Requirements

To use the Blackberry Wireless activation with our Blackberry Enterprise server you need:

• Blackberry handheld software version 4.0. You can check the version of the client software installed on your handheld if open Options -> About.
  Note: If you wish to upgrade your handheld to version 4.0 of handheld software, please contact your wireless carrier and request the latest client software for your handheld.
   
• Blackberry Enterprise service with your wireless service provider. Contact your wireless company to be sure that your account is provisioned for Blackberry Enterprise service. This is different than standard Blackberry service.
   
• Good wireless signal strength. You must ensure that there is sufficient wireless coverage present when the wireless enterprise activation is attempted. Use the Blackberry handheld's Options > Status page to check for a value greater than -90db. The smaller the number, the better.

Please note that 900 series of Handhelds (Such as R957) have different versioning system for handheld software. Version 2.7 of handheld software on 900 series of handhelds is equivalent to version 4.0 of handheld software on newer devices.

About wireless enterprise activation

Wireless enterprise activation enables you to activate your handheld on the BlackBerry Enterprise Server without having to connect your BlackBerry device to your personal computer with cable or cradle.

For example, if you purchase a new or replacement BlackBerry handheld and enable Blackberry Enterprise wireless services on your mailbox using HostPilot, you will receive an email with your activation password. You use this password on the handheld to activate the service for your device. Activation can take up to two minutes or so. If after five minutes it is not shown as having been successfully completed, you may cancel it. Check that all Requirements as shown above, especially Enterprise service provisioning with the provider and good signal strength are as required and try again. If you continue to have difficulty, contact Intermedia Support.

Enabling wireless enterprise activation

1.       You must enable BlackBerry wireless services on the mailbox using Hostpilot control panel.

2.       Within a few minutes you should receive an activation email with the activation password. Please use your regular email application (such as Outlook 2003 or Outlook Web Access) to open this email.

3.       Open the Enterprise Activation program (Options > Enterprise Activation) on the handheld and type the appropriate email address and activation password that were provided in the activation email.

This activation password is used only to activate your mailbox. The password is invalid after five unsuccessful activation attempts, and if you do not activate your handheld 48 hours after the password is created, the password expires and cannot be used. When the handheld is successfully activated, the password is removed from the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. You can always generate a new activation password using Hostpilot control panel.

Wireless Enterprise Activation application: Enter password

Wireless Enterprise Activation application: Click Activate

4.       After your click Activate on your Handheld, your device sends activation request: The handheld sends an activation request email to the user’s email account. This email contains information about the handheld such as routing information and the handheld’s activation public keys.

5.       Server sends activation response: The BlackBerry Enterprise Server sends the handheld an activation email response that contains routing information about the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and the server’s public keys.

6.       Device and server establish and verify keys: The BlackBerry Enterprise Server and the handheld establish a master encryption key. Both the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and the handheld verify their knowledge of the master key to each other. If key confirmation succeeds, the activation proceeds and further communication is encrypted.

BlackBerry handheld displays verification status

7.       Service books sent: The BlackBerry Enterprise Server sends appropriate service books (for example, messaging service book, wireless calendar service book, browser service book) to the handheld. You can now send and receive messages on the handheld.

8.       Data loaded: BlackBerry Enterprise Server sends the following data to your handheld:

• calendar entries address book entries
• tasks
• memos
• email messages
• existing handheld options (if applicable) that were backed up through automatic wireless backup

BlackBerry handheld receives data

BlackBerry handheld displays activation status

9.       Activation is complete!