PocketBerry » Carrier News

What European Carriers are Testing the BlackBerry 9800 Slider?

Collin Sorp — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:05:08 +0000

Domestically, we know that AT&T will be providing the BlackBerry 9800 Slider, but what about everyone else? Europe has carriers too (of course). According to BBLeaks, here’s a list of European carriers who are testing out the BlackBerry 9800 Slider:

Vodafone UK (and other countries)
O2 UK and DE
T-Mobile UK (and other countries)
Telefonica
Orange

Keep in mind that just because a carrier is testing the device, it does NOT mean they will be launching it. That’s why it is called “testing” where they test the device to see if it will appeal to their customers or not.

-by Collin Sorp

Vodafone UK will sell Storm 2 until stock runs out

Otoniel Bruno — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:43:35 +0000

On the Vodafone UK forums, an administrator addressed a question on future availability of the BlackBerry Storm 2. And as you guessed right, they are selling the device until their out of stock on the device. Could we have any more obvious hints that another touch screen BlackBerry is on its way soon? The Storm 2 is already an end of life device come August. So what’s next in line? Storm 3? Revamped Storm 2? Slider 9800?

-by Otoniel Bruno

Source: BBNews.pl

T-Mobile stops BlackBerry Curve 8520 shipments – 9300 in September?

Mac Jadalhack — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:09:25 +0000

We got the word from several T-Mobile retail locations that the BlackBerry Curve 8520 is not on shelves right now. Whatever left over devices are hanging around can be sold, but T-Mobile is not sending any more in at all. Some employees have also told a new device is expected to come around September to make up for the 8520. Curve 9300 anyone? This isn’t huge news, but it’s a bit odd how the Fuchsia red Curve 8520 came out around the same time the white Bold 9700 did (not too long ago) and now it’s all been halted. I guess both Verizon and T-Mobile are getting rid of this device.

There’s no word on AT&T as they are hiding discreetly hopefully unveiling the 9800 Slider soon. Keep in mind they do also have a Curve 8520 on shelves but it seems to me the 8520 was not such a big hit with AT&T, but more with T-Mobile and Verizon. So what else is going to be halted soon? Will we see the Bold 9700 go away and have the 9780 take its place when OS 6 come out? Or will RIM impress us all by having OS 6 support the 9700? Back to the 8520, I guess this is it, and it will be an end of life device as well from T-Mobile.

-by Mac Jadalhack

Verizon BlackBerry Storm 2 & Curve 8530 End of Life Devices in August ?

Mac Jadalhack — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:51:30 +0000

It’s a bit crazy seeing the BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 go down just like that. When I think about it, I feel like it was too short lived of a device. Then I remember last week where we saw Verizon BlackBerry Storm 2 OS 6 testing ceased. Was making it an end of life device a decision after the testing failures or was it going down any way?

Second in line is the BlackBerry Curve 8530. So what. We have a Curve 9300 which is pretty much the same device as the 8530. Everyone calls the Curve 9300 the 8500 series Curve with 3G. Well guess what folks – the Curve 8530 did have 3G for those who forgot already. Goodbye 8530! Hit the jump to check out the full notes on the end of life devices and when their replacements are expected to launch.

BlackBerry Curve2 (8530):

The Curve2 is end of life – Final Shipments August
Refer to the “Stock Check” tool in POS for on hand availability
Device will retire on 8/1, replacement coming in Q3/Q4

BlackBerry Storm2 (9550):

The Storm2 is end of life – Final Shipments August
Refer to the “Stock Check” tool in POS for on hand availability
Device will retire on 8/15, replacement coming in Q3/Q4

How heartwarming! So Q3/Q4 we’ll be seeing Storm 2 and Curve 8530 replacements. I am guessing this revamped Storm 2 (maybe 3) or Storm “Touch” we saw and of course the one and only 9300, but in CDMA of course.

Until we get the official word, this has to partially go down as a rumor, but I am willing to consider it “Carrier News” also and hopefully we’re not wrong on this one.

