Travel Technology - Can I use BB Bold wifi without data plan?

Hi Techies,

I'm a new BB user. I have an unlocked ATT Bold (ATT gave me unlock code five days after I bought it). I am travelling to Australia and don't want to use the data plan for cost reasons. Can I:

1 Turn off "mobile network" and just use wifi when in a hotspot, even if I have to subscribe to that service (has to be cheaper than ATT's $20 per meg)?

I did remove the ATT SIM and was able to access my home wifi without it. I don't know if that would be the case elsewhere? I presume no SIM = no charge, but maybe no work!

2 Subscribe to a prepaid data plan in Australia. Optus have one but they told me I had to have an Oz address? Anybody know a way around that rule?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Techies,

I'm a new BB user. I have an unlocked ATT Bold (ATT gave me unlock code five days after I bought it). I am travelling to Australia and don't want to use the data plan for cost reasons. Can I:

1 Turn off "mobile network" and just use wifi when in a hotspot, even if I have to subscribe to that service (has to be cheaper than ATT's $20 per meg)?

I did remove the ATT SIM and was able to access my home wifi without it. I don't know if that would be the case elsewhere? I presume no SIM = no charge, but maybe no work!

2 Subscribe to a prepaid data plan in Australia. Optus have one but they told me I had to have an Oz address? Anybody know a way around that rule?

Thanks in advance.

Yes you can use the bold as browse the internet using wifi only at no cost. Using it for BES email would be more complicated but can be done.

Depending on the service networks in Australia you may be able to use the BB for data services without BES by setting a up a WAP browser.

Some of the BB blogs can provide you with work arounds to allow this. Found in some countries that you could use GPRS on the BB without BES and others would not recognize the BB. Guess it all depends on licensing.

What happens if you just turn off international roaming and carry a super-cheapo prepaid phone for voice with an OZ prepaid SIM. Now when you connect your Blackberry phone to wifi you'll get your Blackberry mail.

If you don't want to use it as a phone, turn off the cell network, leave your AT&T SIM in the phone, and use the WiFi. No problems.

If you remove that AT&T SIM and use WiFi - go to "Services Status" under your manage connections menu. I think you will notice both BIS and BES are disconnected. If you do the same thing with the SIM still inserted it shows WiFi. (I looked at this on my Bold a while back also)

Also, for the Optus SIM: I got one by walking into an Optus store and giving them the address of my hotel in Canberra. No drama. Just because you have a data plan does NOT mean you will have a blackberry enabled data plan, though. If you go through BIS or BES, the data service needs to support those features. For things like the gmail app, that would work fine with any data plan.

Thanks for the advice. Here's what I ended up doing:

1 Removed ATT SIM and replaced with Telstra SIM (AUD$30) - gave me phone and data - data add-on cost AUD$10 for 100 meg. Telstra would not have been my first choice but I was travelling to Tasmania and, outside Hobart, Telstra is the only game in town.

2 As I had access to desktops in hotels, used Gotomypc to be able to log-in to my own laptop in the US. I was able to access all my programs, email, Quicken, Outlook, etc. Cost US$19.95.

3 Perhaps overkill - I bought Optus SIM for AUD$69 which gave me AUD$1000 phone credit which I used primarily for overseas calls, then gave the spare phone with Optus to Mrs FlyerJon when she arrived.

While staying at the Sheratons in Perth and Sydney, I was able to access their wifi at no cost.

There is a relatively new service called "3" - useless if you do not have a 3G phone, next to useless if you do! Recommend avoiding this SIM. I think the company may be aquired by a competitor?