SMART Introduces Two Color Tri-band BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds™ in the Philippines

Manila, Philippines and Waterloo, Canada - [28 June 2004] - 'Always on' wireless e-mail connectivity via BlackBerry® now comes in full color from Philippine wireless leader Smart Communications.

In tandem with Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), SMART today introduced two new BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds™ in the Philippines, the BlackBerry 7230™ and BlackBerry 7730™.

Supporting international roaming on GSM/GPRS networks*, the new Java-based BlackBerry handhelds feature high-resolution color screens while maintaining superior battery life. The BlackBerry 7730 features a large screen providing extra workspace for data applications, while BlackBerry 7230 comes in a handy, compact design.

"We are raising the BlackBerry experience to a higher level," said Anastacio R. Martirez, Division Head for personal communications and mobile services division, SMART. The two new handsets feature color displays that make for a more "user-friendly interface." As with the BlackBerry 6720, the new models are Java-capable, which allows Smart to develop customized software solutions for corporate applications such as real-time order processing and inventory management.

"Since we first introduced BlackBerry in the Philippines last year, there has been a rapid adoption of BlackBerry by our customers and we are confident that the new BlackBerry handhelds will also be well received in the market," said Edgardo R. Bautista, Group Head for Mobile Value Added Services, SMART.

"We are very pleased to bring the new BlackBerry 7230 and BlackBerry 7730 handhelds to SMART's customers in the Philippines," said Patrick Spence, Vice President of Asia Pacific, Research In Motion.

"The continuing popularity of BlackBerry in Asia illustrates the importance of integrated data and phone solutions and the appeal of RIM's 'push' technology. We strive to deliver the best combined wireless data and phone experience for mobile professionals by tightly integrating applications and optimizing usability and performance," Spence added

Developed by RIM, BlackBerry is the leading wireless platform that keeps mobile professionals connected to people and information. It is a proven solution that provides users with integrated wireless access to their existing business applications, including email, corporate data, phone, SMS, web and organizer applications via a sleek and compact BlackBerry Wireless Handheld.

An international study of BlackBerry users conducted by Ipsos Reid in 2004** found that users recover an average of 54 minutes of downtime per day. By being continuously connected using BlackBerry, business users can dramatically increase their productivity by making better use of 'downtime' and responding to time sensitive matters quickly.

For corporate customers, 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.

For individuals, BlackBerry Web Client™ provides an Internet-based email interface that allows users to access multiple existing corporate and/or personal email accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and popular ISP email accounts) from a single BlackBerry handheld.

The BlackBerry 7230 and the BlackBerry 7730 are ideal for mobile professionals who want to manage all of their corporate data and communications capabilities from a single, integrated handheld. Features include:

· Ideal for mobile professionals who want phone and data capabilities from a single, integrated handheld.
· High-resolution color screens that support over 65,000 colors while maintaining superior battery life.
· Cradle-free wireless email synchronization
· Integrated email attachment viewing that enables users to read important email attachments from their BlackBerry handheld (including: Microsoft® Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, WordPerfect, ASCII).
· Support for international roaming* (on 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS networks) that enable mobile professionals to use one handheld while traveling with no need to change their phone number or email addresses.
· A push-based wireless architecture that delivers messages automatically.
· A wireless extension to existing email accounts including Microsoft® Exchange, IBM Lotus® Domino™ and/or popular ISP email accounts.
· An easy-to-use 'thumb-typing' keyboard and navigation trackwheel for sending and receiving email and SMS messages on the go.
· Backlit screen and keyboard for easy reading and typing during day or night.
· 16 MB flash memory plus 2 MB SRAM, rechargeable/removable lithium battery and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port that supports quick battery charging.
· A pocket-sized, lightweight and ergonomic handheld design, with an embedded RIM wireless modem and internal high performance antenna.

SMART is now offering BlackBerry 7230 while BlackBerry 7730 will be available soon. For more information about BlackBerry from SMART, please visit http://www.SMART.com.ph/SMART/Products/BlackBerry/SBB_Aboutblackberry.htm

Source: RIM and Smart Communications, Inc. Press Release

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