Rogers Communications WILL Stock BlackBerry Z30 After Consumer Backlash

Canadian operator Rogers Communications has reversed its decision not to stock the BlackBerry Z30 and will now offer the device following customer feedback.

The BlackBerry Z30 is the fourth smartphone to be released running BlackBerry 10 and was appointed the company’s new flagship handset last month, replacing the incumbent BlackBerry Z10 as part of a streamlining of its device portfolio.

BlackBerry said it was going to discount the Z10 to make it more appealing to mid-range consumers having failed to gain traction as a high-end device and contributing to losses of £624 million.

BlackBerry Z30

Rogers said earlier this week it would not offer the BlackBerry Z30 to customers as it could only stock 15-17 devices in its stores and it had to go with the ones it believed it was successful.

The two companies’ relationship dates back to the 1990s, meaning the initial decision to pass up the phone would have been a critical blow to the struggling Canadian manufacturer in its own back yard. However Rogers has changed its mind and will join rivals Bell and Telus, which have also agreed to stock the Z30.

“We have a longstanding partnership with Blackberry and continue to be big supporters of the company and their products,” said Rogers. “Rogers will be making the device available online, through our national reservation system and directly to our business to business customers. We’re pleased to add the new Z30 to our roster of Blackberry smartphones, which includes the Z10, Q10 and Q5.”

BlackBerry is currently up for sale and has signed a preliminary agreement with its largest shareholder Fairfax Holdings. However reports suggest  Google, Microsoft, Intel, SAP, Cisco and a number of venture capital firms are eyeing up bids as concerns about Fairfax’s ability to raise the required funds grow.

BlackBerry has had a bumpy year! Try our 2013 BlackBerry quiz!