AT&T Mobility

AT&T is preparing for a Election Day sales surge on Nov. 4, when Research In Motion's BlackBerry Bold will launch at AT&T's stores nationwide for $299.

RIM's new 3G smartphone, which features a QWERTY-style keypad and trackball navigator, represents another AT&T exclusive for its U.S.-based customers, said AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega.

Research In Motion and its U.S. carrier, AT&T, are being careful to avoid the problems Apple had with its launch of the iPhone 3G.

In May, the Ontario, Canada-based company said the BlackBerry Bold 9000 would go on sale in the summer. What it didn't mention was that the phone would be available only outside the United States.

Since August, RIM has announced the availability of the Bold 9000 in a slew of countries, including Taiwan, Bahrain, Japan, Indonesia, India and Serbia, but release in the U.S. is being delayed to complete further testing, according to the company.

Research In Motion and its U.S. carrier, AT&T, are being careful to avoid the problems Apple had with its launch of the iPhone 3G.

In May, the Ontario, Canada-based company said the BlackBerry Bold 9000 would go on sale in the summer. What it didn't mention was that the phone would be available only outside the United States.

Since August, RIM has announced the availability of the Bold 9000 in a slew of countries, including Taiwan, Bahrain, Japan, Indonesia, India and Serbia, but release in the U.S. is being delayed to complete further testing, according to the company.