BES and Blackberry Support

[bxd20]

Does RIM have documentation on how long certain devices and certain versions of BES will be supported? I found only the shortest blurb online about BES 4.0 not being supported after 12/31/08.

For example, MS has detailed end of support documentation online for everyone of their products.

Some of my specific questions:

Are 'very old' Blackberrys supported on BES 5.0?

When will BES 4.1.6 no longer be supported?

When does a given device model no longer receive OS fixes?

Thanks
Brian

[Rh1noo]

RIM dropped BES 4.0 support about 20 months after releasing BES 4.1.

If they use the same model as above BES 4.1.6 will be supported until the end of 2010.

The old devices will continue to work but will not get any of the newer functionality.

Models like the 8700 are three years + old and RIM have recently released 4.5 firmware for the handset but thats it for that handset.

Most mobile devices are in such a bad state after 3 years use that they need retiring anyway.