BlackBerry 8830 World Edition announced for Verizon, Sprint
By Brian White 
posted Apr 25th 2007 10:41AM
posted Apr 25th 2007 10:41AM
We've been salivating a bit since hearing the BlackBerry 8830 would be released sometime in May on Verizon Wireless, and our dreams appear to be coming to fruition. Hey, a BlackBerry with 2GB microSD support and possible built-in iTunes got our heads rockin' -- what can we say? With word on the street that Telus (in Canada) and Verizon (U.S.) would be the first carriers to get the new 8830, this morning's news confirmed it. Both Verizon and RIM announced today that the CDMA / GSM worldphone is coming to Verizon Wireless on May 14. If you're into a full QWERTY BlackBerry with CDMA EV-DO support in addition to GSM / GPRS (900 and 1,800 MHz only), you're about to be rewarded for your patience. Sprint customers will have to wait until July -- but starting tomorrow, interested customers can pre-register at the carrier's site.Read - Verizon press release
Read - Sprint pre-registration (starting April 26)
The Wall Street Journal stated the 8830 is a bit taller than the 8800, however, RIM's site shows the dimensions between the two to be identical. I wonder how we can confirm, as the current line of third party accessories will not fit if in fact the 8830 is taller.
Can someone explain how the gsm feature works on this? Do you need a sim card, or is it built in? Can I just hop over to the UK and have it work? Looking into this for my company and want to see how it compares to the full gsm cingular....
I'm getting a 403 Error on the Sprint Link. Does anyone have a screen capture?
It'll need a sim card, just like any other GSM phone. When you take it internationally, there's a setting that you hit to change it to GSM mode. And if it's anything else like the other VZW global phones, it will, by default, be locked to a Verizon Wireless/Vodafone sim card.
@#2- check out the Verizon link. it says there will be a sim card included in the package.
Verizon Wireless will probably try to get you to use the Vodaphone SIM while across the pond since they are sister companies, but you should have the ability to use any SIM you want when overseas
Chuck,
the site doesn't go live until tomorrow
Read - Sprint pre-registration (starting April 26)
If it's locked to Verizon/Vodafone then that's pretty lame. I'm probably going to have to switch to AT&T when the 83xx launches.
EVDO Rev a or no?
http://www2.sprint.com/mr/news_dtl.do?id=16300
That's Sprint's product page for their BLACK 8830. Sweet.
And Sprint confirms their model will is unlocked on the GSM side, accepting anyone's SIM cards.
My guess...Verizon's is locked up tight!
So, just one question, and I'm afraid it's a stupid one..
Does it include the frequency bands to work in the US under GSM or is it only for other countries like in Europe?
to James -
Agreed...that black one Sprint has looks fantastic...now, I just have to figure out how to get Sprint to give me one for free. Contract expires July 3...and right now, T-Mobile with a free Blackberry Pearl or 8300 for under $100 is looking mighty good.
Hmm, does the Verizon model have GPS? No mention of it. The Sprint model does appear to have it, but what mapping applications will work on it?
Definitely would like to see what plans Sprint will be offering with this...
To #14 - Verizon is locking theirs down...meaning you cannot use any SIM you want. Sprint, however, is unlocked.
do u think if you got a sprint one and your contract was up or you canceled. You could then use it on t-mobile?
wheres the camera? oh why must we wait for the perfect phone
@16. No, the GSM on these phones will work in Europe only, it will not pick up American GSM. So if you get it will Sprint and want to use it in the state, you have to keep it with Sprint.
Verizon is making a big mistake by keeping the phone locked.
I wonder if there is a way to get my hands on the sprint version and have it work on the verizon network in the states.
What's wrong with Vodafone's European network?
So today, i go to the verizon store, and im friends with the manager there, and he tells me next month (june) that a lot of the verizon sales force will be recieving the 8830, the reason he told me this was cause i went in to buy the moto Q, and instead decided to wait till next month to see what happens... :) hopefully this tidbit of info helps someone :)