Canada Gets FREE BlackBerry Pearls this Holiday Season

on 10 Dec 2007 05:59 AM

CDMA-based Canadian carriers Telus and Bell are really going after Rogers this holiday season with a FREE BlackBerry Pearl 8130 promotion.

The catch? You need to be a new customer and commit to a 3-year plan of $45 or more per month before they hand you over the new phone. As Robb puts it, free in this case really means $1620 (at least) over the course of the next 36 months.

It's good to see some competition in Canada heating up for all of us BlackBerry users. Telus is offering a $15 email, web and IM only BlackBerry plan on the 8130 and ~~Canada's GSM Monopoly~~ Rogers followed suit with a similar offer for Pearl 8100 users. What would I like to see in 2008? Unlimited data in Canada for under ~~$50~~ ~~$40~~ $30 per month. I'm a Rogers user now, but the carrier that offers me unlimited data for a reasonable price is the one I will switch to. It's wishful thinking, but a Canadian BlackBerry Addict can dream, can't he?

Filed Under: News & Rumors;

14 Comments

Posted by Bla1ze Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

Telus includes unlimited web browsing as well with that $15 plan, it's just buying out my Rogers contracts that holds me back, but hopefully if these promos are a sign of things to come it shouldn't be that much longer and we will see something like AT&T's $29.99 BIS Plan with Unlim data, plus where none of the carriers are allowed to bid on the upcoming auction that will be opening the doors for more competition by that time my contracts will be long up and will be able to say see ya later to Robbers for good!

Posted by jacob Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

hey, i work for bell, was floored by the unlimited internet claim, totally untrue though... so dont go jumpin ship from wherever yet. lol.

Posted by jacob, SO SORRY Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

sorry about that, he's right unlimited internet!! WOW! go for that.

Posted by Pat4444 Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

Yeah I work for Telus and the 15$ data plan includes

Unlimited web browsing
Unlimited IM (BB messenger only)
Unlimited E-mail (BIS only)

They also offer the same package on the HTC touch and HTC S720, however on those phones the IM is windows messenger.

With the Pearl,Touch and S720 at 0$, it's great.

Also, FYI in Canada, to get any "data" device at the "cheap" price, it is ALWAYS with a 3 year contract+45$ minimum per month. Not just for the pearl at 0$ but for ANY smart phone.

Posted by Remik Szul Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

Hey Pat, I have a question since you work for Telus. I went out and purchased the 8130 the first week it was out. I paid the full $499 price. I'm not a new Telus Customer as I've been on my plan for almost 3 years now, but the 8130 was my first Berry. Can I still get the $15 plan? Or does this apply to new customers only? I called Telus and they said new customers only, but this wouldnt be the first time I was missinformed by telus employees.

Posted by Anonymous Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

so, basically, is all your data stuff you do on your phone is free?

Posted by Pat4444 Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

the 15$ data plan is for NEW and EXISTING customers. HOWEVER it needs to be coupled with a 30$ voice plan minimum. That is for the 45$ (voice+data)...

I've given the 15$ unlimited data plan to existing customers already... The person you spoke to was most likely misinformed. Now the only question I have is, are u currently under contract? Because, and I'm not 100% sure about this, you may need to be "in" a contract to get that plan (i.e. no month to month customers), I'll have to inquire about that.

Posted by Remik Szul Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

I am on contract, my 3 years expire July 08. Although I am on the Talk 15 Plan. So I pay $15 for my plan, plus $10 for unlimited text messaging/voicemail etc. So its $25+ Taxes/Extra Fees which ends up about $35 monthly. So I'm not sure if that counts as a 30$ voice plan minimum? Eitherway I never even got that far with customer service they said its for new customers only. Pat4444 is this something you can hook me up with? Is there a email or ph# I can reach you at for you to set this up for me?

Posted by Anonymous Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

Telus says 45$ per month, but in actuality you can do 40 or even 35$ a month as long as you go to an indepndant dealer and not a corporate store, I manage an indepandant dealer store in newbrunswick and got and email that you can use the unlimited email and im 15 plan with the talkalot 20 and talkalot 25, equaling 35 or 40$ a month, and still get your free bb.
but ONLY at independant dealers and not corporate stores.

Posted by Anonymous Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

The TELUS Email 15 add-on is for unlimited data. Browser, Email, Attatchmens all included. The one draw back, you can't use your BB as a modem.

Posted by Pat4444 Monday, Dec 10, 2007 1626 days ago

Unfortunately it has to be 30$ voice plan BEFORE features.

So you are currently on a 15$ voice plan. You need to bring that up to 30, but like the guy below me said, apparently independent retailers can work around this somehow. I work for corporate telus :)

Posted by NicciJ Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 1625 days ago

Can someone provide a link to the information on the $15 plan? We're due to renew, and I have to take advantage ;)

All I keep seeing is the $15 email/IM plan, but no mention of web :(

Posted by Pat4444 Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007 1625 days ago

Yes it does only say "Unlimited email and IM" but it DOES include web browsing. It's not advertised tho ;). Secret weapon :)

Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007 1625 days ago

$15 gets you unlimited web browsing, email and IM on the Blackberry pearl for Telus.

Merry Christmas