MTC-BlackBerry.
MTC has finally launched the blackberry service in Kuwait (after Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and UAE). Their AD-campaign was a bit unnecessary as those who know what blackberry is already want the service. And those who don’t know what it is probably don’t want it.
BlackBerry as a service has two main features Push-Email and Enterprise-Server.
Push Email:
With normal email services (Pull-Email), you have to send/received the message by connecting to the server and ‘pulling’ the data (either manually or a timed auto-connect). With Push-Email, emails are transferred actively as soon as they come in, the email server ‘pushes’ the email instantly (like sms).
This service is good for those who heavily rely on email as a time-critical method of communication. If you don’t need emails instantly, you don’t need push-email.
Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES):
BES is a server installed at the clients location that manages information; it can be used to sync contacts, emails and calendar items instantly. You can purchase a new device, log into the BES and automatically sync all important information; the backup is kept there.
This service is good for large companies relying on IT for collaborating employees. You can easily create and manage meetings and clients within the BES system. If you don’t have many employees (or have a difficult time collaborating meetings/contacts), then you probably don’t need this service.
How much does it cost, and how do I get it?
BlackBerry Enterprise will only be available for corporate customers with the following packages (This is the info directly from MTC)
Services:
- Local Package: K.D 14
- The fair usage capacity for local usage is 1GB monthly locally, if the customer exceeds the limit capacity he/she will be charged 0.000001 K.D/KB.
- Global package: K.D 24
- The fair usage capacity for local usage is 1GB monthly locally, if the customer exceeds the limit capacity he/she will be charge 0.000001 K.D/KB.
- The fair usage capacity for global usage is 10MG monthly internationally, if the customer exceeds the limit capacity he/she will be charge at normal international data roaming rates.
- Discounted Global Package: K.D 22 (for more than three lines)
- The corporate customer is only eligible for the discounted global package when the corporate subscribes for more than 3 blackberry global packages.
- The fair usage capacity for local usage is 1GB monthly locally, if the customer exceeds the limit capacity he/she will be charged K.D 0.000001/KB.
- The fair usage capacity for global usage is 10MG monthly internationally, if the customer exceeds the limit capacity he/she will be charged at normal international data roaming rates.
The Enterprise Server includes 20 license, and the prices of the licenses are one time activation fee.
Phones:
- 8100 - BlackBerry Pearl - 172.250 KWD
- 8700g - BlackBerry Pearl - 183.000 KWD
- 8800 - BlackBerry Pearl - 223.000 KWD
You are not restricted to the above phones to utilize the service; There are other phones (Nokia E61i) that support the BlackBerry Services (BlackBerry-Enterprise and Push-Email) as listed here.
I have never found the Blackberry useful for me even from trying it in the states! I still prefer the Nokia and SonyEricsson interface over the BlackBerry, and like you said I don’t need push-email so it isn’t necessary.
They aren’t going cheap with these prices, they are going to get their investment back the first year at this rate!
The descriptors supplied by MTC for the Blackberry models are incorrect. Only the 8100 model is known as the “Blackberry Pearl”. The new 8300 (not yet listed for Kuwait) is known as the “Curve”. The 8700g and the 8800 are simply known by the assigned numberical designations. The prices quoted by MTC, for the device and for the service, are absolutely atrocious, e.g., the Pearl can be purchased new for as little as $CDN 99 (25 KWD) during special promotions, and $CDN 249 (62 KWD) at regular plan prices. As well, Blackberry service providers do not distinguish between local and international service/data charges. The fee is inclusive. I am a very heavy user of local/national/international Blackberry services, and my monthly costs seldom exceed $CDN 80 (20 KWD).
I don’t think it would be interesting for anyone, really…or at least for me.
it’s also weird to have such service a year late, after having it established in Egypt.
Oh, gosh, we’re so behind!!! I can list an enormous services by orange and t mobile that would cost nothing comparing to these prices!!!
anyways, as for kuwait and the folks that don’t like the blackberries, they can always use mobile applications to check their emails, gmail already has one, and it’s perfect.
yahoo has one as well, yahoo mobile has the yahoo messenger as well as yahoo mail and more.
screw the extra cash. stick with your phones people, let mtc learn it’s lesson.
They should have a rebate plan cause those phones cost to much, do you think if i buy one in the states i could use the mtcV service? or must it be hacked.
After Failing in United States, Court Cases, Flop At All.
Black Berry Executives have Targeted Asia & Middle East
To Keep Selling There Brand and Just Making Money.
Higher Prices With a Big Flop in US.
Totally Rejected.
Forget BlackBerry, use intellisync its much better and on 400 phone( nokia, SonyEricsson, imate and more) , you can get it from Future http://www.intellisync.com
Say hello to money sucking. Thats MTC specialty
For those that find it not attractive to use a blackberry, i agree if ur a normal user (ie not business), because as K mentioned you are not on the email 24/7. But for businessmen/women its absolutely critical! and I mean it. No true banker in new york survives now without a blackberry. When RIM was being sued last year over their patenet for the service and there was a threat of the service being stopped, Wallstreet went crazy! not because of RIM importance in the market, but due to the service that has become a cornerstone of any business. Many services provide push-email, but rarely do they have the security that the blackberry has. If you’re really concerned about secrecy and confidentiality of your business, blackberry was the only to answer the call (maybe TREO)
So on the contrary, blackberries are not a flop in the US, they are a huge success. But maybe you can say growth slowed down, (due to high mkt penetration) and yes they are looking to sell it more to our emerging markets to continue the growth.
I think its great we finally have it in kuwait.
can anyone tell me if i can use my e61i for a blackberry connection in kuwait?
i like the e61i and dont want to change it (as my company are insisting on blackberry).
Mohammed:
Yes .. you can connect to the Blackberry service using BB connect:
http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/enabled/