BlackBerry In Pakistan
Gone are the days when BlackBerry was not a stylish or ‘in’ device. 
BlackBerry is experiencing explosive growth all over the world and its popularity is rising in Pakistan too. Currently Mobilink offers BlackBerry service in Pakistan. Ufone has announced that it will soon offer BlackBerry service as well.
On Mobilink’s site the most interesting part for me was the testimonial page which showcases top industrialists in Pakistan. According to news Pakistani politicians are not behind… some have already been known to use their BlackBerry in public.
For those travelling from abroad to Pakistan who want to continue using their BlackBerry in Pakistan, it is best to get roaming service from their provider. Talk with your service provider for details. For instance T-mobile charges $20 per month for roaming data service outside US. Remember to get the roaming activated for both data separately otherwise you may have international calls but no email.
In an interesting marketing move Mobilink partnered with LUMS (Lahore University Of Management Sciences) and offered Blackberry service to staff and students. I assume its either free or at a nominal cost - please correct me if I am wrong. There is a fine line between academia and industry cooperation and this came under some criticism as some people did not think it was appropriate for LUMS to enter into such partnership. However the counterpoint is explained here:
Dr. Syed Zahoor Hassan, Vice Chancellor LUMS appreciated the offer made to LUMS by Mobilink. He opined, “Exposure of faculty, staff, and students to an integrated wireless solution like BlackBerry would dovetail magnificently with a number of other IT initiatives that the university is undertaking. There is every reason to believe, that LUMS could collaborate with Mobilink in the development of applications for BlackBerry through the involvement of its Computer Science faculty and students.” Both LUMS and Mobilink will harness their respective expertise in developing specialized campus applications that will give mobile access to the university’s existing processes.
On a lighter note see this interesting BlackBerry narrative from prominent blogger Teeth Maestro.
Ever since the introduction of those hideous & ghastly looking Blackberry devices namely the model 7230 which was the first unit introduced by Mobilink in Pakistan a few years back, I used to hear stories that the device alone contributed to a number of wreaked marriages simply because the work email came home destroying any family time with the persistent never ending excuse ‘honey I have to answer this last email….‘, and the emails never stopped coming leaving behind a Crackberry drone.
I have been a Blackberry Pearl user for over three months and I cannot imagine how life is easier with the push email technology. Prior to the Blackberry addiction I was bonafide net addict, had this urge to check my computer every 10-15 minutes for any new email, I assure there was no critical business that could not wait a few hours but it was a habit acquired over 20 years of Internet addiction. The arrival of the Blackberry Pearl has actually pulled me away from my laptop and allowed me to spend more time peacefully away from the computer, which for me is a major improvement.
The trick lies is how you control your Crackberry addiction, I continue to see blackberry users reacting to every beep and vibration when a new email is pushed into their cell phones, this attention generating pulse results in a desperate scramble to check each and every email as it life depended upon it even if it were to buzz in the middle of a high-profile romantic dinner (UH OH!). As mentioned the trick lies in how you customize your phone for all email alerts, I have carefully configured my device to only display visual red light alerting me of the email, and when I ‘choose’ to glance at my cell phone the red light can show the presence or absence of an email. The important key word is ‘When I Choose‘, not when the Blackberry chooses to disturb me.
By the way this company, RIM [Research In Motion] has rewarded its shareholders really well. Its shares rose to an all-time high sometime ago after the BlackBerry maker reported that its earnings more than doubled.
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[...] post by unknown and software by Elliott [...]
My two cents
I personally, I dont see anything wrong with the LUMS-Mobilink deal. It’s like partnering with Cisco to provide networking solution. If it was in any way anti-competitive for other players, or imposed on the students then there would have been issues.
Why Blackberry? In 2008 the Gphone is coming out, and thats an open platform - so why not partner with them instead?
Why wait for Gphone? In 2009 the [some product] is coming out, and has [some good attribute] - so why not partner with them instead?
For some people an existing solution such as Blackberry is a safer bet. These partnerships are usually good for certain duration so who knows what might happen when Gphone comes.
BlackBerry attitude relates to business and business relates pretty well to LUMS hence the BlackBerry - LUMS partnership. BlackBerry might not come with all those bells and whistles of GPhone or anyother handset for that matter but the rationale and message that transmits behind Mobilink and LUMS JV describes “Business”.
Thanks,
Bilal
bilal_mughal@msn.com
Agha Khan University is next to form alliance with Mobilink Blackberry.
http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/11/22/national1.htm
[...] http://telecompk.net/2007/11/01/blackberry-in-pakistan/ [...]
i want blackberry, how can i get? please help me my cell no is 03007408300
enjoy
can any one tell me mobilink and LUMS deal details….i mean what mobilink is giving to lums and what lums is giving to mobilink
Mobilink is giving BlackBerry to LUMS and LUMS is giving a thumb to Mobilink.
hi this is mohsan from grw
i have recieved blackberry from usa…..plz give me indication,, how can i get its all services.. my cell no is 03006476070 …thanks
I want a blackberry but not with mobilink please let me know how can i get one of my choice my cell 0345 5822222
Try Ufone:
http://telecompk.net/2008/05/28/ufone-joins-blackberry-club-in-pakistan/
Also heard that Warid will be offering Blackberry soon.
im goin to pakistan and i need a cell fone im interested in buyin a blackberry but i have a telenor sim will it work and how much is it for me to buy a new one…
i have a blackberry pearl 8100 of orange..i want too open his country code..from where i can open his code..
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