<span class="htext1">Innovating brands:</span> Blackberry

It has wormed its way as an essential part of the dress code of executives

It has wormed its way as an essential part of the dress code of executives. Launched in 1999, the BlackBerry solution was first introduced in North America by Research in Motion (RIM) and, subsequently, BlackBerry smartphones and service were first brought into India by Airtel. Since then, there has been no looking back. Over the last five years, RIM has expanded its network in the country with nine carrier networks and one national distributor offering the range of BlackBerry smartphones and services (worldwide, it has over 475 carrier partners and distributors in 160 countries.)

BlackBerry smartphones and services are available with Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices, Idea Cellular, Loop Mobile, BSNL, MTNL and Aircel. It is also available for enterprise and retail customers with prepaid and postpaid options.

The latest BlackBerry smartphones introduced in India include the BlackBerry Bold, the BlackBerry Pearl Flip, the BlackBerry Storm and the BlackBerry Curve 8900. In August this year, RIM introduced the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone, at a monthly pre-paid service of Rs 299 with an approachable price point for the handset - at Rs 15,990.

A BlackBerry works on the one-shoe-fits-all model and caters to everyone's work and lifestyle needs. Be it the top executive who needs information at his fingertips, a parent who wants to capture and share family photos on Facebook or a teenager who wants to stay connected with friends or someone who is looking for her batchmates from school.