These questions get asked so often, over and over, about how to use a BlackBerry without a BlackBerry plan, and simply using a generic data plan. I earlier made a FAQ and I am providing a copy of this FAQ.

• Q: What is the difference between the BlackBerry data plan versus generic data plan?
  A: The BlackBerry data plan gives you access to BlackBerry-branded software such as BlackBerry email, and BlackBerry browser, etc, as well as other enhancements appropriate to business. However, either kinds of plans work fine with third-party applications.
  .
• Q: What kind of data usage can I use on BlackBerry with just a generic data plan?
  A: You can use third-party software such as Opera Mini, IM+, GMAIL Mobile, Google Maps Mobile, BBWeather, etc. A lot of these applications are free. You just can't use BlackBerry-RIM-branded applications, but almost everything else you download off the Net into your BlackBerry works. Everything else you would normally use, such as phone, voicemail, PIM, SMS, etc, work perfectly on a BlackBerry.
  .
• Q: Why use a non-BlackBerry data plan on a BlackBerry?
  A: As one example using Rogers Canada, see the price comparision: Rogers Mobile Internet versus Rogers BlackBerry Plans
  ...$5 for 5 MB of non-BlackBerry data
  ...$10 for 10 MB non-BlackBerry data
  ..........versus...
  ...$45 for 7 MB of BlackBerry data.
  As you can see, you can get a generic data plan for BlackBerry for less than one quarter the price at this Canadian carrier!
  .
• Q: Why is there such a large price difference on Rogers?
  A: Rogers originally priced BlackBerry for businesses. New BlackBerry models with cameras, memory card, MP3, and GPS, have made BlackBerry a lot more attractive to consumers. Unfortunately, Rogers has not yet released consumer-priced BlackBerry plans. Fortunately, Rogers released consumer-priced NON-BlackBerry plans and they DO work on a BlackBerry.
  .
• Q: How do I install third party software?
  A: Most third party software can be installed using BlackBerry Desktop over a USB cable. BlackBerry Desktop is software included with a BlackBerry or available from BlackBerry's website. Links to example common software that have desktop installers:
  Opera Mini - Opera Mini (Version 4 Beta is much better)
  IM+ Chat - Chat software AIM/MSN/iChat/Yahoo/ICQ/GoogleTalk
  These are the easiest applications to install on a BlackBerry without a BlackBerry plan.
  .
• Q: Some software can only be installed wirelessly. How do I install these?
  A: Unfortunately, wireless install doesn't work without a BlackBerry plan, so you have to manually install the software instead. Some third party software such as GMAIL Mobile, Google Maps Mobile, are designed to be installed wirelessly through BlackBerry Browser, which doesn't work without a BlackBerry plan. Opera Mini doesn't install applications. So there are a few options to install these software:
  1. Borrow another BlackBerry's SIM card for a few minutes, just to download the applications; or
  2. Use a command line utility called javaloader/JL_Cmdr; or
  3. Convert .jad/.jar (regular cellphone download) to .cod/.alx (blackberry desktop install) using a conversion utility.
  .
• Q: How do I install GMAIL?
  A: GMAIL is becoming the most frequently requested application, because it makes it convenient to do email on a BlackBerry without a BlackBerry plan. Unfortunately, GMAIL was designed to be installed wirelessly which doesn't work without BlackBerry Browser (which doesn't show up without a BlackBerry plan). So, as an alternative method of manually installing GMAIL on BlackBerry, see instructions on how to install GMAIL without a BlackBerry plan, which essentially are these steps:
  - Download the two original .cod files from google's site (see onelikeseapass' post)
  - Copy and paste the text into an .alx file
  - Make sure both .cod files and the .alx file are in the same folder.
  - Install in BlackBerry Desktop by pointing it to the .alx file. (Follow standard BlackBerry Desktop instructions on how to add software to a BlackBerry).
  Note: An .alx is just a text file but with an .alx extension instead of .txt. Just run Windows Notepad from the Start Menu, and Save As using a filename with ".alx" at the end (Save as Type = "All Files").
  .
• Q: I thought BlackBerry can only be used with BlackBerry plans?
  A: While formerly true, this is now a myth. Since BlackBerry OS version 4.0, BlackBerries work great with third-party data applications.
  .
• Q: I thought all data went through BlackBerry servers? Is this wrong?
  A: This isn't true for most third party applications. Third party applications typically bypass the BlackBerry servers, and that is why they work on a BlackBerry.
  .
• Q: I don't need email, I thought BlackBerry was only good for email?
