Alltel, the first US mobile operator in terms of network coverage and the fifth in terms of subscribers base, unveiled the future availability of BlackBerry Curve 8330, the latest smartphone from RIM's Curve series.

After it was announced for other major American carriers, including Verizon, Sprint, Telus and Bell (the last two being Canada-based), Curve 8330 is now ready to come to Alltel's customers too, starting the 1st of May. The smartphone can be pre-ordered via the Alltel website (found at this address). With a contract agreement for two years, Curve 8330 can be bought for 229.99 USD, after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Measuring 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches (106.6 x 61 x 15.2 mm) and weighing 4 ounces (113 grams), BlackBerry Curve 8330 is a stylish device that carries both good looks and advanced smartphone features. The handset packs a square 320 x 240 pixels TFT display which features light sensing technology, a full QWERTY keyboard for easy typing, BlackBerry trackball navigation system, mobile email, full Internet browser, desktop media manager, Music and video player, a 3.5mm stereo jack, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, USB, a 2 Megapixel camera (with flash and video), microSD card slot and a battery that should get the device working for up to 260 minutes in talk-time mode and up to 11 days in stand-by mode.

Running on the high-speed EVDO network owned by Alltel, the Curve 8330 will also feature Axcess Voice2TXT, Alltel's service that converts voicemails into text messages.

Speaking about the new smartphone, Brian Ullem, vice president of device strategy at Alltel Wireless, said: "Customers have asked for a phone that provides functionality and helps them maintain their efficiency and connectivity whether on the road or at home. The BlackBerry Curve 8330 fits these needs and gives both our professional and personal customers a broad multi-media experience that complements their active lives."