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Our sources confirmed something that we have pretty much feared all along about the BlackBerry Thunder (9500), which is that will only support GSM in the 900/1800MHz bands. This means that the Thunder will lack GSM support for U.S.-based GSM networks.
The news comes as quite a blow to those hoping that AT&T and T-Mobile might be able to get their hands on the Thunder sooner than later. As we told you yesterday, we know that the Thunder will be exclusive to Verizon to start with in the U.S., but it could be that Sprint might get it next at some point as well, according to our sources, depending on how the Verizon sales go. Vodafone will have the exclusive for the Thunder in Europe.
Insiders are suggesting that there is nothing to really stop RIM from revising the Thunder to support the U.S. GSM networks, but at this time it is doubtful that they have any plans to do so. The forthcoming announcement from Verizon regarding the Thunder will break a long string of RIM products appearing first on the AT&T wireless network in the U.S.
RIM’s latest offering, the BlackBerry Bold, will be exclusively offered by AT&T in the U.S., and AT&T has finally broken cover on the upcoming delivery of the Bold with a new page on their Web site here.
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Thunder will not have U.S. GSM Support
GSM only supported outside the U.S.
Our sources confirmed something that we have pretty much feared all along about the BlackBerry Thunder (9500), which is that will only support GSM in the 900/1800MHz bands. This means that the Thunder will lack GSM support for U.S.-based GSM networks.
The news comes as quite a blow to those hoping that AT&T and T-Mobile might be able to get their hands on the Thunder sooner than later. As we told you yesterday, we know that the Thunder will be exclusive to Verizon to start with in the U.S., but it could be that Sprint might get it next at some point as well, according to our sources, depending on how the Verizon sales go. Vodafone will have the exclusive for the Thunder in Europe.
Insiders are suggesting that there is nothing to really stop RIM from revising the Thunder to support the U.S. GSM networks, but at this time it is doubtful that they have any plans to do so. The forthcoming announcement from Verizon regarding the Thunder will break a long string of RIM products appearing first on the AT&T wireless network in the U.S.
RIM’s latest offering, the BlackBerry Bold, will be exclusively offered by AT&T in the U.S., and AT&T has finally broken cover on the upcoming delivery of the Bold with a new page on their Web site here.