BIS here to stay, says MTN

The mobile operator has rubbished speculation that it plans to scrap the popular BlackBerry Internet Service.

Added by Craig Wilson on 20 February 2013.
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MTN has refuted talk that it is considering ending the popular flat-rated BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) that gives users of existing BlackBerry devices unlimited browsing, e-mail and use of the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service for a low fixed monthly fee.

Speculation that the operator was terminating BIS emerged in the wake of the announcement of BlackBerry’s latest device, the Z10, which is powered by BlackBerry 10, the Canadian company’s latest version of its mobile operating system that apparently won’t support BIS.

In a statement, MTN says there has been “speculation in the public domain” that the operator plans to end the BIS plans.

“MTN wishes to clear up the confusion and put its customers at ease by assuring them that the BIS service will not be discontinued.”

The operator adds that it has an “array of Blackberry plans designed to suit the demands and affordability of its customers” and that it will make the necessary announcements to the public should there be any changes to its BIS services, “but we do not intend to discontinue the service”.  — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media

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  • Matthew Bentley

    Semantics.Line 2 speaks about existing BB users. We know this will not change, the worry is that the R60 flat rate WILL fall away for users of new devices. They may package it differently and still call it BIS but it will essentially be BS – definitely not the R60-all in charge as it currently exists.

  • Greg Mahlknecht

    Yup, I don’t think anyone was actually worried if BIS would go altogether. They obviously have to keep it to keep their current devices – the question is, will it still be affordable, or will the operators push people off the BB7 platform by making the packages less and less attractive.

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