Press Release

May 1, 2002

Panasonic® Ruggedized Portable PCs To Integrate RIM OEM Wireless Radio Modems For GSM/GPRS Networks

Secaucus, NJ and Waterloo, ON - Panasonic® Computer Solutions Company and Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM) today announced plans to integrate RIM's OEM radio modems for GSM/GPRS networks into Panasonic's line of Toughbook® ruggedized portable computers. Panasonic targets these portables to mobile professionals requiring reliability and remote wireless access to information systems.

"We are pleased to expand upon our long-standing relationship with RIM to offer enhanced wireless solutions to our customers," said Rance Poehler, President at Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. "RIM's high-quality and proven OEM radio modems will bring advanced GSM/GPRS wireless technology to our line of ruggedized notebook portable PCs and offer our customers in the field increased productivity through wireless access."

"Our expertise in wireless technology is a strong complement to Panasonic's leadership in the rugged mobile computing market," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "We are able to leverage the research and development from our leading BlackBerry handheld product lines to provide manufacturers like Panasonic with OEM radio modems that are easy to integrate, power efficient, lightweight and reliable."

Panasonic Toughbooks target mobile professionals in vertical industries including government, field service/sales, utilities, telecommunications, insurance, transportation, law enforcement and government and military. Today, Toughbook's applications include GPS for mapping, communications - both local and wide area, inventory and maintenance management, data queries, in addition to claims and order processing, providing vastly improved response times.

RIM and Panasonic have established an extensive relationship, beginning in 1998 with the integration of RIM's R900 Mobitex radio modem into Panasonic's CF-25 Toughbook ruggedized laptop. RIM technology is now embedded in all Panasonic Toughbook products, including the new Toughbook 01 ruggedized handheld.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a global wireless standard that uses existing GSM (Global System for Mobile telecommunications) radio base stations and converts wireless data into standard Internet packets, enabling interoperability between the Internet and the GSM/GPRS network.

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 around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, the BlackBerry™ wireless solution, embedded radio modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario RIM operates offices in Canada, the United States and Europe. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.net. Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net.

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company is the leading provider of ruggedized and wireless notebook PCs for mobile professionals in the USA. The company is a unit company of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan (NYSE: MC), which recorded annual sales of $61.45 billion in the most recent fiscal year. Matsushita Electric is one of the only manufacturers today that directly controls the process of design, manufacture and quality assurance of its notebook PCs. Many key components, including LCD panels, Lithium Ion batteries, DVD and CD-ROM drives, and board-level electronics are the products of its divisions. The products, people and business of Panasonic Computer Solutions Company are entirely dedicated to the needs of the professional user, including Fortune 1000 business and government professionals. Panasonic also supplies mobile computing solutions to over 1,800 police departments in the United States.
For additional information: http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook.

Research In Motion, RIM, RIM 1902, RIM 1802 and BlackBerry are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion and RIM are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. 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.