BlackBerry

[emanuela71]

Hello,

can Vodafone please explain when did they start charging PIN messages and BB Messenger when sent from abroad?

By doing a quick search on the forum all Vodafone representatives seems to answer this question saying that BB Messenger/PIN use data and therefore when abroad it is charged.

First of all, why are other networks NOT charging for PIN and BB Messenger from abroad? I know this for sure as I have friends on Orange and T-Mobile and they have never been charged when sending PINs from abroad.

Second, why and when did Vodafone start charging for this when abroad since in this old post dated 01/07/2009 it’s clearly stated by Ben_H that “Your Blackberry PIN messages are still free as they don't go over the normal network”.

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Other-BlackBerry-Devices/Email-Abroad-Costs-Etc/m-p/200276

Therefore, when going abroad I can stop the forwarding of all my emails to my device, log off from Facebook or whatever other data sucking apps I have,  not use internet AND leave Data Service on so that I can use ONLY BB Messenger or PIN which are or should be free.

So now this will not work and we will be changed?

Any clarification and explanation would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Emanuela

[Martin]

Hi emanuela71

As BlackBerry messenger uses data there is a charge that comes with this, and we will then need to charge for this usage.

This has been charged now for nearly 2 years, and the good thing is that the internet roaming charges have dropped since this charge was first introduced.

I don't want to comment on what other networks offer, as I don't know what they charge for or not, as this is something that haven't used.

Martin

eForum Team

[RobinM]

Just be VERY wary about using your phone abroad. I went to the Caribbeanin in the summer. I sent about 4 texts and was using the internet for about 15 mins (got nothing as it was so slow and no voice calls) it cost me in excess of £95!!!!!

[emanuela71]

Hi RobinM,

that's really bad!!! And that's why I always limited and controlled my connections when abroad (Europe though) like I described in my initial post. In that way I was avoiding using any data and just sending PIN messages which used to be free since they don't use the normal network.

Shame Vodafone has started charging for this.... I think it's unfair.

[emanuela71]

Hello Martin and thank you for your reply.

I'm still a little puzzled though as I don't understand why Vodafone is charging BB Messages (and consequently PIN messages?) from abroad since we know that these don't go on the normal network as stated in the old post I linked to in my initial message.

Could you please clarify technically speaking which network PIN messages are using? Is it Research In Motion (RIM)?

Thanks in advance for your help.