Vodafone Malta Limited and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) have recently announced the launch of the BlackBerry solution in Malta. The BlackBerry solution brings together industry leading smartphones, software and services to allow easy wireless access to email, phone, calendar, web, multimedia and other business and lifestyle applications. The Malta Independent spoke to Michael Darmanin, Vodafone Malta Head of Business, about these BlackBerry smartphones.

Who’s the target audience of BlackBerry from Vodafone?

The BlackBerry smartphones and solutions from Vodafone are highly targeted to single owner and home office businesses, SMEs and corporate clients. Apart from businesses the BlackBerry smartphones and solutions are also targeted towards professional consumers, i.e. all those consumers who use smartphones for both business and personal purposes. The latter target market is also referred to ‘Prosumers’.

In simple terms, what does a BlackBerry smartphone offer to someone who’s not really a business person?

You don’t have to be a business person to use a BlackBerry smartphone. Most people would say that with a BlackBerry Smartphone you can ‘get e-mails’ and nothing does e-mail better or makes it easier than a BlackBerry Smartphone. It synchronises and delivers every message straight to you in the same way as you get them on your PC or Mac. But a BlackBerry smartphone is also your mobile, your internet, your SMS and MMS, your music, your video, your personal organiser, your calendar and an unparalleled business tool as well... It is everything you need to stay in touch, stay entertained and stay in control.

With a BlackBerry smartphone you can bid online, call the restaurant, listen to music, send texts and instant messages, write your blog, update your Facebook account, read, send and manage your e-mails, check your calendar, book a flight, play games, take a personal assistant wherever you travel... all from virtually everywhere.

The BlackBerry smartphones offer a whole new world of consumer applications.

What’s the average monthly price for having a BlackBerry Smartphone set up with the BlackBerry Solution?

The BlackBerry Internet Service costs e20 per month over and above your voice price plan.

Depending on which voice price plan and contract duration you choose, you will be eligible to a discount when purchasing the BlackBerry smartphone.

Prices for both the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 and BlackBerry Curve 8310 start from e0 with Vodafone.

Will it ever be available to

pre-paid customers?

Currently Vodafone customers will need to be subscribed to a post-paid price plan in order to access the BlackBerry service; however we will be assessing requirements for a pre-paid service.

What BlackBerry smartphones are available?

Vodafone is currently selling the BlackBerry Pear 8110 and BlackBerry Curve 8310. However Vodafone will always have the latest smartphones available for their customers and in fact Vodafone will also be launching the BlackBerry Bold 9000.

What’s the feedback you’re getting from the public?

The business community is delighted that Vodafone has finally brought the BlackBerry solution to Malta. This market recognises the benefits derived from the BlackBerry devices and solutions.

Mobile e-mail usage is growing rapidly worldwide and mobile e-mail in the Maltese market is no exception. The BlackBerry smartphones and solutions give customers the ability to meet the needs of this trend.

What are your expectations?

We strongly believe that more and more individuals and businesses are recognising the benefits of the BlackBerry solutions. Take up has been very satisfactory and our expectations for the future are positive.

For more information

on these smartphones, visit www.vodafone.com.mt,

any Vodafone retail outlet or contact Vodafone Customer Care on 247 from any Vodafone line or 9999-9247 from any other line