Verizon Wireless unleashes globetrotting BlackBerry 8830
by Sean Cooper 
posted May 28th 2007 at 10:50AM
It would seem that the info we posted last week (it feels so good to be spot on sometimes) was right and Verizon was indeed set to release the BlackBerry 8830 today. While the hardware has been covered ad nauseam, the $199 price point -- if you sign a new 2 year agreement of course -- is a definitive plus for those of you just now taking the plunge to enjoy some of this brand spankin' new, worldwide Berryin' from Verizon. Also packed in your kit is the "Global Support Pack" which includes your SIM card and user reference guide to accessing the global 24 hour free tech support and a free calling card to do it with, no matter where you might be. Stay tuned for our hands-on.[Via PR Newswire.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
geekgirl @ May 28th 2007 7:44PM
now vzw just needs a blackberry with a camera...!!!
Randy @ May 28th 2007 12:02PM
So is this berry a GSM phone? I thought VZW didn't do GSM. Can someone in the know, please enlighten me?
Stephen @ May 28th 2007 12:16PM
This is Verizon's first phone to have both GSM and CDMA. Generally Verizon is only CDMA but this phone was created to people who travel all around the world. So they decided to make it GSM and CDMA.
elgee02 @ May 28th 2007 12:32PM
It's dual-mode. CDMA stateside, sim card for GSM abroad. Quite simple really.
ravats @ Jun 24th 2007 9:20AM
I am using a 8830 from Verizon and every thing works fine in the US as expected. It also worked fine in Paris. However, there is no data service available while I am here in India. Very disappointing, since this was promoted as working around the world.
MannyM @ May 28th 2007 1:15PM
Actually this was available through the business channels last week. I got my hands on it, found it a bit too wide. The handset comes with a Vodaphone branded SIM card.
I tried inserting my Cingular SIM into it--no go locked down tight. Also the GPS is disabled, tried installing Google Maps on it, can't find the GPS. Incidentally it comes with its own mapping program, which of course didn't work.
aviationwiz @ May 28th 2007 1:36PM
I don't see where it comes with the Global Support Pack... I don't see it mentioned anywhere, and I was under the impression that it costs $40 extra (unless you sign up for the Global Data plan.)
Nick @ May 28th 2007 2:59PM
@Stephen.
This is actually not their first global phone. They've also offered the Samsung i830, Samsung a790, and motorola a810. which all support GSM 900/1800
BasSTiD @ May 28th 2007 9:38PM
yeah seriously... i'd get it right now if it had a damn camera!
mapthomas @ May 30th 2007 12:22AM
Some of the things I've read aren't exactly true. Yes the GPS IS disabled from the maps program (probably because VZW will issue an update with VZ Navigator) but the map program works just like mapquest or google maps. The phone is $199 after $100 online discount and $100 mail in rebate. The only way an existing customer can get that deal is if they have their new every two credit. The Blackberry browser SUCKS, but the free Opera mini browser (at download.com) is very nice.
UDub9 @ May 30th 2007 12:36PM
Anyone get the 8830 with the SIM Card? Verizon is saying that the SIM Card is only needed when traveling outside the USA.
Regarding the SIM Card costs -- I'm getting the run-around from Verizon -- the in-store people say that the SIM Card costs around $40, and you'll pay an additional $14/month for the internation phone+e-mail capabilities. The telephone customer service people say that the SIM Card costs $10 and you have to put a $300 deposit, with no addtional monthly service fee. What the ****? Someone please enlighten me...
Also, I was told the unlimited data service, which is originally $30/month, has increased to $45/month. Whoa!
dg @ Mar 30th 2009 10:54AM
Udub9. I won't speak for all situations...but here is my experience. I'm on Verizon. I purchased the Global Pack (which includes the GSM Sim card) for $29.95). I added the 4.95 per mo. global plan to my account plus the $69.95 global data plan. Also, calls were .99 per minute. Since I was only in the UK for 10 days...you can (as I did) take the plan back off once you return to the U.S. thus you will get a "pro-rated" bill for the services. That breaks the data down to about $2.16 per day. I did not use the phone much..but having the ability to get email while I was gone was absolutely worth $2.16 per day. Hope this helps
Richard @ Jun 1st 2007 4:07PM
I'm a Verizon customer new to the BB world, and am still shopping. I understand that the 8820 is Wi-Fi enabled. Is that also true for the new 8830? More importantly, does that mean Wi-Fi connectivity through a hotspot ... say in a hotel while traveling in South America? What DOES Wi-FI capability mean with these devices?
ts @ Jun 4th 2007 11:50AM
I have no need for worldwide access...should I consider the 8830?
kadam @ Jun 19th 2007 11:01AM
I just got the Balackberry 8830 from VZW. I don't see any SIM card. When I called the customer service they told me that I should be able to use it internationally without even getting the international data plan. I am going to Singapore next month.
