O2 and RIM Launch the New BlackBerry 8700g Wireless Handheld

London, UK and Waterloo, ON - O2 and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of the new BlackBerry 8700g™ in the United Kingdom, further extending O2’s existing portfolio of BlackBerry® devices.

The sleek, stylish device combines faster browsing and application performance with an enhanced screen, more memory and dedicated ‘send’ ‘end’ and ‘mute’ keys for voice calls, making it the ideal all-in-one device for mobile professionals.

With its new sleek design – weighing just 134 grams – the BlackBerry 8700g is the epitome of style for mobile voice and data users. In addition to a full 35 key QWERTY keyboard, the BlackBerry 8700g features a bright, high resolution screen that supports more than 65,000 colors to deliver vivid graphics and also incorporates a light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the screen and keyboard lighting levels to provide optimized use in outdoor, indoor and dark environments.

For international users, the BlackBerry 8700g offers quad-band functionality, supported by a battery life of up to 16 days standby and 4 hours talk time, for making all those important calls. The BlackBerry 8700g also features Bluetooth® support for car kits and hands-free headsets.

“The BlackBerry 8700g is a great addition to the range of popular BlackBerry devices already available through O2. The enhanced features of this all-in-one device will appeal to both the business and individual user,” said Russ Shaw, Marketing Director, O2. “Providing users with all the capabilities needed to work efficiently when out of the office, the BlackBerry 8700g offers enhanced features to provide customers with a premium, fully integrated device for increased efficiency in 2006.”

“The BlackBerry 8700g is a breakthrough handset for customers that want email, phone and data applications in a single device,” said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “Together with O2, we are providing mobile customers in the UK with an optimized and exceptional user experience that blends performance, design and function.”

For corporate customers, O2 offers BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ software, which tightly integrates with Microsoft® Exchange, IBM Lotus® Domino™ and Novell GroupWise® and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.

For individuals and smaller businesses, O2 offers BlackBerry Internet Service™ allowing users to access up to ten corporate and/or personal email accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and most popular ISP email accounts) from a single device.

About O2

O2 is a leading provider of mobile services to consumers and businesses in the UK. It is the leader in non-voice services, including text, media messaging, games, music and video, as well as always on data connections via GPRS, 3G and WLAN. Each month O2’s 15 million customers send more than three quarters of a billion text messages. O2 (UK) Limited is a subsidiary of O2 plc which also owns O2 branded mobile operators in Ireland and Germany as well as the Airwave O2 emergency services network in the UK.

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® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ 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

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.

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Contact Information

Marisa Conway

Brodeur Worldwide (for RIM)

Research In Motion (RIM)

Contact via E-mail