MetroPCS gets with the BlackBerry program, rolls out Curve 8330

by Chris Ziegler posted Mar 10th 2009 at 12:54PM

Remember how MetroPCS' COO was spouting off about a BlackBerry in the product pipeline just last week? Well, turns out it's coming out the other end of that pipeline sooner than we thought. The regional carrier's own version of the BlackBerry 8330 will be hitting Best Buy this week and MetroPCS locations by the end of the month, but there's a catch -- AWS isn't supported, so if you're in an AWS-powered MetroPCS market, you're outta luck. That's a shame considering the steal of a plan: $50 buys you unlimited everything (add another $10 for BES), though you'll need to shell out $450 upfront for the privilege.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, EV-DO, CDMA, BlackBerry OS

Tags: 8330, blackberry, metropcs, rim

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Michael @ Mar 10th 2009 1:21PM

That's quite pricey for a phone. But, since MetroPCS is a prepay carrier, it may be worth it in the long run if you're trying to cut back on costs per month but still would like a data-centric phone.

But, correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not believe that MetroPCS' network is EV-DO yet. I believe that most if not all areas are 1X. So, this phone will be severely limited if it cannot access EV-DO speeds.

Neutral

BigMac @ Mar 10th 2009 1:40PM

I'd love to take advantage of those monthly fees alond with no contract...unfortunately Metro PCS doesn't have nearly enogh coverage for someone that travels outside of their home area often.

Neutral

yaniv.chokron @ Mar 10th 2009 1:58PM

Guys look towards the heavens and find T-Mobile :)
Metros plan for EVERYTHING is $60 (not $50) + $10 for BES = $70
TMo recently launched a $50 unlimited talk plan.
So $50 for Unlimited talk + $20 for unlimited Data (non 3G) = $70 for unlimited everything on a national carrier.
Now if youre on a 3G phone its just about $10-$15 higher; unlimited data+400 messages=$25 or unlimited data + unlimited messages=$35.
Unfortunately this current new plan is only for "loyal" TMo customers (22+months of service)... but thats gonna change soon if this catches on. AND... if you port your number over to TMo theyll give you a $135 credit.
soooooo... whats the big deal for Metro?

Neutral

willow1213 @ Mar 10th 2009 2:27PM

What's the big deal? No credit check and no contract!

Neutral

Dannyboy @ Mar 10th 2009 2:55PM

there is no credit for porting a number over to T-mo. The $135 credit is for an existing customer to port over an ADDITIONAL number, not simply for new customers.

Highly Ranked

Miguel @ Mar 10th 2009 4:05PM

The big deal is that you dont need to already have been with T-Mobile for 22 months in order to get it thats the point. Im sick of people comparing an current customer incentive driven plan to plans that you can get as a new customer. When its available to ALL then Tmobiles plan will be relevant.

Neutral

Bickle @ Mar 11th 2009 11:58AM

MetroPCS's most expensive plan is $50:
$50 (Unlimited voice, unlimited text, unlimited data) + $10 (BES) = $60

As others have already pointed out, your comparison is meaningless because T-Mobile's $50 unlimited plan isn't available to new customers and is being marketed as a limited-time promotion. Furthermore, do you really think that T-Mobile would even be experimenting with this at all without the competition from MetroPCS and Cricket? Setting all that aside though, let's go with your comparison anyway (except we'll do it accurately this time).

T-Mobile:
$50 (Unlimited Loyalty voice, unlimited text) + $35 (BES, unlimited data, unlimited text) = $85

Let's stop pretending that $25 per month isn't a significant difference. And again, the T-Mobile plan is only possible if you have been with them for almost two years and if you meet their selection criteria.

Neutral

Glenn @ Mar 10th 2009 3:32PM

I had metropcs as a younger teen a few years ago because i couldnt get a contract on t-mobile yet. One of the worst decisions i coulda made. The service sucked, the phone selection sucked (I have noticed that they are getting much better phones thoug, such as the Curve mentioned here) and whenever i left atlanta I was phoneless until i got back (this was before they allowed roaming). I dont know about their service now, but i dont know if theres anything that would convince me to go back to them, despite their gorgeous prices on their plans.

