JACKSON, Miss., May 31, 2000 - Staying in the know while on the
go has never been easier for mobile professionals, thanks to the latest
nationwide service offered by SkyTel, a WorldCom company, that features
the increasingly-popular BlackBerry wireless email solution from
Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSE: RIM). Customers now have
another tool for accessing their corporate email and personal
organizers wherever they travel.
SkyTel's new wireless email service, BlackBerry by SkyTel,
incorporates BlackBerry Exchange Edition, designed specifically for
corporate environments using Microsoft Exchange. BlackBerry is an
end-to-end wireless email solution that includes the RIM 850 Wireless
Handheld, integrated email/organizer software, PC docking cradle, PC
synchronization software, enterprise server software and nationwide
airtime. This platform addresses the strict IT standards required by
Fortune 500 companies for remote email access, including security and
network integration.
"BlackBerry by SkyTel adds tremendous value to our wireless
portfolio since research continues to show that the demand for wireless
data is growing significantly," explained Robert Kaiser, SkyTel
president and CEO. "It provides our customers who need access to
wireless data with an affordable, efficient nationwide service backed
by 24/7 customer service."
BlackBerry by SkyTel will be available in four to six weeks, company
officials said, and will be sold through SkyTel's direct sales
offices across the United States. Pricing will begin at $59.95 per
month for unlimited nationwide usage. The service will be available on
the RIM 850 Wireless Handheld.
"Combining the value of the BlackBerry wireless email solution
with SkyTel's distribution and customer care divisions creates a
powerful proposition for the marketplace," said Jim Balsillie, RIM
chairman and co-CEO. "BlackBerry allows SkyTel customers to extend
the benefits of their corporate email systems to mobile environments
and dramatically improve communication, collaboration and
productivity."
SkyTel is offering the service through its reseller agreement with
Motient, formerly American Mobile Satellite Corporation, and will
operate the service on that company's network, which is built
specifically to move large amounts of wireless data quickly.
"Because of the robust nature of our network, BlackBerry by
SkyTel customers will have access to the same proven network
reliability, speed, coverage and in-building penetration that we
already provide across a range of other wireless messaging and email
applications," said Walter V. Purnell Jr., Motient president and
CEO.
About SkyTel
SkyTel, a WorldCom company, provides traditional paging, text
messaging, interactive two-way messaging and telemetry services to more
than 1.8 million customers. WorldCom (NASDAQ: WCOM) is a global leader
in "all-distance" communications services with operations in
more than 65 countries. Revenues in 1999 were $37 billion, with more
than $15 billion from high-growth data, Internet and international
services. WorldCom and Sprint have announced, a merger agreement, which
the companies expect to close in the second half of 2000 after
regulatory and shareholder approvals. For more information go to
http://www.skytel.com.
About Motient
Motient (NASDAQ: MTNT) owns and operates an integrated
terrestrial/satellite network and provides a wide range of mobile
Internet communications services, including digital dispatch, data
communications, dual-mode mobile messaging, position reporting and
satellite telephone to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, and hundreds of miles of U. S. coastal waters. Motient
services are used in the transportation, field service, maritime,
emergency management and telemetry markets. The company's eLinkSM
provides two-way wireless email using the RIM 850 Wireless Handheld
device.
About Research In Motion
Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and
marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications
market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and
services, RIM provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive
information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based
applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third part
developers and manufacturers in North America and around the world to
enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity.
RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless
Handheld product line, the Blackberry wireless email solution, wireless
personal computer card adapters, embedded radio-modems and software
development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM
is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto
Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). Investors may contact
investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net. For
more iinformation, go to http://www.rim.net.
Research In Motion, RIM, RIM 850 Wireless Handheld, BlackBerry and
BlackBerry Exchange Edition are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Research In Motion Limited.
