Thread: Deployment Options (Iraq) Questions

I will be headed to Iraq soon and was wondering if there are any of you guys that have used their BB over there? If so...what was the best method or combination of methods? Did Iraq have local data plans through iraqna? Any help appreciated!

Originally Posted by porkrind

I will be headed to Iraq soon and was wondering if there are any of you guys that have used their BB over there? If so...what was the best method or combination of methods? Did Iraq have local data plans through iraqna? Any help appreciated!

this is going to be tough.. The first thing I would do is call vzw and tell them you need your phone unlocked.. let me know if you need help with that, second is find a local gsm carrier and get a simcard(plan through them) vzw should suspend your account until you return home try to explain to them you are going to use a local carrier, they should be fairly understanding, or you other option is to call vzw unlock you phon, second find an old phone and activate on that line while you are gone, then you will be free to use your storm on any GSM carrier in the area, and you can still have vzw suspend you account while you are gone... let me know if you need clarification, i would suggest option 2

Originally Posted by porkrind

I will be headed to Iraq soon and was wondering if there are any of you guys that have used their BB over there? If so...what was the best method or combination of methods? Did Iraq have local data plans through iraqna? Any help appreciated!

First off I want to thank you for patriotism in being a soldier and help fight this battle. I have never used my device over in Iraq. I am sure there will be some member that will be able to help you with your answer.

and as well thank you for your service, what branch are you in?

Originally Posted by jnepsa

this is going to be tough.. The first thing I would do is call vzw and tell them you need your phone unlocked.. let me know if you need help with that, second is find a local gsm carrier and get a simcard(plan through them) vzw should suspend your account until you return home try to explain to them you are going to use a local carrier, they should be fairly understanding, or you other option is to call vzw unlock you phon, second find an old phone and activate on that line while you are gone, then you will be free to use your storm on any GSM carrier in the area, and you can still have vzw suspend you account while you are gone... let me know if you need clarification, i would suggest option 2

OK, so does Iraq have GSM data plans? Like buy a local SIM and use it for data?

correct you will also have to change the manage connections setting to UPRS/GSM instead of 1XEV, but you get the idea, they have different things you can do there like use a prepaid style sim card, get a plan no contract with some carriers with sim card, now mind you I dont know specifics as I do not work for those carriers, but I can tell you what I have 'heard'

First off, thank you. Second, be safe.

As far as your predicament with your VZW account: Do request the unlock code before suspending the service. You can suspend the phone/telephone number while unlocked. The VZW policy is one unlock every ten months, with an account that has been active for... I believe the same time period. Might be 6 months. Account needs to be current as far as the payment is concerned with no suspensions within the last 6 months for payment reasons.

The handset should have prompted at initial startup (unless you did shrink-a-os or similar to remove the setup wizard) prompted you to auto select service in gsm/cdma. If not you can manually change as mentioned previously.

There is service available, as VZW has roaming agreements in the area for Global, so you will find a carrier. I would see if you can contact the local carrier, although it might be an expensive call from the states, it may be what guarantees no issues while you are over there.

Once your number is suspended, VZW won’t be able to offer any support for global usage until it is reconnected. That can be a nightmare to get the phone working, after you have already left the country, because of the geographic situation.

Do us a favor though, and before you head out, let us know what you came up with.

Again, thank you for your service.

FB

great post FB, i think his best option would be to find an old phone to put on the account to have suspended and take his unlocked phone to iraq and then he doesnt have to mess with us

i don't want to get this thread off topic but i wanted to throw in my sincerest thank you to pork for his service. you're one of my heroes...

My thanks for all the feedback! I'll deffinitely post with whatever method ends up working.