Verizon Wireless offers the Pearl, and new rate plans for BlackBerrys

Verizon Wireless is offering Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry Pearl online accompanied by a new pricing scheme for BlackBerry e-mail and Web access. Verizon Wireless retail stores and their stores in Circuit City will offer the device beginning Nov. 8.
The move takes advantage of the Pearl’s popularity at competing carriers and lowers the cost of entry for those considering an upgrade to the BlackBerry service.
The Pearl is being offered by Verizon Wireless online at $150 with a voice and data plan. Qualified customers-those with both voice and data plans-who walk into the carrier’s brick-and-mortar retail stores receive the same price.
The carrier already offers three BlackBerry models, but RIM’s Pearl has proved popular at GSM carriers AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile USA Inc. over the past year with its slimmer form factor and multimedia offerings that target the new “work/life” paradigm of productivity and entertainment features. (Verizon Wireless’ Pearl is the first CDMA version of the device.) The BlackBerry’s traditional QWERTY keypad is modified for the Pearl to a two-letter-per-button predictive keypad, accompanied by a trackball rather than a scrollwheel.
The offering of RIM’s BlackBerry devices appears to be a reliable temptation for carriers as the Canadian company continues to rack up impressive earnings and dominate the United States smartphone market.
The rate plans allow a subscriber to Verizon Wireless’ Nationwide voice plan to obtain e-mail and Web access for the carrier’s selection of BlackBerries for an additional $30 per month. Nationwide Basic and Select plans begin at $40 per month for 450 minutes. Unlimited e-mail and Web access-data only-costs $35 per month.
The new rate plan may be an effort by the carrier to compete with T-Mobile USA, which set a new rate plan for its Pearl offering in September-the Seattle-based carrier makes a basic, unlimited e-mail plan available for $10 to BlackBerry purchasers with voice plans.