Press Release

February 28, 2000

AOL & Research In Motion Announce Agreement To Offer Wireless AOL Instant Messaging & AOL E-Mail to Consumers through 'AOL Mobile Messenger'

AOL E-Mail and AOL Instant Messenger^SM Accessible Through RIM Two-Way Handheld Devices

Dulles, VA and Waterloo, ON - America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), the world's leading interactive services company, and Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSE: RIM), a world leader in the mobile communications market, today announced that AOL has selected RIM two-way Internet appliances as an element of the AOL Mobile Messenger service, which will provide consumers with wireless access to popular AOL communication services.

AOL Mobile Messenger will extend AOL Mail and the AOL Instant Messenger^SM (AIM) service to wireless devices, and this agreement would provide AOL members and users of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) access to AOL email and AIM via a customized, AOL-branded handheld device. AOL members and AIM users already send and receive more than 110 million emails and over 600 million instant messages daily.

AOL Wireless, a significant component of the "AOL Anywhere"^SM strategy, will bring AOL's most popular features and services to a wide range of wireless devices. AOL's 21 million members and tens of millions of users of its other Web brands will be able to easily extend their interactive experience to the wireless platform in a convenient, easy-to-use and valuable way. Users will be able to check their email, exchange Instant Messages, and access AOL's other popular and consumer-friendly features and brands.

Bob Pittman, President and Chief Operating Officer of America Online, said: "As our members discover the benefits that AOL and interactivity bring to their everyday lives, they are increasingly looking to access many of their favorite features on a variety of mobile devices beyond the PC; this is why wireless is a key focus of our AOL Anywhere strategy. We are pleased to be working with an innovative company like Research In Motion to create an AOL Mobile Messenger device that will enable AOL members and AIM users to conveniently and easily use these services on the wireless platform."

BlackBerry customers will be able to activate the Go.Web service through GoAmerica, and all billing and customer support will be handled by GoAmerica.

Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO of Research In Motion, said: "We are pleased to be working with America Online to develop advanced Internet appliances that offer AOL customers untethered access to their AOL Email and AOL Instant Messages, at any time, from any place. We are confident that customers will value the result of our joint efforts to develop a leading solution that follows RIM's longstanding vision for 'Always On, Always Connected(™)' devices and the principles of the AOL Anywhere strategy."

About America Online, Inc.

Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Va., is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services. America Online, Inc. operates: two worldwide Internet services, America Online, with more than 21 million members, and CompuServe, with more than 2.5 million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers; AOL MovieFone, the nation's # 1 movie listing guide and ticketing service; Spinner Networks and NullSoft, Inc., leaders in Internet music; and Digital Marketing Services, a company specializing in online rewards programs and online market research. Through its strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems, the company develops and offers easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for companies operating in the Net Economy.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, RIM provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers in North America and around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Inter@ctive(tm) Pager product line, BlackBerry(tm) wireless email solution, wireless personal computer card adapters, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net. Web site: www.rim.net.

Research In Motion, RIM, the RIM logo, Inter@ctive, Inter@ctive Pager, BlackBerry, the BlackBerry logo and 'Always On, Always Connected' are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

Research In Motion and RIM are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 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, risks related to the year 2000 issue, 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.