ATLANTA and WATERLOO, -- Ontario, Sept. 7, 2004 -- EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK), one of the nation's leading ISPs, today announced the launch of the all-in-one color BlackBerry 7750 Wireless Handheld(TM) with wireless email and voice service. Using the BlackBerry(R) platform, designed and manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), the new EarthLink offering combines phone, email, Internet access and other applications to make EarthLink the first ISP to offer a complete wireless data and voice solution.
In addition to being sold, supported and provisioned by EarthLink, the new offering features EarthLink's suite of protection tools. Included in this suite, exclusively available to EarthLink customers, is EarthLink spamBlocker, which blocks virtually 100 percent of unwanted email messages at the server.
"By adding voice to our growing list of applications -- including email, wireless Internet access and attachment viewing -- EarthLink becomes the first ISP to offer a comprehensive wireless data and voice solution," said Brent Cobb, vice president, EarthLink Wireless. "Beyond giving mobile professionals the benefits of an EarthLink experience when they are away from the office -- including blocking virtually all spam from reaching the handheld -- offering the BlackBerry 7750 is an important early step in our overall strategy to expand our voice and data offerings and become a complete communications provider."
The BlackBerry 7750 from EarthLink Wireless provides users with phone, email, text messaging, Web browser and organizer applications in a compact, intuitive, easy-to-use handheld that includes: a large, high-resolution screen and vibrant display - supporting more than 65,000 colors, integrated attachment viewing, exceptional battery life, a backlit QWERTY keyboard for fast text entry, and other features.
"With well over one million subscribers, BlackBerry continues to grow in popularity and continues to offer the best combined email and phone experience," said Mark Guibert, vice president, corporate marketing of Research In Motion. "EarthLink has earned a reputation of providing a leading online experience with excellent customer service and support and, we see the BlackBerry 7750 offering as a natural extension of our four year partnership."
EarthLink Wireless' pricing plans, which include unlimited data, start at $39.95 per month, and for an additional $39.95 per month customers get 500 anytime minutes with no roaming fees and free night and weekend calling In addition, customers can bring their mobile numbers with them when they switch their existing service to EarthLink Wireless and can rely on support from a dedicated BlackBerry(R)-trained support team.
For more information or to sign up, visit http://www.earthlink.net/wireless or call 1-800-EARTHLINK.
About EarthLink
"EarthLink revolves around you(TM)." Celebrating ten years as a leading national Internet service provider (ISP), Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. Serving over five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high- quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, Web hosting, or wireless Internet service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own terms. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's Web site at http://www.earthlink.net .
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(R) wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) 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 http://www.rim.com or http://www.blackberry.com .
