leo™, Emitac Mobile Solutions and RIM introduce the BlackBerry® solution in Namibia

Windhoek (Namibia), Dubai (UAE) and Waterloo, ON – leo™™ Namibia, Emitac Mobile Solutions and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® solution in Namibia.

The BlackBerry® solution brings together smartphones, software and services to allow easy wireless access to email, messaging, social networking, phone, calendar, web, multimedia and other business and lifestyle applications. Many customers in Namibia will now be able to enjoy the freedom and productivity benefits of using BlackBerry® smartphones to stay connected to people and information while on the go.

Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, Namibia, leo™’s Chief Executive Officer, Gerhard May said: “Since launching in Namibia, leo™ has always been committed to offering workable communication solutions to our customers, no matter where they are.  Over the past few months we have demonstrated this with the introduction of several high-speed data, voice and SMS packages.  Now with the launch of the industry-leading BlackBerry® solution, leo™ once again demonstrates our profound understanding of the Namibian business environment and our clients’ needs.”

“We are delighted to partner with leo™ Namibia and RIM to launch the BlackBerry solution in yet another African market. We believe there is great potential for the solution in the region,” says Mr. Babar Khan, CEO of Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS). “EMS’s expertise with the BlackBerry® solution has helped leo™ Namibia rapidly launch their services in anticipation of high customer demand.”

Deon Liebenberg, Regional Director for Sub Sahara Africa at RIM added, “RIM is pleased to work with EMS and leo™ Namibia to offer the BlackBerry® solution to customers in Namibia.  BlackBerry® smartphones deliver a powerful and unique mobile experience, allowing users to stay easily connected to people and information while on the move.”

At launch, leo™ Namibia will offer the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520, BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 and BlackBerry® Storm2™ smartphones.

The slim new BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 is an extremely approachable smartphone. It provides easy mobile access to email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and popular social networking sites (including Facebook®, Twitter® and MySpace®). It also features rich multimedia capabilities and easy access to music, games and other mobile apps for entertainment on the go.

The BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 is a perfect tool for business professionals and power users. It offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, a 3.2MP camera and a dazzling, high resolution display.

The BlackBerry® Storm2™ is RIM’s award-winning touch-screen smartphone. It features a large and brilliant display that provides users with a rich mobile experience with games, videos, photos, web browsing and more. The BlackBerry® Storm2™ includes RIM's next generation SurePress™ technology which provides the user with tactile feedback when the touch-screen is pressed.

At launch leo™ will offer BlackBerry® Internet Service for small businesses and individual users as part of the “Control Chat package” outlined below.

BlackBerry® Internet Service allows customers to access up to 10 supported corporate and personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts such as Yahoo! Mail and Google Mail) from a BlackBerry® smartphone.

BlackBerry® Enterprise Server is designed for corporate customers that manage their own email servers and is planned to be offered at a later date.
 

Pricing

Leo™ is pleased to offer the “Control Chat package” which includes:

* 200 free minutes (to all local networks)
* 100 free SMS messages (to all local networks)           
* Unlimited email and Internet access on BlackBerry Internet Service

The Leo™ Control Chat package is available with the:

BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 @ N$529 per month excl. VAT
                       
BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 @ N$659 per month excl. VAT

BlackBerry® Storm2™ @ N$699 per month excl. VAT

BlackBerry® smartphones and bundle contracts are available at all leo™ shops and our Customer Care Agents are waiting for your call on 085-135 or visit www.leo.na for more information.

About leo™

Powercom (Pty) Ltd, trade name leo™, a Namibian cellular communications company and the second mobile operator in Namibia, commercially launched its operation in Namibia on March 16th 2007.  It is a subsidiary of Telecel Globe, which in turn is wholly owned by Orascom Telecom Holding.  Telecel Globe is a majority owned subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) and was established with the objective to become a leading international telecommunications company operating mobile broadband networks in small and medium size emerging markets exhibiting serious growth potential.  In September 2009, Cell One was rebranded to leo™ when the TMP and other shareholding, was bought-out by Telecel Globe.  leo™ very quickly entrenched itself in the Namibian market, further expanding its network coverage and distribution outlets.  leo™ has a quality and state of the art mobile network capable of delivering next generation services.  The network is equipped with EDGE/3G/ and HSDPA functionalities and currently covers 75% of Namibia. 

About Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS)

Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS) is a Dubai based solutions and service provider and RIM strategic channel partner focused on the delivery, implementation and support of BlackBerry® Solutions. Delivered by an experienced team of mobile professionals, EMS provides the mobile operator with sales, marketing, distribution, solution implementation and technical support services for the BlackBerry® wireless platform from Research In Motion (RIM). For organizations using the BlackBerry wireless platform, EMS provides the ability to rapidly create, deploy and manage robust client-server wireless applications that reduce an organization's total cost of ownership and significantly increases the value of their mobile technology investment.  EMS is the region’s first Mobile Virtual Solutions Provider (MVSP) whose services are delivered through partnerships the company has with mobile operators in the Gulf, North Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information about EMS please visit www.emsmobile.ae

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, Asia Pacific and Latin America. 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.

Media Contacts:

Beverly Jandrell-Uren
Corporate Communication Department
leo™ Namibia
Telephone: +264 8 55 606 585
Email:  mediaroom@leo.na

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