Telkom's mobile arm has introduced a social and e-mail plan at almost half the monthly BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS) cost.
8ta announced last week that subscribers would be given access to e-mail, Internet browsing, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), social networking, BlackBerry App World and a Web-based e-mail account for R30 per month.
The operator 8ta says the primary difference between its newly-introduced plan and regular BIS services is that a customer may use one additional Web-based e-mail account - as opposed to 10.
Amith Maharaj, Telkom's senior managing executive, says the tailor-made offering, at R29 less than the usual BIS monthly fee, is a first for BlackBerry users.
BIS is a low-cost solution that provides users with access to the Internet, personal e-mail accounts (including 8tamail, Yahoo Mail and Gmail), BBM and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. It also provides access to mobile applications on BlackBerry App World.
According to BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM), BlackBerry's local popularity is largely due to the affordability of BIS (R59 per month in SA). “Popular apps, such as BBM, have also helped to cement BlackBerry's popularity with young people.”
There are over 56 million BBM users globally, and 98% of South African BlackBerry customers use BBM, making BBM penetration in the country among the highest in the world, according to RIM.
8ta's R30 offer was available as of yesterday at 8ta flagship stores and Telkom Direct stores nationally. BlackBerry customers can dial *180*3*1# to activate the BIS social and e-mail subscription.
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