BlackBerry ripens for BTCellnet

THE latest hi-tech mobile device, targeted at City types and professionals, is proving a surprise hit on building sites as well. BTCellnet, now part of mmO2, says it has been 'astonished' by demand among construction companies for the BlackBerry portable e-mail device. These days even builders need to keep in touch with office emails.

Business marketing director Chris Mathieson said: 'I guess hi-tech demand doesn't necessarily come from hi-tech industries.'

The pocket-sized BlackBerry should give newly floated mmO2 a boost. It is also proving popular with City and law firms. BTCellnet expects to sell 'tens of thousands' in coming months and well over 100,000 in a year.

BlackBerry is arguably the first available device to make proper use of the new GPRS network, which offers fast data transmission and a connection that is always on. But BTCellnet, though it has the exclusive UK licence, will not sell it in shops.

Unless your firm buys it, you are still limited to WAP phones with tiny screens and awkward keypads. This should change next year as mobile manufacturers finally produce a wide range of products, from wireless organisers to phones with built-in cameras that allow users to send photos to one another, text message-style. While the wireless revolution in business is set for a lurch forward, progress as always comes at a price.

According to research for BTCellnet, 85% of workers believe e-mail is their 'most essential business information tool' - but staff already spend 20% of the working day just dealing with e-mails.