So, Will Every Market Less RIM’s Largest Get The BlackBerry Bold In August?

Amish
#1. August 6th, 2008, at 5:13 PM.

I wouldn’t say evey market but I would have to guess that a few more of them will.

It will be interesting to see how RIM reacts to all of this. AT&T has been their main partner when it comes to releaseing new devices into the world. Sure, T-Mobile and even Verizon get the new concepts first every now and then when RIM is really trying to test the market, however, RIM is learning first hand what it is like when the partner you’re in bed with turns their back to you.

Don’t get me wrong, the BlackBerry Bold will sell very well, maybe even break some records because the price will be relatively low for a new next gen device, undoubtedly becasue of the iPhone’s low price point.

I just wonder if RIM will start to look at another carrier to become their flag ship as it looks like AT&T is such for the the iPhone and Apple?

Norman R.
#2. August 6th, 2008, at 6:12 PM.

The big problem that I see for RIM is that, other than AT&T, there really isn’t a GSM carrier big enough to be the flagship carrier for RIM. RIM may have to start simultaneously developing CDMA and GSM devices not just to make Verizon subscribers happy, but, for self preservation as well.

Thought
#4. August 6th, 2008, at 6:29 PM.

The dynamics of the iPhone and the ripples it is causing is fascinating.

We know the Bold is ready for release and that the only reason why ATT is going to be late is because they are too busy with the flood of iPhone sales.

RIM is doing very well no matter what, but think of where they would be if Apple had not decided to enter the cell phone market. In all likelihood the BB’s would be poised to be dominant in the consumer space as well as the corporate market.

But now Apple clearly has the stronger position in the consumer market. The iPhone sales will grow exponentially like the sales of the iPod did in the first few years. For the foreseeable future, it will probably be Apple dominating the consumer market, while RIM dominates the enterprise, with both getting some crossover sales.

mehdi
#5. August 6th, 2008, at 6:35 PM.

i think RIM should start selling directly devices like Nokia
they can keep their their relationship with att.. but come on let us buy them directly too.
it’s not like we can walk to an ATT store and get a new bold without having to buy a new line. the clerks always refuse to sell you just to phone for the first month a device is released…
RIM are you listening… ? START selling direct!

Tired of waiting for a BOLD switched to Nokia E71.

Ross
#6. August 6th, 2008, at 8:03 PM.

“We know the Bold is ready for release and that the only reason why ATT is going to be late is because they are too busy with the flood of iPhone sales.”

No, “we” don’t know this because it’s simply untrue. The device has had issues, and that’s the cause of the delay. I love RIM’s stuff, but BlackBerry folks need to stop assuaging their egos with all these conspiracy theories with the iPhone. Apple doesn’t view BB’s as competitors for their consumer market, and rightfully so. Just as RIM doesn’t view Apple’s device as a serious competitor for their corporate clientele.

Notanapplehonk
#7. August 6th, 2008, at 9:28 PM.

Ross, you may NOT know, but I do. You’re wrong, the Bold WAS delayed largely because of the iPhone. And RIM IS concerned about Apple taking market share of their Enterprise market. Just ask anyone who just got their recent marketing survey.
Trust me, everything isn’t as black and white as you seem to believ.

Thought
#8. August 6th, 2008, at 10:06 PM.

I don’t buy the line that the Bold was delayed on ATT due to technical difficulties. It’s amazing how these technical problems have been nonexistent or solved on these other carriers across the world.

Granted, each network is different and certainly unique issues can arise. But these are generally minor in nature. It is highly unlikely that for some reason the Bold working on ATT networks has these technical problems that delay for months vs the way the phone operates on other GSM networks. Add in the fact that one attraction to GSM is the fact that it’s a global standard and there is a high degree of interoperability and standardization of equipment on different networks. In short, I should be able to get a Bold from Rogers in Canada, for instance, and have it work pretty darn well on ATT here in the states.

Add to that the fact that one would think that ATT resources would be sufficiently great that they could work with RIM to resolve any difficulties at least as fast as other carriers. One would even assume that if the Bold had any technical problems that ATT would be the first one to resolve them with RIM, again given their resources.

Let’s face reality: there is one overarching reason why the Bold has been so delayed on ATT vs other carriers across the world: the release of the new iPhone. ATT has its hands full with all of the new iPhone sales. They probably don’t want to deal with another major release at this point in time, and maybe even want to keep the Bold to release later once the iPhone initial rush has died down some. But what ATT and Apple are realizing is that the iPhone is still in far greater demand than any other device out there, and so this initial rush is going on and on and on.

Alex
#9. August 7th, 2008, at 4:51 AM.

That’s not a big deal, isn’t it?
I’m from PRC, I like the berry style even i cant use it here.

For business purpose, i will get 2 of it next week from hongkong PCCW.

It’s worth to wait for a while.

crazylegs
#10. August 7th, 2008, at 8:35 AM.

