SmarTone-Vodafone, Hong Kong’s leading mobile services company, and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, today launched the new BlackBerry® 8707v™.

“The BlackBerry 8707v is a powerful new mobile device that is available in Hong Kongexclusively from SmarTone-Vodafone,” said Mr. Douglas Li, Chief Executive Officer of SmarTone-Vodafone. “The BlackBerry 8707v is the first BlackBerry device that supports high speed UMTS networks as well as roaming in Japan and Korea. SmarTone-Vodafone provides the best 3G network with 99.9% coverage in Hong Kong and the widest 3G roaming destinations with 63 destinations worldwide, making the BlackBerry 8707v an ideal choice for business users and travelers.”

In addition to supporting email, phone, text messaging, browser, organizer and other corporate data applications, the BlackBerry 8707v can be used as a wireless modem to enable mobile users to connect to the Internet from their laptop. It also enables users to speak on the phone while simultaneously sending and receiving email, browsing the Internet or using other data applications, even while the handset is being used as a tethered modem.

The BlackBerry 8707v also comes with Vodafone Today, a unique home screen that summarizes the latest incoming communications — emails, phone calls, text messages and such — enabling users to stay on top of the latest information.

“In Hong Kong’s demanding and fast-paced business environment, timely access to communications and information is essential for business success,” said Norm Lo, Vice President, Asia Pacific at Research In Motion. “With the BlackBerry 8707v, mobile professionals will be better able to stay connected to people and information in a timely fashion, providing a competitive advantage. We are very pleased to bring the BlackBerry 8707v to Hong Kong with SmarTone-Vodafone.”

The BlackBerry 8707v has a bright, high-resolution color landscape QVGA (320 x 240) LCD screen that delivers vivid graphics with ample workspace for reading emails, browsing the Internet or viewing attachments of popular file formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, PDF, ASCII, JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF and PNG. An intelligent light sensing technology automatically optimizes the screen and keyboard lighting levels for indoor and outdoor viewing.

Operating on 2100 MHz UMTS networks, it also includes quad-band support on 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS networks, features a full QWERTY keyboard for rapid and accurate thumb typing and includes dedicated “send,” “end,” “mute” and “power” convenience keys.

A built-in speakerphone enables hands-free conversation. The handset can also be used with a wireless headset or car kit via Bluetooth®.

For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ software tightly integrates with Microsoft® Exchange, IBM Lotus® Domino® and Novell® GroupWise®, and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.

For individuals and smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Serviceâ„¢ enables users to manage up to ten corporate and personal email accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, IBM Lotus Domino and most popular ISP email accounts) from a single device.

About SmarTone-Vodafone

SmarTone-Vodafone is Hong Kong’s leading mobile services company in multimedia services. Its goal is to better enrich customers’ lives by bringing them closer to what matters to them – a world of greater possibilities and achievements. SmarTone-Vodafone is a GSM operator and a 3G services provider in Hong Kong. The commercial launch of 3G-enabled services at the end of 2004 for both consumers and business users is a key milestone in the company’s development in multimedia services. SmarTone-Vodafone is the marketing brand for SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited following the signing of a Partner Network Agreement with Vodafone. Established in 1992, the company has been listed in Hong Kong since 1996. Its major shareholder is Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited.

For more information, visit www.smartone-vodafone.com.

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 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.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.