Vodafone and RIM launch the BlackBerry 8700v in Australia

Sydney, Australia and Waterloo, ON - Vodafone Australia and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® 8700v™, further extending the range of BlackBerry devices available to Australian customers. The newly designed BlackBerry 8700v combines full phone functionality together with support for wireless email, Internet, text messaging, organizer and data applications and will be available from Vodafone Australia beginning March 1, 2006.

The BlackBerry 8700v device platform was completely re-engineered to boost performance for faster Web browsing, Internet searches, email attachment viewing and application performance. Together with a unique user interface exclusive to Vodafone, the BlackBerry 8700v features a powerful Intel processor, 64 MB flash memory, 16 MB SDRAM, high resolution QVGA (320x240) LCD display, QWERTY keyboard, dedicated phone keys, polyphonic and MP3 ring tones, quad-band support for international roaming and Bluetooth® support for wireless hands-free use with car kits and headsets.

In addition, the BlackBerry 8700v incorporates a light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the display and keyboard lighting levels to provide optimized viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments.

“BlackBerry from Vodafone has taken the corporate world by storm, but mobile email also presents enormous opportunities to SOHO and SME customers who want to be more accessible and responsive while out of the office, or simply want a device that can give them the freedom and flexibility to work on the move,” said Mark Iles, General Manager, Business Markets at Vodafone Australia. “Vodafone is committed to providing customers with superior devices that give them greater control and flexibility over the way they do business. The BlackBerry 8700v from Vodafone is the ideal, all-in-one device for mobile voice and data, whether it’s used here in Australia or while traveling internationally.”

“The BlackBerry 8700v delivers an optimized balance of design, function and performance and enables a highly smooth and responsive user experience for web browsing, running applications and viewing email attachments,” said Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific at Research In Motion. “We’re extremely pleased to be working with Vodafone Australia to bring this breakthrough device to customers in Australia.”

For corporate customers, Vodafone 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, Vodafone 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 Vodafone

Vodafone Group Plc is a leading mobile communications company. Vodafone Group has ownership interests in 27 countries, and partner networks in a further 15 countries - leaving an unmatched network footprint. The company provides quality services to 3.45 million Australian customers and has more than 179.3 million proportionate customers worldwide.

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.

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.

© Vodafone Pty Limited 2004: VODAFONE and the Vodafone logos are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners.

Contact Information

Marisa Conway

Brodeur Worldwide (for RIM)

Research In Motion (RIM)

Contact via E-mail