MTN has revealed that as of 1 March 2013, the R59 BlackBerry BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) package on its network will now be known as BlackBerry Absolute.

As part of the new BlackBerry Absolute Plan, available for R59, MTN customers will receive the same benefits and features normally associated with BIS, including BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), BlackBerry Email, Instant Messaging (Google Talk and Mxit for instance), on-device internet browsing and free connectivity to BlackBerry World.

The new plan includes a 200 MB fair usage policy, meaning that once customers have depleted the 200 MB allocation, they can only stay connected to BlackBerry Absolute by either using an internet bundle or getting charged directly from their airtime balance.

Free 200 MB data bundle available for three months  

MTN is offering an extra 200 MB data bundle free to customers using more than 200 MB for the first three months of the launch of Blackberry Absolute. Features such as voice calls, video calls and screen sharing do not fall within the gamut of Blackberry Absolute services. MTN customers can utilise any of MTN reduced internet bundles or the free 200 MB data allowance to utilise any of these services.

Customers using only a limited number of BlackBerry services, consuming a fairly low amount of data in the process, can employ MTN’s BlackBerry Tiered plans in place of BlackBerry Absolute. These offer selected BlackBerry services, with costs ranging from as little R14.95 through to R29.95.

“The BlackBerry Absolute Plan is aimed at optimising the network to make it efficient so as to provide a world-class experience for our customers,” said Devan Chetty, GM of Core and IP Planning at MTN SA. “It is important to note that the BlackBerry Absolute Plan will not limit our customers’ experience and connectivity on their BlackBerry handsets.”

“Our analysis of usage behaviour shows that the majority of our BlackBerry customers fall within the 200 MB usage pattern on a monthly basis. This means that those customers who use up to 200 MB per month will continue to enjoy BlackBerry features and services. It was with this understanding in mind, and our commitment to providing a world-class internet experience to our customers, that we designed BlackBerry Absolute,” Chetty concluded.

For more info log on to www.mtn.co.za or dial 173 (prepaid subscribers) or 808 (contract users) directly from your MTN cellphone.

In related news, MTN SA also recently unveiled a new MTN Mahala prepaid starter pack, containing added value incentives including free airtime, internet bundles as well as free SMSs for the first six months of use.