Telstra has been selected by Research In Motion (RIM) as an exclusive partner for the Australian launch of the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G. The HSDPA-enabled device features the BlackBerry email, messaging and social networking capabilities, as well as a 20-key condensed QWERTY keyboard and RIM’s SureType software that can complete words as a user types. The smallest BlackBerry smartphone to date, the BlackBerry Pearl 3G will be available exclusively for three months on Telstra’s Next G network.

Telstra and Research In Motion (RIM) have debuted the new BlackBerry® Pearl™ 3G, the smallest BlackBerry® smartphone yet. The compact smartphone will be available exclusively for three months on Australia’s largest and fastest national mobile network – Telstra’s Next G™ network – beginning today.

Telstra is the first telco in the world to offer the stylish new smartphone to customers.

The new BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone provides top-of-the-line features and performance including industry-leading BlackBerry® email, messaging and social networking capabilities. By incorporating a 20-key condensed QWERTY keyboard and RIM’s SureType™ software that can complete words as a user types, the new smartphone makes messaging fast and accurate.

“BlackBerry Pearl smartphones have always been popular in Australia with both consumers and business customers, and we are very excited to deliver the new, enhanced BlackBerry Pearl 3G to the local market. We believe the BlackBerry Pearl 3G will appeal to many customers who want a smartphone that offers both fashion and function,” said Adele Beachley, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Research In Motion.

“Considering the fast growing consumer interest in smartphones, we think the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G addresses a substantial market opportunity in Australia. It allows customers to upgrade their traditional mobile phone to a full-featured 3G BlackBerry smartphone that supports BlackBerry® Messenger and many other apps, while also providing a design that looks stunning and feels very familiar and comfortable,” added Beachley.

Telstra’s Executive Director, Mobility Products, Ross Fielding said the BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone on the Telstra Next G™ network would help people take their friends with them to more places.

“The BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone is a beautifully designed smartphone that’s easy to use, compact, lightweight and stylish. Combined with our new, great value BlackBerry Cap plan, this smartphone makes it easy and affordable for social people to connect, exchange messages quickly, access info as it happens and share favourite moments.

“Telstra has put together a great plan for consumer customers to help them email on the go. For just $59 per month customers can get unlimited push email, unlimited access to Facebook® and Twitter®, and unlimited Internet browsing in Australia on the BlackBerry browser delivered over Australia’s largest and fastest national mobile network. Plus, they can receive up to $400 worth of standard calls and SMS and more to connect and contact anyone, anytime on any Australian network.

“The smartphone also makes for the perfect businesses companion providing secure access to email and other business functions in a compact format,” Mr Fielding said.

The new BlackBerry Pearl 3G measures less than 50 mm wide and weighs only 93 grams, yet supports high-speed 3G and Wi-Fi® (b/g/n) networks, includes GPS and incorporates a powerhouse processor that drives visually 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 3.2 MP camera with flash for quality pictures on the go, and support for up to 32 GB of personal content via a microSD/SDHC memory card.

Availability and Pricing

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone will be available from Telstra on a range of plans including $0 upfront on a new BlackBerry $59 Cap Plan for 24 months (the minimum cost over 24 months is $1416). The new cap plan includes up to $400 of standard voice calls, SMS and more to contact anyone, anytime on any Australian network.
The BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone can also be purchased outright from Telstra for $679.

It is available in royal purple (exclusive to Fone Zone until the end of June) and piano black.

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G will be available to purchase from today online at www.telstra.com/blackberrypearl, from selected Fone Zone and JB Hi-Fi outlets, or, from three T[life] stores initially:

• T[life] Sydney – 400 George Street Sydney, NSW, 2000.
• T[life] Melbourne – 246 Bourke Street (cnr Swanston & Bourke) Melbourne, VIC, 3000.
• T[life] Perth – 667-669 Hay Street Mall, Perth, WA, 6000.

Telstra stores and dealers across Australia will offer the Pearl 3G smartphone from 1 June.

Telstra Business customers can purchase the BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone for $0 upfront on a $55 per month (or higher) mobile plus plan (the minimum cost over 24 months is $1320). Business customers can also purchase the BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone for $0 upfront on a $59 per month (or higher) business mobile cap plan (the minimum cost over 24 months is $1416). Both plans include unlimited BlackBerry email and Internet browsing in Australia through the BlackBerry browser.

The productivity-boosting BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone will also be available on a range of Telstra Enterprise & Government plans.