Blackberry Storm Cell Phone Review - Connectivity
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Marianne Schultz Published on December 08, 2008 Comment on this |
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| International travelers tied to contracts with Verizon, rejoice! The Storm offers great flexibility to roam with its GSM radio and ability to connect to 3G networks outside of the U.S. Of course, such flexibility won't be free, but at least you won't need to borrow or buy another phone to use while globe-hopping. The one thing the Storm is missing is Wi-Fi, and this is a big omission indeed. | |
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Cellular Bands (12.0)
The Storm is one of the few devices offered by Verizon that has both CDMA and GSM radios so that it can operate on Verizon's extensive CDMA network in the U.S. and roam outside of the U.S. where GSM networks are more prevalent. Of course, you must pay extra for this flexibility with an international roaming plan. For business people who travel internationally often, a device that is unlocked may still offer the most bang for the buck since purchasing a local pre-paid SIM card may still garner better rates than roaming even with an international plan.
The Storm's mobile network menu
Data Support Score (13.0)
The Storm operates on Verizon's 3G EVDO Rev. A network in the U.S. and also on 3G GSM networks outside of the U.S. Those considering the Storm for 3G GSM use in the U.S. should note that it is not compatible with the frequencies used for 3G in the U.S. Oveall, this is pretty good flexibility for a device from Verizon where we normally see CDMA-only phones that offer little to no compatibility with data, or voice, for that matter, networks outside of the U.S.
Bluetooth (8.5)
The Storm has Bluetooth 2.0 and includes 9 profiles that provides very good functionality to suit a variety of users. Many business travelers who may find themselves in places with out Wi-Fi will be pleased to find that the Storm has the Dial-up Networking profile so that it can be used as a modem for their computers to get internet access. Music lovers will be pleased that it has the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, A2DP, to enable the use of wireless headphones to listen to music in stereo. Of course, the Storm also includes the ever-popular headset and handsfree profiles for use with Bluetooth headsets and car systems. Pairing the Storm with other devices is easy and straightforward.
The Bluetooth menu
Wi-Fi (0.0)
The Storm does not have Wi-Fi, a surprising absence on a smartphone that's competing with other devices that do have it, including every single one of our comparison phones. It's quite disappointing that Wi-Fi is missing since it's offered in more and more places these days at competitive rates or even for free - AT&T offers free Wi-Fi at all of its hotspots, of which it has thousands, for iPhones and Blackberrys on thier network. We offer a boo and hiss to the Storm for this shortfall.
Infrared (0.0)
The Storm does not have infrared.
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