Reliance Communications Launches Prepaid Blackberry Services In India

[Arun 795]

Mumbai - September 15, 2008, 4:57 IST

Business Standard

Notwithstanding the controversy surrounding BlackBerry, hailed for its push mail services, Reliance Communications (RCom) is close to launching pre-paid BlackBerry services in the country.

Meanwhile, the another private CDMA service provider, Tata Teleservices (TTSL), is gearing up to launch the services by the end of the year.

"RCom has already tested the viability of launching pre-paid BlackBerry services on its network on all the six models available in the country," sources close to the development told Business Standard.

At present, BlackBerry services are only available in the post-paid mode, and with the proposed launch, pre-paid services will help subscribers keep the usage under check.

When contacted, a Reliance Communications spokesperson confirmed the move, but declined to provide the date of the launch.

At present, four service providers—Bharati Airtel, Vodafone-Essar, BPL Mobile and RCom—provide BlackBerry services in the country. BPL Mobile has recently launched 'BlackBerry Connect', a service that provides BlackBerry services without the need of a BlackBerry handset, in the country.

BlackBerry is a product of Canadian firm Research In Motion (RIM) and offers a patented service that provides wireless e-mails over mobile phones. The e-mails are pushed on to the handsets the moment they are received at the server, eliminating the need to connect to the web.

[Arun 795]

Reliance Communications launches prepaid BlackBerry services in India

16 Sep, 2008, 1856 hrs IST, Press Trust of India

Reliance Communications today launched the country's first prepaid Blackberry services on both GSM and CDMA models. This has extended the reach of Blackberry smartphones to over 200 million prepaid users in India, a RCom statement said here.

So far, Blackberry is available only on the postpaid connections of Vodafone Essar and Bharti Airtel. The company has introduced two tariff plans for it-Plan Rs 1,299 and Plan Rs 1,599. In both the plans Reliance to Reliance mobile local and intra-circle calls are free.

In Plan 1,299 call charges range from 49 paise to 99 paise for local and STD calls from Rcom to other networks. The international calls range from Rs 6.90 a minute to Rs 40 a minute depending on the country.

A first of its kind 'pay as you use' pricing model in India is in line with Reliance Communications' strategy to extend BlackBerry services to customers who are looking for cost-effective options, flexibility and control over their expenses for wireless services, it said.

"We recognise the needs of customers and believe a prepaid option enabled by Reliance Communications will significantly broaden the consumer interest in BlackBerry smartphones and expand our business opportunity," Reliance Communications President, Mobile Data and Content Services, Mahesh Prasad said.

[Honest 836]

^^^

After a long wait at last they have launched the Blackberry services in Prepaid. Surely will be helpful to some of the subscribers.

Regards.

[vmsanghrajka 0]

For a change, Reliance is first to launch.. May be creative heads at work.. lol

[@mitJ@in 256]

There are 3 plans of BIS

Rs.1099 - BIS Service + Voice calls as per RCV STV Used

Rs.1299 - BIS + Local Reliance Free + All Local SMS Free

Rs.1599 - BIS + Local STD Reliance Free + Local SMS Free..

Note down that above mentioned plans are not RCV, this amount will be deducted from the core balance of prepaid.

So as for Rs.1099 one need to recharge with Around Rs.1200-1300 Top Up(Assumed that account is lifetime)

[superman2ster 0]

If I am a prepaid subscriber and would want to use the Blackberry but don't want data plans, then, am i eligible to use it on reliance?

[@mitJ@in 256]

Yes ofcourse why not?

You can use BB without any data plan.

BTW What is use of BB then? If you dont take any data plans?

[Mufaddal 678]

blackberry without data services ( blackberry serivice /other email serivies) ....is of no use ......if u r goin for blackbery its better u go if u have data services in mind .....dont go for it just for the brand name or coz it looks executive,,,,,

instaed if u want the looks and more functionality and dont need data serivices like blackberry services then treos r the best ....AND ALSO BLACKBERRYS ON RIM R RIDICULOUSLY OVERPRICED

[gssandhu24 0]

No use ....

Reliance expects that you buy Reliance blackberry phone first to use the pre paid service. I have an expensive piece of Blackberry from other service provider which reliance declines to use on their network.

Good luck for this offer.