FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hong Kong and Waterloo, ON - May 6, 2002 - Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited and Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM) today announced the commercial launch of the BlackBerryTM wireless email solution operating on Hutchison Telecom's Orange GSM Dualband and GPRS network in Hong Kong. Hutchison Telecom is the first mobile operator in Asia to offer the BlackBerry solution, which is now available for purchase in Hong Kong through Hutchison Telecom. BlackBerry provides corporate customers with the most comprehensive end-to-end wireless solution that includes integrated email, phone, SMS, WAP and organizer features.
"The launch of BlackBerry in Hong Kong today and the impending launch in Macau is the very first partnership between Hutchison and RIM. Mainland China will be our next target market for the BlackBerry solution. Hutchison and RIM share a long-term vision on the wireless future. We have the intention to work together to develop 3G applications and extend RIM's technology to our Group's 3G markets worldwide," said Canning Fok, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Whampoa Limited.
"BlackBerry has become extremely popular with corporate customers because of its value to both the individual and the organization. BlackBerry was designed to provide the individual user with compelling applications for their communications and information needs while providing the organization with a secure, manageable and extensible solution," said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "As we enter this market today with Hutchison Telecom, we look forward to helping customers in Asia to derive the same organizational value and return on investment experienced by BlackBerry customers in North America and Europe. We also look forward to a longstanding relationship with Hutchison Telecom that leverages our respective positions and provides new growth opportunities."
"Hutchison Telecom is proud to be Asia's first mobile operator to offer the world-recognized, powerful BlackBerry solution exclusively to our Hong Kong and Macau users. It further demonstrates our capability for developing leading-edge services through our superior network and information technology, reaffirming our leadership position in the corporate and business market. Through BlackBerry, users can experience the superb quality of our GPRS high speed data service, allowing them to increase work efficiency, productivity and overall competitiveness," said Agnes Nardi, Managing Director of Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited. "The provision of innovative applications is one of the main focuses of our 3G strategies. The launch of BlackBerry provides us with valuable experience for the development of leading-edge 3G services for the corporate market. Furthermore, we will work with RIM to introduce BlackBerry to the Mainland China, and we are excited about this partnership which will enable both companies to explore new business opportunities in the world's largest mobile market."
Over the past few months, Hutchison Telecom has conducted extensive customer trials and received very favourable responses from participating customers. Some of their comments include:
- "BlackBerry is incredibly addictive."
- "I will not give up my trial device, I love it too much."
- "It is rare that a product can be said to change your life."
- "It's one of the few devices that can add time back to my day."
BlackBerry is the first wireless solution that integrates voice and data services while properly addressing to the needs of both end users and IT departments. Operating on Hutchison Telecom's Orange GSM Dualband network with its advanced GPRS technology, BlackBerry is an end-to-end enterprise solution comprised of advanced wireless handhelds, enterprise server software, desktop utilities, and GPRS wireless service. BlackBerry allows corporate users to manage their important information and communications from a single wireless handheld with 'always on' operation, single mailbox integration with existing corporate email accounts, end-to-end security and a 'push' based architecture.
The BlackBerry 5820 Wireless HandheldTM features built-in email, phone, SMS, WAP, and organizer applications. The handheld also incorporates Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) as its core operating system, providing a secure, manageable and open platform for customers and developers. BlackBerry Enterprise Server software enables easy configuration and management, end-to-end security and back-end integration with corporate systems including Microsoft® ExchangeTM and Lotus® DominoTM. With Hutchison Telecom's GSM Dualband network and its cutting-edge 2.5G high-speed data service, BlackBerry users can enjoy high quality voice services and 'always on' connectivity for accessing data easily and quickly.
Hutchison Telecom offers two attractive BlackBerry service packages for the subscribers of Orange voice service - the BlackBerry Wireless Handheld costs only HK$1,880 with a monthly charge of HK$738 for unlimited email access, or HK$3,980 with a monthly charge of HK$538 for unlimited email access. Standalone wireless email service is offered to users not subscribing to Orange voice service - the BlackBerry handheld is charged at HK$5,480 with a monthly fee of HK$638 for unlimited email access. For the first 20 BlackBerry users, the cost of BlackBerry Enterprise Server software for Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Domino is HK$39,800 and thereafter HK$6,000 per 10 users. For additional information about the BlackBerry wireless email solution from Hutchison Telecom, please call 2807 9800 or visit www.orangehk.com.
Media Contacts:
Frances Ng
Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited
+852.21286739
frances.ng@hthk.com
Rebecca Winter
Brodeur Worldwide for RIM
+1.203.399.8241
rwinter@brodeur.com
Darcy Polito
Public Relations
Research In Motion
+1.519.888.7465
dpolito@rim.net
Investor Contacts:
RIM Investor Relations
+1.519.888.7465
investor_relations@rim.net
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of Research In Motion Limited. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks relating to possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities.
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