Blackberry Storm Working on Alltel
Well, I ordered a Blackberry Storm on eBay on Friday in hopes of being able to activate the phone on the Alltel network (the Storm has only been released on Verizon in the United States). This might seem unnecessary with the Verizon/Alltel purchase deal looming, but I prefer my Alltel plan to the Verizon plans available, especially with the My Circle feature.
Now let’s just hope Verizon hasn’t locked down the programming menu of the phone too badly and I will be able to program in the Alltel network id and update the phone’s PRL to pick up Alltel’s towers. I will update this post with my progress in the coming days.
UPDATE (12/29/08):
My BlackBerry Storm is officially working on Alltel except for issues with EVDO (1x works fine). I will do my best to detail the steps I took to make the phone work:
- Enter the NAM programming menu by typing ##000000 SEND from the phone screen.
- Mobile Directory Number (MDN) should be your 10-digit number
- Home SID (check your current Alltel phone programming menu for this number)
- BlackBerry Registration Id should be 144 for Alltel. To change this setting, press the BlackBerry menu button and choose “Edit BB Reg Id”
- SIP User ID should be <your mobile number>@bb.alltel.net
- SIP Password should be “alltel”
- MIP User ID should be <your mobile number>@bb.alltel.net
- Push the BlackBerry menu button and choose “Save”
- Now that your phone is programmed, you need to have the MEID hex added to Alltel’s system. You cannot use the web-based tool since this is a smart phone. Call Alltel from a different phone and have them add your phone to the system. You can check your MEID hex by typing #4357* SEND.
- You will also need a SmartChoice plan with the BlackBerry option added to your account.
- Dial *22801 to enter the Alltel OTA programming system and choose the option to activate your phone.
- After the phone is activated, dial *22801 again and choose the option to update your phone’s roaming service. This will update the PRL on the phone to Alltel’s latest version, overwriting the Verizon PRL.
- To provision the data services on the phone, go to options…advanced options…host routing table, press the BlackBerry menu key, and choose “Register Now”. This should replace your Verizon HRT entries with Alltel entries and you will receive a message from BlackBerry stating that the handheld has been registered with the wireless network.
UPDATE (3/3/09) – Issues with EVDO have been solved by some members of the Crackberry forum. Read this step by step guide on fixing EVDO.
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kemo 2:36 pm on December 25, 2008 Permalink
Just wondering if you were able to update the prl for the storm. I got the programming part done with the reg id and all but am not able to get the prl updated everytime i call *228 it calls verizons activation.
scott 3:30 pm on December 25, 2008 Permalink
Yes, I was able to update the PRL. Dial *22801 and the phone should dial Alltel’s activation rather than Verizon’s.
When you do this, it is pulling down the 30033 PRL. It is connecting to 1x data fine for me, but I am having some difficulty getting EVDO working. I am going to try to manually update the phone to the 40036 PRL and see if that does any better.
Andrea 11:35 pm on January 3, 2009 Permalink
I was just wondering the evdo/1x is? I am thinking of going to get the storm.
Andrea 11:38 pm on January 3, 2009 Permalink
sorry was the phone you bought unlocked or locked
Andrea 4:20 pm on January 5, 2009 Permalink
I was just wondering if you are having trouble with getting on the internet and also if you aren’t how do I get on the internet? Does it always show you are roaming too? IS that because it is a verizon phone?
scott 5:30 pm on January 5, 2009 Permalink
Hi Andrea,
1x is a CDMA technology for Internet access. It has a maximum speed of 144 Kbps and has the downside of not working while you are on a phone call (i.e. you can’t receive an e-mail while you are talking to someone).
EV-DO is a newer CDMA technology for Internet access with maximum speeds as high as 2.4 Mbit/s or up to 3.1 Mbit/s with Rev. A. EV-DO is capable of working while a phone call is in progress.
The Verizon Blackberry Storm supports both CDMA and GSM technologies, making it capable of running on virtually any cellular network. Verizon, Alltel, and Sprint are the three largest CDMA carriers in the United States. AT&T and T-Mobile are the largest GSM carriers. While the CDMA portion of the phone is unlocked, Verizon has locked the GSM portion of the phone. Because the GSM portion is locked, you will be unable to insert an AT&T SIM card into your Storm and use it on the AT&T network unless you manage to convince Verizon to unlock the phone for you (or pay someone to unlock it). Unlocking the phone is not necessary if you only plan to use the CDMA portion.
