The future of BlackBerry on O2

[Anonymous]

This is a question possibly for the moderators like Toby and Chiara, but I'd like to bring up O2's lack of BlackBerry models on sale.

With only the Q5 and Q10 available now, and despite the Z10 and Z30 being available to stock (I got my Z10 from O2 last year), are O2 no longer going to sell/stock BlackBerry smartphones? Will there be a lack of support for existing devices in the future?

Why aren't O2 stocking legacy BBOS7 devices such as a cheaper Curve model like the 9720 or the 9320 any longer? Surely there is still a huge customer base using Curve handsets?

I'm not one to suggest an ulterior motive, so as a long term BlackBerry user on O2 it would be interesting to hear the official stance as to why O2 have seriously slimmed down the choice of BlackBerry phones available.

[MI5]

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@Toby wrote:

"The decision not to stock the Passport is a business decision based on several factors that we will not go into. 

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So, I guess BB are not paying enough....?

[jonsie]

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@MI5 wrote:

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@Toby wrote:

"The decision not to stock the Passport is a business decision based on several factors that we will not go into. 

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So, I guess BB are not paying enough....?

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It can only be a financial decision, based on blackberry themselves or sales projection.

[aldaweb]

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@Toby wrote:

Hi guys,

Please see an O2 response below:

"The decision not to stock the Passport is a business decision based on several factors that we will not go into. Our goal is to range the best array of handsets that we feel customers will want - not the largest. We refresh our offerings regularly, removing old devices that no longer sell to make way for new devices and stock.

We fully support our existing Blackberry customers and will always help them if they have issues, and if we range future Blackberries we'll of course do the same for them. We understand this decision may be frustrating, but if you’re after a Passport or other Blackberry device, we hope you’re able to get your hands on one from other avenues.”

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O2 obviously think that the churn from Blackberry users is acceptable given the number of iPhone customers they may have gained, albeit causing many of them to be disgruntled with the process.

I wonder if they take account of SIM free devices being used on the network as well as devices sold through themselves when making decisions about purchasing.

[madasaf1sh]

From what ive been told by a couple of our manufacturer account managers, certain manufacturers have pumped in 7 figure sums into o2 for the to push there devices, BB arent that desperate especially as they have no interest in the consumer market, all there new devices are aimed at Enterprise customers. 

Its a shame as o2 used to be the goto place for BB's, that now seems to have moved to the big red, and i wonder how many enterprise customers will follow. 

[MI5]

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@madasaf1sh wrote:

From what ive been told by a couple of our manufacturer account managers, certain manufacturers have pumped in 7 figure sums into o2 for the to push there devices, BB arent that desperate especially as they have no interest in the consumer market, all there new devices are aimed at Enterprise customers.

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As I said above in post 51.... I suspected that might be the case.....

[Anonymous]

@MI5  at least you will have a review in about a week or so.:smileywink:

Guess who bought a Blackberry passport?!

[jonsie]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@MI5  at least you will have a review in about a week or so.:smileywink:

Guess who bought a Blackberry passport?!

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Oh no I didn't!

[MI5]

I can't guess....?
Still waiting for pics

[Cleoriff]

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@MI5 wrote:
I can't guess....?
Still waiting for pics

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I expect it will be the weekend when @Anonymous  is pretending to at work...

[MI5]

"Still" at work !!