BlackBerry Breaks Up With T-Mobile, Leaves Door Open For Future Reunion
Evidently BlackBerry is still miffed at T-Mobile for encouraging users to trade in their BlackBerry handsets for iPhone devices. As a result, the Canadian handset maker has decided to terminate its relationship with the fourth largest carrier in the U.S. by opting not to renew T-Mobile's license to sell BlackBerry products when it expires on April 25, 2014, the company announced.
Though the relationship recently turned sour, BlackBerry CEO John Chen was careful not to burn any bridges and left open the possibility that the two sides might agian have a business relationship sometime down the line. For now, however, BlackBerry just can't get past T-Mobile's infatuation with the iPhone.
"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."
This is a bold move by Chen, who's wasting no time leaving his stamp on the company as the new guy in charge. Chen said he was "outraged" when T-Mobile ran a promotion targeting BlackBerry users on its network asking them to switch to a competitors smartphone, calling it an "inappropriate and ill-conceived marketing promotion." T-Mobile later apologized, but the damage to the relationship was done.
Chen is sending a strong message by choosing not to renew its contract, though it comes at a time when BlackBerry is struggling to become relevant in the mobile space again.
Though the relationship recently turned sour, BlackBerry CEO John Chen was careful not to burn any bridges and left open the possibility that the two sides might agian have a business relationship sometime down the line. For now, however, BlackBerry just can't get past T-Mobile's infatuation with the iPhone.
"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."
This is a bold move by Chen, who's wasting no time leaving his stamp on the company as the new guy in charge. Chen said he was "outraged" when T-Mobile ran a promotion targeting BlackBerry users on its network asking them to switch to a competitors smartphone, calling it an "inappropriate and ill-conceived marketing promotion." T-Mobile later apologized, but the damage to the relationship was done.
Chen is sending a strong message by choosing not to renew its contract, though it comes at a time when BlackBerry is struggling to become relevant in the mobile space again.
