View Full Version : SA one of fastest BlackBerry growth markets
DigitalSoldier
15-03-2010, 09:36 PM
http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-1786_2575999
Johannesburg - South Africa is BlackBerry's fastest growing market, according to the smartphone brand's joint CEO Jim Balsillie, who visited the country to take part in Sunday's Argus cycle challenge.
In an interview on Friday, Balsillie said he is an avid cyclist and athlete. He is also friendly with cycling legend Lance Armstrong, but his visit to South Africa was not just for sports.
And still there are some BlackBerry functions not available to us!!
My missus, a hardcore Nokia fan, is strongly considering a Blackberry. They certainly have some great mobile phones out there now.
Agree with DigitalSoldier that Blackberry should show more faith and invest in SA.
DigitalSoldier
15-03-2010, 09:54 PM
My missus, a hardcore Nokia fan, is strongly considering a Blackberry. They certainly have some great mobile phones out there now.
They are great phones I recently replaced my Omnia i900 with a BB and its really a great phone. My mom's contract also expired and I told her to get the BB, for somebody who doesn't know much about technology she quickly learned how to use the phone.
oronte
15-03-2010, 10:20 PM
It would be nice if they hosted their servers in SA then no more bandwidth issues ever again. Also a repair centre would make a world of difference (especially for MTN customers who have to wait 2 months for replacements).
phoneJunky
16-03-2010, 07:41 AM
I agree with oronte on the repair centre. It would also be nice if you can walk into a store and have an OS upgrade, the bandwidth is just killing me now...
bwana
16-03-2010, 07:42 AM
Its easy to see why the bberry is so successful in bandwidth starved SA. r59 per month is a very compelling carrot.
I agree with oronte on the repair centre. It would also be nice if you can walk into a store and have an OS upgrade, the bandwidth is just killing me now...
OTA upgrades would be nice :)
I wonder how many ppl just buy them for show as it seems pretty overrated to me?
Just tried a Bold 9700 and it is a useless brick out of the box, requiring 2 days to activate BIS if you have a corporate contract and no out of the box support for email without it - also just discovered that the BlackBerry app store is not even available in South Africa.
Seriously? An expensive smartphone that doesn't support email without being able to do double backflips to get it to work and no way to find/install apps? What are they smoking? And this is supposed to be the greatest communication device known to man?
It's rubbish.
Just tried an HTC Hero and in within 5 mins of startup my gmail was pushing and my contacts synchronised.
bwana
16-03-2010, 02:14 PM
I wonder how many ppl just buy them for show as it seems pretty overrated to me?
lol - a blackberry for show? A bberry isnt going to win any beauty pageants ;)
Quick qn - if I'm not browsing the App store right now what am I doing? :confused:
oronte
16-03-2010, 02:18 PM
Garp you really have no idea what you're talking about. The phone has nothing to do with your Bes service, that's something you have to sort out. If you were using BIS you would have the same experience (even gmail contacts can be synced and the phone os was not made by google). The application shop works just fine thanks.
If I wanted a phone for show I would get an iphone, I much prefer a phone that works.
There is no phone in the world that compares to Blackberry e-mail but it takes some time to get used to, you can't judge it before you've actually used it.
chrissy
16-03-2010, 02:20 PM
lol - a blackberry for show? A bberry isnt going to win any beauty pageants ;)
Quick qn - if I'm not browsing the App store right now what am I doing? :confused:
You're on crackberry? If it takes two days to activate the BIS the problem doesn't lie with BB.
DigitalSoldier
16-03-2010, 02:30 PM
Just tried an HTC Hero and in within 5 mins of startup my gmail was pushing and my contacts synchronised.
My original plan was to get the HTC Magic/Hero, but the dealership only had BB's in stock and I needed a new phone asap after my phone was stolen. It took some getting used to but it also took me less than 5mins to setup my email. I used the setup wizard, when you start the phone, when I entered my gmail address the phone asked if I wanted to download the blackberry gmail app, after that I was done.
