14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this week, Canadian mobile phone maker BlackBerry officially announced plans to end its agreement with wireless carrier T-Mobile, which means that its smartphones will no longer be available for purchase through the operator.
The company declared at the time that would continue to offer support for BlackBerry users on T-Mobile’s network, and the carrier made a similar move on Thursday.
According to the wireless services provider, nothing will actually change for those who own a BlackBerry device and are also T-Mobile customers, despite the fact that it was disappointed with the handset vendor’s decision.
“But here’s what really matters most for BlackBerry owners. Whether you’re an individual customer or business customer, nothing changes. Nada. Zero. Zilch,” John Legere, President and Chief Executive Officer, T-Mobile, said in an open letter to its users.
This means that users will continue to receive OS upgrades and will also be able to take advantage of the carrier’s services and 4G LTE network, the same as before.
However, he also made an offer to BlackBerry users, saying that the carrier would provide them with a $100 (€73) credit toward the purchase of a new device, even if that phone were a BlackBerry Q10 or a BlackBerry Z10.
The deal will be available until the end of the year, which means that users will have plenty of time to think it through. More info on the matter can be found on the wireless carrier’s website.
T-Mobile’s offer was made so as to counter the deal that BlackBerry announced earlier this week, and which offered support for all BlackBerry users on T-Mobile looking to switch to another wireless carrier.
“In fact, to show our appreciation for all current BlackBerry customers, we’re offering a $100 credit toward any phone. And, this offer is good through the end of the year. When you are ready to take advantage, upgrade anytime online or in-store,” T-Mobile notes on its website.
The deal is available only for those T-Mobile customers who had a BlackBerry smartphone as of April 3 and is limited to only one discount per customer. Users in Puerto Rico cannot take advantage of the deal.
John Legere also notes that the operator will continue listening to its customers and finding new ways to meet the needs that BlackBerry users have.
T-Mobile’s CEO also suggested in the aforementioned open letter that the company had some other Un-carrier offer being prepared for its customers, so as to give them yet another reason to remain on its network. However, he has not offered specifics on the matter as of now.