R 69 for Unlimited email and Internet

[vodacom3g]

I think I can predict a backlash from Prometheus about a lack of Data Bundle Rollover being theft.

I'm sure

 

[bwana]

However, ( I confirmed with RIM last night), they have built encryption into the device, so it won't work as a modem. Only the BB's own, native browser will connect to the BB apn.

I'd be kinda miffed about this if I was a Opera Mini fan.

 

[vodacom3g]

I'd be kinda miffed about this if I was a Opera Mini fan.

Does it run on the BB?

 

[bwana]

Does it run on the BB?

It used to. I'm reinstalling it now to see if that rectifies the problems.

Still broken - on the plus side google talk seems to be still working

 

[AirWolf]

How's the sound quality on Google Talk?

 

[bwana]

How's the sound quality on Google Talk?

Its just a chat app.

 

[mancombseepgood]

However, ( I confirmed with RIM last night), they have built encryption into the device, so it won't work as a modem. Only the BB's own, native browser will connect to the BB apn.

Aah - so it's not worth it then... lol

 

[bwana]

Aah - so it's not worth it then... lol

Depends on how you look at it - I was a subscriber when it was twice the price and didnt have inclusive bandwidth and I found it was still "worth it"

 

[ic]

Its just a chat app.

You mean IM?

 

[bwana]

You mean IM?

As opposed to VOIP? Yeah.

 

[MrSmith]

Yeah just tested it now as a modem and it is dead.
VMC makes a connection but you can't browse, check email from outlook, IM with Skype or anything .

The other day (over weekend i think) i am 99.9% sure it worked as a modem.
Skype system tray icon was green lit and i am sure i browsed a page or 2 i think i must have as the VMC usage shows 694KB used this month and never connected this month before i got the Curve.

This really sucks.

I am a bit confused how the BB browser can only connect when Worldmate live can also get updates and my business partner (also using a new Curve) in using IM+ for Skype on his no problem?

Opera Mini 4 beta does not work though


Can V3G confirm if i would still be able to set it up to use normal R2/MB APN for use as a data modem occasionally when i am on the road?

 

[bwana]

I am a bit confused how the BB browser can only connect when Worldmate live can also get updates and my business partner (also using a new Curve) in using IM+ for Skype on his no problem?

Opera Mini 4 beta does not work though


Can V3G confirm if i would still be able to set it up to use normal R2/MB APN for use as a data modem occasionally when i am on the road?

They automatically changed the apn for us not long ago so perhaps all you need to do is change it back and you'll be able to use it as a modem?

 

[antowan]

What's an interface perspective?

I get the feeling that vodacom is testing the waters (perhaps vying for the iPhone?) with this.

EDIT - then again Blackberry users have been paying a premium for the service so perhaps we deserve a break

There is nothing unique about the blackberry. Why punt the blackberry as if it stands out from the crowd. I believe there is some marketing stunts going on behind the scenes because the blackberry can and possibly would fail dismally when compared to other phones. The main selling point of the blackberry is it's usability and functionality.

The first ones had a qwerty keyboard setup and was presented to market as the new gadget to kill gadgets because of this interface. It isn't. Never was. There were other phones with this before and there was after. I just don't get the hoopla.

All I am saying is that Vodacom hammering on the blackberry and bringing out special connection tarrifs for it is like government giving a specific brand of car a unique lane on freeways to drive on because it has 4 wheels, understand?

Why not simply create a push email tarrif for all phones...

 

[broken1]

Why not simply create a push email tarrif for all phones...

If I understood V3G correctly, it's because the Blackberry manufacturers have added some sort of encryption to stop poeple using this "all inclusive unlimited data" to download things to their PC using the blackberry as a modem.

As it stands now, if I had this unlimited Internet on my HTC - I could use it as a modem on my laptop, and go crazy on the Internet. This isn't what vodacom is offering. What they are offering is unlimited email and internet use from the handset only. Blackberry seems to allow this by stopping you connecting to the blackberry APN if you are using the device as a modem and only allowing one to connect to the APN if you are using the phones browser or built in email capabilities.

How much is the Blackberry Curve Cash? My next upgrade is only in a years time. At the moment, I'm paying for Data (R50 - R100 a month, I use the internet on the phone quite a bit and have push) and my exchange server host R75 a month. The black berry connect service would save me all the data charges - but how much is the phone?

