Press Release:
Companies Introduce BlackBerry Bold 9650 Smartphone
Shanghai, China and Waterloo, Ontario – China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced plans to launch BlackBerry® services for small businesses in China. In addition, the companies are launching the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9650 smartphone.
Beginning May 17, China Telecom will offer BlackBerry® Internet Service for small business customers from RMB89 per month. BlackBerry Internet Service enables users to send and receive email from up to 10 supported work and personal email accounts. Additionally, the service will support BBM™ and various Instant Messaging services, which help users stay easily connected. BlackBerry Internet Service can also support a wide range of third-party applications spanning business productivity to personal entertainment.
China Telecom will also offer BlackBerry® Enterprise Server Express, a free software downloaded from RIM that provides small businesses and SOHOs advanced management and security features with no additional software or per user licensing fees.
BlackBerry Bold 9650 Smartphone
The BlackBerry Bold 9650 from China Telecom is a global smartphone for CDMA customers who want to stay connected, productive and entertained while on-the-go. It supports 3G networks and has a full-QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad and built-in Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g), which enables users to talk on the phone while browsing the web or sending and receiving email. The BlackBerry Bold 9650 includes 512 MB Flash memory and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB microSDHC cards for storage. A 2 GB card is included.
The BlackBerry Bold 9650 fuses form and function in a striking design and, in addition to providing premium phone and multimedia features, it delivers the industry’s leading mobile solution for email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking.
Commenting on the launch, Liang Zhi Ping, General Manager, Government and Enterprise, Customer Department, China Telecommunications Corporation said, “The BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone, together with the new affordable BlackBerry service plan from China Telecom, and BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express from RIM offer small businesses a one-stop integrated solution to meet their mobility needs, and helps them maintain their competitive edge.”
Gregory Shea, Managing Director of China, Research In Motion, said, “RIM is very pleased to launch the BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone and extend BlackBerry services to small business in China. With their extensive market reach and flexible service offerings, we believe small businesses will be well served by China Telecom.”
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of RIM’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.