Wi-Fi or Network Connection - Explainati​on for Newbies (Like me)

Question

Myself and my wife Marlene have recently been converted to the BB World. We both bought 8900 Curves, on the same day, and both with BB data plans and Internet browsing plans included. The only difference between the two handsets is mine is from Orange-UK and Marlene's is from O2-UK.
When I got home I set them both up (why is it always me who has to get them working), and connected them to our Home Wireless Network. Now, here is where things went strange. When I went into Mobile Network Options I got a choice of "Preferred Connection", and had 4 choices (Network Only - Network Preferred - Wi-Fi Only - Wi-Fi Preferred) and chose Wi-Fi Preferred as my "unlimited" plan is actually capped at 500MB. When I went to do the same with Marlene's there was no such choice.
Now, being from an Engineering background I could not let this rest, as everytime I was in range of a Wi-Fi network my BB would connect and UMA would show in the top corner. With Marlene's, no connection, and EDGE in top corner. Well, to cut a long story short I managed to get in contact with someone from RIM, and after a time of complete bafflement (is that a word?) he came up with the answer, which I quote:
TerrySorry for the delay in replying. I wanted to be sure that my understand was correct before responding. O2 use the standard Wifi capability whilst Orange use UMA Wifi in their devices. This is a device feature and not software. There is a feature in UMA Wifi: •          Auto-handover (2G/3G ó WiFi) for BlackBerry data serviceØ       BlackBerry always chooses WiFi network when it is availableSo if you have an O2 device it will always attached to the Cellular network first unless you have it switch off and have the appropriate profiles for the local Wifi network.
So there you have it. The system is set by your provider, and there is little you can do about it.
If you are going on a PAYG Data Plan with a provider it may be worth checking which system they use. It could save you alot of money in the long run.
Sorry for the long story, but it seems a popular topic, and hopefully this will go some way to explaining why it is happening on your BB.
Terry

Answer 1

You must have the Data Plan for certain functions (push email and RIM applications like Facebook, the browser, etc.)
You can use your HotSpot browser on WiFi without the Data Plan (Options > Advanced > Browser > HotSpot browser and save).
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