The real reason the BlackBerry Storm doesn’t have Wi-Fi or tri-band HSDPA
You might have guessed it, but the reason is Verizon! We confirmed this a little while back with one of our really top-level sources (you know who you are!) and they did, in fact, confirm our suspicions — Verizon said hell to the no, we don’t play that up in here! Now, before the flamewars start, I will publicly say that although it might not be crystal clear, I love Verizon. Personally, Verizon has the best voice and data network in the US. Did you hear that? I lovez me some VZW.
With that out of the way, it’s pretty clear Verizon’s stance with Wi-Fi, but no tri-band HSDPA? We can only assume Verizon thought that with tri-band HSDPA, people would be unlocking these things left and right to use the devices on AT&T and Rogers. That would take out a decent chunk of their data revenue, but at the end of the day, are that many people who now can’t get a 3G Storm but rather a 2G one going to port to Verizon because of it? That remains to be seen, but all Storm first-hand impressions aside, this thing not having Wi-Fi at the very minimum is a major pain in the ass. Does anyone remember the “leaked” Expansys photo that had the Wi-Fi indicator in it? Funny, right? And to the commenters who will start saying, “It’s the best data network, you don’t need Wi-Fi!” You’re dumb, ignorant, and stupid. Plain and simple.
I guess I was right in that Paul has literally no life and he will respond to every comment on here because we make his world go round. Terry expect your comment in about 10 minutes lol.
BGR being wrong would not stop anyone from reading the post…if I had not read it how would I know he was wrong? Use common sense fool. And as Terry already pointed out and as the RIM CEO Mike Lazardis already said there was just not room for Wifi because of all the other radios they had to put it. And again Vodafone asked for the phone a bigger company than Verizon. So with all of this information from the people who actually made the phone if you still think that this is Verizon’s fault then you clearly still have no common sense. Whether Verizon has one Wifi phone or not has nothing to do with the fact that the Storm does not have Wifi…the reason Vodafone is releasing it first is because they asked for the phone…the reason they already have their pricing available is because they asked for the phone. The reason they can offer it for free with certain prices is because they asked for the phone. I don’t understand how this is so difficult to understand that it has nothing to do with Verizon when it comes to Wifi on theh Storm. There are about 4 carriers making this product available and you are honestly trying to argue with everyone here that it is Verizon’s fault. Why couldn’t it be any of the others? Verizon dictates everything for even Canadian and European wireless providers…your mind must really be on some shit Paul.
Anyone who thinks Paul is an idiot and will just try and argue anything anyone writes on this post just don’t respond to him…Just type IDIOT and we’ll know you agree.
lo and behold I didn’t even finish and Terry got his reply lmao
@ Terry:
Sounds like a good plan. Good luck.
@ likeabite:
Still here hailing the personal attacks I see. Boy, you hate to be wrong and have nothing to do I see.
Maybe you might want to point out that Vodafone is a BSM company and does not sell CDMA phones!
Go away we are having an intelligent conversation here. Morons have no need to reply!
@Paul
How exactly is Verizon the most expensive carrier in the US?
If you look at their plans and services they almost mirrior AT&T to a “T”. Look at their nationwide plans (same price for the same amount of minutes), if you look at their senior plan (same price but with VZW they get more minutes), data plans(lowest is 30), back-up assitance (1.99), navigator (9.99), insurance (4.99) and so on…
As a matter of fact, Verizon is cheaper in some aspects. My favorite example is per usage data. Let’s take a look.
AT&T charges per KB and VZW charges per MB. AT&T is .01 per KB and VZW is 1.99 per MB. Now, let’s do the math. There are 1024 KB in 1 MB. That means that AT&T charges 10.24 per MB when VZW only charges 1.99. That is a MAJOR difference my friend.
And another thing, I noticed in an earlier post that you were praising AT&T for their sales with the iPhone. If Verizon would have accepted the iPhone (because Apple did go to them first.. gee I wonder why?) then Verizon would have had those sales. However, Verizon turned down the iPhone, not the other way around.
