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Cellular Phones/Blackberry 8110 use with Boost Sim card

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Expert: - 10/25/2009


Question
QUESTION: I have a blackberry 8110.  I don't know if it is unlocked or not.  It comes on when I turn it on and I am able to scan through all of the features.  It takes pics and video.  I want to know if there is a way to get an activated Boost sim card to make this phone work?

ANSWER: The 8110 is a GSM phone and will not work with Boost Mobile since Boost requires iDEN (or CDMA and iDEN). The phone likely says T-Mobile or AT&T on it. Do you know what carrier has branded it? Let me know. Thanks. Debin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It has AT&T on the face at the bottom of it.

Answer
This BlackBerry will not work with a Boost SIM card. The device only works with a GSM SIM card and Boost's SIM card works only on the iDEN network. These two are not compatible. The only way to get the BlackBerry 8110 to work for you is to start service with AT&T and they will give you an AT&T SIM card. In order to use the BlackBerry for anything other than voice, you will need a BlackBerry data plan which costs an additional $30.00 a month. If you want to use Boost service, you will need to get a Boost device from them. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN

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DebiN

Expertise

I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.

Experience

Over 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.

Organizations
I belong to several organizations

Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications

Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years

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