Neutral

Ray Cappo @ Mar 10th 2009 3:52PM

I love how in the features it lists "Camera & Video" and then right under it "2.0 Megapixel camera with Video Play and Recording" With this tactic they could make the list so much longer to make it look like it has more features

Other features:

Full QWERTY Keyboard
Has all the letters not just a dial pad
No predictable text needed
Type like on a computer

Highly Ranked

Miguel @ Mar 10th 2009 4:07PM

Im Happy for Metro PCS customers.....Me Personally, id Rather Get Boost Mobile for $50 Straight out no other fees simply cuz its on Sprints Nationwide network.....But im happy for those that can now get a blackberry without a contract......Just hope you dont travel outside your coverage area.

Now if only they could put that 8350i on boost mobile....

Neutral

youngcalihottie @ Mar 10th 2009 5:40PM

...more like nextels iden network.

i would go with metro over iden.

Neutral

RCC2k8 @ Mar 10th 2009 6:09PM

MetroPCS should've worked out with RIM to get a dual-band 1700/1900 MHz BlackBerry. Without the AWS band, those MetroPCS customers who get it won't be able to use it in all MetroPCS markets, and those customers in MetroPCS's AWS markets will still be BlackBerry-less.

Neutral

Pencreus @ Mar 10th 2009 6:44PM

Alright!!! Not only will I be missing my calls, but now I won't get emails till next week! YESSS

Neutral

Marsha @ Mar 11th 2009 12:27PM

Switching to metropcs was the worst choice i made. When i purchased my phone last week Thursday 5th March i asked the rep about the return and replacement policies are just like tmobile,if you have a problem bring back the handset and we will take care of it. On Friday nite the handset started to act up calling waiting was not working properly , the keypad was non responsive, screen was freezing up. Saturday morning at 1030pm am standing at Metropcs,only to discover the replacement policy the rep spoke of does not exist. I was give a 1800 number to call which unfortunately only opens Monday - Friday. So am stuck with this non responsive hand set till Monday joy. Monday morning i call the1800 number and explain the problem.Was informed my handset should have been replaced by metro pcs which they did not do. So i went in to the outlet that dealt with the transaction. Spoke with the manager who then informed me of the real replacement policy which is the handset can only be returned if there is less than and 1hr talk on it. I have unlimited calls who has unlimited calls and only has 1 hour talk on their phone. When i explained what his rep said he told me to read my invoice i showed him the invoice there is nothing there about replacemet policy so he said should read there flyer well he gave it to me to read and there is nothing there as well. Then he tells me i should have gone on the internet and read the policy online.and in a corner of the handset box is the return policy. This was never shown to me or explained by his reps. His solution is return the phone to kyocera and remain with out service for 7-14 days or deposit $100 to him not metropcs and he will give me his personal phone till i get my phone fix . I refused to do either due to metropcs uneducated staff so am stuck with a handset that kinda works. So people be careful it not all what it looks like . Wish i could get some help.

Neutral

Hellohellohello @ Mar 13th 2009 11:44PM

@Marsha, I'd recommend you take your phone to a corporate store and have them either try and fix it or replace the phone for you. All metropcs phones should carry a 1-year manufacturer's warranty and the corporate stores take care of such warranties (may be a deductible). Also, if you have metropcs' insurance (the +4$/mo) on your service you can wait til your insurance kicks in then make a claim to get your phone although there will be a deductible to pay depending on the model of your phone. To find the location of a corporate store, check out metropcs.com and visit the store locator to find one nearest you. And yes, all metropcs stores have the do-not-exceed-60-minutes-of-call for a return/exchange.

Now to make a post to address the other stuff said here. I like metropcs, sure they sucked when they were starting out and so did Verizon but look at it now. Metropcs went nationwide not too long ago when they bought out Cricket so there's a lot more coverage now, plus they're always setting up new cell towers to expand coverage. And as someone else here mentioned, the only reason Tmobile rolled out with an "unlimited plan" was to compete with metropcs and you only qualify if you are considered loyalol. I've been a long time standing customer with metropcs and I'll continue to remain with them as long as I have a bill that never fluctuates nor have to wait until the weekends for my unlimited nights and weekends. No credit checks, pay as you go -unlimited- that's metropcs.

Also, ev-do is on the way. Blackberry is just the tip of the iceberg.