Prepaid BlackBerry Now Available!

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited has provided the Bahamian market with cutting edge technology on a consistent basis for many years. We were the first to introduce wireless services to the market. We have evolved with the global arena by offering the service in postpaid and prepaid formats.

On September 6th 2006, the organization announced the launch of the BlackBerry service to the market. BlackBerry caters to large organizations, small office home office business and individuals. It was initially offered as a postpaid service which provided its users with voice and data functions.

The BlackBerry technology has evolved on a consistent basis. As a result, BTC launched the service as a prepaid service on December 10th 2010. Prepaid subscribers are now provided with the ability to use their device with the same BlackBerry functions as postpaid subscribers. BTC has created a variety of time sensitive packages for the prepaid service. Prepaid subscribers will be able to purchase a weekly, bi-weekly and monthly service packages. We have provided a list of frequently asked questions for easy reference.

1. What is BlackBerry?
2. What is the BlackBerry prepaid service?
3. Will the BlackBerry prepaid service provide the same service as the postpaid BlackBerry service?
4. Who can activate the BlackBerry prepaid Service?
5. What does a Customer need to access the Prepaid BlackBerry Service?
6. Which handsets should be used for the Prepaid BlackBerry Service?
7. Which plans are available with the Prepaid BlackBerry Service?
8. What are the benefits of BTC’s prepaid BlackBerry service compared to the postpaid service?
9. What do I have to do to activate the BlackBerry prepaid service?
10. How long does it take to activate the service?
11. How do I setup the email feature on my BlackBerry?
12. Will I have access to the BlackBerry prepaid service if my BlackBerry was purchased from another supplier other than BTC?
13. How many email accounts can I create with my BlackBerry device?
14. If I am roaming, will I be charged to use data services on my BlackBerry?

TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BlackBerry

1. What is BlackBerry?
   • The BlackBerry is a product which was designed, developed and manufactured by Research In Motion(RIM). It is an innovative wireless device that provides its users with the reliability of voice and data functions. BlackBerry caters to large organizations, small office home office business and individuals. The product provides the following features and much more.
     • Send and receive emails
     • Browse the Internet
     • Send Instant Messages
     • Install and use a wide range of third party applications.
   • For additional information, please visit www.btcbahamas.com

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2. What is the BlackBerry prepaid service?
   • Before now, BTC customers who wanted the BlackBerry Service had to also be post-paid mobile customers as well. Now, however, the very same Blackbery Service is being made available for the active BTC Pre-paid customer. Subscribers who wish to use the service as prepaid will now have the ability to access and use all the functionalities of the BlackBerry device such as Internet, Email, and BlackBerry Messenger.
   • BTC has created a variety of prepaid packages which are all time sensitive. When you sign up for BTC Pre-paid BlackBerry Service, you will receive BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) which provides you with internet and data service while you are on the go.

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3. Will the BlackBerry prepaid service provide the same service as the postpaid BlackBerry service?
   • There are some differences. Generally, prepaid subscribers will receive the same internet and data services as postpaid subscribers. They will have access to the web, emails and BlackBerry Instant Messaging (BBM), and other Instant Messaging services. Postpaid BlackBerry customers however, enjoy the extra privilege of unlimited text messaging (SMS) with their service, while Pre-paid BlackBerry customers will be charged on a per use basis. Also, the pre-paid packages permit more flexibility for time intervals. BTC has created weekly, biweekly and monthly packages to suit your budget.

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4. Who can activate the BlackBerry prepaid Service?
   • Anyone with a functioning non-locked BlackBerry device can activate the service if they wish to use BlackBerry as a prepaid service. There is NO NEED to come into BTC if you already have your BlackBerry Device.
   • If you are bringing a phone from another carrier or country, or if you are NOT purchasing your phone from BTC, you may find that your phone is "locked" by the carrier you purchased it from or use it with. In these cases, the BTC pre-paid service may not work. We strongly recommend that you ensure that your device is a GSM BlackBerry that is fully unlocked or that you purchase your device directly from BTC.

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5. What does a Customer need to access the Prepaid BlackBerry Service?
   • To access the service, you are required to have the following:
     • An prepaid account with BTC
     • A SIM card with adequate credit ("minutes") available.
     • A GSM BlackBerry device

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6. Which handsets should be used for the Prepaid BlackBerry Service?
   • The following BlackBerry handset models are compatible:
     • BlackBerry Pearl - 8100, 8110, 8120
     • BlackBerry Kickstart - 8220
     • BlackBerry Curve - 8300, 8310, 8320
     • BlackBerry 8800 series - 8800, 8820, 8830
     • BlackBerry Bold - 9000
     • BlackBerry 8700 series - 8700c, 8700r, 8700g, 8707g, 8705g.
     • BlackBerry 7290
     • BlackBerry Torch
   PLEASE NOTE THAT BlackBerry DEVICES THAT WERE NOT PURCHASED FROM BTC MAY BE "LOCKED" TO ANOTHER CARRIER FOR INTERNET SERVICE AND MAY NOT WORK - EVEN IF THE VOICE FEATURE MAY HAVE BEEN "UNLOCKED" FOR YOU BY SOMEONE. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOU THAT THESE WILL WORK AND WE WILL NOT REIMBURSE YOU IF IT DOES NOT WORK. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PURCHASE YOUR DEVICE FROM BTC OR THAT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT YOUR DEVICE HAS NEVER BEEN LOCKED TO ANOTHER TELEPHONE CARRIER.