-by Mac Jadalhack

Source: BBLeaks

AT&T Shows Strong 2nd Quarter, Raises Annual Projections

Zain Haq — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:05:12 +0000

AT&T released their financial figures today, demonstrating a surge in earnings, margins, sales, and activations. Some financial highlights are the 25.9% (adjusted to 13.0%) EPS bump, almost a full percentage increase in revenues, and and almost 20% increased consolidated credit margin. In short, AT&T’s performance in the second quarter gave investors a great deal to be excited about.

More importantly to the average user, however, are the new subscriptions and the increased data usage on AT&T networks. AT&T introduced 1.6 million new net subscriptions in the second quarter, with 3.2 million activated iPhones to boot. AT&T also had wireless service revenue increase 10.3%, demonstrating a strong use of AT&T’s networks. More importantly to users of BlackBerries and other smartphones, wireless data revenue jumped by almost 30%, with an increase of 10% in 3G usage alone. AT&T’s U-Verse and Ethernet businesses also showed marked increases. Read the full reportas well as the specific increases, and leave your thoughts in the comments.

-by Zain Haq

MetroPCS gets the BlackBerry Curve 8530 – Prepaid Unlimited Talk, Text, & Web

Otoniel Bruno — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:04:25 +0000

We got the word late last night from one of our readers Rob that MetroPCS is now locked and loaded for the BlackBerry Curve 8530. Before we only saw the Curve 8330 hit the streets with Metro, but the device had already been well outdated by then. Even though we have a BlackBerry Curve 9300 on its way, the Curve 8530 is still a good BlackBerry to have as it still rocks OS 5.0, has WiFi, and of course 3G. After $50 mail-in rebate, you’ll be paying $229.99 for the device. So how about the plan? As you know, MetroPCS is a prepaid phone company so the BlackBerry is also. For $60, you’ll get unlimited talk, text, and web. Great deal or what? You can order the device online, or head over to a local MetroPCS store near you as we’re told most stores are carrying them in stock and not all.

Check out the MetroPCS BlackBerry Curve 8530 >>

-by Otoniel Bruno

T-Mobile Expands 4G Coverage, Covers 85 Million Americans

Zain Haq — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:49:09 +0000

The race between cell phone service providers to deliver the fastest possible data networks has raged for years, and T-Mobile seems to have taken the lead in their 4G coverage. In addition to the more than 85 million individuals now covered by T-Mobile’s 4G network, they have also made HSPA+ network service usable in 50 metropolitan areas. To employ this new network more effectively, T-Mobile has also hinted at a new smartphone that will be HSPA+ enabled.

Hopefully. T-Mobile’s expansion of their 4G network and progressive steps in the HSPA+ realm of mobile devices will push AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and others to develop their own technologies, like 4G and HSPA+, as well. In doing so, the provider wars will continue on, and BlackBerry and other smartphone users will be the beneficiaries. Hopefully, by the time the first 4G BlackBerry is released, all providers will cover as many or more Americans with 4G coverage as T-Mobile does. Hit the jump for the full press release from T-Mobile.

T-Mobile® HSPA+ Network now delivers broadest reach of 4G speeds in U.S.

BELLEVUE, Wash.—July 21, 2010 — Today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced the continued expansion of its super-fast mobile broadband network to more than 85 million Americans—the most pervasive network to offer 4G speeds1 in the country. T-Mobile® is on track to deliver HSPA+ speeds in 100 major metropolitan areas with backhaul in place, covering 185 million people in the U.S. by the end of this year.
Now HSPA+ network service is available in nearly 50 major metropolitan areas across the country, with the newest additions including Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Waco, Texas; Baltimore, Md.; Baton Rouge and Lafayette, La.; Birmingham, Ala.; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio; Ft. Lauderdale and Jacksonville, Fla.; Greenville, S.C.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Indianapolis, Ind.; Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Portland, Ore.; and Wichita, Kan. In addition, T-Mobile has expanded coverage in cities in previously announced metropolitan areas including Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. 4G speeds are now available for customers in Alexandria, McLean and Reston, Va.; Anaheim, Burbank, Glendale, Irvine, Long Beach, and Ontario, CA; Annapolis, Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Md.; and Asheville and Hickory, N.C.