The app store is available to download lots of free apps but I have seen some cool apps that you need to pay for and that option is not available in SA.
bwana
16-03-2010, 02:34 PM
You're on crackberry? If it takes two days to activate the BIS the problem doesn't lie with BB.
Been a blackberry user for more than a few years now.
And I agree - its never taken me more than an hour to get an out of the box bblerry up and running.
Nerfherder
16-03-2010, 02:42 PM
I wonder how many ppl just buy them for show as it seems pretty overrated to me?
Just tried a Bold 9700 and it is a useless brick out of the box, requiring 2 days to activate BIS if you have a corporate contract and no out of the box support for email without it - also just discovered that the BlackBerry app store is not even available in South Africa.
That's a lie, I use it every day. Perhaps you mean you can only use free apps, that might be the case.
Seriously? An expensive smartphone that doesn't support email without being able to do double backflips to get it to work and no way to find/install apps? What are they smoking? And this is supposed to be the greatest communication device known to man?
It does support email out of the box, what you are referring to the fact that it does not work until BIS is working. That is true but the the reason for this is that it is a device with a service, not just a device. The email service is unparalleled, nothing comes close.
Its like getting a DSTV decoder and then expecting to watch TV with out signing up with Multichoice.
It's rubbish.
Rubbish ? Perhaps technology is not for you, our tea lady has one and it took her an entire day to learn how to use it.
Just tried an HTC Hero and in within 5 mins of startup my gmail was pushing and my contacts synchronised.
Wow, that is great. My wife did the same when she got her BB, then we were sending PIN messages to each other for free, downloading BB applications and surfing for free.
That's a lie, I use it every day. Perhaps you mean you can only use free apps, that might be the case.
Nope - if you really want, I can send you a screenshot of attempt to download blackberry app store telling me the service is not supported. Maybe BIS also has to be activated for this to work?
It does support email out of the box, what you are referring to the fact that it does not work until BIS is working. That is true but the the reason for this is that it is a device with a service, not just a service. The email service is unparalleled, nothing comes close.
Still, it doesn't actually work out of the box without third party support.
Rubbish ? Perhaps technology is not for you, our tea lady has one and it took her an entire day to learn how to use it.
No need for insults. I just related my experience compared with other smartphones.
Wow, that is great. My wife did the same when she got her BB, then we were sending PIN messages to each other for free, downloading BB applications and surfing for free.
Wish I could say I had the same experience.
I know that you blackberry addicts feel very defensive about bb, but surely you have to admit that there is a gulf of difference between unpacking an Android phone that only asks you for a gmail address and is instantly totally functional, and unpacking a bb that doesn't do a damn thing until you get your provider to activate BIS 2 days later and waste time on google to work out where to find the arcane settings?
chrissy
16-03-2010, 03:20 PM
I know that you blackberry addicts feel very defensive about bb, but surely you have to admit that there is a gulf of difference between unpacking an Android phone that only asks you for a gmail address and is instantly totally functional, and unpacking a bb that doesn't do a damn thing until you get your provider to activate BIS 2 days later and waste time on google to work out where to find the arcane settings?
Call me defensive, but you don't make sense. Your BIS activates within 5 minutes if you're with the right service provider. The setup asks you for email adress and password. Easy as that.
phoneJunky
16-03-2010, 03:29 PM
My email worked without BIS, but I got charged for it. When the BIS was sorted out everything just got better. I don't think I will be able to go to another brand now, because my blackberry does everything I need and the other phones don't. And the BIS not working is nothing to do with BB, it has everything to do with your service provider, but even with my trouble with my service provider I still think it was worth it.
Nerfherder
16-03-2010, 03:29 PM
I know that you blackberry addicts feel very defensive about bb, but surely you have to admit that there is a gulf of difference between unpacking an Android phone that only asks you for a gmail address and is instantly totally functional, and unpacking a bb that doesn't do a damn thing until you get your provider to activate BIS 2 days later and waste time on google to work out where to find the arcane settings?