1. Do we need a SIM card and a plan from verizon to use it internationally?
2. If there is a SIM card can I use a local card to access it internationally and can the phone be unlocked?
I really would appreciate any help/suggestions.
thomas @ Jun 20th 2007 9:34PM
Well Kadam just give them a call. I am travelling to Europe and Bombay, India next month. I got their global data package and a SIM card. The SIM card has to be installed in the back of the phone. If you talk to 5 different customer service people about this new phone...they all seems to know what they are talking about - but the problem is - everybody is talking different...for example the guy who sold me the phone and all the package told me that when I am in Bombay, India - my outgoing call from india to USA will be only .35 cents a minute if I buy their SIM card and their global package. I was very happy to know that - until I called for some other reason last night - and another very informative lady told me - that she is working for almost a year and a half and she knows the other guy is wrong. So, if i receive or make a call from india with all the gadgets and package from verizon - it will cost more than $2.31 cents per minute. Go figure. So, I am on my trial period. I am creating a database of people I am talking with their name and what they are saying - then I will report to the consumer service people and FCC. There are lots of mixed information coming out from these cell phone companies - consumers are confused and blowing off their hard working money - for so called "sales people" who gives mixed messages. You can't escape that from any cell phone companies. I hope some legistures stands up and look into all these complains and mis-information from phone companies. I will certainly will bring this to my congressman and other people. Well Good Luck...keep a database of people you are talking to, when and what date.
ravats @ Jun 24th 2007 9:24AM
Let me know if you have data service in India. I can't get data just voice. I was told that Verizon doesn't support data in India yet.
Andy @ Jul 8th 2007 1:55AM
Any idea about data or voice in mainland China for either the Verizon or Sprint version of this phone?
zenmaster @ Aug 8th 2007 8:15AM
I just talked to Verizon today about China. Data is unlimited and free with global data plan. but you need to manually set it to GSM when you are there. Voice is $2.49/min. I wonder if I can get a local SIM while I am there?
Ofelas @ Jul 8th 2007 12:42PM
Hi, I have this VZW 8830 as well, and was told that it would have data ANYWHERE Vodafone had a data agreement, as their partner Vodafone supplies the SIM card inside the Verizon 8830.
Vodafone says it accesses BB data in Bombay (Mumbai) via AirTel here - http://www.airtimemanager.co.uk/blackberry/Enterprise/Coverage.aspx
But Verizon now says they do NOT have a data roaming agreement in India, and the couple reps I've spoken to recently don't even know who/what Vodafone is.
If ANYONE is able to access BB data in India - Thomas or Ravats - please email me at ofelas@gmail.com & I'd appreciate a brief outline of your success/failure!
Thanks & have a great trip!
Ofelas @ Jul 8th 2007 11:36AM
Added by Ofelas -
Have Thomas or Ravat tried doing a manual selection of the various AirTel entries (for example Bombay/Mumbai is AirTel 404/92, and Delhi is 404/10 etc. etc.)?
Also, how does a manual scan of available networks work? Other providers of BlackBerry Data there from what I have gathered are "Hutch" and "Reliance". Thanks!
Russ @ Jul 9th 2007 7:47PM
Have the new 8830 and SIM card. Cannot figure out how to install the 9/16ths" by 1" SIM. Just seems too big for the slot.
Seeking some advice from someone who knows the secret to installation.
Russ
John @ Jul 16th 2007 9:17PM
the sim card slot is to the left of the center media card slot.
it requires a little wiggle to get it in... also just like the small pic it goes in with the data on the bottom and the nothch sticking out.
Raghu Bala @ Aug 12th 2007 3:23AM
No Data Service in India.... Sucks!!
Cris @ Aug 19th 2007 5:51PM
Bought the 8830 because I was told it would work in Buenos Aires, Argentina but alas it DOES NOT work in Argentina - no data, no voice, no nothing. Verizon has no agreements with Argentina and when I spoke to a customer service rep they said, we don't have agreements in rural countries like Argentina!! I think I will be returning the 8830 since this is where I travel the most. Too bad. Sprint or T-Mobile will be next.
MobileGeek @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:07AM
The new Motorola Q 9m has finally been released today by Verizon. I can't believe that they left the sGPS enabled on this phone and disabled it on the 8830. That stupid statement that Verizon's exec made about GPS damaging Verizon's network is baloney. If Verizon really thought that GPS could hurt their Network then they probably would have disabled it on the Moto Q as well. Maybe Motorola told them to take a walk when Verizon asked for it to be disabled. Come on Rim, start standing up for yourself. When will Verizon stop lying to its customers?