can anyone tell me why

[mrmet044]

i presently have the sprint touch pro with the full internet, text, email and picture mail plan. i was thinking about getting the blackberry tour and sprint told me the plan i have is no good for a blackberry and i would need to pay an additional $30 each month for a blackberry plan. WHY IS THIS? thanks

[Hypnotic2010]

Originally Posted by mrmet044

i presently have the sprint touch pro with the full internet, text, email and picture mail plan. i was thinking about getting the blackberry tour and sprint told me the plan i have is no good for a blackberry and i would need to pay an additional $30 each month for a blackberry plan. WHY IS THIS? thanks

I think it has to do with the Blackberry Enterprise server your blackberry needs to talk to.
BlackBerry handhelds are integrated into an organization's e-mail system through a software package called "BlackBerry Enterprise Server" (BES). Versions of BES are available for Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise. While individual users may be able to use a wireless provider's e-mail services without having to install BES themselves, organizations with multiple users usually run BES on their own network. Some third-party companies provide hosted BES solutions. Every BlackBerry has an ID called BlackBerry PIN, which is used to identify the device to the BES.

BES can act as a sort of e-mail relay for corporate accounts so that users always have access to their e-mail. The software monitors the user's local "inbox", and when a new message comes in, it picks up the message and passes it to RIM's Network Operations Center (NOC). The messages are then relayed to the user's wireless provider, which in turn delivers them to the user's BlackBerry device.
BES also provides handhelds with TCP/IP connectivity accessed through a component called "Mobile Data Service - Connection Service" (MDS-CS). This allows for custom application development using data streams on BlackBerry devices based on the Sun Microsystems Java ME platform.

In addition, BES provides network security, in the form of Triple DES or, more recently, AES encryption of all data (both e-mail and MDS traffic) that travels between the BlackBerry handheld and a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Most providers offer flat monthly pricing for unlimited data between BlackBerry units and BES. In addition to receiving e-mail, organizations can make intranets or custom internal applications with unmetered traffic. Phew....

[Dr.8820]

Originally Posted by mrmet044

i presently have the sprint touch pro with the full internet, text, email and picture mail plan. i was thinking about getting the blackberry tour and sprint told me the plan i have is no good for a blackberry and i would need to pay an additional $30 each month for a blackberry plan. WHY IS THIS? thanks

are you on sero? because all unlimited data plans now have the bes.

[mrmet044]

no, that i dont

[eenieMINI]

If you switch to the everything data plan 450 you will have blackberry service and unlimited mobile to any carrier for $70. Unless you make a lot of "house calls" you're golden!

[mrmet044]

the reason i dont want to change plans is that i pay 45 a month that includes 1000 minutes, unlimited web/picture mail, and 1000 text messages. ive been with them for 15 years now. the plan you mentioned is the plan they want me to get. but its not worth it to me. and they wont accomadate me any other way

[Geekcop]

I suppose it's necessary because not having such a plan makes a BB useless. Now as to why you need a plan different from your TP probably has something to do with the technology used for a WM device won't work for a BB. However, you do not need BES unless you have a need to access your corporate email. If you're looking to access personal accounts (i.e. Roadrunner, SBC, Gmail, etc) you'll do fine with a standard email/internet package. I have unlimited email/internet for $30/month through VZW

[eenieMINI]

The BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) is different access than windows mobile from what I am understanding... which is why there is a "separate" charge for BB services. BIS is personal email/internet access, while BES is the worksite section which costs more. I still think if you want a BB the 450 everything plan is perfect with the newest mobile to any mobile perk. If I didn't run a family plan I'd be using that... still and all I no longer have a worry about going over minutes and we're running 4 lines on 1500 with two 20somethings using the account... plus me of course.

[cooltech59]

You'll need the unlimited data plan for blackberry to work. -I had that plan when I switched and didn't have no problems. And I asked Sprint before I changed and they said my unlimited plan was good because it supported BES.