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.
@Paul,
did I say RIM wasn’t smart enough to make a CDMA blackberry with wi-fi…NO I did not say that. I just stated a fact. In any case, Bell (CDMA) Telus (CDMA), and Vodafone (GSM) are carrying the Storm as well, but will they have wi-fi on the phone…NOPE, they will not. I guess they crippled wi-fi on the phone as well, huh?
@moni
Or… RIM didn’t want to build two completely different hardware versions at this time when each of those carriers above HAPPILY took the Storm? Oh, ok, that makes sense from a business perspective.
@BG,
so, why didn’t they include wi-fi on the Vodafone version? Am I missing something? I thought the Vodafone version is only GSM, which makes it different from the Verizon version which has GSM and CDMA frequencies.
Either way, it doesn’t matter. People will believe whatever they want to believe. People will read everything and take it as fact without questioning…I for one, am not that type of person…I don’t take everything I read as fact.
paul you comments are so rediculous it makes me laugh, i have wifi in my own home, guess what i use when im at home. MY COMPUTER! and why on earth would verizon want to build out a wifi infrastructure when they have blanketed the country in EVDO? guess what, I also own an Ipod touch, oh geez i must be a verizon fanboy! if verizon doesnt like wifi then why do they have 4 smartphones coming out with it?
also, why will Verizon have wi-fi on the upcoming new blackberry, the Niagara? wouldn’t they have crippled it on that one as well? It just doesn’t make sense for vzw to cripple it on the storm but then not cripple it on the Niagara.
@moni
Did you not read one word I said? Why bother making two different hardware variants when none of the carriers give a shit? It doesn’t make sense to eat into their profits by making another hardware build when it doesn’t make a difference. It’s not like Telus and Bell said, “Duuuuuuude! We’re not taking this thing unless there is Wi-Fi.” They most likely crapped in their pants when they found out they could offer the Storm. They even got into a mini bidding war.
The Niagara is basically a Bold in a different case as far as I understand. That, and obviously a CDMA chipset. The Storm was custom made for Verizon/Vodafone. There’s a difference.
@moni:
I agree with the Boy Genius. If your largest customer does not want WiFi why would you build two different versions. It would be a bad business move.
First, it would cost you for two hardware versions of the same device and it may just piss off your BIGGEST customer, Verizon.
Do you think Verizon would want to see the same CDMA phone with WiFi on another carrier? Trust me they would not. Do not think for a moment that carriers do not dictate what cell makes produce. I work in the industry and I know they do.
It would not surprise me if a carrier as big as Verizon had an agreement with a cell maker like RIM that they can not produce the same device for another carrier with significant added features.
You must remember that it is the carriers that are the customers of the cell makers, not directly consumers. They control what goes on their network. If Verizon rejects the device they can not sell it.
The iPhone was the first device that really changed this in the US. Apple dictated the branding and features, controlled the ringtones, music and video, apps sold for it. Probably why Verizon rejected it.
Verizon hoped it would fail when they rejected it. Now they are playing catch up with the Storm and STILL neutered it! That is the big story here.
@BG
I heard exactly what you said…I just asked a simple question since I didn’t know EXACTLY what you meant but I guess I shouldn’t have asked.
And I understand that the Niagara will be pretty similar to the Bold but they still could’ve “crippled” wi-fi if they wanted to as well.
@Paul
you’re going to defend apple and the iPhone to no end. So, there’s no reason for me to even respond to your comments any longer. By the way, I love apple products. I have a macbook and iPod. I’ll never switch to at&t for the iPhone though, VZW works for ME and I get pretty good discounts from them as well. So, enjoy your phone and network as I will myself.
@moni
All goodz.
Isn’t there anyone out there with a REAL reason why there is no Wi-Fi? Not that I care, but with all this bickering I wish we had a true answer to this obviously bothersome void in the Storm! Also, are people compaining because they would like to use wi-fi for transferring files, PC web access, etc (i.e., using their phones as a modem for tethering)? If so, buy a wi-fi card and insert into the vacant hole on your old pc or get a new pc with wi-fi built-in. What kind of files do you transfer from a PC to phone and reverse? Most computers come with card readers and I can’t imagine you are carring 20gbs of data around on your phone hoping for a wi-fi hot spot to transfer to your computer. The whole VoIP is a nice feature but you could also get an int’l sim card too that is much cheaper.