CDMA is like spaghetti – Vodafone CEO – GigaOM
“CDMA is like spaghetti. There are too many parts to it. Why do you need it when you have such a clean global standard as GSM? For someone who is already on CDMA it makes sense to graduate to GSM and maybe get out of CDMA eventually.”
This is from Vodafone! By the way they own almost half of Verizon Wireless.
Too bad you did not graduate!
Hmmm.. I just posted my comment and for some reason it put that it was posted at 12:42…
Paul – you may want to scroll up and take a look at that..
Wtf.. It’s putting them out of order.. It’s def 4:48 here.
@ likeabite
Don’t bother with “Paul”. He’s already been blacklisted at one site for the same garbage. We kept him on until he linked his handle to a porn site. Same verbiage…mpmmy, daddy, Gothic chess, etc. He actually has a site that is anti Verizon due to his participation as a union worker. Feels they try to break the union, etc. Whatever. Just ignore him and enjoy your time not wasted on him. I just needed to confirm that it was him, hence my posts.
Thanks bluehorseshoe…makes sense.
So Paul you’re trying to tell me that the company who owns Verizon was told what to do by Verizon and they just complied…ok makes perfect sense. Thanks for your brilliance.
@ bluehorseshoe:
Oh the retarded brother is back. I thought you asses split the night and day shift to spread propaganda evenly? Or are you guys really just one teen that is out of school today. Did mommy get you new batteries for your Fisher Price computer?
Funny VZW is not a union company. So again you show your ignorance.
LIES and INSULTS do not help your weak arguments.
If you have nothing at all to add of substance go away. I am sorry there are other readers that disagree with your propaganda machine.
There are sure a lot of asshole’s that hang out on this site. Pretty horrible that these two asses are attacking someone personally for no good reason.
I have not read one single comment from NOT-likable or this BlueHoseBag that do anything but use insults.
Listen go away and read something else and leave the guy alone as at least he has added some information here.
I think Paul is right you guys are retarded. Stick your phone up your arse!
Verizon is involved and uses unions. Ever see those lovely demonstrations on 6th and 42nd? Can barely get by Bryant Park.
@ bluehorseshoe:
Verizon Corporation owns the majority half of Verizon Wireless. Vodafone owns the rest. Verizon Telco is union. Verizon Business and Verizon Wireless are not union.
For many years Verizon National Headquaters was located on 6th ave near Bryant Park. Verzion Wireless was located in Bedminster during this time, not on 6th Ave.
Now all of Verizon Corporate and Wireless is located in Basking Ridge (old AT&T property bought from Pfizer). They sold the building on 6th Avenue. The still own a corporate building on West Street. But all of the operations are now in Basking Ridge. Been there many times.
No one working at Verizon Wireless is union. It is a non union company. The union that exists at Verizon Telco has threatened Verzon Corporate to try an unionize Wireless during contract talks in the past as you might expect. Never happened of course.
So you guys are so scary smart you apparently, do not know what you are talking about. Even about the company you drink kool-aide from. I told you I work in the industry.
I will say it louder for you.
VERIZON WIRELESS IN NOT UNION. THEY NEVER HAD THEIR HEADQUARTERS ON 6TH AVENUE! NO ONE EMPLOYED BY VERIZON WIRELESS IS UNION!
Also I will point out that since Vodafone owns about half of Verizon Wireless and AT&T is wholly owned by the AT&T parent corp. Even when VZW buys Alltel (not done yet) they may have more subscribers (along with more debt). Verizon Corporation will still own less of a stake than AT&T corp in wireless market.
RIM sells phone to Verizon, does that make them union? Very stupid argument you have! Being union means the employees belong to a union. Verizon Wireless employees do not!
A little more for you to learn Vodafone is a GSM company, not CDMA. GSM is more or a global technology as almost all wireless carriers outside of the US are GSM.
