China Telecom, RIM Sign BlackBerry Deal
Economic Observer, 12/18/09
A source within China Telecom (NYSE: CHA; 0728.HK) has revealed that the company has signed an agreement with Research in Motion, the Canada-based maker of BlackBerry smartphones, to become a BlackBerry partner in China. The source, however, said the agreement is not exclusive due to China Mobile's (NYSE: CHL; 0941.HK) existing deal with RIM.
Editor's Note: Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research in Motion, confirmed a deal had been signed during an earnings call on December 17. China Telecom spokesman Jacky Yung said today that while there is an agreement, details including a timetable have not yet been finalized. Another source at China Telecom said the agreement would be officially announced in the beginning of 2010, while another industry source claimed the first CDMA2000 EV-DO BlackBerry would reach the market no later than February.
Keywords: Jacky Yung Jim Balsillie China Telecom wireless Blackberry RIM 0728.HK CHA handset smartphone CDMA2000 EV-DO