To answer your question, the phone I purchased is still locked.
As for the Internet — I am not having any trouble connecting to the 1x data network for Internet access, but EV-DO is not working properly for me. If your phone shows you as always roaming, it could be that your PRL was not properly updated. Try dialing *22801 SEND and pressing 2 to update your roaming list. You might also try *22801 SEND with option 3 to activate the phone. This will ensure that the MDN, SID, etc. are all input correctly.
Andrea 6:01 pm on January 5, 2009 Permalink
I am sorry to be such a bother. I was wondering did you have trouble setting up your email with your blackberry? When I was trying it keep asking for a PIN number?
scott 6:16 pm on January 5, 2009 Permalink
No problem at all. To setup your e-mail with Alltel, go to http://www.alltel.blackberry.com on your computer and create a new account. Your device PIN and ESN (or MEID in this case) can be found by going to Options…Status on the phone.
Completing this form will register the phone with Alltel’s Blackberry system and begin pushing e-mail to your device.
When I first setup my Storm, I inadvertently registered my phone with Verizon’s Blackberry server rather than Alltel’s server and ended up having to call Verizon support and convince them to remove my device’s PIN from their database before I was able to register my phone within Alltel’s system (that is why I would recommend doing it online rather than through the phone).
Andrea 6:32 pm on January 5, 2009 Permalink
Did your phone have the solid triangle on it for roaming? When I called them yesterday they said I wasn’t roaming I was hitting an alltel tower. I didn’t know if that was because it was a verizon phone? Also do you have a browser icon or is that something I have to download?
scott 8:08 pm on January 5, 2009 Permalink
No, I don’t have a solid roaming triangle. Which PRL version does your phone have? Dial #4357* (#HELP*) SEND. Mine is 30033 (we actually want 40038, but that’s a different matter).
Yes, I do have the browser icon. Have you already setup your account on http://www.alltel.blackberry.com? If so, try logging into the website, click “Service Books,” then “Send Service Books.”
clayc_989 10:58 pm on January 7, 2009 Permalink
Hey scott, I got my Storm working with Alltel and I’m pulling 1XEV….I had a discussion with tech support and I had to change two things that aren’t listed here in your write up, I thought I’d share them with you guys….
When you type in ##000000 to edit all the stuff Scott details….try changing the IMSI_S to 5057486502….or call their tech support and see which number they give you.
After that, I did the *228, not *22801 and I did reach Alltel. I updaded my PRL and I’m now running on 30034…
I’m not going to try and manually update to 40038 unless it’s proven to pull 1XEV.
Anyways, thought this would help you guys out.
Andrea 12:27 pm on January 8, 2009 Permalink
Hello again! I tried to set up an account and it comes up as my device is on s different service plan? I tried to call verizon and they told me that there was no way they could take the pin number of their system. I didn’t know if I paid you and gave you the information if you would do it for me?
tyffani 1:28 am on January 11, 2009 Permalink
Hello,
I have found all of this information very helpful as I have alltel and would like to get the blackberry storm.
I have one question that Im confused about. I have read that alltel does not support GSM unlocked phones, but since the blackberry storm has both CDMA and GSM capabilities, would it work if I bought an unlocked phone? If not, do I have to buy a locked one from verizon?
Any advice would be great, thank you!
scott 1:29 am on January 12, 2009 Permalink
Tyffani, what you have read regarding Alltel not supporting GSM unlocked phones is likely in reference to Alltel being a CDMA carrier and therefore a GSM-only phone being locked or unlocked has no bearing on whether it will work on the Alltel network.
Since the CDMA portion of the Storm is not locked (hence typing ##000000 allows you to enter the programming menu), it will be programmable on Alltel whether it is locked or unlocked on the GSM side.
The thing to watch out for is that you do not accidentally purchase a BlackBerry 9500 (GSM-only, aka BlackBerry Thunder) vs. the BlackBerry 9530 (GSM & CDMA, aka BlackBerry Storm).
dcn312 3:33 pm on January 12, 2009 Permalink
Great post! I just ordered the 9530 on e-bay and I’ll give it a shot! Thanks so much for sharing the information.