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7. Which plans are available with the Prepaid BlackBerry Service?
   • Weekly Plan (Seven Days) $12.99 per week
   • Bi-Weekly Plan (Fourteen Days) $21.99 every two weeks
   • Monthly Plan (Thirty Days) $39.99 per month

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8. What are the benefits of BTC’s prepaid BlackBerry service compared to the postpaid service?
   • The Prepaid plans offer various service periods of 7, 14 and 30 days rather than a fixed one (1) month service period.
   • Service activation is quick and easy. All you have to do is text the code of the package you wish to purchase to activate the service. There is no need to visit Customer Care.

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9. What do I have to do to activate the BlackBerry prepaid service?
   • Use the following steps below.
     • Place sufficient funds on your prepaid account.
     • Fully charge your device battery.
     • Text the short code BB XD to 5000. X represents 7, 14, or 30 days . This based on the package you select.(For example, for the 14 day service, you would text the message BB 14D to telephone number 5000.)
     • You will receive a text message asking you to confirm that you want the service by replying by Text with the letter A back to telephone number 5000.
     • Type in the letter A and hit send. (NOTE THAT only the letter A should be in that text message you are sending back for confirmation.
     • You will receive a text notification that the prepaid service has been activated.
     • You will receive a second text requesting that you remove and replace your device battery to complete the activation.
     • Once you receive this final text message:
       1. Turn off your BlackBerry device.
       2. Remove and replace your device battery.
       3. Turn-on the BlackBerry device.
   • Upon activation, you will see the EDGE logo (in capital letters) at the top right corner of your BlackBerry device screen after a few minutes. If you only see "GSM" or "edge" in small letters, then your service has not been activated.
   • When the above steps have been completed, your prepaid BlackBerry Internet service will be activated. You will now be able to configure your emails, connect to your friends with BlackBerry Messenger and access additional rich multimedia and social networking applications.
   • PLEASE NOTE THAT BlackBerry DEVICES THAT WERE NOT PURCHASED FROM BTC MAY BE "LOCKED" TO ANOTHER CARRIER FOR INTERNET SERVICE AND MAY NOT WORK - EVEN IF THE VOICE FEATURE MAY HAVE BEEN "UNLOCKED" FOR YOU BY SOMEONE. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOU THAT THESE WILL WORK AND WE WILL NOT REIMBURSE YOU IF IT DOES NOT WORK. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PURCHASE YOUR DEVICE FROM BTC OR THAT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT YOUR DEVICE HAS NEVER BEEN LOCKED TO ANOTHER TELEPHONE CARRIER.

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10. How long does it take to activate the service?
    • Activation usually occurs within 2 to 5 minutes, after completion of the activation steps.
    • Steps for deactivating the service or changing the type of subscription:
      • Renewal is automatic provided you have sufficient credit on your phone at your expiry date.
        PLEASE BE SURE TO PLACE CREDIT ON YOUR PHONE TO AVOID DISRUPTION OF SERVICE.
      • As a reminder, you will receive a text message two days before the plan expires. The text will serve as a reminder that your plan will soon expire and advise that renewal will begin. If you do not wish to renew your plan or if you want to increase/decrease your plan, you will be required to deactivate the service by sending BB OFF to 5000 prior to the expiration date.
      • Also, if you do not have sufficient credit on your phone, your service will end and you will have to follow the activation process at Number 9 above to activate once again.

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11. How do I setup the email feature on my BlackBerry?
    • When your plan has been activated, the BlackBerry will restart/register and the browser will automatically load an email set-up webpage as seen below. If the webpage does not automatically load, you can select the email setting icon from your phone.
    • To setup your email from your phone browser loading screen, follow the steps below:
      1. Select "Create New Account"
      2. Read the legal agreement carfully and Select the "Yes" option, then "I agree"
      3. Create a unique username and password
      4. Select "email account". you can add, remove and edit your existing email accounts that would you have from Yahoo! Hotmail, Gmail, etc.
      5. Add "Email account"
      6. Enter Email account information
      If the webpage does not automatically load, you can visit www.btccybercell.BlackBerry.com from your computer to activate the email feature.
    • To setup the email account from www.btccybercell.BlackBerry.com site, follow the steps below:
      1. Access site and select "Create New Account"
      2. Carefully read the legal disclaimer and select "I agree" if you are in agreement
      3. Enter PIN and IMEI number and select Continue
         Please note that your PIN is only used for identification purposes. It is not a secret ID number in the BlackBerry Universe. Also, you may find that it is among the easiest ways to add persons to your BlackBerry Messenger list. So you can feel free to give out your BlackBerry PINs to persons whom you want to contact by BlackBerry.
         

         You will be required to use your PIN and IMEI to set-up the service. The IMEI number can be accessed by entering *#06#. Your handset PIN can be found by selecting the Options icon (This is the icon that is shaped like a wrench) in Menu and then selecting "Status".

      4. Create a unique username and password
      5. Select "email account". Customers can add, remove or edit email accounts.

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12. Will I have access to the BlackBerry prepaid service if my BlackBerry was purchased from another supplier other than BTC?
    • Note: If you have an unlocked BlackBerry device from another provider with an email account that is setup on that network, there is a possibility that you will not be able to set up a new email account with the BlackBerry prepaid service. As a result, you will not receive emails directly on your BlackBerry device (i.e. your email may not be accessible from the Message icon). You will be able to receive email by using the Internet Browser to directly access the website of the respective email Service Providers (e.g. browsing for Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo). Also, all other BlackBerry Services will be provided.

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13. How many email accounts can I create with my BlackBerry device?
    • You can create up to ten (10) separate email accounts on your BlackBerry device.
      Note: This includes your device email address @btccybercell.BlackBerry.com

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14. If I am roaming, will I be charged to use data services on my BlackBerry?
    • Yes, you will be charged roaming fees. The fees will be rated at the ROAMING DATA RATE.

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