Telco operators to submit plans by month end(India)
The Indian Government has fixed March 31 as the deadline for all telecom operators to submit plans for interception of their services, including popular BlackBerry Enterprise Service (BES) of Research in Motion (RIM) and Skype by security agencies.
A senior official has stated that the home ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to ensure that all telecom operators submit their plans by the end of this month on when they can provide access to all services, including BlackBerry’s BES, whenever there is a necessity for the security agencies.
He stated that DoT had been in contact with the telecom operators who, under their licensing agreement, were negotiating the details with the smart-phone service providers. The department would tell the home ministry about the deadlines, which would be final in terms of downloading certain software in mobile handsets itself to ensure interception. If they fail to give access, they have to put their services off in India. He explained that once the companies provide solution within the deadlines, the retrofitment or download of certain softwares in the handsets for legal interception would not be difficult.
The Centre will also put in place a security architecture for the telecom sector through which the government could put in a new facility to deposit open software in certain forms and new testing facility (labs).
Qtel introduces BlackBerry Curve 3G and the BlackBerry Pearl 3G in Qatar
Qtel has launched two new BlackBerry smart phones in Qatar the BlackBerry Curve 3G and the BlackBerry Pearl 3G.
According to Qtel, both models reflect the innovative new designs that BlackBerry offers to the market, and strong demand is expected for the popular smart phones from both corporate and consumer BlackBerry smart phone enthusiasts. It offers a range of innovative packages that enable customers to match BlackBerry service to their lifestyle.
The company further said that with the launch of the two new BlackBerry smart phone models, Qtel is extending the commitment to provide customers with the latest range of smart phones, offering more choices and greater value in the range of models available.
The BlackBerry Curve 3G smart phone supports high-speed 3G (HSDPA) networks around the world and gives users exceptional communication features. It features a comfortable full-QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, as well as dedicated media keys. It also features a 2 MP camera with video record and a microSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32GB memory cards for media storage.
BlackBerry Pearl 3G is a sleek compact device. The device supports high-speed 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) networks, Wi-Fi and GPS along with a powerful processor that drives stunning images on the sharp, high-resolution display. It also features an optical trackpad for smooth navigation, dedicated volume and media keys for added convenience, a 3.2MP camera with flash for quality pictures, and support for up to 32GB of personal content.
Qtel also offers a BlackBerry Enterprise Service, with a host of support services for businesses. BlackBerry Enterprise Server is for organizations that manage their own e-mail servers. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server software strongly integrates with IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise and offers advanced security and IT policy controls to enable secure, push-based wireless access to e-mail and other corporate data.
T-Mobile, RIM Launch White Pearl
WirelessWeek writes…Claiming a first in the color department, T-Mobile USA and Research In Motion (RIM) launched the new white BlackBerry Pearl.
The carrier is now offering the product in a pearl white finish as well as piano black. The Pearl includes phone, e-mail and Web browsing when combined with T-Mobile’s $19.99 monthly unlimited data plan added to a voice plan.
The BlackBerry Pearl is myFavesSM-enabled, allowing customers to have 1-touch access to their favorite five friends and family members. In addition to calling, instant messaging and texting, consumers can send e-mail to one of their five myFaves contacts.
Last week, Apple announced plans to launch the iPhone music device with Cingular in June. RIM’s stock initially took a hit after the announcement as investors perceived increased competition in the smartphone space.
The Pearl includes a multimedia player and stereo headset jack with support for MP3 and AAC music files as well as MPEG4 and H.263 video formats. The new white version also comes with a complement of white accessories stereo headset, travel charger and USB cable that are included in the box.
In another sign that the BlackBerry is going from the enterprise to the consumer realm, T-Mobile says it has been successful in appealing to college kids, soccer moms and general consumers. Nearly three out of four T-Mobile customers who upgraded to an existing BlackBerry Pearl traded up from a regular phone rather than another converged device. Plus, the majority of T-Mobile’s Pearl customers use it for personal e-mail rather than staying connected to corporate servers. In fact, the carrier reports, about 80% of all T-Mobile BlackBerry Pearl customers to date have signed up for BlackBerry Internet service only for personal e-mail accounts versus the BlackBerry Enterprise Service for corporate e-mail.
Besides plenty of competitors in the consumer realm, there are still BlackBerry wannabes and challengers in the enterprise space as well. inVue, a provider of mobile business solutions and wireless applications in the United Kingdom, just announced inHand, a BlackBerry-like application designed for the smaller business.
The company says inHand transforms any mobile phone into a BlackBerry-like device. It offers the same functionality, with the benefit of file management without the need for additional hardware or software.
