Travel Technology - Verizon Blackberry in Europe

I have a Blackberry with Verizon service. Can I get my data (e-mail and texts) while I am in Europe? I do not need call service. If I can get data, is there an extra charge?

You need to call Verizon to add international data. International data DOES NOT include Texting (SMS). I think the international data is 60$/month and can be prorated (e.g. if you only use it 1 week).

HTSC

Definitely call to add the unlimited plan, otherwise you will be charged at a per kb rate with is quite high. You can actually call Verizon now and have them activate the international plan for your dates of travel -- it will automatically start and stop on the dates you pick so there is no need to call again to deactivate it.

Texting costs 50 cents per outgoing message and 5 cents per incoming message. You can get around the outgoing rate by emailing someones text messaging address. (ie. for Verizon 2028805555@vtext.com)

HTSC is correct about the rate of $60 and ability to prorate.

It is worth noting that this only works on a VZW phone that has both CDMA and GSM radios. Currently I believe the only two options are the 8830 and the Storm. Other BB models from VZW cannot be used in Europe since they don't have the GSM coverage.

And I thought I was paying $65/month, not $60, but who knows; I don't really read my bill that closely.

Technically, it's 69.99 for global email (the package name) w/o a standard voice plan. it's 64.99 if used on top of your regular voice plan. if the original poster doesn't need voice at all during the time in europe, it's best to use the 69.99 plan and entirely switch off their voice package for that period.

i also recommend using something like YouMail to make getting voicemails easier while you're on the road. it's free and offers a "visual voicemail" app for the Blackberry, so it works out well for an all-data plan on the road.

If you can get an invitation, get Google Voice (still in beta). You get a US number that you can send free text messages from and receive free text messages at. The only problem is that it doesn't have a Blackberry app and you need to use their wap site (e.g. no instant alerts). It also has a voicemail box that transcribes your e-mails into texts.

The press releases on the plan suggest that on device data is included.

I have VZW, and I find the service to be great. However, there's a real big problem when it comes to calling the regular 800 (877, whatever) and ask for the Global Plan. You're better off calling the Global Support folks (a 908-area-code number).

As mentioned earlier, only the 8830 and Storms are global-compatible (The Tour, when released....supposedly next month....will be global too).

It is worth noting that this only works on a VZW phone that has both CDMA and GSM radios. Currently I believe the only two options are the 8830 and the Storm. Other BB models from VZW cannot be used in Europe since they don't have the GSM coverage.

And I thought I was paying $65/month, not $60, but who knows; I don't really read my bill that closely.

I have the 8330. So does that mean I am SOL??

I have the 8330. So does that mean I am SOL??

In a word - yes.

The 8330 is CDMA only, so you'll either need to upgrade to a dual mode 3G/CDMA model (like the Storm), or borrow/rent a GSM capable Blackberry.

If your trip is for less than three weeks, Verizon has program where you can "borrow" an 8830 to use while overseas. Here's a link to the webpage:

http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Travel/index.html

I have a BB Storm with the appropriate Verizon data and voice plans for the UK -- I'm an American in the UK for 7 weeks. Everything is working great. One question -- is it possible to use the Storm as a tethered modem in the UK? The website is confusing on this point, and I can't seem to make it work, so I'm guessing the answer is no. However, if it is possible, I'd appreciate anyone who can tell me how. Thanks.

I have a BB Storm with the appropriate Verizon data and voice plans for the UK -- I'm an American in the UK for 7 weeks. Everything is working great. One question -- is it possible to use the Storm as a tethered modem in the UK? The website is confusing on this point, and I can't seem to make it work, so I'm guessing the answer is no. However, if it is possible, I'd appreciate anyone who can tell me how. Thanks.

Yes, you can.

In my experience, rather than try to set things up manually it makes it MUCH easier and more reliable to use Verizon's VZAccess Manager software, which you can download at http://www.vzam.net/.

If the correct data plans are in fact provisioned correctly on your account, it should just work. Be sure you know what you're paying...I bet it's not cheap.

I have a BB Storm with the appropriate Verizon data and voice plans for the UK -- I'm an American in the UK for 7 weeks. Everything is working great. One question -- is it possible to use the Storm as a tethered modem in the UK? The website is confusing on this point, and I can't seem to make it work, so I'm guessing the answer is no. However, if it is possible, I'd appreciate anyone who can tell me how. Thanks.
Yes.

And it will be ridiculously expensive.

Yes, you can.

In my experience, rather than try to set things up manually it makes it MUCH easier and more reliable to use Verizon's VZAccess Manager software, which you can download at http://www.vzam.net/.

If the correct data plans are in fact provisioned correctly on your account, it should just work. Be sure you know what you're paying...I bet it's not cheap.

When I asked about it I was specifically told that the tethering software does NOT work internationally. If it did it would just be part of the unlimited plan - $65/month - assuming you subscribe to that plan which is the right way to go for international travel.

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry8700c: BlackBerry9530/4.7.0.148 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Download tetherberry and it will be fine if you hAve the right plan.

I just set up my Verizon account for Europe. My BlackBerry Storm is now "converted" for about half of $65 -- i.e., $64.99/mo. prorated for my 16 days in Germany/Poland/Denmark. That gives me unlimited data/browsing, and for $4.99 prorated I am able to make (quite expensive) calls -- $2.29/min. in Poland, $1.29/min. elsewhere. My wife's Verizon phone is not equipped with GSM so we'll get a loaner from Verizon -- free except for $9.99 shipping. There's a $200 "restocking fee" if we don't ship it back within 30 days. No prorated fee for texting, but messages are 50 cents to send, 5 cents to receive. The customer service agent who set this up for us was efficient, clear, and patient with my many questions. Very unobtrusive -- they need your SIM card number, which merely involves a couple of menu clicks from "Options" on your phone to get a readout, and you're ready to go. I was able to set all this up now for a trip in September. I just posted this same info on another site that I was browsing to figure out how to do all this. Someone mentioned a 908 number as preferable to the 800 number but I couldn't find a 908 and the 800 folks transferred me.