T-Mobile CEO expressed his disappointment over the break-up with BlackBerry in an open letter and rolled out a special treat to BlackBerry users by offering a $100 credit for any upgrade.
T-Mobile CEO John Legere says he is disappointed with the companies' falling out with Blackberry. In an open letter to BlackBerry fans, Legere promised to fully support its users if they chose to continue using their BlackBerry handsets. The carrier goes beyond that by offering a $100 credit on upgrading their old phones, but for only BlackBerry users. And no it's nothing like the controversial "Switch to iPhone 5S" campaign.
T-Mobile is offering the credit to BlackBerry loyal customers on its network even if they want to upgrade to a higher BlackBerry model, such as Z10 or Q10. Most importantly, the carrier is not taking away their old handsets to offer the credit. As for existing users, Legere insists that everything remains unchanged. Timely OS updates, support for 4G LTE for individual customers and business consumers will continue as norm. The $100 credit offer will last longer than the 'Switch to iPhone' for $0 down. Customers can avail the discount anytime before the end of this year, provided the stocks last.
"To show our appreciation for all current consumers so passionate and loyal to all things BlackBerry, we're offering a $100 credit toward any new device, including the BlackBerry Q10 or the Z10," Legere wrote in the company's blog post, Thursday. "And this offer is good through the end of the year. So you can take your time."
After a series of public spats, T-Mobile offered up to $250 credit for trading in an old BlackBerry handset and purchasing a new one with the carrier.
T-Mobile's latest move comes as a peace offering, two days after BlackBerry decided to end ties with the fourth largest U.S. carrier. BlackBerry CEO John Chen said the company will not renew the licensing contract with T-Mobile that allows the carrier to sell BlackBerry handsets on its network. The current contract expires April 25, but T-Mobile can continue to sell the existing stock.
For those who want to be on T-Mobile's growing network with a BlackBerry smartphone, they must act fast. Even if the carrier runs out of stock anytime this year, customers can anytime bring an unlocked smartphone and connect it to T-Mobile's no contract, unlimited everything, no upgrade wait plans, Legere said.
Legere added that the $100 credit for BlackBerry was not only offer on the table. "Stay tuned for another Un-carrier offer that gives you more value and even more reasons to stay with America's fastest growing wireless company," he added.
