Vodafone today announces the launch of a new and exclusive addition to its popular BlackBerry(R) from Vodafone range - the BlackBerry 7100vTM. Developed and manufactured by Research In Motion, the BlackBerry 7100v from Vodafone is a unique mobile phone combining easy access to voice services as well as immediate and reliable access to email, calendar and contacts, in an innovative and stylish format. Supported by the familiar and intuitive Vodafone-branded menu, the BlackBerry 7100v from Vodafone is the first of its kind available globally, adding to the range of Vodafone branded mobility solutions for business customers.
The BlackBerry 7100v from Vodafone has a new and innovative QWERTY keyboard, dedicated Send and End keys and a thumb operated trackwheel for fast and convenient navigation. Messages can be quickly and easily composed via SureTypeTM, a new keyboard technology from RIM that enables mobile phones to support the advanced messaging features required by business customers.
The device is easy to set up and use, featuring the Vodafone branded customer interface and BlackBerry push technology that means email is delivered direct to the handset without the need for manual dial-up. As well as providing effective voice services, the BlackBerry 7100v from Vodafone opens and forwards email attachments and enables fast and easy access to a wide range of additional attachment formats (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat). In addition to 32MB of memory, the device offers advanced browser technology, quad-band international coverage, high performance internal antenna, speakerphone and Bluetooth support.
"Our business customers, particularly those who are self employed or running small to medium sized businesses, have been asking us for a simple device that combines the efficiency and basic features of a mobile phone, with the benefits of being able to access email and attachments on the move" said Peter Bamford, Chief Marketing Officer at Vodafone. "The BlackBerry 7100v from Vodafone offers a unique addition to the family of Vodafone business solutions and is the first in our planned portfolio of hand-held business devices designed to make our customers' lives easier, any time, anywhere".
"The new BlackBerry 7100v with SureType keyboard technology is the result of many years of research and innovation. We have listened to mobile users and created a new device that we believe will attract a whole new audience to BlackBerry for the first time," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "A great deal of care has gone into the design of this sophisticated handset that delivers exceptional email, messaging and browsing capabilities as well as a high quality phone and an amazing colour screen."
The BlackBerry 7100v from Vodafone will be introduced on a phased basis across Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK. For more information on the BlackBerry from Vodafone range can be found at www.vodafone.com/office.
Notes for editors:
Photographs of the BlackBerry 7100v are available on the Vodafone website: www.vodafone.com/media/blackberry
The Vodafone exclusivity period varies by market.
(c) Vodafone Group 2004. Vodafone is a trademark of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
The BlackBerry, SureType and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of Research In Motion Limited, used by permission.
For further information:
Vodafone Group
Investor Relations
Melissa Stimpson
Darren Jones
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310
Media Relations
Aileen Thompson
Jon Earl
Janine Young
Emma Conlon
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310
Tavistock Communications
Lulu Bridges
Justin Griffiths
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7920 3150
RIM
Tilly Quanjer
Senior Communications Manager
Email: tquanjer@rim.com
Tel: 01784 223987
Or Hotwire PR for RIM
Tel: +44 (0)207 608 2500
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's largest mobile community, with equity interests in 26 countries and Partner Networks in a further 13 countries, serving over 139 million proportionate customers. Vodafone's global consumer service offering, Vodafone live!TM, opens up a world of mobile colour communication, bringing news, information, email, chat, location-based services, games and shopping to customers' mobile devices.
About 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 HandheldTM 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.
