Mobile operator Orange UK said Thursday it is bringing the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 to prepay consumers, marking a first for the UK market.

Because of its reliance on a data connection, BlackBerrys, made by Canadian manufacturer Research In Motion (RIM) are typically only sold on a contract basis.

But Orange is bringing the Pearl 8120 to its Pay As You Go (PAYG) customers for £145. Consumers then choose one of Orange’s existing PAYG Animal packages, and the PAYG BlackBerry Internet Service at £5 per month, on a monthly rolling subscription.

Pippa Dunn, director of Pay As You Go at Orange UK said: “With nearly two thirds of UK mobile customers now using pay as you go, we are really pleased to be bringing  one of the most popular email and multimedia devices to the masses as the first operator to offer BlackBerry on pay as you go in the UK.”