• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
BlackBerry

U.S. Senate to Drop BlackBerry in Favor of iPhone, Android Devices

Barb Darrow
By
Barb Darrow
Barb Darrow
Down Arrow Button Icon
Barb Darrow
By
Barb Darrow
Barb Darrow
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 5, 2016, 8:48 AM ET
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2
Photograph by Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images

Updated from 8:59 a.m.

Update: A BlackBerry spokesperson said the company has stopped making only the BlackBerry Classic model, but continues to sell other BlackBerry 10 smartphones in most markets. Customers should check with their carriers for availability. BlackBerry also offers Android-based smartphones.

In another blow to what was once the mobile device of choice for the security obsessed, the U.S. Senate will stop handing out BlackBerry mobile devices to it staffers.

The Senate’s mobile communications services unit told administrative staff last week that it has some 600 BlackBerry devices left in stock, but once they’re gone, they’re gone and staffers will have to move on.

Instead staffers will be offered select iPhone or Android devices, according to a memo obtained by political blog Bomble.com and Politico last week. The reason? BlackBerry (the company) discontinued production of several BlackBerry 10 devices.

From the memo sent out to Senate staff and obtained by Bomble, offices can migrate to Samsung (SSNLF) S6 Android or Apple (APPL) iPhone SE devices via Verizon (VZ).

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Few under the age of 40 probably remember how dominant BlackBerry (BBRY) devices were among corporate users. BlackBerry was the device of choice for IT departments because its service was viewed as much more secure than what was offered with young up-and-coming iPhone and Android phones. BlackBerry’s dominance among the political elite was signified by the famous picture of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wearing dark glasses and typing away on her BlackBerry.

BlackBerry Breaks Even in Q1

But the “bring your own device” (BYOD) wave that swelled over the past decade as CEOs and other top executives started insisting on using their personal iPhones and Android devices for work helped spell the end to that corporate dominance. Well-built, and enterprise-focused, BlackBerry devices still have their fans.

As Politico pointed out, BlackBerry was the only messaging service that kept on working when a 2011 earthquake near Washington, D.C., took down every other messaging service.

For more on smartphones, watch this video:

The Senate was one of the last bastions for Blackberry devices. Adherents still cite the long battery life, secure email, and keyboards as key selling points.

Late last month, BlackBerry chief executive John Chen vowed to make the company’s device business profitable again.

About the Author
Barb Darrow
By Barb Darrow
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Big TechStreaming
Trump says Netflix-Warner Bros. deal ‘could be a problem’
By Hadriana Lowenkron, Se Young Lee and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
23 minutes ago
Big TechOpenAI
OpenAI goes from stock market savior to burden as AI risks mount
By Ryan Vlastelica and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
32 minutes ago
InvestingStock
What bubble? Asset managers in risk-on mode stick with stocks
By Julien Ponthus, Natalia Kniazhevich, Abhishek Vishnoi and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
42 minutes ago
EconomyTariffs and trade
Macron warns EU may hit China with tariffs over trade surplus
By James Regan and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
52 minutes ago
EconomyTariffs and trade
U.S. trade chief says China has complied with terms of trade deals
By Hadriana Lowenkron and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
1 hour ago
PoliticsCongress
Leaders in Congress outperform rank-and-file lawmakers on stock trades by up to 47% a year, researchers say
By Jason MaDecember 7, 2025
1 hour ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
AI
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China 'they can build a hospital in a weekend'
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The most likely solution to the U.S. debt crisis is severe austerity triggered by a fiscal calamity, former White House economic adviser says
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook for the metaverse. Four years and $70 billion in losses later, he’s moving on
By Eva RoytburgDecember 5, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Europe has a 'real problem’
By Katherine Chiglinsky and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Uncategorized
Transforming customer support through intelligent AI operations
By Lauren ChomiukNovember 26, 2025
11 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.