Orange launches Blackberry Bold

Orange is launching the Blackberry Bold handset, billed as a major rival to the iPhone, this weekend. It will be available in stores and on Orange contracts from tomorrow (August 16).

The mobile operator, which is giving the phone away free to consumers on contracts of over £40, will sell the handset exclusively for the next two weeks. It is understood that T-Mobile will then also sell the high-speed internet device.

The Blackberry Bold is the first Blackberry smartphone to support high-speed 3G and 3G+HSDPA networks and comes with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi. It can also support voice and data capabilities simultaneously, allowing users to navigate while on a call.

Orange says the phone combines “functionality, performance, usability and design” through its improved rendering capabilities and faster download speeds.

The new version of Apple’s iPhone, which is exclusive to O2, launched last month. The new device is cheaper than its original counterpart and has improved internet speeds