Local mobile behemoths Vodacom and MTN have announced the local launch of BlackBerry’s new Z10 smartphone, the first mobile device operating on the Canadian company’s new BlackBerry 10 platform.

This smartphone is now available from Vodacom World in Midrand and will be available from other Vodacom stores as of 22 February 2013. MTN SA has also announced that the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone will be available at MTN stores nationwide as of 22 February.

BlS not available for BlackBerry 10

BlackBerry’s Z10 is available on a Vodacom contract at R479 per month, which nets users 75 voice minutes, 150 SMS and 575 MB over the 24 months duration of the contract. In addition, subscribers will also get unlimited BBM texting up until 31 May 2013, with a new BBM VAS (value added service) offer launching on 1 June 2013 with pricing info of this offer being revealed closer to launch.

The biggest selling point of any BlackBerry smartphone, namely BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service), will not be available for BlackBerry 10-running mobile device. BIS provides customers with unlimited on-device browsing, IM messaging, social networking services, and connectivity to BlackBerry World. Vodacom did state that BIS will still be available on older  BlackBerry devices running on BlackBerry OS 7.1 and earlier.

Like Vodacom, MTN stated that existing BlackBerry customers will continue to be able to utilise BIS services, but clients buying the new BlackBerry 10 operating devices cannot use BIS. These customers will be able to employ their BlackBerry 10 smartphones like any other smartphone, by loading any of MTN’s data bundles.

The BlackBerry Z10 will be available at stores on the following MTN packages:

• MTN Anytime 200 for R399 over 24 months (includes R200 airtime value and 250 MB)
• MTN Anytime 350 for R499 over 24 months (includes R350 airtime value and 250 MB)
• MTN Anytime 500 for R549 over 24 months (includes R500 airtime value and 300 MB)
• MTN Anytime 750 for R879 over 24 months (includes R750 airtime value and 300 MB)
• MTN Anytime 1200 for R1 299 over 24 months (includes R1 200 airtime value and 300 MB)
• MTN Anytime 1500 for R1 599 over 24 months (includes R1 500 airtime value and 300 MB)