Celtel, EMS & RIM launch the BlackBerry solution in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya, Dubai, and Waterloo, ON - Celtel Kenya today launched the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) to mobile professionals in Kenya.

Celtel customers will be able to access a wide range of features using a BlackBerry smartphone, including push email, mobile phone services, corporate data, SMS, web, business and lifestyle applications and a range of personal information management (PIM) tools.

The launch of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution in Kenya is the result of a partnership between Celtel, Emitac Mobile Solutions LLC(EMS) and RIM, who have collaborated to bring the BlackBerry solution to market in this region.

At launch, Celtel Kenya will offer the BlackBerry® 8700g, BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 and BlackBerry® 8800 smartphones to its customers.

The BlackBerry 8700g delivers fast performance for wireless email (with support for attachment viewing), web browsing and other mobile applications. It features a bright, high resolution LCD display that supports more than 65,000 colors and delivers vivid graphics. It also incorporates an intelligent light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the screen and keyboard to provide optimal lighting for outdoor, indoor and dark environments. The BlackBerry 8700g supports text messaging (SMS and MMS) and instant messaging and comes with premium phone features such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, call forwarding, speakerphone and Bluetooth® support for hands-free use with car kits and wireless headsets.

The BlackBerry Pearl is the smallest BlackBerry device yet at a mere 4.2” (107mm) x 1.97” (50mm) x .57” (14.5mm) and weighing just 3.1 ounces (89 grams). In addition to supporting phone, email, messaging, organizer, web browser and other mobile applications, the BlackBerry Pearl also incorporates a digital camera, MP3 player, video player and an expandable memory slot.

The BlackBerry 8800 smartphone is packed with powerful communications capabilities and yet is also incredibly compact, slim and stylish. The BlackBerry 8800 also includes built-in GPS, BlackBerry® Maps, a media player, expandable memory slot and a trackball navigation system.

These smartphones are supported by BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, which tightly integrates with IBM Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange, and Novell® GroupWise® environments and features a new set of IT policy controls for managing the device’s features and usage.

“We are pleased to introduce the BlackBerry solution in Kenya with Celtel and are confident our customers will benefit from access to the world’s leading wireless technology,” said Mr. Babar Khan, CEO of Emitac Mobile Solutions..“BlackBerry gives Celtel customers the freedom to stay connected to their inbox while on the move,.” said Mr. Babar Khan, CEO of Emitac Mobile Soulitions, the BlackBerry Strategic Partner for Middle East and Africa.

Celtel customers using their BlackBerry smartphone within East Africa’s One Network can benefit from instant coverage via GPRS when roaming in the region.

Along with the services outlined above, Celtel customers will also be able to access their calendar, address book and task list while on the move, from their BlackBerry smartphone.