Verizon, Sprint Deliver GSM/CDMA-BlackBerry Combo

Research In Motion today released a new phone that will let conventional CDMA vendors Verizon and Sprint offer their customers a GSM option in other markets.

The new BlackBerry 8830 is a version of the recently announced BlackBerry 8800, which features a full keyboard, multimedia features, GPS, card storage and more. The 8830 most notably adds dual-mode CDMA/GSM over-the-air interfaces. Verizon and Sprint users connect using CDMA in the United States but now would have the option of using the same phone via GSM overseas.One difference between the two carriers: Sprint apparently will offer its phone "unlocked," meaning that customers can choose a different GSM carrier overseas if they prefer. Verizon, on the other hand, will require customers use the Verizon network only.

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