PDAction

New handset offers users a rich wireless experience and broadband-like access for people on the move

Vancouver, B.C. and Waterloo, ON - TELUS and Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the new BlackBerry® 8703e operating on TELUS’ Wireless High Speed (EVDO) and 1X networks. The BlackBerry 8703e offers clients uncompromising e-mail, browsing and voice performance in a sleek and stylish device with a full QWERTY keyboard.

“TELUS is proud to offer innovative products like the BlackBerry 8703e, which help our clients stay connected with voice and data services using high-speed mobile communications for both their professional and personal needs,” said Robert Blumenthal, TELUS senior vice-president, Products and Services. “Operating on TELUS’ Wireless High Speed service, the BlackBerry 8703e is an ideal device for clients who need fast access to data networks and the powerful e-mail and productivity applications available with BlackBerry.”

The BlackBerry 8703e delivers leading BlackBerry functionality, allowing users to maintain wireless connectivity to a full suite of applications including e-mail, phone, web browsing, Intranet access, instant messaging, text messaging, and organizer applications.

Using the handset on TELUS’ Wireless High Speed (EVDO) network, clients can typically download at speeds of approximately 400 to 700 kbps, with maximum possible speeds of more than 2 megabits per second. Where the Wireless High Speed network is not available, the BlackBerry 8703e will function throughout TELUS’ 1X network, which offers digital coverage to more than 94 per cent of Canadians.

The BlackBerry 8703e has a bright, high-resolution screen providing a large viewable workspace and includes intelligent light sensing technology to automatically optimize screen and keyboard lighting levels for ideal indoor and outdoor viewing. It also offers premium phone features and intuitive call management features such as smart dialing, speed dialing and call forwarding, dedicated “send”, “end”, “mute” and “convenience” keys, built-in speakerphone for hands-free use, and Bluetooth® support for use with headsets and car kits.

“The combination of TELUS’ Wireless High Speed network and the BlackBerry 8703e creates a great choice for people that want premium phone features together with unrivalled e-mail and browsing performance,” said Mark Guibert, vice-president, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “We’re very pleased to be working with TELUS to introduce this best-in-class handset to their mobile clients.”

In addition to BlackBerry handsets, TELUS offers BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and BlackBerry® Internet Service. For corporate clients, 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 e-mail and other corporate data. For individuals and smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service allows users to access up to ten corporate and personal e-mail accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and most popular ISP e-mail accounts) from a single device.

Clients can also use the BlackBerry 8703e to connect their laptop or desktop computer to the Internet, using the handset as a tethered modem, for high-speed Internet and data application access.

The BlackBerry 8703e is available to clients at TELUS retail locations nationally for as low as $249.99 on a three-year contract subject to promotional conditions, or $649.99 without a contract.

Research In Motion