Solavei Becomes First U.S. Carrier to Sell the BlackBerry Z10

By Jane McEntegart
published

How badly do you want it?

BlackBerry kind of got left behind while competitors like Apple and Google took the lion's share of the consumer smartphone market. Still, the company is hoping its new line of devices will change the its fortunes. The first BB10 phone, the Z10, has since gone on sale in the UK and Canada and enjoyed a rather successful launch in both countries. Still, it's not expected to launch in the United States until March.

However, it seems one carrier will be selling the Z10 long before then. MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) Solavei today announced that it would be selling the Z10 in the United States starting today. That's right, the company is partnering with GSM Nation to bring die-hard BlackBerry fans the Z10 more than a month early.

"Solavei, an affordable contract-free mobile service provider, today announces the advanced availability exclusively to its members for immediate purchase of the Blackberry Z10 through its retail partner GSM Nation," said Solavei in a release dated today. "Solavei Members can be the first to own the newest Blackberry handset before any other carrier or MVNO in the U.S."

Solavei offers customers unlimited text, voice and data for $49 and runs on T-Mobile's network. Unfortunately, if you want a Z10, you'll have to pay a hefty premium. GSM Nation has the device listed for $999 on Solavei's network. Ouch. Still, desperate times call for desperate measures and waiting six weeks for a widespread U.S. launch could constitute desperate times for some BlackBerry fans.

The Z10 packs a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU, a 4.2-inch display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of on board storage, an 8-megapixel camera in the back, a 2-megapixel camera up front. Be sure to check out our live blog of the event, as well as our unboxing, and our first impressions of the device.

A Brief Look at the Technical Specs of BlackBerry Z10, Q10

BB10 Interview With the QNX Boss of BlackBerry OS

Check out our hands-on with BlackBerry 10 on the Z10.

Interview With the BlackBerry Z10, Q10 Industrial Designer

A Complete Video Walkthrough of BlackBerry 10 OS

Read the full live blog here from the BlackBerry Experience

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

Jane McEntegart
11 Comments Comment from the forums
  • spartanmk2
    Who???
    Reply
  • Avus
    I like souvlaki on a bun...
    Reply
  • kanoobie
    AvusI like souvlaki on a bun...I could go for some chicken souvlaki after reading the title.
    Reply
  • chicofehr
    $999? You can buy an unlocked Z10 on ebay for less then that since the start of this month.
    Reply
  • jacobdrj
    chicofehr$999? You can buy an unlocked Z10 on ebay for less then that since the start of this month.There is a risk that if you get it on ebay that you would be purchasing a cheap, android based, Chinese knockoff...
    Reply
  • acktionhank
    jacobdrjThere is a risk that if you get it on ebay that you would be purchasing a cheap, android based, Chinese knockoff...
    So my only risk is getting a better phone?
    Reply
  • g00fysmiley
    jacobdrjThere is a risk that if you get it on ebay that you would be purchasing a cheap, android based, Chinese knockoff...
    and since ebay always sides with the buyer you dispute it, show proof you destroyed the item or send it back if they provide return shipping and get your money back
    Reply
  • ven1ger
    $999...sort of flabbergasted at the cost. If this is what Blackberry is trying to come back with, I doubt this will woo even diehards. This is stupid, Blackberry needs to woo back its faithful, and entice newcomers into the fold. Only the truly rich idiots will pay this, and what worst, is that if they are on a no contract plan, is because they are looking for inexpensive deals, and at $999 for a phone this is no deal.
    Reply
  • jabliese
    @ven1ger Blackberry did not price the phone at $999, Solavei is charging a premium for it's "before anyone else can get it" sale.
    Reply
  • ven1ger
    @jabliese

    I think Blackberry does have a hand in this, if they are offering it to Solavei before making it available for everyone else, they must have worked out some kind of deal together, and is usually the case, pricing would be a factor. This is going to set the price level for almost a full month before release, and a lot of people that may have been interested in it will be turned away at the $999 price level and just look elsewhere, especially when you get good proven phones for cheaper elsewhere.

    Reply