Blackberry loses government agency business to iPhone ICE terminates $2.1 million contract with Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) due to โInferiorโ technology. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) announced it will end its eight year-long affiliation with Blackberry due to the agencyโs assessment that the device no longer satisfies the agencyโs future technological needs. The loss of the government contract deals a severe setback to the RIMโs future prospects as a serious player in the burgeoning smart phone market. The loss of the Government contract is occurring only months prior to RIMโs anticipated release of a new device that was expected re-vitalize the ailing mobile phone manufacturer.
ICE conducted an exhaustive review of Appleโs iPhones, Googleโs Android Operating System and the Blackberry. ICE concluded that, for its foreseeable needs, Appleโs iPhone best serves the Agencyโs technological requirements for its personnel. ICE cited Appleโs rigid quality controls and its superior operating system for its final decision. Under the contract, Apple will provide the mobile devices to more than 17,000 federal employees. Agencies under ICEโs auspices include Homeland Security Investigations, Enforcement and Removal Operations and Office of the Principal Legal Advisor staff.
ICE further commented that the iPhone will optimize the agencyโs requirement for the most secure and stable platform available.
ICE is not the only major account to recently abandon Blackberryโs uncertain future. The major accounting firm of Booz Allen announced last week its intentions to drop RIMโs device in favor for the iPhone. Previously, the troubled company provided the consulting firm with about 25,000 devices. Industry prognosticators are predicting more account loses for RIM, which was betting the farm on its new product release of the BB10. The anticipated product rollout is touting a revamped O/S system and is geared to establish the company as a major player in the smart phone arena. RIM still serves the mobile device needs of more than 1 million federal workers. Unfortunately, market momentum is not favoring RIM.
