BlackBerry Overview

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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

 
Cellular

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

Learn about cellular network support

Wi-Fi

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

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:

Smartphones that operate on Ev-DO networks:

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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:

Smartphones that operate on EDGE networks:

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Mike Network

The Mike Network uses the integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN®) technology — a packet-based platform. This all-digital technology is designed to provide high quality sound and trasmission nationwide. The Mike Network is operated by TELUS in Canada.

Smartphones that operate on the Mike Network:

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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:

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Wi-Fi

Smartphones that are Wi-Fi® capable allow you to access the Internet when you are in range of the Wi-Fi network. Areas within Wi-Fi coverage are deemed hotspots, and can be private (e.g. a home/enterprise network, or a commercial location such as a coffee shop) or public (e.g. municipal).

UMA/GAN

UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access), sometimes referred to as GAN (Generic Access Network), provides carrier services (GSM®/GPRS/EDGE) over unlicensed networks such as Wi-Fi. It allows smartphones that are Wi-Fi capable to make GSM phone calls over Wi-Fi networks.

BlackBerry® smartphones that support Wi-Fi*:

Learn More

*Check 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 Services* 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

  IEEE 802.11a** 802.11b 802.11g
Frequency 5 GHz 2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz
Maximum speed 54 Mbps 11 Mbps 54 Mbps

**BlackBerry® 8820 smartphone only.

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

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 4.1 SP3 or later

Learn More

*Requires a BlackBerry Data Plan.

 

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.

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