BlackBerry
8830 World Edition

The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone was launched with US carrier Verizon Wireless. It was a breakthrough device being the first CDMA/GSM BlackBerry which enabled it to offer global coverage. Verizon paired the launch of the phone with a “Global BlackBerry service” offering wireless e-mail and “the convenience of one local number for domestic and international use” in Australia, Europe, parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North America. As a result, Verizon subscribers were able to make voice calls in 150 countries and had data connectivity, and therefore email access, in 60 countries. At the launch, Mike Lazaridis, president and co-chief executive officer at BlackBerry maker, Research In Motion described the 8830 as “an exciting new device platform with the latest in industrial design and functional innovations.” Other carriers that ranged the 8830 included Alltel, Bell Mobility, Lusacell (Mexico), Sprint, Telus and US Cellular.