How to know when your BB is connected to BIS

armster — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:26:50 +0800

Noted that there are still people getting confused whether their BB has successfully connected to BIS service or not. Therefore I created this thread to ensure that we all understand how BIS works.

First of all, the BIS subscription which we all currently use (limited or unlimited) offered by telcos are actually normal internet service data plan + BIS (to connect to RIM server). To explain it easier let's just think it as below:
- other phones with unlimited data subscription = connected through internet using 3G/EDGE etc
- BB with unlimited BIS data subscription = connected through internet using 3G/EDGE etc + subscription to BIS (to connect to RIM & data compression) - I just explained it in the layman term.. correct me if it requires further explanation
This explains why some people unable to use BB native apps but still able to browse internet when configured the browser setting to WAP as they are actually subscribed to a normal data plan instead of BIS enabled data plan.

BB can basically connect to BIS using two way
- through mobile network
Everyone should be familiar with this as it comes when you apply for BIS subscription with telcos. It enables you to connect using BIS anywhere as long as the telco signal is available. The reason why telco set a limit for fair usage is due to the connection is actually using the same data subscription as the normal phone use (with an addition of BIS).

- through WiFi connection
I noticed that Thomas K said something in his post in another thread regarding his BIS status is connected to WiFi instead of Mobile Network.

Just to inform that BIS can actually connect through WiFi (no data will be consumed from your data plan). To know when you are successfully connected to BIS-WiFi, your WiFi icon will turn to white. If the WiFi icon is grey coloured, it means that you are only connecting with normal WiFi - all your native BB app is still consuming the data from you telco's data plan.

For easier understanding, BIS-WiFi (white colored icon) & normal WiFi (grey colored icon) concept is the same as EDGE (got BIS) /edge (no BIS) or 3G (Got BIS) /3g (no BIS)

Edited: Please NOTE that you must first have BIS subscribed (Which in Malaysia is only possible if you subscribe with telco - correct me if Im wrong)

Below is the status when BIS is successfully connected through WiFi
[attachmentid=1447382]
[attachmentid=1447383]

Hope this explains

Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by armster

How to know when your BB is connected to BIS