[CrackBerry News]

To say, the issues between BlackBerry and T-Mobile have been strained lately is a bit of an understatement but the latest news coming from Waterloo is something I'm sure we can all agree is a bit unexpected. BlackBerry has now announced that as of April 25th, 2014, it will not renew the T-Mobile U.S., Inc. license to sell BlackBerry products.*

BlackBerry has had a positive relationship with T-Mobile for many years. Regretfully, at this time, our strategies are not complementary and we must act in the best interest of our BlackBerry customers. We hope to work with T-Mobile again in the future when our business strategies are aligned," said BlackBerry CEO and Executive Chair, John Chen. "We are deeply grateful to our loyal BlackBerry customers and will do everything in our power to provide continued support with your existing carrier or ensure a smooth transition to our other carrier partners.

As for support of BlackBerry devices for current T-Mobile customers, BlackBerry will work closely with T-Mobile to provide the best possible customer service to any customer remaining on the T-Mobile U.S. network or to any customer purchasing devices from T-Mobile's existing inventory.

Full story from the Crackberry Blog...

[birdman_38]

Yeah...that's gonna win over the other carriers. *rolleyes*

[RubberChicken76]

While it is pitched a bit like a pissing match in the article, this is probably a purely business decision for both.

T-Mobile likely isn't getting enough business out of BlackBerry to warrant the skus right now. And for BlackBerry, channels are expensive to fulfill, maintain and promote in.

In a previous company I was at, we made a point to drop several retailers (rather than the other way around) when an analysis
revealed that we were spending far more on product, promotions, rebates, spiffs, in store marketing than we were actually getting out of it. With one (who shall remain nameless), we discovered we were spending a million more in channel activities for that partner than they were giving us in sales.

I wonder if Chen is doing the same?

[Ment]

Like how BB is spinning it like its their idea. More likely T-Mobile wasn't willing to renew unless BB threw in alot of incentives for the sales so even if they sold a small number the fat margins would make up for it.

[SK122387]

Like how BB is spinning it like its their idea. More likely T-Mobile wasn't willing to renew unless BB threw in alot of incentives for the sales so even if they sold a small number the fat margins would make up for it.

Um... Do you think John Legere would have let BlackBerry be the first to announce this if it wasn't BlackBerry's idea? This is called smart marketing. It's a risky move to many, but by getting the word out there, BlackBerry comes across as the one that broke up with T-Mobile.

If this were John Legere's choice, he would be tweeting his head off about it right now.

I have T-Mobile because at&t's network got bad when the iPhone came out, but now I'll be going back to them whenever new BlackBerrys come out.

T-Mobile has been a shady partner to BlackBerry lately, with that email going out to switch to iPhones.

BlackBerry ought to return the favor and offering free unlock codes for anyone on T-Mobile with a BlackBerry, making it a lot easier for people to leave T-Mobile. I doubt BlackBerry and T-Mobile will ever work together again, seeing as T-Mobile is kind of more "bargain" and BlackBerry is aiming for the high end.

[sixpacker]

The Chen statement is nigh on meaningless, what are these differences in strategy?
Instead of trying to rebuild a important damaged relationship he's throwing his toys out of the pram.
Also, this just emphasises the view that BlackBerry are withdrawing from the consumer market.
Bad decision.

[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

SPIN

This is not good... plan and simple. Maybe BlackBerry had no choice due to the concessions that T-Mobile wanted. But Because of BlackBerry's weak performance in sales, and the cost associated with stocking, supporting, training and selling devices, it was most likely justified. With means other carriers will do the same.... the cost of selling devices is going to go up for BlackBerry.

The Z10 has had some success once it's price was dropped. Don't think you will see that in the future as BlackBerry can not afford it, and carriers are only going to make minimum sales agreements.

Posted via CB10

[birdman_38]

SPIN

This is not good... plan and simple. Maybe BlackBerry had no choice due to the concessions that T-Mobile wanted. But Because of BlackBerry's weak performance in sales, and the cost associated with stocking, supporting, training and selling devices, it was most likely justified. With means other carriers will do the same.... the cost of selling devices is going to go up for BlackBerry.

The Z10 has had some success once it's price was dropped. Don't think you will see that in the future as BlackBerry can not afford it, and carriers are only going to make minimum sales agreements.

Plus there are no new BlackBerry consumer offerings on the horizon for North America. That's enough to scare off carrier partners.

[DenverRalphy]

This is called smart marketing. It's a risky move to many, but by getting the word out there, BlackBerry comes across as the one that broke up with T-Mobile.

If indeed BBRY wished to come across as the one that broke ties, that would be anything but smart marketing.

Most customers, while may demonstrate a certain amount of loyalty to a device platform, are typically more loyal to their carriers. It's a lot easier to convince a customer to switch phone brands than it is to switch carriers.

If Blackberry wishes to take credit for the breakup, a majority of the Blackberry users on T-Mobile will feel a sense of abandonment from their device manufacturer. I somehow doubt BB wants to take credit for that. And Blackberry is currently in no position to take that kind of a risk.

[PFman]

It's probably been announced by BlackBerry first because blackberry simply doesn't matter to tmobile. I'd love to know how many devices they have on BB10

Sent from my XT1033 using Tapatalk

[Giancarlo Ferreri]

C'mon guys , Crackberry has to give a comment to this.
It is clear to everybody that Mr.Chen is reacting to the well known T-Mobile offer to BB users to switch to Iphone.
Clearly strategies are not complementary.

[birdman_38]

C'mon guys , Crackberry has to give a comment to this.

Agreed. It's a hot topic. Where is their commentary?