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dr3x320
Rocker
Joined: Nov 21, 2006
Posts: 638
Location: Boston + Pudong
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Sep 09, 2007 - 11:23 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Blackberry |
Interested in getting a headcount.
Any Expats use a Blackberry Mobile here in Shanghai/China?
Is it a common Mobile amongst the Expats/Tourists here, or locals for that matter?
Do you have a data plan as well?
I've heard that this month RIM was finally allowed by the PRC to begin sales of one model of Blackberry here in China, base price around $500 USD. Anyone seen them for sale anywhere? |
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Boston ™ Shanghai ™ Goteborg ™ |
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computersolutions
FooJay
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1785
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2007 - 10:46 AM |
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They've been available here since they came out in Canada.
I bought one a few *years* ago. The phones are cheap here, as the data connection is expensive, and no-one really wants one as it makes a crap phone (just a decent email device really). Tons of them in the second hand markets (mostly from HK).
The China Telecom blackberry pricing is set to make it a non starter, so its better to use a HK provider. China Telecom also aren't so keen to sell anyone a blackberry device, usually you have to beg and plead. You also end up carrying 2 phones - one for blackberry and one for calls.
Its not popular here because of that, and only corporates use Exchange.
I played around with Blackberry Exchange Server, and its not optimal to say the least, plus its running on Exchange, which isn't the best of things at the best of times.
There are better solutions out there that don't tie you into a blackberry subscription. I'd be more into them if they would stop being stubborn and let you go online using any old GPRS connection, rather than the "BlackBerry Data Connection".
Search the forum for Blackberry and you'll see some extensive older posts of mine discussing access in depth here.
Myself, I use an e61i, and am quite happy with it. Does pretty much the same using IMAP or POP3 (and if I really really want blackberry service, the software is downloadable). |
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Butter_Cup
Newbie
Joined: Sep 09, 2007
Posts: 5
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2007 - 10:55 AM |
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So I will be able to get email on my phone if I request internet service from my cell phone service provider? How much does the plan usually run? |
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computersolutions
FooJay
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1785
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2007 - 08:33 PM |
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Your phone already has internet service - GPRS, unless you are on prepaid cards, but even then, you might have service.
The service name is CMNET, they charge per KB, but its not too much. Check the sticky at the top of this forum for configuration info. |
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IT Support - http://www.computersolutions.cn | Web Design - http://design.computersolutions.cn |
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answerer
Raver
Joined: Apr 26, 2006
Posts: 453
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2007 - 10:20 PM |
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Expats: Lots
Locals: Almost none
China Mobile offers blackberry service for 398 per month for 50MB, except that their website says that they currently only offer to corporate customers. Started back in April I think. You can find the phones for real cheap here(mostly refurbs from Europe/US) through the 2nd hand market.
My company used to use the dataplan from a HK provider but we recently switched to Chinamobile |
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tipene
Newbie
Joined: Apr 18, 2008
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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Apr 19, 2008 - 12:34 AM |
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Purely for the purposes of your headcount market research I confirm that i am another "expat" in possession of such a gadget.
Great for e-mail, sh1te phone, and another way for work to takeover your life
Mine is not connected via China mobile but through an overseas telecom ....  |
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SnappySammy
Board Legend
Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 10197
Status: Offline
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Apr 19, 2008 - 02:08 AM |
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I used T Mobile BlackBerry with US service for about 3 years. About a Year ago I switched to ATT Blackberry service. I pay Att abour $45.00 a month for International Service. I don't use the Blackberry Phone and I don't ever go online. I just email and I pay only $45.00 a month for unlimited emails. |
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Yank My Doodle It's A Dandy |
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ocgirl
Squeeker
Joined: Mar 27, 2008
Posts: 16
Status: Offline
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Aug 21, 2008 - 06:36 PM |
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BTW do you guys know if the 398 plan through China Mobile includes voice plan? It doesn't really specify so I'm guessing it doesn't. Voice doesn't cost that much anyway but just thought I'd ask. The reason why I ask is because if I get it through my company, I don't want to carry one phone and one blackberry.
Alot of expats got their BBs elsewhere, ie HK so they have to carry a cell phone with local SIM and a BB |
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golfer2
Lurker
Joined: Mar 07, 2006
Posts: 31
Status: Offline
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Sep 12, 2008 - 11:44 AM |
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Snappy, how does it work with the ATT service. I'm looking at that option but can only see an international plan for 69.99 or 65.99. Do i also need to sign up for a voice plan? or can i simply sign up for only the international data plan for 65.99? |
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