I don’t see why they wouldn’t want add wifi. The BlackBerry data is required on Verizon so they get the data revenue whether you use the “Network” or not.
Also they do offer one wifi phone currently with another one or two on the way, so yeah….
@ JKuhn:
Wow you have WiFi and a computer in your house. I thoght WiFi was DEAD. Guess not as more and more restaurants and public places are adding WiFi. I guess you do not do much with your “not-so-smartphone” at home. You see I do!
On my cell phone I use VoIP, IM, share photos and files, Remote, watch videos, VNC, head-to-head gaming, active file sharing, SSH, FTP, and download files over a VERY fast network that is unmetered and unfettered called WiFi.
I guess you do none of this? This is why you own an iPod touch? Maybe if you had an iPhone on Verizon (if you like them) you would not need an iPod touch!
Thank you for telling me you have an iPod touch as you helped make my point. Down the road in the not so distant future MORE people with access the Internet from mobile devices than their computers. I already do.
Sure 3G is OK, where it exists, but it is almost NEVER faster than WiFi and in many cases as convenient when inside your home or a hotspot.
Try paying for data and calls when traveling when you have no WiFi and there free hotspots. Or when you are in a no 3G area and need to get something done.
I do a lot more than make phone calls on my cell phone. In fact make phone calls is what I probably do the least.
@ moni:
I defend no body. I am again for the hundred time a Verizon customer with FiOS and a Blackberry Curve. I am a heavy user of technology and that includes WiFi. I could care less WHO the plumber is. AT&T or Verizon WHO cares.
I bought an iPhone on AT&T mostly because Verizon does not offer a Blackberry with WiFi. So they lost me on my ONE account.
Seems that Verizon has lost many users to AT&T and others for the same reason. In my opinion they will lose more, if they do not “open” up and offer innovative mobile devices like the iPhone, Android and others.
Having ONLY ONE WiFi phone right now is just plain stupid! If you do not care great for you!
@Paul
My comments were made for the general phone call making, internet viewing, youtube watching, folks who like wi-fi for gaming, etc. There will always be a small group that NEEDS a particular feature to function in THEIR environment. That can be said for everything in life. There is always that feature we wish we had. iPhone holders would love a network that practiced what it preached (twice the phone, half the price), but they settle because it has wi-fi and to them that makes up for it…..in their minds. I just use a Treo 700wx with WM6 upgrade. Hell, I’m not even sure I’d like the Storm without a physical keyboard. But, I’ll never know if I LIKE IT, unless I TRY IT.
As with everyone, my opinion won’t really matter to others so I guess I just done see why people get so bothered by a person’s comments.
Not having Wi-Fi is the dumbest move ever. Verizon just needs to grow some balls and not be so scared of the competition. Where I go to school we have an amazing wifi network, and nobody (AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon users) gets decent cell phone reception in most of the building. I use wifi all the time on my G1, especially on open-resource quizzes.
@ Paul – At this point you’ve just proved your stupidity as you go through what I say and quote a piece of it while missing the bigger picture…Yes AT&T gained fans because of the iPhone…yet those fans are the same disgruntled fans who returned the iPhone and made its smartphone share drop from 5.8 to 2.7% but I guess I didn’t say that either huh…Pay attention little boy or the whole world is going to pass you by.
Moni is over here making great points and you’re missing that as well. The fact that it is not a Verizon issue is what you haven’t been paying attention to ass…VODAFONE…read my previous post…VODAFONE asked for the Storm to be made, not Verizon…VODAFONE is at least twice the size of VERIZON so even though BG wrote the story none of you can sit here and honestly say that ok, VODAFONE asked for the Storm but Verizon wanted it too so they told RIM to do it their way and not include Wifi…does that even make any fucking sense?? In all honesty your stupidity is beyond me and it is the most disregard for common sense and reasoning I’ve ever seen. You’re the only one on here fighting a losing battle…I’ve already settled it with BGR but if you can go back and read what Mike Lazardis said in my prvevious post that Vodafone asked for the Storm and they sat down and worked on it together…and then disprove it then you’ll have an argument…until then just stop posting cause you’re just looking dumber and dumber.
