[W Hoa]

Aspiring wireless carrier Solavei is looking to grab some attention by offering its customers first crack at the new BlackBerry — at least for customers willing to pony up nearly $1,000 for an unlocked model.


The carrier is announcing later on Monday that customers that want the new BlackBerry can get it from its retail partner, GSM Nation. Solavei is one of a new breed of cellular providers that sell service under their own plans but using the networks of one of the major carriers. In Solavei’s case, it’s using T-Mobile’s network.

Solavei’s pitch is that it offers cheap unlimited service as well as the opportunity to save money or even potentially make money each month by recruiting friends to sign up.

At $999, Solavei’s BlackBerry is not only way more than most people pay for a smartphone but one of the priciest unlocked devices on the market and more than the BlackBerry typically sells for unlocked. RIM is selling the BlackBerry unlocked through carriers in the Middle East for around $700.

That said, Solavei customers can order the device starting Monday, while U.S. customers looking to get a subsidized version of the phone will have to wait until mid-March. BlackBerry announced the Z10 last month and has started selling it in the United Kingdom and Canada, among other places.

“We believe in giving our members access to the latest phones and wireless capabilities,” Solavei CEO Ryan Wuerch said in a statement. “Solavei not only gives its members the opportunity to pay less for unlimited mobile service, but even the opportunity to earn income by sharing Solavei with others.

Solavei Brings BlackBerry Z10 to the U.S. Early -- For Nearly $1,000 - Ina Fried - Mobile - AllThingsD

[Charles Martin1]

Solavei Brings BlackBerry Z10 to the U.S. Early -- For Nearly $1,000 - Ina Fried - Mobile - AllThingsD

It'll be interesting to see how this goes. The results could be a strong indicator of US demand.

[Foreverup]

That seems a little pricey for any cell phone.

[TheStoof]

That's clearly a "1st-come-pay-high" price. Convenience .

[Bob80220]

I'm sure there will be some that will pony up $1000.00 for a Z10...I know it won't be me. I'm willing to wait a few weeks...afterall it's just a phone/device.

Bob

[cjcampbell]

Sure it's high, but still undercutting a lot of the ebay sellers

[Danyal Omar]

While they might be undercutting a lot of ebay sellers i still feel that if they were to lower their price to say -$650-$700 range they could pretty much soak a large chunk of the early US demand for the Z10.

[W Hoa]

While they might be undercutting a lot of ebay sellers i still feel that if they were to lower their price to say -$650-$700 range they could pretty much soak a large chunk of the early US demand for the Z10.

Curious as to how, as a T-Mobile’s network sub-seller, they get network approval when T-Mobile says the Z10 is still in testing?

[switcharoo]

Would these Z10 models work for Simple Mobile?


Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

[lnichols]

Supply and Demand! The price will drop significantly once the US carriers are offering the phone. This phone will work with T-Mo, any of their MNVOs, and possibly AT&T too since it supports all the bands. If it was $600 I'd be buying now, but for that price I can wait till T-Mo releases officially, especially since GSM Nation is selling the GS3 for $575 unlocked!

[switcharoo]

I answered my own question. It will work! I really want it but thats a BIG chunk of change!

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

[raino]

This looks like the RFK121LW variant that'll work on AT&T and T-Mobile's '4G' and LTE networks.

Interesting to see GSM Nation be the hardware supplier for this collaboration. They were a major sellers that stopped carrying BB devices...when there was a good market for them.

[VeGiTo]

Can someone take a look at a Solavei store and see if there's actually a crowd there with people interested in buying it for a grand?

[jbiggdaddy]

I'm going on record and don't care who I offend. ANYBODY THAT DOES THIS IS A " TRUE *****"! A $1000! This phone will be out in less than 5 weeks. But I know somebody or should I say " SOME *****" is going to do it. LOL!!

[silversun10]

I'm going on record and don't care who I offend. ANYBODY THAT DOES THIS IS A " TRUE *****"! A $1000! This phone will be out in less than 5 weeks. But I know somebody or should I say " SOME *****" is going to do it. LOL!!

anybody who does this is a TRUE HERO? that what you are saying?

[Neely2005]

Yeah there's an article on it here too:

BlackBerry Z10 available in the U.S. right now

Solavei, T-Mobile’s low-cost, contract-free mobile subsidiary – similar to how Koodoo is operated by Telus here in Canada, or Virgin Mobile by Bell – is offering eager customers who just can’t wait for a subsidized version of BlackBerry’s new phone the chance to buy an unlocked, no-contract BlackBerry Z10 for US$999 right now. Solavei sells phones through its online retail partner GSM Nation, which has made the phone available to order as of today.

[raino]

Yeah there's an article on it here too:

BlackBerry Z10 available in the U.S. right now

Solavei is not a subsidiary of T-Mobile, just an MVNO that operates off of their network. That article is wrong.

So I wonder...will these be T-Mobile branded phones or unbranded? And can you buy this phone not intending to get a Solavei SIM?

[Foreverup]

Solavei is not a subsidiary of T-Mobile, just an MVNO that operates off of their network. That article is wrong.

So I wonder...will these be T-Mobile branded phones or unbranded? And can you buy this phone not intending to get a Solavei SIM?

They are advertising no contracts so if they sell an unlocked phone you get any sim you want for it.

On a side note it would be interesting if people started to flock their service then we might finally see some change in the iron grip which is the US carrier market.

[lnichols]

They are advertising no contracts so if they sell an unlocked phone you get any sim you want for it.

On a side note it would be interesting if people started to flock their service then we might finally see some change in the iron grip which is the US carrier market.

At $1000 I don't see any flocking that will happen. If it were more reasonable like the $600 to $700 range they would probably sell a ton. Wish they would realized they could sell a lot more at a lower price-point.

[shlammed]

It'll be interesting to see how this goes. The results could be a strong indicator of US demand.

no, it isn't. not for $1000.

[raino]

On a side note it would be interesting if people started to flock their service then we might finally see some change in the iron grip which is the US carrier market.

One can only wish. AT&T just terminated their MVNO relationship with Straight Talk, most likely because they perceived ST's $45 unlimited plan off of their network as a threat to their business. Unless carriers are legally mandated to share their networks with MVNOs or set reasonable usage rates, it does not bode well for MVNOs, and in the end, the customers.

[travaz]

Doesn't do me any good on VZW. Thier (Solavei) whole set up seems sketchy with a pryamid like scheme where you can make lots of mobey. No thanks

[dtsolov]

In UK unlocked Z10 was for GBP 580 and you could not find them easily. Sold out.

Posted using CrackBerry App on BB10

[DannyAves]

Sure it's high, but still undercutting a lot of the ebay sellers

No, if you check eBay you will see it as low as $810 unlocked.

[RHDJEEZY]

You guys don't seem to pay too much attention to eBay then huh?
Unlocked Z10's are going for $1,000-$1,300 on eBay non-stop.
So yes these phones WILL be sold @ $1,000.00 in the US.