  A: The modern BlackBerry does not need to be used for email. You can do texting, cameraphone, GPS, third party data applications, etc. All of those work without a BlackBerry plan.
  .
• Q: How do I configure my BlackBerry?
  A: You will have to change its APN, just like you do for any cellphone.
  Options -> Advanced -> TCP -> APN
  Change to "internet.com" and Save.
  .
• Q: I already got the $5 data plan! Can I use my SIM card from my regular phone?
  A: Yes. Just move the SIM card to your BlackBerry.
  .
• Q: Can I use my SIM card from my TREO or other data device?
  A: Yes, any Rogers SIM card with any data plan can be used on a BlackBerry. It will just count as the same kind of data. Yes, even prepaid SIM cards works, although prepaid isn't usually cost-effective.
  .
• Q: Can I use any BlackBerry?
  A: Yes, any recent Rogers branded BlackBerry can be used. You can use 71XX series, 8XXX series, Pearl, Curve, right away.
  .
• Q: Do I need to modify my BlackBerry?
  A: Other than configuring the APN setting, there is no other modifications needed, unless it's a very old model. An old model such as 72XX may work if you upgrade its software to the latest BlackBerry OS firmware of at least Version 4.0 which has the configurable APN.
  .
• Q: Can I use my unlocked BlackBerry?
  A: Yes, unlocked BlackBerry works, from any foreign carrier.
  .
• Q: Can I get email without a BlackBerry plan?
  A: You won't get BlackBerry-branded push email and the BlackBerry-branded web browser won't work, so you will need to install third party software. One email application that works on the BlackBerry without a BlackBerry plan, is GMAIL Mobile. Unfortunately it won't alert you (no vibration alert upon receiving email), but it's fine for casual email checking, ala iPhone/etc.
  .
• Q: How is texting on a BlackBerry like?
  A: The QWERTY keyboards can make it very convenient. You can also use a texting plan, as BlackBerry allows you to easily write huge text messages (messages up to around 1000 characters) which automatically gets split up to 6 text messages. These are actually automatically combined into one message by some other phones that automatically recombine segmented text messages (such as other BlackBerries).
  .
• Q: I heard you get charged extra if you bypass the BlackBerry servers.
  A: At this time of writing, rogers now consider it all the same data on the phone bill. Both Blackberry data and non-BlackBerry data count equally. (just that you get the extras such as BlackBerry email with a BlackBerry plan). People who use Rogers Navigate plans on a BlackBerry just get billed for data just like they would use any cellphone. People who use BlackBerry plans on a BlackBerry and use non-BlackBerry applications.
  .
• Q: What are the data overage costs?
  A: The data overage costs are 3 cents per kilobyte (as of the time of this writing) for a non-BlackBerry plan. While high, you can use a BlackBerry cautiously enough by doing things such as turning off images during web browsing. While the BlackBerry does not have a data counter, many applications such as Opera Mini and Google Maps Mobile, have a built-in data counter which you can read the total download, and make sure you don't use too much.
  .
• Q: How good is BlackBerry as an organizer?
  A: This is one of the advantages of switching to BlackBerry too, as well, as its organizer capabilities work fine without a BlackBerry plan. Organizer facilities are getting much better, and can synchronize its Addressbook and Calendar to Microsoft outlook your desktop computer. Macintosh synchronization software is also now available. BlackBerry Desktop can also convert data from Palm Desktop too, as well. There is also new third party PIM software that is becoming PalmPilot-quality.
  .
• Q: What do I benefit if I later upgrade to a real BlackBerry plan?
  A: Mainly, you get BlackBerry email, but other subtle benefits include the ability to use other BlackBerry applications such as BlackBerry Browser, wireless software install capability, ability to attach cameraphone pictures to email or MMS, ability to tether BlackBerry to a laptop (USB and Bluetooth), etc. If one of these capabilities is extremely important to you, you'll just have to pay the full BlackBerry fee which is kind of extreme in Canada.
  .
• Q: Is this legal?
  A: Yes it is. You're just choosing to use a BlackBerry as your regular consumer cellphone, with the same kind of data plan available to any cellphone. There are no locks on a BlackBerry preventing you to do so.
  .
• Q: Who made this FAQ?
  A: Mark Rejhon (marky.com homepage) originally wrote this FAQ. Please keep this original credit intact, and do not delete this if you modify this FAQ. Thanks.

