BlackBerry BIS Email, Data and Connectivity Issues Being Reported Globally
Posted on 14 November 2008, at 1:09 pm, by Wayne Schulz
Research In Motions Blackberry Internet Service (aka BIS) seems to be acting up in the US and abroad. Over the last three days I’ve experienced overnight outages which leave my Blackberry Bold unable to receive email on my GMAIL account. The problem can sometimes be resolved by re-sending the service books to the Blackberry device. What’s puzzling is that the carrier provided email address (name@att.blackberry.net) continues to send and receive normally. At least one forum poster at Blackberryforums has shared an email that he claims was sent via Rogers to advise customers of this problem and that re-sending a service book should restore the functionality. Other forum members (including myself) have noticed sporadic issues where third party applications cannot access the Internet, and still others are reporting some of their email accounts have lengthy delays. If you’re experiencing problems today (November 14, 2008) – it’s not just you.
Blackberry Forums and BlackBerry Support Community Forums
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November 14th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Well this explains a lot. Figures this would happen the first time I ever try out a Blackberry. Looks like I will be sticking with my trusty hosted MS Exchange Server.
November 14th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
So far as I can tell this is not a total outage and it’s sporadic as if some portion of their system keeps going up and coming down.
I’ve noticed it mostly overnight and at least one user on Orange overseas had a similar experience. Then someone at BlackberryForums posted a notice from Rogers (Canada) spotlighting what seems to be the same issue.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
This kind of thing frightens me.
I’ve got a family member who is interested in the Storm and he already has an Exchange account. Would he be able to set up just the Exchange account on the Storm and use the cellular provider’s data connection for syncing, email, etc., or would he still have to rely on the Blackberry services for some things?
November 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
If you have an Exchange Account you can use BIS and for the server address use the OWA address. Keep in mind that not every Exchange Server will play nice with BIS. Mine didn’t. You would be better off with a dedicated BES. I use 4smartphone.net for my hosted MS Exchange and they have also have 4Blackberry.net for hosted BES.
November 14th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Thanks for that. He uses 4SmartPhone.net for his Exchange so this may save a step or two for him.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I did not have any BIS problems this morning (first time in three mornings). Also worth noting that I traveled yesterday from Glendale Arizona to Connecticut — so I’m not sure if the location change played into this. Since I’ve read similar messages about service disruptions – I’ve tentatively ruled out (in my mind) location as being a factor. It also doesn’t seem to be carrier related because I saw messages from subscribers on Verizon, I’m on ATT and another on Orange.
In any event BIS is probably back to normal as these interruptions are typically short term in duration (seldom more than three or four days).