BlackBerry Services Supported Over a Wi-Fi Connection
Wi-Fi on a BlackBerry is very important feature for most of us and it’s still one of the prime deciding factor for many on which model to buy. We know how BlackBerry works on Wi-Fi and what we can do with it based on our past experiences and trials but we have now the official knowledge base article published by RIM yesterday stating what BlackBerry services you can use over a W-Fi connection. Let me explain what it means in simple terms yet in detail.
BlackBerry with Wi-Fi and UMA compatibility
A Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smartphone can access voice and data services using multiple radio technologies.
If the wireless service provider makes Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA)/generic access network (GAN) technology available for subscription, the Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smartphone can access voice and data services over a mobile network and a Wi-Fi connection. UMA/GAN allows concurrent connections to data services over a Wi-Fi connection and voice services over the mobile network.
A Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smartphone can establish a Wi-Fi connection from an organization Wi-Fi network, a personal Wi-Fi network with a virtual private network (VPN) connection, or a hotspot with a VPN connection direct to the BlackBerry Router.
This feature is there since quite a long time and many wireless carriers are promoting it actively. The BlackBerry Pearl 8120, Curve 8320 (discontinued by most carriers), Curve 8900, Curve 8520, Bold 9700 etc are all Wi-Fi capable devices which are supported for UMA compatibility by many wireless service providers. UMA allows you to basically use your Wi-Fi network to make and receive calls whereby you can save your air time minutes from your calling plan thus making these calls as free calls. You need to subscribe for this UMA/ talkspot feature from your wireless carrier if they are providing it. (e.g. $10/month for unlimited local and $15/month for unlimited national by Rogers in Canada).
Tip: Make sure you have UMA displayed on your home screen before calling out if you are subscribed to UMA feature. This will ensure those calls are free UMA calls. If you do not have UMA feature on your account and using above mentioned BlackBerry model then keep the Connection Preference as "Mobile Network Preferred” not “Wi-Fi Preferred” in order to avoid dropped calls occasionally. You can access/change this settings from Menu – Manage Connections – Mobile Network Options.
Free BBM Messages and BIS emails while outside home network
In addition, using a Wi-Fi network to connect directly to the BlackBerry Router, with or without a VPN session, or to the Internet on the appropriate port, a Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smartphone can access the BlackBerry® Internet Service, BlackBerry® Messenger, and personal identification number (PIN) messaging.
To connect to the BlackBerry Data Services over Wi-Fi for PIN messaging and BlackBerry Internet Service connectivity, the BlackBerry smartphone will require a BlackBerry data plan from the wireless service provider. It may also require a BlackBerry data plan to connect to the BlackBerry Router on a BlackBerry Enterprise Server to access BlackBerry data services.
Note: Check with your wireless service provider for supported services and features.
This is the huge plus and the only main reason of writing this post. Many BlackBerry users are already using it this way and many users do not know if it can be used this way too.
If you already have a data plan then you have access to BBM and BIS emails and you can use BBM and BIS emails on Wi-Fi too. So when you are connected to Wi-Fi network and you have the Mobile Network tuned OFF, you can still use the BlackBerry Messenger and send/receive BIS emails.
Let me explain by giving you two examples.
Inside Home Network – Wi-Fi ON – Mobile Network OFF
I use my BlackBerry this way most of the time when I do not want to be disturbed by voice calls. With Wi-Fi connected and Mobile Network turned OFF, I still get my emails and BBM messages which are important to me and I do not get disturbed by any voice calls and SMS/MMS which is fine in those instances. This also helps me save on Battery charge.
Outside Home Network – Wi-Fi ON – Mobile Network OFF
I have used the BlackBerry this way couple of times and never got additional charge by my carrier. When I was roaming outside my home network, I was able to use BBM and BIS emails through Wi-Fi and did not receive additional charge. It may/ may not work if you are on BES and as stated in the above note it is advised to check with your wireless service provider for supported services and features.
> > Read the Knowledge Base Article KB13368
> > How to connect to Wi-Fi and Browse Internet
So leave your comments if you have used the BlackBerry on Wi-Fi while you were roaming out side your home network in the past.
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Hey great article
I just want to clarify a few things. see I’m new to blackberry’s, so what exactly is the ‘Mobile network’?
And are you saying by doing this. you’re saving paying whatever-a-month for Internet service?
Because I understand in order to use BBM & Internet, you have to have the service plan.
so is this a way to get the plan, receive your pin, and then stop paying per month & only use wi-fi internet, and use BBM without paying for the internet service?
please explain
Mobile network is what you get to make and receive calls, just voice and SMS plan.
You are right. In order to use BBM, you have to have a data plan, after that you can use BBM either on WiFi or Dataplan from your carrier. As long as you have the active dataplan, you will be able to use BBM.
All the Blackberry devices have their PIN assigned to it. What happens is when you get the data plan, the Blackberry PIN gets registered to RIM servers and gets the proper service books to allow BBM to work.
You can browse the Internet on wifi, doesn’t matter you have the data plan or not.
I hope this will clarify your doubts.
i dont get it how do i get a service plan without paying ? i need this data plan please how can i get …………………….
Help!
This post is not about that.
You have to pay to get the data plan from your service provider if you’re looking for pushed emails or BlackBerry Meseensger.
The only thing you can do without paying for dataplan is to use the browser icon to surf the Internet from your BlackBerry via your own Home/ Office Wi-Fi router.
Hey,
Ive been using the wifi on mobile network off since im roaming. It was working but suddenly it stopped. Any suggestions?
Plz help
Thanx
Hey I’ve been using the bb service since I have a service plan in my home town but I travlled and had wifi in my house through wifi I’ve been using the services but when I changed sim cards and put the original back I’m connected to the wifi but I still can’t use bbm or email but the Internet work :s can some one please help thanks
The Internet is working on Wi-Fi. Do keep in mind that for BBM and pushed email you need the active data plan on your new SIM card.
It seems like all BBM and Email Service books have been deleted when you changed the SIM card.
Make sure, you have the data plan active on the new SIM card. If you have access to BIS Email site, resend the service books.
If problem persist, you may have to call your service provider tech support to make sure the BlackBerry Services profile is OK from their end.
Hey all, I have used BBM and other chat apps while travelling in Thailand and Indonesia on the Wifi network with Mobile Network turned off. No extra charges were added into the bill from my service provider.
However, if you take out your SIM and put another local SIM, then the service books are refreshed. So when you put back your Dataplan enabled SIM into the Blackberry, it cannot connect to the Blackberry server and download the Service Books again. So you will not be able to connect using Wifi now.
So make sure that you carry an extra phone for emergency calls and sms’s and keep the blackberry for ur BBM n emails on Wifi.
Hope this helps?
Only if your VPN supports split tunneling. Without knowing what technology you’re using for your VPN it’s not possible to say if you can work around this or not.