Blackberry Announces its Exit from Pakistan

After Pakistan Telecommunication Authority announced in July that Blackberry Enterprise Services (BES) were to be shut down in Pakistan from November 30th, 2015, to save its face, Blackberry has today said that its exiting from Pakistan from December 1st, 2015.

Blackberry, through a blogpost, said that it’s exiting from Pakistan after it denied the government backdoor access to its servers.

‘Pakistani government wanted the ability to monitor all BlackBerry Enterprise Service traffic in the country, including every BES e-mail and BES BBM message’ – Marty Beard, Chief Operating Officer at BlackBerry.

Blackberry, however, couldn’t explain why it didn’t exit the country earlier — when such requests were being made — and it only announced the exit after it was ordered to be shut down in the country.

As mentioned above, PTA had already asked Pakistani operators to stop offering BES services to its customers, starting November 30th, 2015. Directive from PTA had asked mobile phone companies to ensure that there is no BES connection active after November 30th, 2015.

However, Blackberry phones will keep working even after December 1st, 2015 though only voice and SMS services will be available.

Also Read: Corporate Lies: Why the Story Behind BlackBerry Pakistan Exit Sounds Fishy

For those who don’t know, Blackberry services are primarily of two types:

BIS

BIS or BlackBerry Internet Service gives your BlackBerry access to the Internet. BIS is like an ISP (usually your cellular provider) and every time your BlackBerry gets an email, or accesses a webpage it goes through BIS (your operator) to do so.

BES

BES or BlackBerry Enterprise Server gives your BlackBerry access to a corporate intranet. The intranet is the private internal network within a company that is called BES. It’s kind of like a mini-internet that is cut off from the rest of the world.

Many intranets allow you to communicate with the Internet as well, but with added layers of security.

Update: 

PTA Gives Blackberry Another Month to Reach a Deal and Stay in Pakistan

Tech and telecom reporter for over 15 years


  • I have a plan to buy Blackberry Q10, Should I buy.. May I use this mobile as normal for internet, sms, voice etc..?

  • hahaha … soon you’re exiting from the smartphone market altogether …

    its more like a gain than a loss for pak…

    NOW is the chance to invite some chinese company to take its place !

    • Black berry has amazing plans to strike back with their android phones. Their BB priv is already doing amazing well. i dont think they will be exiting smartphone market anytime soon.

      • BB priv is technically their LAST shot , if they fail to reach the target sales , which is pretty ambitious for a $799 phone , they have vowed never to make another phone again…

        which actually doesnt sound so bad

        • Yes about that. I read a recent interview from their CEO. He said discontinuing bb phone production on not reaching target sale was a rumor. They have never discussed discontinuing smartphone production.

          Official price of priv in US is 699$*. Not 799.

          • honestly , though they are already dead in the market unless they can come up with a fw cards to trump all sectors .. budget , midrange AND high-end , else their smartphone business is destined for failure.

            as for the price , i try to take reseller profit into account because no one sells it on honest prices … i saw it on ishopping for 91k , aka around $900…

    • Love Chinese companies. Come to my Chinese Restaurant in F11. Ask for Ahmed. Ill give you good price on rice sold by the piece.

  • “However, Blackberry phones will keep working even after December 1st, 2015 though only voice and SMS services will be available.”

    This only applies for old Blackberry phone, their will be no effect on latest BB10 phones.

  • Blackberry is already a bankrupt company possible face saving excuse.Bye bye no one here will miss you.


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