Samsung and RIM to Offer BlackBerry Connectivity for Samsung Wireless Handhelds
January 29, 2004
Seoul, Korea and Waterloo, Canada - Samsung and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced plans to enable BlackBerry® connectivity on Samsung wireless handhelds.
RIM's BlackBerry Connect™ licensing program will help Samsung enable its wireless handhelds to connect to BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ using the same secure, push-based wireless architecture and infrastructure that currently supports thousands of companies and government organizations around the world. The companies also intend to work together to enable Samsung handhelds to connect to BlackBerry Web Client™ services for individuals and smaller businesses.
"We are excited to work with RIM to integrate BlackBerry wireless data connectivity with Samsung wireless handhelds," said Mr. H. Woo Kim, VP of New Business Development Team, Mobile Communication Division at Samsung. "We are committed to providing our business customers with the best available solutions to meet their wireless data needs and we believe BlackBerry connectivity will be a popular choice with our customers."
"Samsung is a highly respected leader in the wireless industry and we are extremely pleased to begin this collaboration. Today's announcement further demonstrates the widespread and growing appeal of BlackBerry around the world and we believe our joint efforts will significantly strengthen the overall BlackBerry offering for our customers," said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "BlackBerry connectivity support on Samsung handhelds will provide carriers and customers with a wider choice of devices to satisfy different needs and preferences."
Further details of the Samsung/RIM relationship and products will be shared at a later time.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in telecommunications, semiconductor, flat panel display and digital convergence technology. Samsung Electronics employs approximately 75,000 people in 89 offices across 47 countries. The company is the world's largest producer of CDMA mobile phones, memory chips, TFT-LCDs, monitors and VCRs. Samsung Electronics consists of four main business units: Telecommunication Network, Digital Media Network, Device Solution Network, and Digital Appliance Network Businesses.
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.
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