What I wonder is how much data does an iPhone consume vs. any other smartphone due to the great web browser. We know that RIM compresses all the data through their network. I have heard AT&T is having some issues with the flood of new iPhones on their network and it is really eating into capacity. This can’t last forever as AT&T needs to protect their network SO they should kiss RIM’s ass for providing high revenue users that respect their network. I wouldn’t be surprised to see AT&T actually try to raise data prices for iPhone while slightly lowering them for BB plans due to this phenomenon. And AT&T should be ashamed how much they are kissing Apple’s ass. Seriously. On one hand you have RIM who gives you high value customers and less data use and on the other hand, you get Apple who costs you money because of the huge subsidy and users that abuse the network.

Johnnyheff
#11. August 7th, 2008, at 9:24 AM.

@ ross

…seriously? you really think that apple and bb dont view each other as competitors? exactly how do you come to that conclusion?

Tom
#12. August 7th, 2008, at 9:58 AM.

Is RIM so afraid of new devices having some technical problem they release them in smaller markets first? They sure don’t act like a market leader.

Ed M.
#13. August 7th, 2008, at 10:21 AM.

The reason the BOLD release date has been pushed back is because at&t cares more about crapple and the crapphone then RIM and BlackBerry, plain and simple!!!! at&t you suck!!! RIM RULES, BB RULES!!! down with crapple and the crapphone!!! long live RIM!!!! WoooooooooHoooooooooo!!!!

MacVicta
#14. August 7th, 2008, at 12:30 PM.

@ crazylegs

AT&T favors Apple because they benefit from the iPhone halo effect. Having the hottest phone on the planet exclusively to yourself in the US is great for your brand. RIM would’ve never produced a device that could bring a carrier so much capital.

From the USAToday article about the AT&T/Apple relationship that came out a few days ago:

“The iPhone has repositioned AT&T as the premier wireless brand in the world,”

“We’re not betting on the handset,” [AT&T CEO Stephenson] says, reflecting on that fateful 2005 decision to lock arms with Apple. “We’re betting on Jobs.”

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2008-07-31-att-iphone-stephenson-apple_N.htm

Patrick
#15. August 7th, 2008, at 5:46 PM.

I wonder if it has been delayed to prevent iPhone returns? If they wait at least 30 days from the launch of the iPhone 3G then they may be able to get some ETFs!

Thought
#16. August 7th, 2008, at 9:49 PM.

The iPhone is changing wireless, regardless of what one thinks of the device vs a BB.

Now RIM is still very well positioned, and is not going away. That makes it all the more ridiculous that the Bold should be delayed this way. The iPhone has been released in other countries, but the Bold is being launched as well.

There’s plenty of room for both, and what RIM should have done is simply put a rush on releasing the Bold on VZW. That would teach ATT a lesson.

Instead, they’re putting priority on the Thunder, which is all well and fine, but the Bold on VZW would sell far better.

crazylegs
#17. August 8th, 2008, at 12:37 AM.

@ Macvista - all those things you say are wonderful for iPhone. But you completely miss the point. I don’t care about the top 150 mln units sold globally. I’m looking at how to convert that next 500 mln mobile phone buyers to smartphone, data buying customers.

At&t prices iPhone data at either $30 personal, $45 enterprise or nothing. RIM is out there working with carriers to lower pricing on their email service. That will drive adoption as many will pay an extra $10, or any incremental amount, to get BB email (and they”ll sell the device for close to 0$). That”s a huge difference compared to $199 or $299 upfront and the full $30 data charge.

AT&T could never drive iPhone data pricing down that way simply because users love the devices so much. They use them nonstop, taking capacity and bandwidth. (you gotta love the google search stats for iPhone vs everything else!) This will inevitably will lead to required upgrades and capex (capital flowing AWAY from at&t).

On the other hand, RIM compresses everything through their network, so their devices use less network capacity. So BBs upsell data and respect your network? That”s a far more valuable partner.

and last, please use some simple reason. the quote makes no sense:

“The iPhone has repositioned AT&T as the premier wireless brand in the world,”

How is that? Aren’t there another 70 or so carriers lined up? AT&T is doing nothing different with iPhone than any other carrier.

mike
#18. August 8th, 2008, at 12:54 AM.

I just wish RIM would release the BOLD on faster CDMA networks, like sprint

Marc Fogel
#19. August 8th, 2008, at 9:39 AM.

Could this be the cause of the delay:

http://www.fixmy3giphone.com

Anonymous
#20. August 8th, 2008, at 11:49 AM.

I can’t speak for the entire lot of BlackBerry Bolds, however the unit that I am currently rocking works like a champ.

It will drain your battery if you spend all day browsing the web, but, it is not as big a battery hog as the iPhone.

Lisa
#21. August 12th, 2008, at 11:54 AM.

What about Sprint? All I here is talk of the Bold coming to AT&T. Is the Bold going to come to Sprint at all? I really like this phone and would love to buy it but I refue to switch to AT&T. Their plans suck. Does anyone know the answer? Please help me find out.