[SmoothOperator]

I just saw this link posted in the Bold 9000 Forums. If the 8900 is on AT&T's End-of-Life list, does this mean that AT&T is phasing out EDGE and 2G? I heard somewhere that LTE (or WiMax) will be the new network, so perhaps these are steps toward LTE? My buddy told me that he received a letter from AT&T that he needs to update his phone (from Motorola to Pantech) because his phone will no longer be supported. If 2G will be phased out, then so will all other EDGE devices? If this is the case, it may be better to sell my 8900 before it will be too late.

[MidnightDraven]

No, they will support those devices, they are simply no longer selling them.
And I don't believe they will drop their 2G network.

[zeeshan66]

ahh to sell or not to sell...that's been on my mind since the 9700 came out. I am however NOT selling and here's why. I'm not blown away by anything bb is coming out with, and not looking to change to any other manufacture in the near future. I would swap for a Torch at the right price but as it stands now i'll keep upgrading OS and enjoying a great phone.

[NJBlackBerry]

Originally Posted by SmoothOperator

I just saw this link posted in the Bold 9000 Forums. If the 8900 is on AT&T's End-of-Life list, does this mean that AT&T is phasing out EDGE and 2G? I heard somewhere that LTE (or WiMax) will be the new network, so perhaps these are steps toward LTE? My buddy told me that he received a letter from AT&T that he needs to update his phone (from Motorola to Pantech) because his phone will no longer be supported. If 2G will be phased out, then so will all other EDGE devices? If this is the case, it may be better to sell my 8900 before it will be too late.

You have a VERY active imagination.

[bb4dennis]

GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2.5G) should be around for a while still. There's rumor (RIMxxx8217;s 2011 BlackBerry lineup | BGR | Boy Genius Report) of RIM coming out with a new Curve, Bold and Storm later this year. It will not only continue to support GSM/GPRS/EDGE but also UMTS/HSPA (true 3G) which is AT&T's stepping stone towards LTE (4G). Getting to LTE should take a while. Even if carriers get to LTE, I think it'll be another while before they give consumers LTE's full bandwidth/speed.

Frankly, it doesn't surprise me that the 8900 is at end of life given the 9300 (which also does UMTS as well as GSM/GPRS/EDGE). The 9300 shipped with OS 5 but can be upgraded to OS 6. The rumored new Curve should be designed for OS 6. So logically RIM would functionally stabilize the OS on the 8900 (maybe the rumored certificated 5.0.0.1049 release) then move on. But the 8900 should continue to work fine until its hardware gives out.

I read the specs on the rumored new devices. No wow factor in any of them (to me at least). I figure I've got time to decide what will eventually replace my 8900.

[NJBlackBerry]

There is already a new Curve out.. The 8900 is supported, but you can't find one in a store.