Fido pushing to sell BlackBerry handsets in time for Christmas

By on Nov 21, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Exclusive November 21, 2008

Fido, which recently underwent rebranding that saw it reposition itself as a bonafide low-cost carrier, is pushing its parent company Rogers Wireless for permission to sell BlackBerry smartphones in time for the holidays. Fido had killed its BlackBerry Connect services earlier this year as it simply didn’t have any BlackBerry devices in its lineup. As such, Fido found itself paying royalties for an product that it essentially didn’t even offer.  Now with the skyrocketing popularity of data-dependent smartphones and thousands of customers who have a BlackBerry feeling left out, Fido sees that it’s failure to offer BlackBerry devices and services is an opportunity cost it would rather not have. Specifically, Fido is looking at selling the WiFi-enabled and UNO-capable (think T-Mobile’s UMA and Rogers’ TalkSpot) 8120 Pearl leading up to the holidays and then adding the 8220 Pearl Flip to its catalog after the holidays. In addition to this, Fido would offer support for all other BlackBerry handsets and devices that feature BlackBerry Connect. Sounds good, yes?

Thanks, SaxMan!

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11 Comments

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  • Jeremiah

    UMA is not T-Mobile’s. That’s the actual name of the technology being used of GSM over IP.

    T-Mobile’s branding of it is Hotspot [Calling].

  • Prolab

    Wow, it took them this long to recognize there is a potential??

    Or maybe Ted doesnt really Fido to survive as a brand.

  • SL

    Yes please. Especially the part about supporting all other BBs, and devices with BB Connect. Would $15 unlimited personal email and BB Messenger be too much to ask for?

  • maxPayne79

    wow…i think u guys just made me probably the happiest guy who’s up at 5:32 in the morning. There is warmth and beauty after all in this world made of skyscrapers and cold concrete. “jooooy”. However, looking at fidos latest shift in its business plan, ur…roomer…does go quite against that. Plus i just heard earlier tonight that the pearl flip is a money pit for rogers so it wouldn’t make that much sense bringing it over to a dieing business which fido is.

    But, hopefully ur right and i can finally get my bold with my 187 fido dollars and have unlimited voice and data on a Blackberry. Then ill turn into a God. ;) lol

  • Jeeverz

    Made me a happy man as well. I still pay for my fido account for 2 reasons

    1. My number
    2. Loyal Service to me/ Plans

    The only reason why i left Fido was after they dropped BB Connect. I had a E62 and moved to a Rogers Bold.

    Now I can go back to Fido with my Bold :)

  • DR

    FInally someone at fido wakes up! The next generation of berrys is aimed at the consumer, like hello what is Fido in the Rogers brand???? flip berry sounds like a perfect match for fido’s demographics!

    Luckily i have a grandfathered fido berry still!!!!!

  • PG

    I don’t think it will happen. If you read carefully, it says “Fido is seeking permission (ie: begging) to sell blackberries”. It is not the case that Fido didn’t recognize the blackberry market opportunity but Rogers does not want Fido to play in his sandbox. I would be very surprise if it happens. And even if it did, it would be just some weak attempt to shut all those complainers that Fido doesn’t have BBs.

  • DN

    Well it would be pretty good if fido had berries cause rogers is just bleh

  • Beanie

    I spoke to a Fido Rep on the 18th. They called to renew my City Fido plan which expires in the new year. I told them as much as I love my plan and the decent customer service, I can’t stand the fact that I can’t get a BB. I was told to “hang in there” that they were supposed to get them for Christmas but to keep my eye out in the new year… Oh what a happy girl I will be if I can buy a BB with my Fido dollars AND keep my City Fido plan!… I can finally be cool! j/k. :)

  • ben

    i don’t believe it till i see it

  • i2enjoy

    I am so eagerly looking to the new generation BB to be launched by fido.

    I do have city fido plan and a grandfathered BB connect plan of 3MB but I cant change the plan as per fido.

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