A Citigroup analyst who has used the BlackBerry Bold smartphone reports that the forthcoming device from Research In Motion is suffering the same 3G reception woes that the 3G iPhone is.According to Electronista, Citigroup investment analyst Jim Suva issued a report on the BlackBerry Bold today. The Bold goes on sale in Canada this week, but isn't yet available in the U.S. AT&T plans to sell the device at some point in the future, with sources pointing to September.

Suva is mostly positive about the Bold, saying, "We believe it will appeal to business users who travel internationally, but less so to consumers, given its likely high price." The Bold has tri-band 3G radios, meaning it can access 3G in the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia.

But it is that 3G that is apparently causing problems. Suva said that the device will frequently drop a 3G connection and revert to EDGE, even when there is a strong 3G signal. This is similar to the behavior of another phone of late.

Suva notes that the version he tested was a prerelease version. It is possible that RIM and AT&T are still finalizing the software on the Bold, which could clear up reception issues.

This is not great news. If the Bold were to be released to the public and experience the same issues that the 3G iPhone is, it might besmirch AT&T's reputation -- and RIM's.