The highest rate of penetration for BlackBerry Messenger users is in the Caribbean and Latin America, according to RIM’s carrier relationship marketing manager for the region, Angela Friar.
Friar was speaking during the RIM/LIME launch of four of the latest BlackBerry smartphone devices and OS 7 (Operating System 7) platform yesterday at the Olympus Theatres VIP Lounge.
The four new devices launched were the BlackBerry Bold 9900, Torch 9850, Torch 9810 and the Curve 9360.
“In the Caribbean, we actually have the highest penetrations of BlackBerry Messenger worldwide – up to about 90 per cent. So every nine persons who buy a BlackBerry with a data plan is using BlackBerry Messenger,” said Friar.
She further told the DAILY?NATION: “I can say that BlackBerry in Latin America and the Caribbean holds the number one smartphone position with market share of over 45 per cent, based on industry stance.”
Describing the new series of smartphone as “smooth, fast and high-end”, Friar said they were “significantly more powerful”.
She also noted that the new OS 7 platform had PDF and Microsoft Office capabilities.
Head of marketing for LIME (Barbados), Gail Niles, stated that the BlackBerry Curve continued to be a favourite across the market, while the Torch and Bold “are also popular, but mostly among the corporate clients”. (MM)
Above, RIM’S carrier relationship marketing manager for the Caribbean and Latin America, Angela Friar, talking to LIME’s head of marketing (Barbados), Gail Niles, about the new smartphones. (Picture by Nigel Browne.)
