Vodafone Australia Announces BlackBerry Storm Pricing

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Vodafone Australia Announces BlackBerry Storm Pricing
19th November 2008
www.rim.com

Vodafone Australia today announces pricing for the new BlackBerry Storm smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) well ahead of Christmas. Available exclusively through Vodafone, the BlackBerry Storm will be available free on a new range of combined voice and data plans, called Vodafone Internet Caps, offering customers unlimited* BlackBerry email and Internet browsing on a 24-month contract (see table below). The BlackBerry Storm will be available from Monday, December 1.

The BlackBerry Storm smartphone is the perfect choice for both personal users and business customers looking for a state-of-the-art, multimedia device that makes a statement in the office and out on the town. Its unique and innovative SurePress™ touchscreen, which depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed, dramatically enhances the touch interface for both typing and navigation and gives users an experience they can actually feel. The stylish smartphone boasts exceptional performance, a stunning display and rich features including 3G (HSPA) network support, GPS, desktop-style web pages, advanced multimedia, a first class phone, camera and robust messaging capabilities – all designed to give users an incredibly fast and powerful mobile experience.

Russell Hewitt, CEO, Vodafone Australia comments: “Today we announce that we’re bringing the BlackBerry Storm to Australia with a sensational $0 offer with unlimited BlackBerry email and Internet usage. The BlackBerry Storm is a cutting edge smartphone purpose built for Vodafone and delivers the renowned functionality of the BlackBerry platform.”

Hewitt continues: “Available exclusively through Vodafone, the BlackBerry Storm features a new ‘clickable’ touchscreen that will redefine expectations on performance from a touchscreen handset and become an instant hit with customers with its sexy design and ease of use. With the popularity of data-intensive services sky-rocketing, we’re enabling customers to make the most of Vodafone’s 3G network and RIM’s latest technology to enjoy the services they want at a price that is very affordable.”

Dany Bolduc, Regional Director, Asia Pacific, Research In Motion comments: “The BlackBerry Storm is a next-generation smartphone designed to meet the communications and multimedia needs of the most demanding customers. The new “clickable” SurePress touch-screen is a remarkable innovation that offers a revolutionary improvement to the touch interface. We are very excited to introduce the first touchscreen BlackBerry smartphone together with Vodafone in Australia.

Bolduc concludes: “With its robust communications capabilities, rich multimedia features and stylish design, the BlackBerry Storm helps customers make the most of their time with a chic and lifestyle-friendly smartphone.”

Customers can pre-register to purchase the BlackBerry Storm smartphone at: BlackBerry Storm. Pre-registered customers will be given the opportunity to purchase the BlackBerry Storm the w/c November 24, online. Customers that pre-register and buy a BlackBerry Storm online will receive a complimentary 8GB memory card.

The BlackBerry Storm will also be available to business customers on Vodafone’s single Business Cap plans that were launched in September, 2008.



Notes to Editors

• Unlimited email covers any webmail accounts supported by the BlackBerry® Internet Service. This includes accounts such as Yahoo!, Hotmail, Gmail, Pop3/IMAP email accounts and any email account supported by BlackBerry® Enterprise Service.
• Unlimited Internet covers using the Internet via the BlackBerry browser on the device. Video-streaming and downloading files larger than 3MB however, are not covered within the cap.
• *Vodafone’s Fair Use policy applies. Customers can use the Internet using browsers other than the BlackBerry browser, or for video streaming or downloading large files (larger than 3MB) and will be charged $0.50 per MB. Alternatively, customers can purchase an Internet On Your Mobile 100MB data pack for $9.95.
• Services subject to network availability. 3G available in selected metro areas on 3G capable handsets. Customers with 2.5G handsets will only be able to access limited content. See vodafone.com.au/coverage for details.
• The BlackBerry Storm is valued at $899.00 and is locked to the Vodafone network. The smartphone is only available on contract and will not be available to purchase outright from Vodafone.
• BlackBerry Storm imagery is available – please liaise with Pulse Communications to source high-resolution imagery. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access images and video of the BlackBerry Storm smartphone at www.rim.mediaseed.tv)
• Further details and technical specifications can be found at www.vodafone.com.au/blackberrystorm and www.blackberry.com/storm

[Tfer]

This from yesterday:

Vodafone Australia Launches The BlackBerry Storm | BlackBerryNews.com