Great news for Rogers members! I'm wondering if this price drop might indicate that a new phone may be coming out soon(9800!!!)? It's very common to have a price drop before a new unit is released.

Ever since Telus took their no-contract price down to $500, they'd be the first ones I'd go to for a BlackBerry, as I don't believe in contracts. Had they taken it down sooner, I wouldn't have needed to buy mine from the US as it would've ended up costing practically the same factoring in US taxes, duties, and gas :-) Oh well.

WOW and Thank you! just made my decision very easy. I have been wanting to upgrade my phone and just did. thank you thank you. love crackberry for keeping me up to date.

I noticed yesterday that Telus dropped their 3-year price to $100 as well.

WTF? when are these greedy companies going to drop the no term contract prices?

They're trying to lure customers in by dropping the prices on devices so that customers can get them now when they couldn't get it earlier (either due to contract not allowing them to upgrade or the price). And when they get em, they're going to drop new devices to piss off people who just signed on new contracts and have to wait or shell out full price for the new device. They did rumor the release of the slider to be around the summer so their timing of their drop price tactic is right on time :p

They're trying to lure customers in by dropping the prices on devices so that customers can get them now when they couldn't get it earlier (either due to contract not allowing them to upgrade or the price). And when they get em, they're going to drop new devices to piss off people who just signed on new contracts and have to wait or shell out full price for the new device. They did rumor the release of the slider to be around the summer so their timing of their drop price tactic is right on time :p

Both Telus and Rogers are following suit. Bell dropped their price to 99.99 monday.

$99 and a 3 year contract...

In the UK it is FREE with an 18 or 24 month contract depending on what extras you want...

Mine is £30 ($44 usd) for:

Bold 9700 on 18 months contract (Vodafone)
900 minutes anytime, any network talktime
Unlimited SMS
500mb data not including BIS
Unlimited BIS
Insurance (handset replacement)

No up front extra handset charge.

In Holland 9700 is free with a 12month contract at any carrier.

Couldn't have anything to do with Apple Canada's recent announcement that they'll sell the iPhone 4 at their no-contract price with no contractual obligations whatsoever (that is, completely unlocked), would it?

Great news for BB lovers. It means some updated version is coming soon...........

Maybe the carriers just want to hook in as many people as possible before bill 60 comes into effect in quebec next week. Makes sense.

its so expensive in China``````

that seem to be a long time for one device. do they allow you to upgrade in-between of your contract. in 18 months the 9700 could be way behind it's time.