Reston, VA and Waterloo, ON - Sprint (NYSE: S) and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced expansion of the BlackBerry® portfolio for Sprint Mobile Broadband Service, including the introduction of the BlackBerry 7130e™ from Sprint, capable of taking advantage of broadband-like speeds delivered on the Sprint Power Vision NetworkSM(1). Sprint today has the nation's largest mobile broadband network covering more than 150 million people in 220 major metropolitan areas as well as 470 airports across the nation.
?Sprint is committed to being on the forefront of meeting demand for mobility solutions,? said Danny Bowman, vice president of product marketing for Sprint. ?Combining the power of Sprint's Mobile Broadband service with innovative BlackBerry devices provides Sprint customers with more options for extending the workplace and getting more done in more places.?
BlackBerry 7130e powered by Sprint
Operating on the Sprint Power Vision Network, the BlackBerry 7130e provides complete BlackBerry functionality at broadband-like speeds (average download speeds of 400-700kpbs and up to 2Mbps(2)) giving customers rich phone and messaging features for extending the workplace and enjoying life. It combines top-of-the-line features like Bluetooth® Wireless technology, speakerphone, high-resolution color display and SureType™ keyboard technology into a sleek, stylish handset. The BlackBerry 7130e can also be used as a tethered modem in conjunction with a laptop for high-speed Internet and data application access anywhere Sprint has coverage. Key features include:
?The BlackBerry 7130e and Sprint Mobile Broadband service provide customers with a high-performance mobile solution in a slim and stylish design," said Mark Guibert, vice president of corporate marketing at RIM. "It's an exceptional choice for customers looking to upgrade their existing mobile phone with a new handset that's both powerful and easy to use.?
Mobile Broadband Capabilities for the BlackBerry 7250 powered by Sprint
Customers purchasing the BlackBerry 7250™ from Sprint today can also benefit from broadband-like data speeds of the Sprint Power Vision Network. The BlackBerry 7250 previously introduced by Sprint in 2005, now also features Sprint Mobile Broadband service. The EV-DO-capable device comes equipped with a full-featured phone, Bluetooth® Wireless technology, backlit QWERTY keyboard and thumb-operated trackwheel navigation and can also be used as a tethered modem for flexible connectivity options.
Later this year, Sprint will make an EV-DO software upgrade available online to customers who purchased the BlackBerry 7250 from Sprint prior to May 1, 2006 that will allow those users to take advantage of Sprint's broadband-like data speeds on the nation's largest mobile broadband network.
BlackBerry Smart Card Reader
Sprint is also now selling the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader™ through its business sales channels, offering further convenience to its business customers. The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader is a lightweight, wearable smart card reader that enables controlled access to a BlackBerry device enabled with Bluetooth® Wireless technology. The solution provides an additional layer of security (two-factor authentication) and supports a variety of smart cards used by security-conscious organizations including those in the government and financial services sectors. The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader operates with BlackBerry devices for both the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network (CDMA) and Nextel National Network (iDEN).
Sprint Power Vision Network
Sprint customers can currently use several devices on the Sprint Power Vision Network, including the BlackBerry 7130e, to take advantage of average download speeds of 400-700 kbps and peak speeds up to 2Mbps. Sprint today has the most wireless broadband coverage of any carrier. The Sprint Power Vision Network is expected to reach an estimated 190 million people nationwide by the end of the year. Sprint plans to concurrently implement second-generation (EV-DO Revision A) upgrades to deliver additional mobility benefits to users in 1Q 2007.
