MANILA, Philippines ?Smart Communications is turning the heat up in the growing market for Research In Motion?s (RIM) Blackberry mobile device as it introduces flat-rate unlimited data packages for prepaid users.

For an additional P50 per 24 hours, prepaid users can avail of unlimited Internet connection on their Blackberry device.

Another option is P300 for seven days unlimited access, which translates to P1,200 per month if the user avails of the service per week.

The fee for the unlimited Internet access is on top of the cost of using the Blackberry device for voice calls and text messages.

The Blackberry mobile phone was initially available only for postpaid subscribers. Internet access via cellular connection would cost around a few centavos per kilobyte, which was an issue for some subscribers due to the high monthly payment for Internet access.

The Blackberry device is also one of the more expensive mobile units, with the cheapest going for around P20,000.

Smart?s rival Globe Telecom also offers the Blackberry device for both postpaid and prepaid users. The latter an unlimited Internet service for P2,000 per month on top of monthly plans.

Although there are no figures as to the number of Blackberry users in the Philippines, the device is becoming a highly popular business device as it allows subscribers to get access to their corporate emails.