BlackBerry® Pearl™

[cerar627]

I had an LG Shine that broke over the weekend and because I was desperate for a phone I bought a Balckberry Pearl 8100 for AT&T off a guy on craigslist. The phone is in fine condition, but I was disappointed to see that I cannot do MMS texting to send picture messages. With my Shine phone I could send any type of message with no problem and I do have unlimited messaging with AT&T (I am under a family plan with two other family members). I do not utilize the Blackberry to its full potential or subscribe to a data plan; I have no need for email, messenger, etc. So far I’ve figured out most of the setup including the music player, ringtones, profiles, and whatnot…but I have no capability to do MMS texting which I usually do a lot of. I’ve read a few posts on here about updating my software, and I’m wondering if I do that if it will download the necessary applications to do MMS. I’m usually very smart when it comes to technology, but I must say having this Blackberry makes me feel like a big dummy! So far at home I downloaded a 4.2 Desktop Manager, but now I can’t figure out what to do next. Do I download the latest 8100 OS and upload to the phone? Will that put the MMS capabilities on there? If someone can give me some real good advice on how to proceed I would greatly appreciate it!

[JSanders Resident Expert]

You will need a Data Plan for MMS, since MMS is nothing more than a SMS message with a file (data) attached, you need a data package for which to enable that data transport.

[cerar627]

I am confused though. How come on my Shine phone I can send MMS frequently with no extra data charge? Why does blackberry make it so much different?

[JSanders Resident Expert]

BlackBerry doesn't make it different, your carrier does.

[lorriem1222]

You can certainly send MMS from the AT&T network without the data plan. Perhaps the problem lies elsewhere. When you try to send a picture is the mms option there?

[JSanders Resident Expert]

Not all AT&T BlackBerry users can do so, without a Data Plan, or at least having the TCP settings entered.

Message Edited by JSanders on 11-12-2008 11:09 AM

[lorriem1222]

What are TCP settings?

[JSanders Resident Expert]

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lorriem1222 wrote:

What are TCP settings?

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On the BB device, look at Options > Advanced > TCP.

http://www.blackberryfaq.com/index.php/What_are_the_TCP_and_APN_settings%3F

[help999]

helpp! i just got mms enabled for no extra charge btw, just as long as youdont click on any of the things that reqire a data plan you are good, and i go to send a mms message and the option isnt there!! what do i do?