this is actually really good for those people with PEARL's and dont have bb plans
MODS should sticky this

Mark, what about on a prepaid plan. Will the BB still work as it would with mobile internet?

Excellent post.

Yes it now works. I successfully tested Opera Mini and IM+ chat on a BlackBerry with a prepaid SIM. However, prepaid uses up funds too quickly for data. So it's really better to pony up for the $5 data plan.

great post.

however, i have the 10mb plan and have access to the blackberry browser. I have wirelessly installed both the gmail app and opera 4 beta 2.

This is news to me, this may be a good breakthrough development:

1. What BlackBerry OS are you using? Newer OS may have recently enabled this feature.
(Options -> About)
2. Was this BlackBerry formerly on a BlackBerry plan before?
(This sometimes explains this.)
3. What is your service book listing?
(Options -> Advanced Options -> Service Book)

As it stands now, never-before-activated BlackBerries with generic SIM cards, normally does not even show the BlackBerry Browser icon on these.

I have a w810i, not a BB, but after reading the first post, I downloaded and tried googlemaps mobile for the first time. A killer app indeed. Step by step directions across Toronto took about 500k with sattelite images on. Thats good for a few uses a month on a 10Mb plan.
Should be noted that the vision internet plan may be available to some people, its $5 for 10Mb, unlimited for the first three months. Woot, time to play.

Turn off satellite images and you will only use about 150k for the same maps that normally takes 300k. So if you want to save data, use plain graphics instead of photographic satellite maps!

Also, it normally caches the graphics you already viewed (but only at the zoom level you're currently using). So if you use the same route again, it won't download as much data again. Keep an eye on the Google Maps data counter though. :-)

1. i'm running 4.2.1.101 (the latest before t-mo...from australia)

2. never on a bb plan. it's unlocked from cingular and i have the vision plan: 10mb for 5.00

3. I have:

Do More [browserconfig]
wap browserconfig [browser config]
wap2 transport [wptcp]
rogers mms [wap]
wap push config [wappushconfig]

right now i have the wap browser/bb browser/opera.

Very interesting. Perhaps it's Version 4.2.1 and later that now works with BlackBerry Browser on a NON-BlackBerry plan.

Can anybody else (using a 4.2.1 or later BlackBerry) confirm they can use BlackBerry Browser on a NON-BlackBerry plan?

I've attempted this with the newer OS on the BlackBerry Pearl to see if it would work. I removed my BlackBerry provisioned sim card and put in a sim card that was provisioned with a navigate internet plan and could only use Opera Mini, the Blackberry Browser option did not appear.

It might be a feature specific to Cingular BlackBerries...

Either way, we're back to square one: I think we can assume that we should NOT normally expect BlackBerry Browser to work (it might work but probably not).

So Opera Mini is necessary, as is having to install OTA (wireless-install) applications manually.

thanks for the post
really helpful since im looking forward to buying a bb next and have the $5 for 5MB plan
approx how much data does instant messaging like MSN use? cuz that and checking a few movie times would probably be my only data use if i need...what is the best site to check movie times in terms of minimum data use? i used tirbute on my iphone and had to go to multiple pages and ended up using almost 1mb without actually getting to the movie timings.
thanks again!

I truely only plan on using it for email. Maybe IM sometimes.