BB Bold :: Unable To Connect To BIS On New 9650

I am having problems activating BIS on my bold 9650.

Device Info:
Carrier : Vodafone India
Model: BB Bold 9650 OS5.0.0.975

I bought the device off a top seller on ebay ( has 99.7% feedback and has sold around 50 of the same devices so far). It is a Verizon unlocked BB Bold 9650.I have registered the device on my Carrier. Contacted the carrier many times and they say my BIS has been activated. But it says "edge" in small, and BIS status as not connected.

Things i have tried so far:

1) Tried my SIM on a friend's BB and BIS works fine

2) Tried battery pull several times.. no use

3) Registered from the Host routing table.. says "Registration message sent" but no replies

4) my HRT and Service books are empty

5) Have Network settings to Automatic, GSM/UMTS, 2G

6) Data services are ON

7) Firewall disabled and no IT policy

8) Tried wiping device twice

9) Tried creating a new account on my Service provider BIS registration site.. it says my device has not been registered with the service provider?