Networks

Overview

BlackBerry® smartphones run on a range of networks, keeping you connected to the information you need, whenever you need it.

BlackBerry wireless devices can support industry-leading wireless data and voice networks in North America. Some BlackBerry smartphones also include Wi-Fi® support so you can connect to virtually any Wi-Fi network. Take a look at information on the various networks and supported devices by selecting a link below.

Cellular

Wi-Fi

 

BlackBerry smartphones run on a wide range of popular wireless networks in North America.

Learn about cellular network support

BlackBerry smartphones that support Wi-Fi can allow you to access data and voice services when you are within an area of Wi-Fi coverage.

Learn about Wi-Fi capabilities

 

Cellular

BlackBerry® smartphones operate on the following cellular networks:

• CDMA2000® 1X Ev-DO Networks
• GSM®/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS® Networks
• Mike™ Network
• Nextel® Network

CDMA2000 1X Ev-DO Networks

CDMA2000 1X networks allow you to maintain a virtual connection to the wireless network for data services. These networks support high-speed data services, are designed for wide-area data communication and offer high quality mobile voice services. Support for Ev-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) on some smartphones allows for even faster browsing and attachment viewing speeds, as well as tethered modem capability. Ev-DO can reach burst rates of up to 2.4 Mbps. CDMA2000 1X Ev-DO networks are operated by Sprint and Verizon Wireless® in the United States and Bell Mobility® and TELUS in Canada.

Smartphones that operate on CDMA2000 1X networks:

• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9650
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9930
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8530
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9350
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9370
• BlackBerry® Storm2™ 9550
• BlackBerry® Style™ 9670
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9850

Smartphones that operate on Ev-DO networks:

• BlackBerry Bold 9650
• BlackBerry Bold 9930
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9350
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9370
• BlackBerry Storm2 9550
• BlackBerry Style 9670

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GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS Networks

GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS networks let you maintain a virtual connection to the wireless network for data services. GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) are packet-switched networks, designed for wide-area data communication, while GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) offers high quality mobile voice services. UMTS, also known as 3GSM, offers simultaneous voice and data functionality, and supports higher download speeds. GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks are operated by AT&T and T-Mobile® in the United States, and by Rogers™ Wireless in Canada.

Smartphones that operate on GSM/GPRS networks:

• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000
• BlackBerry® Bold 9650
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9780
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900
• BlackBerry® Bold 9930
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9370
• BlackBerry® Pearl™ 3G
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9810
• BlackBerry® Torch 9850
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9860

Smartphones that operate on EDGE networks:

• BlackBerry Bold 9000
• BlackBerry Bold 9650
• BlackBerry Bold 9700
• BlackBerry Bold 9780
• BlackBerry Bold 9900
• BlackBerry Bold 9930
• BlackBerry Curve 9360
• BlackBerry Curve 9370
• BlackBerry Pearl 3G
• BlackBerry Torch 9800
• BlackBerry Torch 9810
• BlackBerry Torch 9850
• BlackBerry Torch 9860

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Nextel Network

Nextel uses the integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology — a packet-based platform. This all-digital technology is designed to provide high quality sound and transmission nationwide. The Nextel network is operated by Nextel Communications, Inc. in the United States.

Smartphones that operate on the Nextel network:

• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8350i

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Wi-Fi

Smartphones that are Wi-Fi® capable allow you to access the Internet when you are in range of a Wi-Fi network to which you have authorized access. Wi-Fi networks or hotspots may be private such as a home or enterprise network, public such as a library or commercial such as a coffee shop or hotel.

Accessing your BlackBerry® data services over Wi-Fi can provide you with an alternate means of connectivity in areas where your cell signal is weak or not available. It can offer higher download speeds. With access to free or low-cost Wi-Fi hotspots, it can even lower your monthly data costs.

When connected to a Wi-Fi network, your BlackBerry smartphone can offer the same data services as when you’re connected over the cellular network, such as email, browsing and instant messaging. Once outside the range of Wi-Fi networks, your device automatically and seamlessly routes data over the cellular network again.

BlackBerry smartphones that support Wi-Fi¹:

• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9650 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9780 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9930 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8350i smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8530 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9350 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 9370 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Pearl™ 3G smartphone
• BlackBerry® Storm2™ 9550 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Style™ 9670 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9810 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9850 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9860 smartphone

Learn More

• View the Wi-Fi demo
• Getting started with Wi-Fi
• Learn about UMA/GAN voice over Wi-Fi
• Find out about system requirements
• Read the Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smartphones Technology Brief (PDF)

¹Check with your service provider for supported services and features. Not all BlackBerry plans support Wi-Fi access to BlackBerry services. Activation with voice and data plan required.

