Blackberry Pearl 8110 or 8120 Wi-Fi Question?

Question

Hello, I am in the market for a new phone. I am looking at either the Blackberry Pearl 8110 or Pearl 8120. I am new to this so I need your expertise. I have read that the 8120 has Wi-Fi and the other does not. I am going with AT&T and am wanting the 450 minutes nation plan with unlimited texting. I do not want to pay for Internet. If I don't subscribe to MediaNet or Internet, can I still get free internet using the Wi-Fi? Or, do they charge you for using the internet even if you have your own Wi-Fi router? Tell me if you need anymore details. Thank you.

Answer 1

The 8110 does not have wi-fi (see first link below for specs); the 8120 does.  This means that to get internet access on the 8120, all you have to do is be in range of a wireless access point such as those found at a coffe shop, library, airport, etc.  You wouldn't need any sort of data plan at all from a cell phone carrier. If you have your own wi-fi access point at home (router, or a modem with an access point), you can access the internet with the 8120.

For the 8110, you  WOULD need a data plan, as it has no wi-fi capability.    It would need to use the phone carrier's data network to connect with the internet, and that would require having an internet plan with the carrier in question.  The 8120 can also access the internet this way; the choice is up to you.  

If you plan to use either phone as a modem, internet from your carrier would be necessary, as wi-fi connectivity is not (yet) usable to provide internet to your computer.  Of course, most laptops already have wi-fi capability, so it's pretty much academic; phone-as-modem is most useful when you're in an area with NO wi-fi access and you still need to connect.  Blackberry phones set up very easily this way using the Blackberry Desktop Manager and a few simple settings that your carrier can provide for you.