Last week we heard tidbits of a deal between Alcatel-Lucent and Research in Motion that would bring pre-paid BlackBerry plans to emerging markets around the world. I wonder, however, if pre-paid BlackBerry plans here in the U.S. would be a hit?
Is there a big enough market for would be, pre-paid, BlackBerry users that it would warrant RIM, the wireless carriers, and even a few of the MVNOs like Virgin Mobile, Revel, Helio, etc., coming out with pre-paid BlackBerry plans?
T-Mobile has done pretty well with the SideKick. Would a pre-paid BlackBerry have similar success.
Let us know what you think.
If they do it here, TracFone should get on board just so that they could say that carry the TracBerry 🙂
BB’s solve business problems, as much as the Pearl is an awesome consumer phone – I am not sure that pre-paid fits into the demographic of BB users.
I doubt it. Most customers who use a BB for Business or personal use are typically heavy users who must or need to remain committed to email, information, etc., thus the device to a degree. If you’re going to committ, spend the beans on the device, need the service, etc., why bother going pre-paid.
As for emerging markets, I wouldn’t know. Not sure of all their options, needs, etc. Just my 2 cents.
My kids, who both have SideKicks and pay their own pre-paid bills say that want Blackberries but cannot swicht because there is not pre-paid plan.
There might be a market for this among young adults