Posted on August 10, 2009, at 9:36 am .
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 is an introductory BlackBerry for those just entering the smartphone market. With Airtel, RIM have introduced the device to India, which seems to be a good demographic for the device.
Something that is unique about the launch is that the device is being offered on prepaid. This has been a strategy of RIM and developing markets for a while now. Emerging markets tend to favor the prepaid system, due to the fact that contracts are more difficult to manage given the credit systems required. The downside of a prepaid system is that it inevitably makes the device more expensive. At Rs. 15,990, the Curve 8520 is selling for roughly $334.87 USD.
Click through for the full press release
Posted on December 29, 2008, at 10:07 am .
Big news today for the Republic of Seychelles, as RIM and Airtel have jointly announced the arrival of BlackBerry service for the archipelago nation (yes, I looked it up). Airtel will launch BlackBerry service in Seychelles initially with the BlackBerry Curve 8320.
Mark Guibert, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at RIM added, “It is with great pleasure that RIM is working with Airtel to introduce the BlackBerry solution in Seychelles. Millions of people around the world have chosen a BlackBerry smartphone to stay connected to colleagues, friends and family while they are on the move.”
Airtel will be offering both BES and BIS services for corporate customers and individual users, respectively. For more information, head to http://www.airtel.sc/.
Posted on November 18, 2008, at 2:12 am .
Wow, Vodafone is on a roll this week. First, the BlackBerry Storm in the UK, the BlackBerry Bold in Malta and now a bevvy of BlackBerrys in the Channel Islands. Airtel-Vodafone and RIM jointly announced the launch of the BlackBerry Curve 8310 and BlackBerry Pearl 8110, both of which include GPS.
“We are thrilled to be bringing this product to customers in the Channel Islands,” says Iain Williams, CEO of Airtel-Vodafone. “The BlackBerry smartphone is no longer just a business must-have but it is increasingly becoming a lifestyle device as well. The more digital the world becomes the more people live their lives online. BlackBerry smartphones accommodate the modern way of life and, in combination with the additional services of the Vodafone network, we are confident that the BlackBerry solution will be well received by customers in the Channel Islands.”
For more information about Airtel-Vodafone’s BlackBerry releases, visit their website below.
Airtel-Vodafone site
Posted on September 18, 2008, at 8:52 am .
Two different Indian carriers announced new information for a wide variety of BlackBerrys today. In news that will only make the rumored AT&T Bold delay sting more, Airtel has announced the launch of the BlackBerry Bold on their network, priced at Rs. 34,990 and available by the end of September.
In addition, Reliance mobile has introduced the first prepaid BlackBerry service in India today for no less than six different devices. Reliance claims that this announcement will help expand BlackBerry interest to the 200 million prepaid users in India.
Reliance Prepaid BlackBerry Support
* The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition
* The BlackBerry Curve 8330
* The BlackBerry Curve 8300
* The BlackBerry Pearl 8100
* The BlackBerry Pearl 8130
* The BlackBerry 8703e
Read the Ultimate BlackBerry Bold Review (with full device specs)
(via RIM, Ciol)
Posted on July 12, 2007, at 10:21 am .
Airtel’s releasing a new navigation service for their BlackBerry 8800 users that will bring maps and points of interest to their fingertips. Eventually, Airtel aims to bring the function to their other cell phones. The system is called Wayfinder, developed in Sweden, and will be offered 6 months for free to all BlackBerry 8800 subscribers under Airtel’s wing.
Posted on June 22, 2007, at 12:31 pm .
Ah, RIM steps up to the plate and makes a move on India, even in the face of Nokia’s impressive advances. Hutch and Airtel are now carrying the BlackBerry 8300 for 24,990 rupees, or a little over $US600.
