BlackBerry BIS Email, Data and Connectivity Issues Being Reported Globally

Posted on 14 November 2008 by


blackberry.jpg

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

This post was written by:

- who has written 2131 posts on Gear Diary.

Wayne is a diehard Blackberry user and consultant specializing in Sage MAS90 Accounting Software. He lives in Glastonbury CT with his two children. When not helping them with their homework or pushing the latest school fundraiser off on his co-workers, he is active hiking, Scuba Diving and investigating all manner of technology.

Contact the author


  • http://www.mormanfh.com sixftunda

    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.

  • http://www.s-consult.com/index.php Wayne Schulz

    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.

  • http://www.magnusson.ca/blog.html Chris Magnusson

    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?

  • http://www.mormanfh.com sixftunda

    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.

  • http://www.magnusson.ca/blog.html Chris Magnusson

    Thanks for that. He uses 4SmartPhone.net for his Exchange so this may save a step or two for him.

  • http://www.s-consult.com/index.php Wayne Schulz

    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).