Telstra launches the “BlackBerryВ® Pearl” on its EDGE Network
Telstra and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) have launched the “BlackBerryВ® Pearl” which will be available in stores from tomorrow.
Weighing approximately 89g and measuring just 107mm x 50mm x 14.5mm, the “BlackBerryВ® Pearl” is one of the world’s smallest and lightest smartphones. The “BlackBerryВ® Pearl” is easy-to-use and features support for phone, email, messaging, organiser, web browser and other mobile applications. It also incorporates a digital camera, media player, and expandable memory slot for the first time.
Telstra’s Enterprise and Government Group Managing Director, Mr David Thodey, said Telstra customers would benefit from the national coverage of its EDGE network that was unmatched by its competitors.
“The BlackBerryВ® Pearl” operates on Telstra’s enhanced GPRS network, known as EDGE, which is the largest network of its kind in Australia, reaching more than 96 per cent of the population,” Mr Thodey said. “Telstra’s EDGE network delivers data speeds more than twice as fast as GPRS.
“With the wide adoption and acceptance of BlackBerryВ® as a business communications tool, many of Telstra’s enterprise and government customers are already using BlackBerryВ® for solutions that extend beyond the great email capability of BlackBerryВ®. This helps Telstra’s customers drive even greater productivity and accelerates their return on investment.
“Today many Telstra customers are using BlackBerryВ® to access a variety of applications beyond email, including sales force automation, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), remote network management and dispatch. Telstra also provides fully managed mobility solutions through KAZ Group, Telstra’s ICT and IP services subsidiary.
“Telstra is about offering our customers choice, because we understand that they all have different needs.”
Since September, Telstra began switching on its EDGE network, meaning many existing Telstra customers are also experiencing faster data speeds on their EDGE capable BlackBerryВ® 8700g and BlackBerryВ® 7130g handsets.
“Despite being one of the smallest and lightest smartphones available, the “BlackBerryВ® Pearl” offers the full BlackBerryВ® experience that has become so popular around the world. We’re pleased to be working with Telstra to expand its BlackBerryВ® portfolio to include the highly-acclaimed “BlackBerryВ® Pearl”,” said Norm Lo, Vice President, Asia Pacific for Research In Motion.
Group Managing Director for Telstra Business, Ms Deena Shiff said Telstra was offering its customers access to new applications on the BlackBerryВ® Pearl”.
“Only Telstra customers can access our Business Portal which allows them to download applications on any BlackBerryВ® device, like spell checking, an email preview capability, and the ability to print emails and attachments to any fax machine in the country – all billed to your Telstra Mobile account,” Ms Shiff said.
“Telstra’s BlackBerryВ® Individual Solution customers can also access Sensis’ Whereis” location based technology via one click and unlimited internet browsing on BlackBerryВ® devices at no extra charge.”
Telstra is offering small and medium business customers a new plan to encourage the take up of wireless technology. The Small Business Edition (SBE) software has been dropped from $2,500 to $500 allowing customers to adopt up to 15 “BlackBerryВ® Pearl” smartphones at a lower upfront cost.
The “BlackBerryВ® Pearl” is available with BlackBerryВ® Individual Solution from $99.95 ($60 voice plan and $39.95 for BlackBerry data Plan) per month over 24 months for ‘all-you-can-eat’ email and internet browsing.
The “BlackBerryВ® Pearl” is available at $199 upfront for BlackBerryВ® Enterprise Solution customers taking up a 24 month contract for $89.95 per month. This gives you ‘all-you-can-eat’ wireless email, calendar, contacts and internet browsing.
Telstra customers can also purchase the phone outright for $679 in conjunction with either a BlackBerryВ® Individual Solution or BlackBerryВ® Enterprise Solution.
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Tags: Australia, Operators, Regional, Research In Motion, Telstra