Setting up a Blackberry for email

[Taz]

Is it possible to set up a Blackberry to get emails from my ISPs, Hotmail and Yahoo? I currently have a work Blackberry 8707g and I get all my work emails delivered to it. It was set up by my company. I want to be able to check on my private emails sent to my ISP mailboxes and free email systems like Hotmail and Yahoo. I have no idea if this is possible and, if it is, how to go about setting up the Blackberry.

[Moby-Dick]

I'm pretty certain once a handset has been set up for sync with BES, you can't add extra mail profiles. Unless its got web browsing and you use webmail ?

I'll see if I can find someone who knows more about blackberries to post.

[CocoPops]

It depends where the device came from. Service Provider? (voda/o2/etc)
How old is it?

Do you know if it's an "Enterprise Plus" device?

[Taz]

It's an O2 device, under a year old. I've managed to dig around and find the site www.o2email.co.uk. From there I can access the Blackberry Internet Service and that allows me to set up access to email accounts (eg. ISP, Yahoo, Gmail, etc.). It asks for the PIN and IMEI number in order to register with the service and then takes me to a screen where I can set up access to email accounts. I've just entered my access details to my Nildram email and my Yahoo email and I got an email back saying that access to these email accounts has been set up successfully and I should wait around 20 minutes before I start receiving emails. I hope my work email still works after this!

The service doesn't allow access to standard Hotmail accounts as you need to subscribe to the Hotmail Plus service (which allows POP3 access).

[CocoPops]

Right, looks like you've already sorted it, but as it's an O2 device, it should allow it no problems as it's an enterprise plus device.

[Tom Scott]

Right, looks like you've already sorted it, but as it's an O2 device, it should allow it no problems as it's an enterprise plus device.

That completely depends on whether they have enabled BES on their tariff or not, as O2 don't limit devices at pin level but at service book level.

If anyone ever has any BlackBerry querys please feel free to send me a PM, I deal with them 24/7 - We're a BlackBerry Alliance member as well

[Taz]

If anyone ever has any BlackBerry querys please feel free to send me a PM, I deal with them 24/7 - We're a BlackBerry Alliance member as well

That's good to know, Tom.

I have a personal (i.e. non-work) phone as well that is due for an upgrade shortly. I'm thinking of upgrading that to a Blackberry so that I can receive my private emails on it.

I don't like mixing work and personal stuff and am currenty using my work Blackberry 8707g to receive private emails.

My personal mobile is currently on Orange. Which provider should I be looking for and which Blackberry model provides the best email capability (mainly POP3 emails from ISPs)?

[Tom Scott]

The BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) service that you'll use to access pop3 mails has exactly the same in functionality across all of the networks - it all goes through the same EU BlackBerry BIS server (front end is just rebranded with the relevant networks logos). I'd say stick with which ever network offers you the best deal and which has the best coverage where you are.

If you want you could always give me a shout and see what I can do for you - up to you on that one though. Orange and T-Mobile generally offer the best prices on BIS tariffs though....

With regards to devices, if you're going to be using it more for calls than emails then go for the Pearl (8100), as its much more compact and has a phone style key layout. If its more for email/IM usage then go for either the 8800 or 8300, the 8800 has a built in GPS receiver, but no camera, wheres as the 8300 has a camera but no GPS receiver. The 8300 is only available on Vodafone and O2 at the moment though. Both the 8800 and 8300 have a full qwerty keyboard.