Cox uses different servers for incoming and outgoing email (here, I use pop.east.cox.net for incoming, and smtp.east.cox.net for outgoing). The VZM BlackBerry Curve 8330 I am using only accepts one server setting, which is used for both incoming and outgoing. So I can choose to either send mail or receive mail 
.
Also, to use SSL with the Blackberry, apparently only port number 995 is available, but Cox wants me to use 857. The setup utility on the BB won't let me change it.
So, for now, and unless someone knows of a fix, I cannot send mail through my Cox account on the Blackberry, which is a pain because this has been my main email account for many years.
I am able to send mail using my Yahoo account, so I am not out in the cold, but I cannot believe that Verizon would not be aware of this problem and that there would be no fix, Cox is pretty big down here for cable internet.
Any suggestion appreciated,
Didier