This is why if you travel outside of your basement, you will find your standard CDMA phone is quite useless overseas. Most GSM users simply swap their SIM card and pay the local rate when traveling or use WiFi in a local hotpot for data.
Guess what no SIM card on CDMA phones and no CDMA network in lots of countries. Maybe why Verizon Wireless is forced sell a few “World Phones” that have the capability to be used in these countries.
I am sure you have all sorts of spiffy comments for these facts also. But all the other readers that have this knowledge will know you are full of bull.
Now you can go an realize the guy you been bashing and you said was so stupid just educated you!
@ FilterMeat…since you haven’t read the comments don’t bother making an asinine statement like you just did. Agreeing with Paul is a matter of personal opinion and no one is attacking him for his opinion. At least Paul has enough sense to read before making any sort of presumption statements. Me addressing Paul was on the basis that he is trying in a tireless attempt to refute everyone’s comment rather than just letting the matter go since it is personal opinion. Paul and I have gone back and forth on our matter of opinions and I just urged him to stop trying to be the savior and taking everyone on. Since you haven’t read shit on here I figured I’d let you know what was going on. Now maybe you can rectify your last comment with much more rational one this time.
@ likeabite:
No we have actually went back and forth on your attacks along with the other retard on here. Opinion is one thing. Your attacks have been only personal without any real point.
At no time did you guys offer anything substantial. You just hated that I agreed with the writer of this blog. Each time I pointed that out all you guys did was get personal with insults. You actually hang out here all day doing this.
The facts were quite simple no WiFi or tri band on the Storm and Verizon’s general lack for support for WiFi. The lack of WiFi and supporting new innovative devices like the iPhone and Android has and will continue to cost them customers. These are the facts and all I ever said. Can not argue with the 12 million iPhones sole in 2008. NONE of course on VZW network, can you now?
Now your stupid brother is claiming the Verizon Wireless is a union company! HaHa They are not and never have been a union company. He seems to have no idea where Verizon Wireless is even headquartered.
See if the facts do not go your way, you get personal. Insults are what 10 year old do when their argument is weak.
Now, you somehow know who read what on this blog. And you know this how? So you attack this guy.
Why don’t you be a big boy and just say we have different opinions without insults. You see the facts I put forth here matched by BGR and are pretty much hard to refute.
If you could refute any of these facts, fine. But you never have. Mentioning Vodafone’s take on a RIM phone is stupid as they do not sell CDMA, Verizon does. Maybe they are making an excuse as customers would like WiFi as a feature?
All I ever pointed out here was the “GENERAL” lack of support for WiFi on any of the phones offered by VZW. I pointed out they ONLY now offer ONE phone with WiFi. I pointed out they have in the past neutered their camerphones to not allow Bluetooth and USB transfer of YOUR photos taken with the phone YOU bought!
Just saying it is not needed is fine, but it HAS cost them customers. Verizon Wireless is probably the most expensive wireless carrier in the US. Many people do not care and pay it anyway. That’s fine.
All this is true!
I have seen several other commenters agree with me and several have told you to shut up, maybe in a nicer way.
I think most readers probably see thru the manipulation you and your retarded brother have tried to pull off.
Paul the first comments I directed at you were all about what you had said and nothing personal. I don’t hang out here all day…I am only on BGR at work just to pass time unlike you. However you said mentioning Vodafone’s take on a RIM phone is stupid. It is only stupid if the phone had nothing to do with Vodafone. However, the Storm in general was asked to be made by Vodafone so actually it makes every sense to mention them in this argument. If I went to BMW and asked them to make me a special car and there were parts missing would you ask me or would you ask someone else who went to BMW and said they wanted my car also, the same exact car mind you. BGR said the reason that the Storm does not have Wifi is because of Verizon. If that’s the case then mentioning Verizon’s name with regards to a RIM phone is stupid too, correct? The phone is the same across all boards. The GSM only version just passed through the FCC…WITHOUT WIFI…so I take it that it is Verizon’s fault why the AT&T and T-Mobile versions don’t have Wifi too, correct? Here’s the link if you care to look.