UMM… so another reason why this sucks: I dont get good signal at home. But i have wifi at home. Id much rather have the option to go wifi then have to depend on my shotty signal (I will say i have to have vzw because all other providers signals arent strong enough). or i would have already jumped ship.
LOL @ the iFailure.
To Quote Dillius:
“Maybe it’s simply the fact that you people don’t ever leave metropolitan areas, but try getting out in about with that horrible ATT coverage and you’ll learn a thing or two.”
You would not believe how true this statement REALLY is… I’ve seen more and more ATT and Crap-Mobile Customers switch to VZW everyday that it’s almost impossible to wonder why you would go with any other network.
1) VZW has the most secure and extensive 3G EVDO Rev-A network in the U.S which is inspected and tested EVERY SINGLE DAY.
2) When bringing up such topics as why VZW cripples certain phones for certain features… its all about sales. Thinking in business strategic terms, would you miss out on an opportunity to make more money on data? or let people use wi-fi for free (albeit in most hotspots its still not free).
3) Wi-Fi data usage has been proven time and time again to present the user with security threats. (i.e. – ESN/MEID hacking/cloning, Contact list theft, and viral uploading to name a few).
LoL @ Ryan, hope you enjoy your dropped calls in ATT’s network.
bgr is negative about verizon only as it relates to how they cripple their phones and nickle and dime thief customers. And bgr is right. Verizon has the best coverage and because of that, they get away with it. Is the storms gps locked down?
@ likeabite:
Returns on iPhone you say. First of all this discussion was NEVER about iPhones it was about the lack of WiFi on Verizon with the Blackberry Storm. Great stats you just made up to try to make some odd point.
But since you are fixated on what you apparently dislike for no good reason except Verizon does not offer it, the iPhone. I point out that the iPhone had very little in returns and actually have one the highest rates of satisfied customers according Gartner and NPD.
Those “fans” which is short for fanatic. you are talking about are called customers where I live. Paying ones at that.
Apple has become the third largest mobile phone company in revenue beating RIM in unit sales this quarter. Not bad for being in the business for ONLY 15 months. In fact most all of the original iPhones that did not even support 3G are STILL on the network being used even though their original owners may have upgraded to the iPhone 3G.
To get back to the point. This discussion is NOT about AT&T vs. Verizon or iPhone vs. RIM. It is about the lack of WiFi on the Verizon sold Blackberry Storm and the lack of choices of ANY, but ONE WiFi enabled phone on their network.
Despite what you claim WiFi is NOT a niche it is supported by millions of hotspots and most people’s homes, offices, and campuses.
See what PEace b says above this post.
Verizon is selling the Storm to try its best to compete against “smarter” phones like the Android and iPhone. Yu claim that Vodafone wanted the Storm made. This is how stupid you are. Vodafone owns almost half of Verizon Wireless! Do you actually believe there is NO connection?
Vodafone also sells the iPhone in 10 countries.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/06/vodafone-releasing-iphone-in-australia-italy-india-and-seven/
Vodafone is also a GSM provider. http://gigaom.com/2007/02/14/cdma-is-like-spaghetti-vodafone-ceo/
Great even if want to believe that Verizon begged RIM to please please build a WiFi Blackberry Storm and RIM sain NO, it is STILL a fact that Verizon offers little in the way of WiFi on any of its phones and HAS lost customers to other providers that DO offer devices they do not support!
SPIN, SPIN, SPIN some more does not change the fact, for some people it will say – no wifi, no deal.
If you want to claim Verizon can not find WiFi phones for whatever reason. It is a feature many want and many will go to a “smarter phone” with whatever plumber sells the device they want.
Look again at the latest churn rate and the “CUSTOMERS” that AT&T and the iPhone grabbed.
Windows Mobile has been around for almost 9 years and Apple smoked them in 15 months. Android will also. Remember the guy you called stupid told you so.
But don’t worry, you can thank the iPhone and Android for making better phones for YOU, even though YOU would not buy one. As Verizon has to compete, they will as all good companies push to bring competing devices.
