Abigail with Attitude: Bankers feel the pressures of the Blackberry crumble

Somehow, we seem to be back in the TMT era. Do you even remember what those initials stood for? Think telecoms, media, technology, and dial back 12 years to the dot.com mania and the 3G auctions for mobile phone licences.

In mid-October, the BlackBerry email network went down for several days causing consternation to most financiers. For several years now, the BlackBerry has been seen as uncool. “A device for boring, old men,” one teenager sniffed.

But I should point out that the London rioters planned their nocturnal activities using BlackBerry’s free messaging service.

The BlackBerry crumble, as they’re calling the hiatus, presumably means that the Apple iPhone will gain ground as a business tool.

One senior banker wailed: “I’m on a business trip in the States and I have no access to email. That means, when I return, I will need to read at least 1,500 emails. It’s unbearable.” I made soothing noises but inside I felt smug. I changed my BlackBerry for an iPhone more than a year ago. The Abigail with attitude column is always ahead of the curve. 

Bankers feel the pressures of the Blackberry crumble 

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