Vodafone is the first mobile operator to sell the new
slimmed down Blackberry 7100v "push e-mail" device, which will
appeal to both large corporates, and SMEs who do not want the
expense of having to configure their servers.
The Blackberry 7100v is available on Vodafone networks from 1
October and resembles a traditional "smartphone" - much slimmer
than the chunkier PDA Blackberry devices that have already found a
niche among corporate users.
There are two versions of the 7100v, Blackberry Enterprise and
Blackberry Internet, with the latter ideal for SME users who want
to use webmail such as Yahoo and AOL to keep in touch with the
office while on the move.
The Blackberry Internet version involves a webmail server relay
e-mail to a Blackberry internet server, which then sends the e-mail
to the user over Vodafone’s GPRS network.
The Blackberry Enterprise version sees e-mail pushed from a
company’s Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Domino e-mail server direct
to the user. For this option, the company has to configure the
server with special Blackberry software, and many companies have
chosen to bring in an outside expert to do it.
The price of the 7100v is up to £82.50 for users on lower-priced
Vodafone voice/GPRS data tariffs, and free for those on packages
offering between 400 and 1,000 minutes of voice calls.
The cost of 6MBytes-worth of e-mails a month is between £8.50
and £16 depending on the voice tariff used.
"Businesses want the option of stylish mobile handhelds, similar
to those available to consumers, but incorporating the business
functionality they need," said Bill Morrow, Vodafone UK chief
executive.