
The FCC has approved a BlackBerry device with Wi-Fi access. PhoneScoop reports that the approved device operates in the GSM/EDGE 850/1900 profile and will operate in the Wi-Fi spectrum ranges of 5.4 Ghz, 5.8 Ghz and 2.4 Ghz range, providing 802.11a/b/g coverage. RIM CEO has said that they intend to launch a Wi-Fi capable BlackBerry device by the end of 2007.
BlackBerry realizes in order to keep their wireless carrier partners competitive, they had to offer a Wi-Fi BlackBerry. The list of smartphones with Wi-Fi access is growing, incuding Apple’s iPhone, and a variety of HTC devices which work on the at&t wireless, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless networks. A conspicuously absent player from this list is the Palm Treo.