is my husband right? (for once, I hope so) lol

It won't matter if there is wifi if the device has no service.

wifi has nothing to do with the phone function. The only service required is internet through wifi. I know nothing of Blackberrys, but if instant messaging works here on wifi, it'll work there.

I'm no expert, but I think Ambrosia's right in that the old phone has to be "activated" for at least voice service, in order to even connect at a wi-fi hotspot. It also has to be a 'wifi-enabled' Blackberry model.

A quick google turns up this which say free access on wifi is indeed possible, and tells you how to do it:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4537240_using-wifi-data-plan-t.html A free network is a free network, you just need a way to access it.

Simple test -- take it to any free wifi spot in the US and see if it works. If it works here, it will work there.

All I know is our iPhone works fine on wifi with the phone and data functions turned off. I imagine the Blackberry works the same way. As someone suggested, try it at home and you'll know. Here's a Blackberry support forum if you want to discuss it there. http://supportforums.blackberry.com

Data functions turned off is different than having terminated your contract and not having a functioning sim card anymore. That's why I don't believe it will work. (definitely could be wrong, but that is my understanding of it)

Jill is talking about instant messaging via wifi, not texting. They are different. IM is done via internet; no phone service is required as it is for texting.

I don't have experience with blackberries, but as far as I knowif your phone will not work without a sim card, you will not be able to pick up wifi without a service provider and sim card. For example: my old Palm Centro would function as a palm pilot type device without a sim card, and if it had been wifi-accessible I would have been able to use it for wifi in Europe. My current Palm Pre will not work without a sim card, and therefore if I discontinue my service before leaving for Europe, it will not work. If you would like to use internet/messaging when wifi is available, consider picking up a iPod Touch. The new ones even have cameras so you can Skype when wifi is available.

Link to a discussion on the Blackberry support forum which states wifi works with no sim for several models http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/Java-Development/Network-Diagnostic-Tool-No-WiFi-without-GPRS/td-p/237122

Jill, He's almost right...sigh. Your Blackberry will work if, it has a sim card in it, if it has the Blackberry Feature Enabler /UMA program loaded into it, (we load it into people's Blackberries here for free here at t-mobile), if it is set correctly by showing the letters "UMA" in caps on the screen, (not in lower case), and you are in a wi-fi spot. But...Blackberry Instant Messenger will NOT work with out a plan with a service provider. You WILL be able to use the Blackberry Weather, PDSports, Beyond 411, and be able to surf the web, though. If you have a google e-mail address or the like, you can check your e-mail. You cannot be charged, as you do not have a provider service contract, and there is no one for them to bill. Hence the letters "UMA", which stand for Unlicensed Mobile Access. And more headaches.... Because of network frequency differences in different countries, you might not be able to get access at all, anywhere, unless you change your settings. (Mine would not work in Spain no matter what I did.) Plus, different Blackberry models have their own software differences. Some will even work without the sim card in them. Very iffy question here with lots of variables. I hope hubby is a super phone techie. Me? I would go a different way. Leave the phones home, hold hands, look into each other's eyes, and forget there are such things as phones. Hit internet cafes once in a while, and send e-mails to loved ones about the great time you are having and that you are ok!