What is the future of the 8700 series:

[Cane93]

Will Any other carriers, beside Cingular be offering it in the near future. If so which ones and when?

[Mark Rejhon]

Yes. After the Cingular exclusivity ends.
(Various different sources say 30 day, 60 day or 90 day.)

Look at the 7100 for the answer to your question. The 7100 was exclusive to one carrier per country at first. Obviously, when one observes the history of a new BlackBerry release, the answer is: Everyone who has the 7100 now, will almost certainly eventually get the 8700 within the next 12 months.

What can't easily be answered is the "when" -- 3 months? 6? 7? 8?

[Boy Genius]

Cingular has a 90-day exclusive agreement that started November 1st... (Within the US that is)