http://www.cellphonesignal.com/blackberry-storm-gsm-only-passed-fcc/
And oh yea please feel free to apply your logic of Wifi phones here. Most Blackberry phones on GSM networks here have Wifi but this one does not, just like the Verizon version…so who do you blame now? Everyone’s been screaming how AT&T does not cripple their phones and how Verizon intentionally does it so why didn’t they allow Wifi on the GSM version…unless maybe it is because the Storm was standardized that way due to what Mike Lazardis said and at Vodafone’s request.
How does one company gets faulted for a missing feature in a phone being carried by basically every major carrier? And Verizon didn’t even ask for the phone to be made in the first place. And if you use the same logic you used earlier then you mentioning Verizon only ONE Wifi phone in this argument is stupid as well because it has nothing to do with a RIM phone in the first place, correct? You still haven’t addressed the fact that the guy who’s company makes the phone already said that it was because there was too many radios in it and they couldn’t include the wifi on the board. So I guess Mike only said that to cover up for Verizon right?
@ Likeabite
I wonder…traditionally, RIM’s BB’s have somewhat high SAR ratings. Pretty close to the allowed number. With Wifi, which to any telco is an added bonus, I just wonder if the added signal would just light up someone and make them radiate and glow (LOL)? CDMA usually is at the top of the list when it comes to phones with high SAR ratings (the CDMA models are slightly higher than the GSM models), and I’m just wondering if this could be a possible reason as to why they had to leave out the WiFi. Maybe Wifi just puts them over the edge, where as GSM being a bit lower in the ratings has a little wiggle room.
Just a thought.
@ likeabite:
An almost insult free logical discussion. Only problem is it isn’t totally actuate. There are BB with WiFi over at AT&T. AT&T has not been charged for crippling their phones simply because they have not.
I never saw a cameraphone on AT&T that would not allow you to get off your own pictures without paying. AT&T have embraced the iPhone and will be selling the Android phone.
Many people including me thought they might see a real alternative to the iPhone and the Android phone. The Storm has lost the battle on launch without WiFi. It was aimed at the iPhone customers, not the same business users the other BB are.
Verizon having ONLY one WiFi phone in its line up is very relevant as it shows a general lack of support for this feature, period. One reason why I bought an iPhone.
Other carriers have many smartphones with WiFi and this is one reason they have taken customers from VZW even though they do not have this great network you guys talk about.
Many people do not buy networks, they buy devices and with VZW refusing the iPhone and Android they will lose more customers.
They probably lost about one million to the iPhone in 2008.
Funny you pal Mike (I guess you are on a first name basis with him) at Vodafone sells the iPhone in ten countries. It has WiFi of course so they have no problem with that. Vodafone is also reported to be giving the Storm away in the ONE market the UK, where they do not have the iPhone. You do not find this interesting? I do!
Verizon is probably the most expensive carrier in the US and locks their customers to one music store, one network, and one navigation app ($10 a month). So if you want to overlook this lock in and lack of support for innovative devices with WiFi that is fine.
But to claim it doesn’t matter is ignoring the facts and the numbers!
@ bluehorseshoe:
What no spiffy comeback? So is Verizon Wireless a union shop? NO.
IS Verizon Wireless HQ located in Manhattan or in Basking Ridge NJ?
I guess we cleared that up!
Paul the amount of customers Verizon loses because of Wifi or the iPhone really does not matter with their 70 million total costumers now does it? Also you still did not address what I said about the GSM one also lacking wifi…is that Verizon’s fault also? And Mike Lazardis does not work for Vodafone…he’s the CEO of RIM so if he says the reason why Wifi is left out is because there was no more room on the board then I’d believe him you know.
Also bluehorseshoe that might be true…they had like 4 radios already on the chip and another would just be ridiculous.
