Most of the revenue carrier make from cell phones, especially smartphones, is through service (voice and data) and not sales of the devices itself. That's why the cost of buying a mobile phone is so often subsidized by the operator for those who are willing to sign on the dotted line for a couple of years. This helps explain why Verizon Wireless is now offering a killer “Buy One, Get One Free” deal on RIM's BlackBerry smartphones.

Pick up a BlackBerry from Verizon and the carrier will give you one of equal or less value for free. Remarkably, the deal includes all the BlackBerry models the operator offers, including the high-end BlackBerry Storm and new BlackBerry Tour. The one catch is you need agree to a two-year contract for each of the phones.

If you run a small business and have been itching to get your staff connected with a smartphone now could be the time to do so if your carrier of choice happens to be Verizon. See here to learn more about the offer.