EarthLink
Wireless Launches RIM's BlackBerry 7750(TM) Featuring
Data and Voice Service [September 7, 2004]
ATLANTA
and WATERLOO, Ontario, Sep 7, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall
via COMTEX/ -- EarthLink (ELNK), one of the nation's
leading ISPs, today announced the launch of the all-in-one
color BlackBerry 7750 Wireless Handheld(TM) with wireless
email and voice service. Using the BlackBerry(R) platform,
designed and manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM)
(RIMM)(CA:RIM), the new EarthLink offering combines
phone, email, Internet access and other applications
to make EarthLink the first ISP to offer a complete
wireless data and voice solution.
In addition to being sold, supported
and provisioned by EarthLink, the new offering features
EarthLink's suite of protection tools. Included in this
suite, exclusively available to EarthLink customers,
is EarthLink spamBlocker, which blocks virtually 100
percent of unwanted email messages at the server.
"By adding voice to our growing
list of applications -- including email, wireless Internet
access and attachment viewing -- EarthLink becomes the
first ISP to offer a comprehensive wireless data and
voice solution," said Brent Cobb, vice president,
EarthLink Wireless. "Beyond giving mobile professionals
the benefits of an EarthLink experience when they are
away from the office -- including blocking virtually
all spam from reaching the handheld -- offering the
BlackBerry 7750 is an important early step in our overall
strategy to expand our voice and data offerings and
become a complete communications provider."
The BlackBerry 7750 from EarthLink Wireless
provides users with phone, email, text messaging, Web
browser and organizer applications in a compact, intuitive,
easy-to-use handheld that includes: a large, high-resolution
screen and vibrant display - supporting more than 65,000
colors, integrated attachment viewing, exceptional battery
life, a backlit QWERTY keyboard for fast text entry,
and other features.
"With well over one million subscribers,
BlackBerry continues to grow in popularity and continues
to offer the best combined email and phone experience,"
said Mark Guibert, vice president, corporate marketing
of Research In Motion. "EarthLink has earned a
reputation of providing a leading online experience
with excellent customer service and support and, we
see the BlackBerry 7750 offering as a natural extension
of our four year partnership."
EarthLink Wireless' pricing plans, which
include unlimited data, start at $39.95 per month, and
for an additional $39.95 per month customers get 500
anytime minutes with no roaming fees and free night
and weekend calling In addition, customers can bring
their mobile numbers with them when they switch their
existing service to EarthLink Wireless and can rely
on support from a dedicated BlackBerry(R)-trained support
team.
For more information or to sign up,
visit www.earthlink.net/wireless or call 1-800-EARTHLINK.
About EarthLink
"EarthLink revolves around you(TM)."
Celebrating ten years as a leading national Internet
service provider (ISP), Atlanta-based EarthLink has
earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer
service and its suite of online products and services.
Serving over five million subscribers, EarthLink offers
what every user should expect from their Internet experience:
high- quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated
intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it's
dial-up, high-speed, Web hosting, or wireless Internet
service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let
individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own
terms. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK
or visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net
.
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(R) wireless
platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) 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 (RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (CA: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.
Contact: Media
David Blumenthal
EarthLink
404-748-7316
blumenthald@corp.earthlink.net
Courtney Flaherty
Brodeur Worldwide for RIM
+1 (212) 771-3637
cflaherty@brodeur.com
RIM Investor Contact
Investor Relations
519-888-7465
investor_relations@rim.com
SOURCE EarthLink
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