she wont be charged

Regards
VodacomData

I've installed Weather Bug on my phone that receives hourly updates. Had it on for years now and have yet to be charged for extra data. Same goes for my twitter clients, opera, and all the google apps - no charges to date.

As far as I was aware if it went via the blackberry apn it is inclusive - is this or is this not the case? I'm sure we would all appreciate a definitive answer.

 

[willibad]

The phone usually prompts you when you are switching to "wap"

Would it be safe to assume, that because it doesn't prompt me to switch to WAP when using this application, that it would be included bandwidth and not billed seperately?

 

[phoneJunky]

Unless you switch the prompt off, I have garmap on mtn and I get charged for that. Everything else I do not get charge for.

 

[Astound]

Unless you switch the prompt off, I have garmap on mtn and I get charged for that. Everything else I do not get charge for.

Why would you have to pay for Garmap data usage?

It is supported by BIS.

If you are getting charged for it, I suggest you query this with your SP.