BlackBerry's long-awaited OS 10 flagship smartphone has arrived in SA, with Vodacom and MTN announcing release dates and pricing for the Z10.
Vodacom officially launched the device at Vodacom World in Midrand, where customers queued to be one of the first to get their hands on the device, last night - while other Vodacom stores, and MTN stores nationwide, will stock the new BlackBerrys as of Friday.
Vodacom is offering the BlackBerry Z10 for R479 per month on a 24-month contract. The offer includes 75 voice minutes, 150 SMSes and 575 MB. Vodacom says customers who take up the Z10 offer will have unlimited BBM texting until 31 May. "A new BBM value-added service offer will be launched from 1 June, with pricing information available closer to launch."
Vodacom confirms BIS is not available on BlackBerry 10, but remains available on earlier BlackBerry devices, including all BlackBerry devices on OS 7.1 and earlier.
Phil Patel, chief officer of the consumer business unit at Vodacom, says the operator will launch the BlackBerry Z10 LTE in mid-March.
MTN says it will offer a range of customised plans, which will be based on, but not the same as, the R59 BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS) model customers are used to. "MTN has an array of BlackBerry plans designed to suit the demands and affordability of our customers that utilise BlackBerry BIS services."
MTN notes that customers who purchase the new BlackBerry OS 10 smartphone will not have the option of BIS. "These customers will be able to use their BlackBerry 10 phones like any other smartphone user by loading any of MTN's data bundles."
The operator assures customers, however, that it has "vastly reduced" its Internet bundle rates and data price plans. "We have reduced our data prices by as much as 40%. Therefore, our BlackBerry Z10 customers will continue to enjoy BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), e-mail, Internet browsing, social networking and other BlackBerry services at affordable Internet rates."
The BlackBerry Z10 will be available at stores on the following MTN packages:
o MTN Anytime 200 for R399 over 24 months (includes R200 airtime value and 250MB)
o MTN Anytime 350 for R499 over 24 months (includes R350 airtime value and 250MB)
o MTN Anytime 500 for R549 over 24 months (includes R500 airtime value and 300MB)
o MTN Anytime 750 for R879 over 24 months (includes R750 airtime value and 300MB)
o MTN Anytime 1 200 for R1 299 over 24 months (includes R1 200 airtime value and 300MB)
o MTN Anytime 1 500 for R1 599 over 24 months (includes R1 500 airtime value and 300MB)
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