SMART Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) Activation Problem
It has been a week now that I've been trying to activate my SMART Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) but without luck. Calling *888 is no use. I'm just being referred to their Mobile Help Desk only to find out that the said help desk is for device related problems, not activation problem. Then I tried to contact SMARTCares.
In fairness to SMARTCares, they reply quick unlike *888 who will promise to call you back but they won't. Unfortunately, the problem is still unresolved.
Do you have SMART BIS activation problem, too?
I got my Blackberry Curve 8520 from SMART when I renewed by SMART Gold subscription plan a week ago. Before I decided to get the Blackberry Curve 8520, I asked about the BB unlimited plan but was told that it's not available for SMART Gold Plans. I was offered the P.15/kb consumable plan. Thus, I did not avail of their BIS plan. I want to check my options first, as I have my Palm Treo 680 working anyway.
Realizing that I need to have a BIS to utilize the device fully, I then contacted *888 and asked for more information on how to activate the data plan. That is where I learned about the Blackberry unlimited plan which according to Customer Service Rep is now available for SMART Gold plan subscribers. I immediately subscribed to the monthly unlimited plan for P1,200 by sending BB MONTH to 2207. I received a confirmation about my subscription plan but I still have the same problem - can't set up email and apps won't work.
I went to SMART wireless center in MOA the following day. I was advised to register at www.smart.blackberry.com.ph. It's a blank page. Turned out that it should be smart.blackberry.com, without the .ph. I registered my device and set up an email account. Turned off my device, pull out the battery for a minute and then inserted the battery back to turn the device on. It did not solve my BIS activation problem.
I then looked for answers using Google. Apparently, it's a common problem based on the comments posted here. So far here's what I have done.
- Resend the service book.
- Tried to register Host Routing Table - no entries, I just received a message that registration was sent.
- Changed my APN settings to blackberry.net
I changed the APN settings to blackberry.net because according to SMART Customer Rep, this will allow me to surf the net without being charged P10/30 minutes.
Until now, I have these problems:
- No Email
- Facebook and OpenBleak and other apps won't work - no data service available
- I can browse some websites but receives a Bad Gateway error message when visiting certain sites - My P1200 unlimited has been running since March 3, 2010. Do I hear rebates?
SMART should make information about their Blackberry Internet Service available in their website. They should also train their staff at Wireless Centers well to handle queries about BIS. Don't let subscribers beg for information.
