India's BlackBerry users dismayed over data block threat

The Internet-enabled smartphones have become a must-have accessory in big cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, as a sign of wealth, style and success for anyone from well-heeled college students to corporate executives.

"It's definitely bad for us," said Ritika Bakliwal, a college student having morning coffee with two friends at an upmarket cafe in the heart of Mumbai's business district.

Bakliwal and her friends said that they all use their phones for instant messaging, email and browsing the Internet. They also use Google and Skype, which are also in New Delhi's sights, according to Friday's Financial Times.

The 10 Islamist extremists who attacked Mumbai in November 2008, killing 166 people, used satellite phones and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) devices to keep in touch with their Pakistani handlers, an investigation found.

"I am in denial to be honest," said Siddhartha Butalia, a 25-year-old senior product designer in New Delhi. "It's ridiculous how anyone can block a phone service. BlackBerry is the least of the government's problems."

"I am really upset," added businessman Ambuj Nautiyal, 28. "I just got the latest BlackBerry and if it gets blocked, it'll be useless to me.

BlackBerry devices, which sell from about 14,000 rupees (300 dollars), and other smartphones have become a preferred way of keeping in touch among business people and the upper echelons of Indian society.