- New Service Also Available for Individuals -
Singapore and Waterloo, ON - 3 December 2003 - StarHub and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) are pleased to announce today the commercial availability of a new BlackBerry service designed for individuals and smaller businesses. The companies also introduce the new tri-band, colour-screen BlackBerry 7230 Wireless HandheldTM in Singapore.
In May this year, StarHub and RIM introduced the BlackBerry platform and the BlackBerry 6720TM handheld to corporate customers for the first time in Singapore. BlackBerry® , the leading, secure, wireless platform, allows StarHub's corporate users to manage their corporate email, data and Personal Information Management tools on the go via the Java-based BlackBerry handheld with integrated email, phone, SMS, web browser and organizer applications. Emails are automatically pushed to the device so that users stay productive wherever they go!
"StarHub is very pleased with the positive response from the corporate sector for BlackBerry. Many have adopted the convenience of the highly secure and push-based mobile email solution since we launched the service in late May," said Mr Chan Kin Hung, Head of Mobile Services. "The push email feature and the handheld's patented, built-in keyboard have made it a very popular wireless solution. Riding on the highly successful enterprise services, StarHub is delighted to offer this new BlackBerry for individuals. The BlackBerry 7230 handheld will allow businesses and mobile professionals to enjoy the benefits of push-based mobile email anywhere, anytime and stay connected via wireless voice, SMS and email."
The new BlackBerry service works with RIM's BlackBerry Web Client technology. It provides a web-based interface that allows users to self-manage and self-activate the connection to their email accounts using their BlackBerry handheld. With this solution, StarHub mobile customers are able to access up to 10 corporate or personal (e.g., StarHub Internet, MSN Hotmail and popular POP3 ISP) email accounts.
StarHub Introduces the New BlackBerry 7230 Handheld
"The new BlackBerry 7230 tri-band and colour-screen handheld, coupled with StarHub's strong international roaming presence, will help our globetrotting customers stay constantly connected to important emails and enhance their competitiveness and productivity," added Mr. Chan. "This is an excellent integrated voice, SMS and email solution for mobile professionals, small businesses and corporate alike as it supports both corporate and personal emails. Emails are pushed to our customers anywhere - locally and abroad."
The BlackBerry 7230 Wireless Handheld is an easy-to-use, all-in-one, and tri-band world-traveling device. Currently, with over 200 roaming agreements around the world (including over 65 GPRS roaming destinations covering major destinations in Asia, Europe and the USA), StarHub's mobile customers are able to manage their email seamlessly whilst abroad.
StarHub's robust GSM/GPRS network provides "always-on" email connectivity. Together with the BlackBerry solution, customers are able to increase their productivity and efficiency levels as there is no need to dial-in or "pull" data, no need to have the PC running or download softwares and no time wasted. Just like the ease and convenience of SMS, all the latest emails are pushed to their handheld automatically.
"BlackBerry is popular with StarHub's corporate customers because of its ability to deliver integrated access to email, data and phone applications," said Mr Patrick Spence, Vice President, Asia Pacific Business Unit at Research In Motion. "We are pleased to work with StarHub to now offer BlackBerry to a wider audience in Singapore. The BlackBerry 7230's enhanced features combined with StarHub's robust GSM/GPRS network make it a powerful wireless solution for individuals, small businesses and corporate customers."
For a preview and demonstration of the BlackBerry push-based mobile email solution, customers may visit the Business Hub at the StarHub OUB Centre shop, StarHub's newest business solutions centre for enterprises in Singapore or the new StarHub shop at Plaza Singapura. Alternatively, interested customers may write to blackberry@starhub.com or call the Sales Hotline 1630 or Business Hotline 1800 - 888 8888 for more details.
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