True to introduce BlackBerry Torch to Thailand in November

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TelecomPaper is reporting that True is to launch the latest BlackBerry device, the Torch, in Thailand in November with pre-bookings now open:

Thai mobile operator TrueMove will launch the BlackBerry Torch in early November and has made pre-booking available now.

The BlackBerry Torch smartphone from TrueMove is priced at THB 20,468 (excluding VAT). The touchscreen device features a Qwerty slide-out keyboard, support for 3G and Wi-Fi, and also comes with GPS.

The BlackBerry Torch also comes with a 5-megapixel camera, 8 GB of in-built storage and micro SD card support, and features BlackBerry 6, the new operating system for BlackBerry smartphones.

BlackBerry devices are hugely popular in Thailand, though it remains to be seen if the growing number of generations of iPhones, lower prices (for older models) and the growth of Android-devices in the country’s smartphone market will affect the popularity of RIM’s latest flagship model.

More information on Torch for True is available on the operator’s website here.

Interestingly the official press release makes mention of 3G services in Thailand, for which the phone is configured for:

TrueMove customers can enjoy full connectivity with popular services such as BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™), Facebook, Twitter, Push Mail and Internet browsing via TrueMove’s multi-platform network which includes 3G*, Wi-Fi coverage with 18,000 hotspots and EDGE nationwide.

As one would expect here is the small print, lest we forget Thailand’s ongoing 3G problems:

 *3G service (on 850MHz band frequency) is a part of network improvement and development in specific areas for a service excellence experience from TrueMove

Ah yes, a BlackBerry without 3G is like… buying a brand new sports car and restricting yourself to driving at 40km per hour, as one telecoms exec described.



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