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March 23, 2004

BlackBerry Leads the Government Sector for Secure, Integrated Wireless Communications

BlackBerry Users Surpass 100,000 in Government Sector

FOSE - Washington, DC - RIM is showcasing the BlackBerry® wireless platform at the FOSE show this week in Washington, DC (booth #1911). The BlackBerry wireless platform, developed by Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), is leading in the government sector for secure, integrated wireless communications. With advanced security capabilities and a comprehensive wireless solution for managing email, phone, SMS (Short Message Service), organizer, intranet and Internet applications, BlackBerry is now actively used by over 100,000 government personnel.

BlackBerry handhelds remain the only wireless data device to meet certain stringent government security requirements and RIM works closely with regulation committees to continually enhance the BlackBerry security architecture. Government organizations are using BlackBerry to enhance operations, productivity and responsiveness.

"I am so impressed that BlackBerry handhelds are extremely feature rich and combine email and phone functionalities into one handheld," said Pat Schambach, CIO at the Transportation Security Administration. "BlackBerry is a productivity tool that I could not function without!"

"BlackBerry helps keep me and my staff connected," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin of the City of New Orleans. "Wireless access with BlackBerry has allowed us to become extremely efficient and has increased the responsiveness, accountability and availability of city officials."

The BlackBerry platform is designed to meet stringent security requirements and has received Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) approval for operation on all wireless network standards supported by BlackBerry. BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds™ have also been awarded the FIPS 140-2 security validation by the U.S. Government's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). FIPS validation is an important and often mandatory purchasing criteria for many government organizations. In addition to support for Triple DES (Data Encryption Standard), the BlackBerry solution also includes support for other government encryption standards such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography). The optional S/MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) Support Package for BlackBerry offers an additional layer of security between the sender and recipient of a message using advanced email encryption and digital signatures.

"BlackBerry is the secure, integrated wireless data platform of choice in government organizations including the Department of Defense and is certified to support strict security requirements," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "In addition to its advanced security architecture and inherent communications benefits, BlackBerry is popular with the government because of its extensibility and ability to strategically support government initiatives such as COOP."

BlackBerry supports COOP (Continuity of Operations Planning) activities by enabling users to efficiently store emergency preparedness, standard operating procedures, emergency call lists and other continuity of operations documents on their BlackBerry handhelds. Changes or updates to this data can easily be pushed to a user's BlackBerry handheld, enabling users to automatically receive up-to-date information. In addition, a customized incident communicator application allows administrators to quickly send out an alert message to BlackBerry handhelds informing users of an incident or disaster. Updates can easily be distributed and tracked via BlackBerry, enabling users to remain informed and execute their COOP responsibilities.

About BlackBerry for Government

BlackBerry is the industry-leading wireless solution that keeps government professionals connected to their important information and communications while on the go. It is an award-winning solution that can provide users with integrated wireless access to a range of business applications, including email, phone, intranet, Internet, SMS and organizer applications. BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ software tightly integrates with Microsoft® Exchange or IBM Lotus® Domino™ and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based, wireless access to email and other corporate data. Through customized software, BlackBerry Enterprise Server can also integrate with Novell Groupwise. BlackBerry Enterprise Server has been installed in over 17,000 companies and government organizations around the world.

About Research In Motion (RIM)

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

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. When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. The Company has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.