RIM has 50 carriers testing BlackBerry 10, but Q1 timing tricky

Research in Motion is touting that it has its BlackBerry 10 platform in the labs of 50 carriers. Unfortunately, that milestone doesn't resolve the first quarter timing much.

In a statement to CNET News' Roger Cheng, RIM said:

In the last week, BlackBerry 10 achieved Lab Entry with more than 50 carriers -- a key step in our preparedness for the launch of BlackBerry 10 in the first quarter of 2013.

The catch is it's unclear when in RIM's first quarter BlackBerry 10 will launch. An early launch would be best, but analysts are betting that RIM will come in toward the end of the first quarter of 2013. Carrier certification can be delayed. 

For now, RIM is on a series of roadshows. To wit:

• RIM is working enterprise customers to pitch BlackBerry 10 as it aims to keep core customers.
• Developers are actively being courted by RIM as it woos the Android crowd with hopes they'll go native.
• And carriers are being wooed too because RIM needs distribution. Telecom players also don't desperately want a No. 3 platform so they aren't dependent on Android and Apple.

That latter audience represents RIM's first step to a successful launch.

Related: RIM's turnaround prospects: Analysts highly skeptical