Strategic Ptnership with RIM

Vodafone Group Plc 11 February 2008 11 February 2008 VODAFONE DEEPENS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH RIM Vodafone Selects BlackBerry as a Mass Market Consumer Platform Vodafone has today agreed to collaborate with Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) on the development of Vodafone consumer services for the BlackBerry(R) platform. This move sees Vodafone add the BlackBerry platform to the set of preferred consumer operating platforms that it strategically supports. This deepening of the strategic relationship between the two companies will see Vodafone and RIM concentrating on driving continued growth in business segments, and specifically, focusing on growing broader adoption in the consumer segment. Vodafone applications and services will also be tightly integrated with the BlackBerry platform providing Vodafone customers with an enhanced mobile experience. 'This strategic agreement aims to deliver an optimised experience - aimed squarely at the needs of the customer, delivering simple-to-use services and lower costs. We are excited to be working so closely with RIM to develop this area,' said Jens Schulte-Bockum, Vodafone Global Director of Terminals. 'In addition to growing the established Enterprise market, we fully expect the appeal of the BlackBerry platform to be strongly adopted by consumers; attracted by best in class messaging and email, internet experience, a range of multimedia capabilities including music and imaging functionality.' 'The BlackBerry platform continues to resonate strongly with consumers, especially with the introduction of the BlackBerry Pearl and the BlackBerry Curve, and we are pleased that Vodafone has selected BlackBerry as a preferred consumer platform. We look forward to working with Vodafone and the ecosystem of BlackBerry application partners to bring new experiences to BlackBerry smartphones,' said David Yach, CTO for Software at Research In Motion. - ends - For Further Information Vodafone Group Media Relations Tel: +44 1635 664444 Groupmediarelations@vodafone.com About Vodafone Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with operations in 25 countries across five continents and over 252 million proportionate customers at 31 December 2007, as well as 40 partner networks. For further information, please visit www.vodafone.com The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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