You are still confusing the service with the service provider. BB is a service, you don't purchase the phone without the service.
bwana
16-03-2010, 03:33 PM
Nope - if you really want, I can send you a screenshot of attempt to download blackberry app store telling me the service is not supported. Maybe BIS also has to be activated for this to work?BIS is the petrol that you put in the car. You're not going to get far without it.
Nerfherder
16-03-2010, 03:39 PM
Yes, you can't go to the apps store without BIS.
Trust me, I know your frustration. I moved from a Topup 135 to a Blackberry 100 contract in the middle of the month. Vodacom refused to add the blot on for half a month and I had to wait 15 days before I felt the BB goodness. Mind you I connected to the internet and used it as a normal phone for those 2 weeks but nothing beats that feeling of when the BB kicks in and the phone just starts working..... yes I am addicted... don't judge me.
Shake&Bake
16-03-2010, 03:41 PM
2 days to setup BIS? :erm:
Took me a few minutes on MTN prepaid.
threegee
16-03-2010, 03:50 PM
I just hope they do not let the BIS network crumble into a state of disrepair due to the way they are growing it so fast. Any existing user will clearly remember the 6 months of shoddy service of 2009. I hope they are doing some forward planning this time and will not wait until their link to Europe maxes out at 99% before they then have to cut through miles of red Vodacom tape to get the line capacity increased.
Thurnie
16-03-2010, 03:59 PM
the BB App Worls is active since november last year... most applications you fin on the net can be installed via App World should it be compliant with the RIM evolution.
Emails can be pushed easily, depends on your subscriber service, you can do it on the blackberry.mtn/vodacom sites... you making everything overly complicated without asking the right questions...
Blackberry rocks and its not just for the show!
Call me defensive, but you don't make sense. Your BIS activates within 5 minutes if you're with the right service provider. The setup asks you for email adress and password. Easy as that.
If you're on a corporate contract with Vodacom you have to phone their helpdesk and they take up to 48hrs.
You would think GPRS/3G/HSDPA would be sufficient to at least do the basics.
My email worked without BIS, but I got charged for it. When the BIS was sorted out everything just got better.
Unlike other bb's, the Bold 9700 email settings are completely locked until you have BIS so you cannot even use (charged for) pop3 email until this is done.
chrissy
16-03-2010, 04:19 PM
the BB App Worls is active since november last year... most applications you fin on the net can be installed via App World should it be compliant with the RIM evolution.
Emails can be pushed easily, depends on your subscriber service, you can do it on the blackberry.mtn/vodacom sites... you making everything overly complicated without asking the right questions...
Blackberry rocks and its not just for the show!
See what you did now? Someone actually joined mbb to get a vinger in the pie. Good for you. :D Just goes to show how much users love their BB.
phoneJunky
17-03-2010, 07:55 AM
MTN just upgraded their BB bandwidth by 500%, so they are looking after us - although we had that 2 months of terribly slow internet. Everything is good now though. The Bold 9700 locking the email settings is a real shame, but you should have your BIS soon - you will love it, just be patient garp.
krycor
19-03-2010, 12:11 AM
Getting mine on saturday.. can't wait :D
I know that you blackberry addicts feel very defensive about bb, but surely you have to admit that there is a gulf of difference between unpacking an Android phone that only asks you for a gmail address and is instantly totally functional, and unpacking a bb that doesn't do a damn thing until you get your provider to activate BIS 2 days later and waste time on google to work out where to find the arcane settings?
I just got a 9700 myself and moved from prepaid to a Blackberry 75 contract and asked for BIS to be activated and the guy told me it'll be done first thing the following morning (considering I signed up late in the afternoon).
The next morning I still didn't see the "B" in the top corner so I just rebooted the phone and it worked. I'm pretty sure if I had done that just after getting the phone it would've popped up as well. BIS activation is very quick, your case is the exception I think.
krycor
22-03-2010, 10:36 AM
I wonder.. with the cheaper net connections being possible, which of the service providers take the bold move and starting offering some form of decent data bundles for other phones? (obviously more limited with control not as good as BB perhaps?) I mean i am pretty sure other smart phones are limited by data plan compared to BB wrt sales