857 with 8 meg

[pupper14]

Looking for the new 857 with 8 meg.
Remember seeing something about Motient offering it but can't find it on their website.

Anyone see it offered anywhere?

TIA

[wirelessguy]

I know SkyTel has them in inventory.

[pupper14]

Thanks Wireless Guy.

[JimBobJoeRay]

All the new BlackBerries (957 857) are 8 meg now. There is no option to buy the older models. The 5 meg units have been phased out. Odds are that the rep just didn't realize that they had been changed, only way to tell is under options->status

[pupper14]

Thanks.
Reading conflicting reports as to which data network is faster.

[JimBobJoeRay]

which networks do you mean? the DataTac and Mobitex? Or are you including GPRS?

[wirelessguy]

Datatac claims speeds of 19.2 kbps compared to Mobitex running at 8 kbps.
GPRS I assume would be much faster...exact speeds based on the carrier, distance from tower and coverage of course

[pupper14]

Not including GPRS (coverage too spotty)

So in theory I guess Datatac kicks butt.

[wirelessguy]

As with anything wireless....the bottom line is, do they have coverage where you need it. My recommendation is to try both networks and see which performs better in your location/s. You will find many people who will swear up and down about one network or the other and tout the strengths of one over the other. Don't rely on the coverage maps....trial both, then decide.

[JimBobJoeRay]

Here is a no frills answer:
DataTac and Mobitex for all intents and purposes (especially for what a BlackBerry uses it for!!!) are IDENTICAL. So base your decision on their coverage maps.

GPRS is about 10 times faster then the Mobitex/Datatac networks. However, once again, for what the BlackBerry uses it for, and how the data is transmitted, the average user would never notice, aside from maybe web surfing, or some unmentioned third party apps. E-mail etc you would NEVER notice any difference.