Telstra To Sell Blackberry Pearl 3G Tomorrow
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Telstra announced that the new Blackberry Pearl 3G will be available from tomorrow. The company is the first carrier in the world to sell the smartphone and is exclusive to Telstra for three months.


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Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Adele Beachley, Managing Director for RIM Australia and New Zealand said that the BlackBerry Pearl is aimed at first time smartphone users. “We believe the BlackBerry Pearl 3G will appeal to many customers who want a smartphone that offers both fashion and function.”

“Considering the fast growing consumer interest in smartphones, we think the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G addresses a substantial market opportunity in Australia. It allows customers to upgrade their traditional mobile phone to a full-featured 3G BlackBerry smartphone that supports BlackBerry Messenger and many other apps, while also providing a design that looks stunning and feels very familiar and comfortable,” added Beachley.

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G sports a 20-key condensed QWERTY keyboard and RIM’s SureType software, uses the same processor as the Blackberry Bold 9700, and supports 802.11n. It measures less than 50 mm wide, weighs only 93grams, includes GPS, and sports a sharp, high-resolution display. It also features an optical trackpad for smooth navigation, dedicated volume and media keys for added convenience, a 3.2 MP camera with flash, and can store up to 32GB (via a microSD/SDHC memory card).

 

Telstra’s Executive Director, Mobility Products, Ross Fielding said, “The BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone is a beautifully designed smartphone that’s easy to use, compact, lightweight and stylish. Combined with our new and great value BlackBerry Cap plan, this smartphone makes it easy and affordable for social people to connect, exchange messages quickly, access info as it happens and share favourite moments.”

Telstra is offering the Pearl 3G for $0 on a $59 plan. This plan will provide unlimited push email, unlimited access to Facebook and Twitter, and unlimited Internet browsing in Australia on the BlackBerry browser delivered over Australia’s largest and fastest national mobile network. The $59 plan also comes with up to $400 worth of standard calls and SMS.

Those who just want the smartphone can purchase it for $679.

It is available in royal purple (exclusive to Fone Zone until the end of June) and piano black.

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G will be available to purchase from tomorrow online at www.telstra.com/blackberrypearl, from selected Fone Zone and JB Hi-Fi outlets, or, from three T[life] stores initially:

·    T[life] Sydney – 400 George Street Sydney, NSW, 2000.
·    T[life] Melbourne – 246 Bourke Street (cnr Swanston & Bourke) Melbourne, VIC, 3000.
·    T[life] Perth – 667-669 Hay Street Mall, Perth, WA, 6000.
Telstra stores and dealers across Australia will offer the Pearl 3G smartphone from 1 June.

Telstra Business customers can purchase the BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone for $0 upfront on a $55 per month (or higher) mobile plus plan (the minimum cost over 24 months is $1320). Business customers can also purchase the BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone for $0 upfront on a $59 per month (or higher) business mobile cap plan (the minimum cost over 24 months is $1416). Both plans include unlimited BlackBerry email and Internet browsing in Australia through the BlackBerry browser.