[gwgaston]

The BlackBerry Connection Newsletter that came today didn’t exactly spell it out (nor does the link below), but several folks at RIM (both sales and T-Support) have confirmed that we no longer need to purchase S/MIME CALs.

This is a recent change so expect online resellers to be slow getting the word and updating their sites.

BlackBerry - BlackBerry | Wireless Handheld Devices, Software & Services from Research In Motion (RIM)



Edit: Here is one vendor that has confirmed with RIM and updated their website:

RIM BlackBerry S/MIME CALs, Government BlackBerry CALs is an added layer of protection to your existing BES CALs used mainly and not exclusively in Government municipalities.

[adamli9]

That's incredible! I'll install it next week. It was way too expensive for us to justify the purchase of them before.

It used to be about $9,899 for 100 users.

Blackberry S/MIME Licensing for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, SMIME Software Security for Blackberry Enterprise Server, BES S/MIME, Blackberry Enterprise Server Licensing, Enterprise Server, Blackberry Handheld Security Software for PKI, Entrust,

[coachthomas4192]

I just spoke with RIM and was told that the S/MIME support package is now free but that the CALs still have to be purchased.

[gwgaston]

Just to be clear, we are talking specifically about the S/MIME CALs... the BES CALs are of course still needed.

Before I posted this, I got confirmation from:

1) AT&T RIM rep (email and verbal)
2) RIM sales (verbal)
3) T-Support (email reply)

Additionally the vendor I referenced in my first post also contacted RIM and was told the same. That is why he no longer has them for sale on his site.

When I first read the message from RIM that "The S/MIME Support Package is now available as a free download", I took that to mean that the install media could now be publically downloaded. In the past you needed to have a T-Support contract to access the download (or get a link to download it when you purchased the CALs). I didn't see anything there specifically stating that S/MIME CALs are not required to be purchased. So when our AT&T contact told us that we no longer had to buy them... I went looking for verification. When I called RIM and spoke to sales, the women I spoke with initially said they were still selling them, but after I explained that I had heard differently (and provided the RIM employee's name), she put me on hold to verify. When she returned she stated that it was a recent change, but yes S/MIME CALs were no longer required to be purchased. Not satisfied with that I opened a T-Support case. Their reply:

"I just wanted to confirm and let you know that S/MIME client access licenses are indeed now free."



They really should really make an official announcement.

[legacyb4]

This is a good thing.