 

[bwana]

There is nothing unique about the blackberry. Why punt the blackberry as if it stands out from the crowd. I believe there is some marketing stunts going on behind the scenes because the blackberry can and possibly would fail dismally when compared to other phones. The main selling point of the blackberry is it's usability and functionality.

It does stand out in so far as it does its primary function, email, exceptionally well - and that is as much due to the back-end as the phone itself. BES/BIS is what makes everything work and most other phones dont have that.

The blackberry has been around for 8-9 years now and with the new models is selling exceptionally well worldwide.

All I am saying is that Vodacom hammering on the blackberry and bringing out special connection tarrifs for it is like government giving a specific brand of car a unique lane on freeways to drive on because it has 4 wheels, understand?

Vodacom has always had a special tariff for the blackberry - everyone who offers the service has a special tariff. All they've done is make it more affordable imo.

You can pick up an older blackberry for a few hundred rand, bolt the blackberry service onto a 4U and have mobile email, in your pocket, for next to nothing. Best of all you can leave it behind when you dont want it.

 

[vodacom3g]

They automatically changed the apn for us not long ago so perhaps all you need to do is change it back and you'll be able to use it as a modem?

Yes, only the BB apn will allow you to connect via RIM's servers and have the unlimited browsing. And only the on-board browser will authenticate.

If you want to use your BB as a modem, you need to switch to the internet apn and your applicable data plan (in-bundle or OOB) will apply.

 

[oronte]

Can someone please clarify this for me? I spoke to someone at the Blackberry support line via the Vodacom customer care line and they told me that the free internet only applies to surfing the Vodafone live website and that you will be charged the normal rate of R2/meg if you go to any other site. He did, however, mention that all downloading and uploading via e-mail is free and that Blackberry connect compatible devices eg. my Sony Ericsson P990i and I'll assume the compatible Nokia's all qualify for this R69 offer. Perhaps he meant that if you are using a non-Blackberry all you can surf is Vodafone Live, but that Blackberry's can surf any website. In any event I think someone needs to ammend this article, as you clearly cannot use your Blackberry as a modem for this offer.

 

[rpm]

Perhaps he meant that if you are using a non-Blackberry all you can surf is Vodafone Live, but that Blackberry's can surf any website.

This is correct. With the Blackberry bolt-on service you have unlimited email and surfing using the BB Internet Browser. Using it as a modem however will mean that you connect to a different APN where standard data rates hold...

Article about this to follow tommorow...just want to get all the facts first...

 

[MrSmith]

Yes, only the BB apn will allow you to connect via RIM's servers and have the unlimited browsing. And only the on-board browser will authenticate.

If you want to use your BB as a modem, you need to switch to the internet apn and your applicable data plan (in-bundle or OOB) will apply.

Thx V3G that is very nice in theory but i just spent the better part of the afternoon trying to use my new BB 8310 (Curve) to work as a modem for my laptop with no luck.

After trying various thing to get it working I thought that maybe the "internet" APN was not on my phone so called 155 and they told me that it was already on on phone. They then proceeded to try and help me set it up as a modem via New connection wizard (win xp) - no luck.
He then gave up and suggested that i search the internet for further help. I said i already had and that as i was already spending a lot of money with Vodacom and was still prepared to reluctantly spend a further R2/MB (rippoff) when the need arose that i expected Vodacom to find the solution for me. He then escalated my query and said that someone would get back to me within 24 hours.

Has anybody actually currently got this working as a modem on a 8310?
If so could they please explain how they did it?

Vodacom you are losing money if you crippled it for modem use?

 

[MrSmith]

This is correct. With the Blackberry bolt-on service you have unlimited email and surfing using the BB Internet Browser. Using it as a modem however will mean that you connect to a different APN where standard data rates hold...

RPM - using the 8310 as a modem by connecting to a "different" APN does not currently seem to be an option as from what i have been told by 155 as the new encryption does not seem to allow any other authentications - they are coming back to me on this however but i am not hopeful.

If anyone has a 8310 working as a modem i would be very keen to hear about it. Even if i have to pay on the R2/MB APN - i just want the thing to work when i need it to.