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AT&T Delays BlackBerry Bold Launch To Avoid Network Complaints Like The iPhone

imageRIM (NSDQ: RIMM) co-CEO Mike Lazaridis told the AP yesterday that AT&T (NYSE: T) is still testing the new high-end Blackberry Bold to make sure the carrier won’t face complaints about the performance, which have plagued the iPhone. RIM said in May that the Bold would go on sale this summer in the U.S., where AT&T has an exclusive, but it has not launched yet. Despite delays in the U.S., the device has already been approved to run on 60 networks in 29 countries, implying that AT&T may be the one with the issue. If the iPhone is already taxing its systems, would it want another data-heavy device on its network? Lazaridis told AP: “There’s great scrutiny, as you might know, on that network and a certain device. So I guess everyone wants to be sure on every last test.”

AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel would not say if the Bold was still in testing, but did confirm it would still come out this year. Most likely, the carrier will do everything in its control to have it launch in time for the holiday season. In RIM’s conference call last week, the company hinted it would come soon. Lazaridis’ counterpart Jim Balsillie said, “we look forward to continued rollout of the BlackBerry Bold around the world and a U.S. launch in the near-future.”

Oct 3, 2008 6:35 PM ET

Posted In: Companies, AT&T, RIM, blackberry

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Comments (2)

Oct 29, 2008 11:21 PM

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THIS BLACKBERRY TO RELEASE!!!!! IM HONESTLY BECOMING IMPAITENT. IM CONCIDERING ANOTHER BRAND.. DID SOME ONE SAY APPLE IPHONE3G!!! :D

Valnetino

Oct 30, 2008 2:24 PM

Ever since the iPhone launched for AT&T, AT&T’s 3G network reception has been HORRIBLE!  I have a Blackjack 3G device, and I’ve had nothing but problems ever since the day the iPhone came out.  I used to have no problems with reception in my house; now the phone is virtually unusable.  No wonder they’re worried.  Just imagine all the trouble adding this little jewel will cause.  Verizon…can you hear me now?  How’s that Blackberry Storm coming?

Preahsitleng

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