@ likeabite:
I did not say the lack of WiFi alone was the issue. I said many many times it was the lack of support for innovative devices like the iPhone and Android HAS and will lose them customers. The lack of WiFi support is quite evident however. This is a feature they do not have on any of their phones except one right now. This is a disadvantage.
When you said Mike, it sounded more like your buddy then the CEO of RIM. So I missed that.
As it could very much be true that there is no room for the radio, etc.It is still a feature many people want.
I am a very heavy user of technology. I use my mobile devices constantly and would NEVER buy a so-called smartphone without WiFi. I work with 3 other engineers that are like minded.
All of us HAD Windows Mobile Verizon phones with WiFi. We all hated Windows Mobile but needed WiFi. All of us now carry devices from other carriers. I still have a company supplied BB Curve on VZW, I friggin’ hate it. It is a crippled device as compared to my iPhone or Android.
The browser sucks for one thing. Even with Opera mini (insecure by the way) it still blows. Most of the apps can not compare to the iPhone and Android, this is my educated and tried opinion.
You may not agree and that is fine. But if you want to understand why many people bought iPhones and will buy Android, you should spend some time with these devices and you may then realize why.
The quality of some of the over 6,000 apps for the iPhone in my opinion completely smoke the BB. Same for what is available and coming for Android.
My problem with VZW is they do not support these devices and were offered them. They completely ignore WiFi on all but one device.
3G is fantastic, when it is there are you are out and about in a good area for it. But of its BEST day does not compete with WiFi on speed or ability to get these done unfettered and unmetered.
When traveling a CDMA phone can be a BRICK. This has happen to be on business trips several times. I was traveling for a week with a CDMA Windows Mobile phone. Without WiFi and Skype I could have left it home!
Why would I want to use a slower weaker 3G network in my own home or office or on some of the places I visit when there is a faster more robust free wifi signal there? I am NOT just making phone calls. In fact I make few phone calls with my mobile devices and am a heavy data user.
I also have a Verizon USB727 broadband modem for my laptops. I never use this of course when there is WiFi or wired broadband!
I have fetched files needed from the cloud, off my servers, and from my hone and work desktops with my iPhone (and Windows Mobile) in seconds from remote places using WiFi. Bluetooth or 3G is just useless for this or slow at best.
Again, believe whatever you like, but 12 million iPhones sold in 2008 is not a fluke and Verizon lost about one million customers. Keeping people locked into is not a good business model.
AT&T, no matter what you think is a decent carrier with 73 million customers (most must be happy or they would not stay). I have suffered no more dropped calls traveling around than I did with VZW, the data speeds in my area are faster and the price is actually cheaper.
BEST of all they offer more innovative and feature rich phones. Excuses why do not help.
OH yeah, tell your buddy BlueHorseSlipper that VZW is a NON union company that has its HQ in Basking Ridge NJ as he seems to think different! HAHaHa Tell him I know it is there I have been there many times.
@Paul
Wait, Paul… I’m confused. How many devices does Verizon offer with WIFI?
@ hellno…I mean ‘Bob’, I mean ‘Evil Homer’, I mean onoshedidnt, I mean ‘Paul’
Thanks, you confirmed everything I needed to know. LOL. You have more personalities than Sybil. You really do suffer from Schizophrenia.
Here’s one of his favorite links that he’s posted in the past…on Blackberry Cool.
http://www.cwa-union.org/verizon/video/
Oh, and check out his little workings…
http://www.verizonpathetic.com
That’s right, his own little site.
Serious issues, Marcus. Say what you want, but I’m done with this thread.
I can’t understand why everyone is always talking about how the att network is crap. I am an att customer and all my friends are VZW customers. I am not in a big city and I almost always have as good or better service than them. Almost all of my friends with verizon phones have had problems with their phones and have had to send in for new ones multiple times. Maybe I have just been lucky but I have never had a major problem with my phone (discounting that one time when it fell in the toilet…)