New GPRS Blackberry Devices Face Several Obstacles to Wide Deployment
Martin O'Donnell pointed out this CNET News.com article that reports on the deteriorating outlook for the new RIM Blackberry mobile phone and Internet devices. These devices are designed for GPRS networks, the high speed data service that piggyback on GSM cellular networks.
According to the article, the Blackberries are hindered by the delayed deployment of GPRS services by the major mobile phone carriers in the United States. But also, and perhaps more ominously, there are serious issues with the price of GPRS service itself. The article says: "...carriers are still figuring out how to price data services for their new networks, which adds uncertainty for customers who have grown accustomed to the original BlackBerry and its $40 monthly fee for unlimited e-mail use." So far, no major cellular provider has offered a flat rate data service for devices like the Blackberry.