Orange will be the first mobile internet operator to offer customers the BlackBerry Bold.

The device will be launched in the UK on August 16th, a month before T-Mobile is set to release its BlackBerry Bold package.

This is despite the fact that T-Mobile became the first mobile provider to announce details of the smartphone which was developed in collaboration with Research-in-Motion (RIM).

Orange stores will take delivery of the phone from August 14th, with the product available to customers two days later, a spokesperson told the Inquirer.

Carphone Warehouse will then stock the Bold on Orange from August 21st and tariffs are set to start from £45 per month.

Rivals Vodafone and O2 have yet to announce arrival dates for their Bold offerings.

An O2 spokesperson told the Inquirer: "The Blackberry Bold is still undergoing product testing. We will only launch a device when we are confident it will deliver a great customer experience."