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Fido decides to offer BlackBerry afterall; training starts next week

For a while we’ve been saying that Fido is going to start selling BlackBerry devices and services, and now it looks like the company is finally ready take the leap. Fido reps and CSRs have been told that BlackBerry is on its way and training will begin sometime next week. Good news, right? Maybe not at first. Quite a few Fido employees have told us that Fido is going make the Pearl 8100 its first available device. We’re hoping that this isn’t the case and Fido is full steam ahead with the 8220, but there just might be something to it. RIM declared the 8100 was at the end of its life over a year ago meaning that production has stopped and Fido should not be able to order any. However, it is possible that Fido could take on whatever 8100s its parent company Rogers hasn’t been able to sell, have the Fido logo slapped on the antenna cover, get a box printed up and call it a day. The problem with that option is that when booting up the phone a Rogers logo would appear as it’s burnt into the firmware. Sure, Fido could use the VSM tool to swap in a Fido logo but that would be so much work considering it would need to upgrade all 8100s from OS 4.2.1 to 4.5. Time will tell, but at least BlackBerry is looking closer than ever for Fido users.

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15 comment(s) for this post.

  1. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 1:39 pm, Roger A Said:

    See, I told people this was gonna happen. A lot of people said it wasnt going to, but I kept saying it would, cause a company that would so obviously lie and say they WERE NOT bringing some product to the stage, really was. Beside, its good for the “ROGERS FAMILY” low end business people.

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  2. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 1:45 pm, btdown Said:

    Who or what is Fido?

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  3. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 2:11 pm, Roger A Said:

    Fido, formerly Microcell Communications, is a low fare wireless division of Rogers Communications, its like the AT&T of Canada.
    Fido was at one time the T-Mobile of Canada, matter of fact they used to own part of Fido as an investment.

    Basically they are a “contract/no contract” carrier with some low end, medium end phones but push their business model for people who live strictly in urban areas, and need THE MOST MINUTES for the LEAST AMOUNT OF CASH. Its like Cricket in the USA pretty much, except most things have contracts on FIDO

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  4. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 3:32 pm, The Boy Genius Said:

    Yay for 8100s

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

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  5. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 3:38 pm, MiniMe Said:

    Cool. I am delighted to see consistency in Fido’s moves - offer outdated phones, limiting selection to two-three models.

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  6. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 4:10 pm, Jeeverz Said:

    I am real pleased that they seem to be jumpstarting the Blackberry Connect Features :)

    Fido for Life <3

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  7. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 6:07 pm, errrrwhat? Said:

    8100?i got rid of that a long time ago. hope it gets the curve 2

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  8. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 8:30 pm, bvnvn Said:

    i don’t care what blackberry they offer.
    But at least people can now have BB data on Fido :)

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  9. On Jan 11, 2009 @ 10:16 pm, Quadcomm Said:

    Exactly, I have a BB on Fido and I’ll be happy to get BB Connect service.

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  10. On Jan 12, 2009 @ 12:42 am, Dog House Said:

    About time!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. On Jan 12, 2009 @ 1:11 am, Max..to the P. Said:

    Well it’s about f*ckin’ time.
    For the first time my patience has paid off.
    Damn it! if monkeys can learn things then maybe i can too.
    Here i come patience!!..lol

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  12. On Jan 12, 2009 @ 5:15 am, Katie Said:

    We,re hoping that this isn’t the case and fido is fulll steam ahead with the 8220,but there just might be something to it. However, it is possible that Fido could take on whatever its [arent company rogers hasn’t been able to sell,
    Fido couls use the toswap in a Fido logo but that would be so much work considering it would need to upgrade all 8100s, Time wil tell, but at least BlackBerry is looking

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  13. On Jan 14, 2009 @ 2:39 am, Richard Said:

    I have an unlocked Blackberry 8820. Is there a way I can surf the net if I have a Fido data plan at this time? I know that Fido will have Blackberry connectivity in the near future but I want to connect now.

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  14. On Jan 15, 2009 @ 12:02 am, Mr.BOLD Said:

    Thank God, but when will this happen, i have bold and need a package

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  15. On Jan 15, 2009 @ 7:46 pm, T Said:

    Will they offer Curves?

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