DC
ballencpa 9:26 pm on January 15, 2009 Permalink
Thank you so much for all of this information…I have my Storm up and running successfully! One question; is anyone having significant issues with battery life? Mine is having trouble making it through the workday….is this because I am using on Alltel’s network or do you think it may just be a bad battery?
Gears13 10:20 am on January 16, 2009 Permalink
What about the esn change? Did you have to go to an alltel store to change it? I am just asking as I seen that mentioned on the crackberry forums…thanks for listening!
Nawton 8:36 am on January 17, 2009 Permalink
Hey Scott. I just got my Storm and I was going through the list and my BlackBerry Registration Id say it is 2004. Now I have tried to edit it but it wont do anything. Do you know of a way to get around this? The menu button should be the flag button if I am not mistaken but I just want to be sure.
dcn312 3:31 am on January 18, 2009 Permalink
Got my BB Storm 9530 the other day, followed your directions and it seems to be working really well!
Thanks
Nawton 9:03 am on January 18, 2009 Permalink
the only problem I am having now is that when I call alltel they say they wont add the Hex key because it is a Verizon phone. They wont let me add the hex to my account… How did you guys get around that? They say that they can get in trouble.. Please help!!!
russb442 10:53 am on January 18, 2009 Permalink
Hey I was just wondering if you figured out how to use the ev do. i was wanting this phone but scared not getting all the features to work. should i wait and let alltel obtain this phone?
Nawton 11:17 am on January 18, 2009 Permalink
ok got it activated. Now I dont have internet. I have the 30033 but no luck. I really could use some help here.
JustinM 5:17 pm on January 19, 2009 Permalink
dec312 is your Storm able to get on the internet and receive emails?
JustinM 5:18 pm on January 19, 2009 Permalink
My question was for dcn…or has anyone been able to get it to work on Alltel with the data capabilities such as internet and email?
tommy 11:11 pm on January 19, 2009 Permalink
i have done this too and this is an awesome tutorial. have you tried using qpst to load the 40038 prl? the 215 build of qpst allowed me to load the 30033 prl i have not tried the evdo roaming on spring prl 40038 yet but i will tomorrow and let you know if it loads right. also if you input your username as ##########@alltel.net you can still use the browser without having to pay for a bberry data plan. the internet browser will pop up but no e-mail. you can check your e-mail through the browser though but it is slow compared to rev-A.
tommy 11:12 pm on January 19, 2009 Permalink
you still have to have the regular data plan though to use the browser
tommy 11:22 pm on January 19, 2009 Permalink
andrea
you have to call altel and have them reset your pin to get the email to work. do not tell them it is a verizon phone or they will not do it.
nawton
optons, advanced options, host routing table, bb menu send registration. also make sure you have the browser in your service books, you have to have a bb data plan or regular data plan for this to work.
clayc_989 12:00 am on January 20, 2009 Permalink
Nawton…did you edit the Reg ID? You have to highlight it (don’t click it) and hit the BB key. You’ll see “Edit BB Reg ID”. Just add the 144 to the list and delete the 2004.
Also, you may have to call their tech support and tell them you’re having technical difficulties. See if you can get them to give you the IMSI_S number, I had to change mine.
Nawton 10:32 am on January 20, 2009 Permalink
Ok I dont have a browser Icon at all. I tried reloading it but no luck. I need help there. I have tried to do the optons, advanced options, host routing table, bb menu send registration but never got anything back. I do have a blackberry plan. Everything they have to offer but still no luck. wish someone could talk me through this..
labphoto 4:36 pm on January 21, 2009 Permalink
So how do you convince alltel to add the ESN. I’ve tried three different times and they refuse to do so.
scott 4:51 pm on January 21, 2009 Permalink
Labphoto… When they ask you the phone model, tell them it is a BlackBerry Pearl and they shouldn’t give you such a hassle. You also should not mention that it is a Verizon branded phone.
You could be running into problems now that the Verizon/Alltel system integration has begun. Does customer support know the ESN belongs to Verizon equipment without asking you?
labphoto 4:54 pm on January 21, 2009 Permalink
Nope, but they claim they when they try to put in the ESN, the system rejects it.
labphoto 4:54 pm on January 21, 2009 Permalink
Is there any chance I have to call Verizon and get them to release the PIN?
labphoto 6:10 pm on January 21, 2009 Permalink
Scott, got it to work! Your thoughts on telling them it was a Pearl worked. Last problem I have is when I dial *228, I get Verizon activation instead of Alltel. How do I fix that?
