Alltel Wireless Offers BlackBerry 8703e with Wireless Broadband Service and GPS Navigation

Sleek handheld delivers high-speed e-mail, application and browser access

December 7, 2006 - Little Rock, ARK and Waterloo, ON - Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that the BlackBerry® 8703e wireless handset is available to Alltel customers. The BlackBerry 8703e supports phone, e-mail, messaging, organizer, browser and other mobile applications that work on Alltel’s next generation high-speed Axcess Broadband network and supports turn-by-turn navigation with its built-in GPS capabilities.

“The BlackBerry 8703e is a great fit for mobile professionals who demand superior e-mail, browsing and voice performance in a secure, lightweight, all-in-one device,” said Wade McGill, senior vice president of product management for Alltel Wireless. “On Alltel’s Axcess Broadband network, the BlackBerry 8703e provides customers with wireless access to the Internet at speeds comparable to wired broadband connections such as cable modem or DSL.”

The BlackBerry 8703e is available from Alltel for $249.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. The price is available to new customers on two-year service agreements as well as to existing eligible customers on qualifying rate plans.

“The BlackBerry 8703e running on the Alltel Network is a high-performance productivity tool that delivers the functionality and flexibility that mobile professionals want while away from their desk,” said Mark Guibert, vice president, corporate marketing, Research In Motion. “We are very pleased to be working together to offer this powerful handset to Alltel customers.”

The BlackBerry 8703e allows customers to maintain wireless connectivity nationwide to a full suite of applications. It features a bright, high-resolution color LCD screen that provides ample workspace for viewing e-mail, Web pages, and other applications. Intelligent light sensing technology automatically optimizes screen lighting levels for viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments. The full QWERTY keyboard enables rapid, efficient and accurate message typing and information entry on the go.

The BlackBerry 8703e also offers first-rate phone features in a design that provides a natural feel while dialing. Placing calls with one hand is fast and simple and the handset includes large, dedicated “send,” “end,” and “mute” phone keys. The handset features intuitive call management tools, such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and call forwarding. And it comes with a built-in speakerphone, support for polyphonic and MP3 ringtones and integrated Bluetoothâwireless technology.

The BlackBerry 8703e runs on Alltel Wireless’ Axcess Broadband network, which offers average data speeds of 400 to 700 Kbps with maximum speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps(1). The EVDO (evolution data optimized) service provides Alltel Wireless customers with the ability to surf the Internet and access e-mail, calendars and large, graphic-rich files in dozens of markets, including Cleveland, Charlotte, Tampa and Phoenix. Alltel plans to launch Axcess Broadband in numerous additional cities in 2006 and 2007, giving it one of the largest EVDO footprints of any U.S. carrier. Where Axcess Broadband is not yet offered, the BlackBerry 8703e operates seamlessly on Alltel’s Axcess MobileLink 1xRTT network with average data speeds of 40-70 Kbps with bursts up to 144 Kbps.

Alltel is offering the BlackBerry 8703e with key value-added applications designed to maximize utility from the powerful handset. A mobile software store from Handango™ enables on-device software purchases from a catalog of productivity and entertainment titles. Handmark® Pocket Express™ delivers news, weather, sports, maps, directory look-ups, movie showtimes and other mobile content to Alltel subscribers. And TeleNav GPS Navigator™ leverages the built-in assisted-GPS technology of the handset to provide turn-by-turn, voice and onscreen driving directions to virtually any U.S. destination. Customers can find these applications at www.handango.com/alltel, www.handmark.com/alltel, and www.telenav.com, respectively, and will soon be able to have them delivered via “Virtual Preload” directly to their BlackBerry 8703e.

About Research In Motion

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, 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.blackberry.com or www.rim.com.

About Alltel

Alltel is owner and operator of the nation’s largest wireless network and has more than 11 million wireless customers.

Alltel, NYSE: AT
www.alltel.com

(1) Within EV-DO data wireless service coverage area only. Speed claims based on Alltel network tests. Actual data speeds vary based on network capacity and application design.

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. RIM assumes no liability and makes no representation, warranty or guarantee in relation to third party products or services.

Contact Information

Marisa Conway

Americas Contact

Brodeur Worldwide (for RIM)

Contact via E-mail