Ensuring your Blackberry is ready to be activated requires a number of quick checks.

1. Data Acceptance

In the top right of your Blackberry screen next to the signal strength icon, you should see either these icons "GPRS", "3G" or "EDGE". You need to ensure these are in "upper caps".  If the icon is in lower caps, this will indicate you do not have a data plan with your provider. You will need this to activate and can explain you are looking to use your device with a Blackberry Enterprise Server.

2. Correct Blackberry Service

You should also ensure you have the correct Blackberry service activated, which you should confirm with your mobile operator. You can read more on this here.

3. Clean Blackberry

If you have previously used your Blackberry on another service or service provider, you should WIPE your handheld to clean up any previous security settings. Do not worry, as soon as your Blackberry is activated it will pull down your contacts, email and calendar from your Exchange Mailbox.  View how to WIPE your blackberry here.