Rating: Can you please switch on BIS/BBM please?
Considering GoMo News has encountered this problem so frequently, we decided to share our woes with you. It happens when existing prepaid or contract users decide to switch over to a BlackBerry handset from another make/model. The main purpose of migrating to a RIM BlackBerry is to take advantage of the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service. As a consumer, you’ll want to make the connexion via the BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) rather than the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). Just try phoning your network operator’s technical support call centre and explaining that is what you want to do. We reckon the agents are working from the same support knowledge base as the one available to the general public. And there’s no obvious answer buried in the solutions.GoMo News has discovered how to distinguish the tell-tale signs that BBM/BIS have not been turned on.
Look at the top right hand side of the BlackBerry’s screen. If you see gprs instead GPRS (ie in capitals) then you are in big trouble.
The next place to look is under Manage Connections – Services Status. You should then see an entry marked ‘BlackBerry Internet Service’. If you see ‘not connected’ you know you are in trouble.
Now there is some official advice on what to do. It involves visiting Options – Advanced Options – Host Routing Table.
When you get there, press the BlackBerry menu key and select the Register Now option. Then press Send.
This is supposed to fix the problem but GoMo News reckons that only works if your network operator actually knows you possess a BlackBerry and has decided to provision BIS in the first place.
Presently we are struggling with a BlackBerry on the T-Mobile UK network.
In theory you should be able to send the following text message to 441. FREE 6 MONTH BB.
That should fix the problem for those not on the correct data tariff. Except that T-Mobile UK doesn’t tell you what it sends back A) if you don’t qualify or B) if you do qualify.
Looks like we’re set for another battle with T-Mobile tech support helpdesk this week.
