[snaimon]

Never had a bb. Had 3 Treos and now have an MDA. Much like a bb, but NOT the 'real thing.'

If unlocked, they all fired up with a foreign SIM. I never tried internet browsing overseas, but I suspect that would work IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SERVICE and (or)
are willing to pay for that service. I hear WIND has a decently priced internet service. There are some INTERNET sites that allow you access to your regular email.

You can use the keyboard for SMSing.

I did not have a VPN from my firm, but I suspect that, UNLESS YOU TAKE YOUR US SIM, you won't be able to tie in to your regular (M$ Outlook) company email. I think the tech guys set that up on the bb.

My brother in NV has a 'crackberry' which he took to Hong Kong, etc recently. They use ATT/Cingular and they allowed him to roam and use his corporate email.

Stan