Do you really think RIM would have even made the Storm if it was not for the iPhone?
First all we heard from Crackberry attackswas that it was the mechanical keyboard was all that mattered. Not RIM dropped that. Now WiFi does not matter. Sure it doesn’t, HAHA
Next we will hear that the Apps do not matter. Sounds like you are guys are fans of plumbers, not innovative products or technology. Why even read a tech blog like BGR? I guess to attack readers like me that simply agreed with the writer of the blog you seem to like hang around all day!
@DW:
I have traveled around the country quite a bit and even out of the country and have NOT had any issues with dropped calls. Again believe what you want. But I will remind the naysayers here that are Verizon fanboys (or even operatives) I have a Blackberry Curve and an iPhone on AT&T and I have seen times when my Verizon phone had no signal or no 3G inside some metro areas and AT&T did.
1) VZ network you say is tested everyday. I guess you watch too many Verizon “kool-aid” ads! So other carriers do not test their networks according to you? And you know this how?
2) So you support a company the “cripples” your phone and does not allow you to connect to WiFi so you have to pay them? Brilliant! Kool-aide for all!
This is totally flawed. First AT&T offers 18,0000 hotspots in the US coverin Starbucks, bookstores and most major airports for FREE to their customers. NOT to mention the WiFi in my own home I buy from Verizon as part of FiOS and the WiFi at work and campuses I visit.
Fact is more data is sold by the company that sells the most advanced mobile devices to the most tech savvy people, not by locking customers in.
Wait until you travel out of the country or where there is NO 3G IN THIS country and see how useless and expensive it is to use voice or data when there usually is a FREE hotspot in your hotel or nearby. This happens all the time to me as I do travel.
3) OK it is security is it. REALLY, now you want to scare people from not using WiFi? Guess you should shut down your home network now!
Using Bluetooth and downloading the wrong file also has risk, so maybe we should NOT do that either. If Wifi is such a huge security risk why does Verizon ANY WiFi on phones or install in people homes?
I have done plenty of network projects over the years. You are completely ridiculous.
Pretty weak arguments.
I have not had ANY dropped call problems. No more than I have with my Blackberry on Verizon. As I said it is NOT only about voice calls. Having the Intenet in my pocket to connect over WiFi or 3G is waht we are talking about.
If Verizon offered a decent WiFi phone, an iPhone, or an Android phone you would be the first to tell us how great it is. But it is better to be in denial and hug the plumber you like!
If I’m stationary enough to be staying in a Wifi spot for a while, I would just bring out my laptop.
Better screen, better typing experience, more options, and I’m not tapping out the battery on my cellular device.
I’m sure this situation is the same for many people. If I’m sitting in an airport for an hour or two waiting for a flight why oh god why would I want to work with that tiny screen and relatively poor keyboard.
Thank You BG!
I’ve been saying that Verizon has the best voice+data network. (Definitely not for pricing… lol) I am still thinking about the Blackberry Storm but I really need to wait and see if it gets a lot better than the units at the Blackberry Storm Launch in LA. We’ll see what happens though. But if the software works how it was meant to work and if the pricing is $199 or less then I’ll definitely be inclined to get one.
you people are so fucking dumb. verizon doesn’t “cripple” their phones. the dumbphones use brew which has to be certified which costs money which people don’t have. that’s why most of the applications cost money. the only thing they “cripple” on dumbphones is downloading from 3rd party websites. sorry you can’t get your free ringtone.. cheap ass. smart phones on vzw aren’t crippled in any way besides gps which really, if you can use your phone as a gps without getting interrupted by a call or text then you’re a loser and nobody cares about your opinion anyway.
@ dillius:
So will you carry your laptop everywhere everyday? I don’t anymore, any when I need it.
huh? No WiFi? No tri-band HSDPA? Remind me why I’m a VZW customer? This really sucks. I’d been waiting on assumption that they’d finally fixed their stupid mindset against giving customers what we want. Maybe coverage isn’t as critical as I used to think. What good does coverage do me if I don’t have the features I need? Besides, WiFi and tri-band HSDPA are ALL about extending coverage. duh.