Questions about Blackberry phone and also capped usage?

[VivaLeBeaver]

DD would like a Blackberry and it looks like we're getting her one next month.

She's nearly 11 and its been a carrot for lots of 11+ revising.

So I ideally would like to her a PAYG one as I'm concerend about her running up a massive bill. Buy monthly contracts do look better value. I'm sure I read on here a while back about some phone companies operating a capped system - so you can say no more than £15 a month. However I can't find the thread nor can I find any infor via Google. Does anyone know who does this.

Do other teens tend to have PAYG phones or monthly ones? How do you find it works out? If you've got PAYG is £10 a month realistic or do they text their way through that in a week?

The other question is about BBM. I thought it was a free messaging service but on the Virgin Mobile website it says you have to pay £5 a month extra to have Blackberry Services activated. Is this true on other operators as I dont see anything similar on other websites but suspect it may be hidden away somewhere.

" Otherwise she'd only be wanting a different phone in a couple of years as it'll be so slow"

she will be wanting a different one in a couple of years anyway!

Personally I think a blackberry is way too much for such a young child, especially as a first phone.

Tesco do a capped tarriff which is great for teenagers and also a good insurance scheme which covers teenager even if it isn't bought in their name.

Giffgaff was recommended by somebody on anotehr thread. You can buy 'goodybags' for a tenner which give 250 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited web for a month.

You can use BBM on PAYG - most payg providers have an optional add-on for a certain amount per month - DD2 is on Vodafone and it's £5 a month for BBS which includes BBM.

I have BBM on my PAYG blackberry.

OP, mine is with 02, I put £20 credit a month on there and have bolt ons set-£5 comes straight off the credit for my BBM, £5 for unlimited internet, £5 for unlimited text and £5 for £300 minutes. Maybe worth you looking into this for your DD as then she can always text you to call her if necessary, and she can make calls to friends mobiles and landlines-300 minutes is 5 hours and I never use it all but great to have.

This isnt a contract either so no tie in period

BBM is the devil's work!