System Requirements and Support for Wi-Fi Enabled BlackBerry Smartphones

BlackBerry® Data Services¹ Requirements

• Routable path of device to the Internet via TCP/IP on port 443
• Optional UMA/GAN access—routable path from device to the Internet via TCP/IP ports 4500 and 500
  • Requires carrier support for UMA/GAN

BlackBerry Enterprise Data Services Requirements

• BlackBerry® Enterprise Server software v4.0 or later
• Allocation of IP addresses using DHCP or static IP addresses with routable paths:
  • Device to the BlackBerry Router via TCP/IP on port 4101
  • Device access to DHCP server and DNS server
  • If using NAT, enable NAT traversal
• Optional IPSec-based VPN—routable path of device to the VPN concentrator via IPSec/TCP ports 4500 and 500

Supported IEEE® 802.11™ Access Points

Supported WLAN Security Methods

• WEP (64-bit or 128-bit)
• Pre-shared Key (PSK)
• 8021.X/EAP–LEAP
• 8021.X/EAP–EAP–PEAP
• 8021.X/EAP–TLS
• 8021.X/EAP–TTLS
• 8021.X/EAP–FAST
• 8021.X/EAP–SIM
• 8021.X/EAP–AKA

Inner Authentication Methods

• PEAP method supports:
  • EAP–MSCHAPv2
  • EAP–GTC
• EAP-TTLS method supports:
  • EAP–MSCHAPv2
  • MSCHAPv2
• EAP-FAST method supports:
  • EAP–MSCHAPv2
  • EAP–GTC

Encryption Key Management

• WEP
• Wi-Fi® Alliance’s Wi-Fi Protected Access™ (WPA™) Personal and Enterprise
• Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Personal and Enterprise

IPSec VPN Support

• Alcatel® 7130 Secure VPN Gateway
• Avaya® VSU™ Series
• Check Point® Software Technologies VPN-1
• Cisco® VPN Concentrator 3000 Series
• Cisco Secure PIX Firewall VPN
• Cisco IOS with Easy VPN Server
• Lucent Firewall Brick Family
• Netscreen Systems
• Nortel Networks Contivity VPN Switch Series
• Secure Computing® Sidewinder® Firewall
• Symantec® Raptor Firewall and PowerVPN

Software Token Support

• RSA® Authentication Manager
  • Requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server Version v4.1 Service Pack 3 or later

Learn about UMA/GAN voice over Wi-Fi

¹Requires a BlackBerry Data Plan.
²BlackBerry® 8820 smartphone only.
³BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone only.

Getting Started

If your BlackBerry® smartphone features Wi-Fi® capabilities, you can connect to a Wi-Fi network automatically or manually. Learn how by selecting the appropriate topic below.

• Scan for available Wi-Fi networks
• Manually add a Wi-Fi network
• Connect to an enterprise Wi-Fi network
• Connect to a hotspot

World Phone Edition Coverage

BlackBerry World Edition smartphones

The following countries can support GSM service on the 900 and 1800 MHz bands which the BlackBerry® Tour™ 9630 smartphone and BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphone are designed to be compatible with. However, as your service provider must have roaming agreements in place within each country, and these agreements may change over time, it is recommended that you confirm your ability to access your BlackBerry services with your service provider each time you travel.

BlackBerry Storm smartphone

In addition to providing service on the 900 and 1800 MHz bands in the countries listed above, the BlackBerry® Storm™ smartphone is also designed to support GSM service on the 850 and 1900 MHz bands which are supported in the countries listed below. However, as your service provider must have roaming agreements in place, and these agreements may change over time, it is recommended that you confirm your ability to access your BlackBerry services with your service provider each time you travel.

UMA/GAN

UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access), also referred to as GAN (Generic Access Network), is a technology that allows carriers to provide GSM®/GPRS/EDGE service over Wi-Fi® networks. If your carrier offers this service and you have subscribed, it allows a Wi-Fi capable BlackBerry® smartphone to make GSM phone calls over Wi-Fi networks.

If you have UMA support, whether your authorized Wi-Fi hotspot is in your living room or across the country, your friends, family and co-workers can reach you at the same number.

Once you’re outside the range of the Wi-Fi network, UMA support is designed to transition your call seamlessly to the cellular network, even when you’re in the middle of a call.

View the Wi-Fi demo

Getting Started with Wi-Fi

To learn how to use Wi-Fi on your device, choose a BlackBerry model from the list below:

• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9650 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8320 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8350i smartphone
• BlackBerry® Pearl™ 3G smartphone
• BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8120 smartphone (PDF)
• BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip 8220 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Storm2™ 9550 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone
• BlackBerry® 8820 smartphone