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Press Release
May 30, 2002
Telstra And Research In Motion To Deliver Australia's First Complete Wireless Email Solution For Corporate Customers
Sydney, Australia and Waterloo, Canada - Telstra Mobile and Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM) today announced an exclusive agreement to bring the BlackBerry™ wireless solution to Telstra's corporate customers, positioning Telstra as the first mobile operator to offer BlackBerry in Australia.
BlackBerry is an award-winning wireless technology solution developed by RIM that has been successfully deployed in over 14,000 companies in North America and Europe with expansion beginning in Asia. Telstra intends to offer BlackBerry over its GSM/GPRS wireless network.
Telstra Mobile Managing Director, Wireless Data Solutions, Mr Craig Cameron, said BlackBerry was a major step forward in the evolution of wireless handheld devices, reinforcing Telstra's commitment to deliver, advanced wireless solutions to corporate customers.
"BlackBerry is a proven solution in many markets around the world and has been adopted by thousands of government and business organizations in those markets," Mr Cameron said. "Combined with our GPRS network, we are confident that BlackBerry will be very popular with our customers. Telstra has already commenced acceptance testing and plans to install pilots in June and commercially roll out the solution later in the year."
Chairman and Co-CEO at Research In Motion, Mr Jim Balsillie, said the company looked forward to bringing BlackBerry to Australia for the first time through its relationship with Telstra.
"BlackBerry supports open technology standards such as Java and GPRS, enabling a consistent user experience around the world," Mr Balsillie said. "Together with Telstra, we aim to provide corporate customers with a proven, secure and tightly integrated wireless solution that includes back-end server software, GPRS network service and advanced handhelds to provide a compelling user experience and return on investment."
BlackBerry is the first wireless solution that properly integrates data and voice services while addressing both the needs of end users and IT departments. The BlackBerry 5820 Wireless Handheld™ features built-in email, phone, SMS and organizer applications. BlackBerry Enterprise Server software enables easy configuration and management as well as back-end integration with corporate systems and end-to-end security.
BlackBerry was launched in North America in 1999 and Europe in 2001. RIM has currently deployed or announced relationships with GSM/GPRS carriers in the United States, Canada, the UK, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Italy and Hong Kong.
Further details about pricing, availability and launch timing will be announced at a later date.
Further information is available on www.telstra.com/info/blackberry
About BlackBerry
Key features of the BlackBerry wireless solution:
- Advanced wireless handheld with built-in wireless email and phone; includes easy-to-use 'thumb-typing' keyboard, navigation trackwheel and large screen.
- Single mailbox integration with corporate email systems allows users to keep their existing email address and manage one single mailbox; users can read, originate, forward, reply, delete or file messages using the wireless handheld (inbox and folders are synchronized between the wireless handheld and PC).
- Built-in high quality phone supports GSM voice services; an available earpiece and microphone enables convenient hands-free conversation allowing users to read, type or retrieve information while they talk.
- SMS support enables short text messages to be exchanged using a specially designed and integrated keyboard.
- Full-featured connected organizer allows synchronization with a user's PC; includes calendar, address book, task list, memo pad, calculator and alarm functions; unique wireless calendar synchronization feature allows the online calendar and handheld calendar to be automatically and wirelessly synchronized without the need for a cradle.
- End-to-end security (using Triple DES encryption) that allows data to remain encrypted at all points between the user's email account (behind the corporate firewall) and the user's wireless handheld to meets strict corporate security guidelines for company-confidential information.
- BlackBerry Enterprise Server software provides centralized management and control with a scalable architecture; integrates seamlessly with Lotus Domino and Microsoft Exchange.
- Support for Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME), enables a wide range of software application development based on open standards.
About Telstra
Telstra is Australia's leading telecommunications carrier and a world-class fully integrated, full service provider across wireline, ADSL, HFC, satellite and digital wireless networks and platforms. Telstra has more than 10 million household, business and wholesale customers. Telstra is Australia's leading ISP, has the most highly accessed family of internet portals and sites and provides entertainment and multimedia content over its broadband network and through its Pay-TV joint venture.
Telstra owns and operates one of the most technologically advanced networks, offering end-to-end solutions ranging from broadband, IP, mobile and intelligent network services, to voice and data network hubs, call centres, and advanced multimedia and e-commerce applications. It has business operations in North America, UK/Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
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.
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.
Telstra is a trademark of Telstra Corporation Limited used with authorisation by RIM.
Telstra Media Releases are regularly posted on the Telstra Newsroom. The address is http://www.telstracom.au/newsroom