In addition, 16 of T-Mobile’s current 3G devices, including more than a dozen smartphones,2 can benefit from enhanced speeds when they’re on the super-fast HSPA+ network in all of these major metropolitan areas, including the newest smartphone available from T-Mobile—the Samsung Vibrant. And later this summer, T-Mobile will unveil its first HSPA+-capable smartphone. More details will be available in the coming weeks.

“T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network now offers 4G speeds to more people than any other wireless network in the country,” said Neville Ray, chief network officer for T-Mobile USA. “The aggressive pace of our HSPA+ network rollout means our customers can enjoy a better mobile broadband experience on more devices in more places today—but we’re not done yet. Our first HSPA+ smartphone is coming soon and our footprint will double between now and the end of the year.”

Complementing the network expansion is wider availability of the T-Mobile® webConnect® broadband products in T-Mobile retail stores in all HSPA+ areas including the webConnect Rocket™ USB Laptop Stick, the first HSPA+-capable device from a national U.S. wireless carrier and the Dell™ Inspiron™ Mini 10 with T-Mobile webConnect, T-Mobile’s first netbook.

Also beginning today, T-Mobile is introducing the webConnect Rocket 2.0 USB Laptop Stick, an updated form factor of its first HSPA+-capable device. Featuring a new rotating swivel USB form factor, the webConnect Rocket 2.0 is designed to deliver the same home broadband experience on the go as its predecessor, so customers can surf the Web, download large files or watch video from a laptop anytime on-the-go with a blazing-fast connection. The webConnect Rocket 2.0 enables customers to take full advantage of T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network in areas where the service is available—delivering 4G speeds.

-by Zain Haq

Rumor: Limited Data Plans coming to Verizon Wireless this month?

Mac Jadalhack — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:45:38 +0000

This has occurred on the AT&T network already, and a lot of folks aren’t happy. Data charts do show that average BlackBerry users don’t exceed the 200MB limit, and even if so, there’s always the 2GB. I think it’s more on the fact that there is some sort of limitation making you wonder why. Shortly after AT&T went ahead with the limited data plans, Verizon was rumored to do so as they mentioned on Bloomberg, but we had no set dates. According to Engadget, the time could be this month. So if any of you Verizon customers are eligible for upgrade, do so right away before these new data plans take control. We don’t know much about grandfathering policies with Verizon but that’s an idea up in the air for now.

-by Mac Jadalhack

First US Carrier to Launch BlackBerry Pearl 3G – Cincinnati Bell

Otoniel Bruno — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:36:40 +0000

I’m going to put two thumbs down on this one as AT&T hasn’t made any moves on a BlackBerry Pearl 3G on their network. At least someone in the United States is getting it. Cincinnati Bell has the BlackBerry Pearl 9100 (we’re just calling both the 9100 and 9105 ‘Pearl 3G’) ready for sale for only $99 with a two year agreement or $350 with no contract.

Check out the BlackBerry Pearl 3G at Cincinnati Bell >>

-by Otoniel Bruno

Source: CrackBerry

BlackBerry Curve 9300 going to Vodafone UK in Q3

Otoniel Bruno — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:15:11 +0000

And here goes another. The BlackBerry Curve 9300 is going to get passed around to carriers left and right, just like the 8520 did around the world. LouiV from BBLeaks spotted this spreadsheet from Vodafone UK showing that it will be hitting the carrier soon, rumored as Q3 along with Rogers Wireless. We’ll be seeing OS 5.0.0.832 stock out of the box on this one as it says on the spreadsheet. That’s not much news, but it does tell you that it will not be with OS 6.0 from day 1 (I’m sure no one was thinking it would any way).

-by Otoniel Bruno

PocketBerry » Carrier News

What European Carriers are Testing the BlackBerry 9800 Slider?

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