JustinM 11:14 pm on January 21, 2009 Permalink
scott-
Were you able to get the data/EVDO to work on the phone where you could surf the web on the phone?
scott 10:42 am on January 22, 2009 Permalink
Labphoto… dial *22801 and you should get the Alltel activation instead of Verizon activation.
JustinM… My Storm is still alternating between 1X data and EVDO data. When it reads 1X, the web works for me. When it reads 1XEV, the web does not work. 1X is slower than EVDO, but it works.
labphoto 10:48 am on January 22, 2009 Permalink
Scott, I tried *22801 and still get Verizon. Did you do any other PRL changes?
desiguy 3:05 pm on January 22, 2009 Permalink
i just installed .90 firmware and then i did *228 and i got 30035 prl
but still connect 1x inplace of evdo so did anyone figure out yet
dcn312 11:16 pm on January 25, 2009 Permalink
Hey Guys,
Sorry I was slow on the reply, I was outta town. I did get the internet to work. I had an 8830 so I did a device transfer and it all seems to be working well. I live in an area that doesnt have alltel towers so when I drove to an area that did, I updated my PRL then via the *228 and that helped out.
dcn312 2:36 am on January 27, 2009 Permalink
Also, if you do know how to update your prl manually, here is a link that has them. I believe the latest and greatest for alltel blackberries is 40038.
Thanks
Dan
dcn312 2:37 am on January 27, 2009 Permalink
http://corolada.com/prl/
Nawton 4:31 pm on January 29, 2009 Permalink
I have my storm on alltel but no internet. I cannot get it to work. I dont have a browser icon on it and my PRL is the 30033. I dont know how manually change it but it seems like some of you do. I need some help here. I havent found anyone else that has done this so I need some help.
Curtis 10:52 pm on January 31, 2009 Permalink
I just got the storm and everything on this forum helped me out entirely, Thanks Scott. But I am having the same problem as some others. It will only connect to the internet when it has a 1x connection and not EV. The bad thing is I have and EV signal 90% of the time. Anyone figure this out?
mrkawliga 7:21 pm on February 4, 2009 Permalink
When I try to provision the blackberry services for my phone, it gives me this message: “The information you provided is not valid for this service provider”. Any ideas, please help!
labphoto 9:39 pm on February 4, 2009 Permalink
I talked to great tech today at Alltel and I think he may have spilled the beans on why we’re losing data when the Storm switches to 1XEV. Apparently for 1XEV to work, the Storm authenticates with Alltel’s servers using the MIP user id and password. Well it’s easy enough to update the user id (##000000), but the password field is not accessible that way. What we need is software to gain access to it. I’v tried QPST 2.17 and oddly enough that panel is not even presented for the Storm. So if anyone know of any software that we can use, post the info here. All we need to do is get to the MIP password field and change it to “alltel” (without the quotes). Once this is done, we’ll have data on the 1XEV system.
kansas 1:27 pm on February 8, 2009 Permalink
Hi everyone! I am trying to get my Storm working. It is working fine except for when I dial *228 I still get Verizon and when I dial *22801 it won’t even go through it just automatically says call failed. My only other problem is I can’t recieve picture messages.. I can send them, but they won’t retrieve once I’ve gotten them. Please let me know if anyone has any suggestions for me. I really appreciate it..
williamsck 4:30 pm on February 12, 2009 Permalink
Has anyone found this fix yet? Just ordered my Storm and would like to try and resolve the MIP issue. Thanks
clayc_989 6:28 pm on February 14, 2009 Permalink
If the MIP password is what we need for all data functions, that would be last bit of information I need to make this phone work completely.
However, when I hit 1XEV, my browser seems to work fine, as do all other data services (save MMS). So if there’s a way out there to change it that would be sweet. I’ve looked at it with QPST 2.7 and have seen nothing, and I’m by no means sufficient enough with this program to dabble with the deeper things like memory tables and all that other crap….
Food for thought, I suppose.
-clay
williamsck 6:48 pm on February 14, 2009 Permalink
Got my storm but cannot dial *228. I get US Cell. Tried *22801 and got a busy signal. I have tried everything but it just wont work? Any Idea?
williamsck 10:43 pm on February 14, 2009 Permalink
Got it working but still No joy for 1EXV speed.