Press Release
January 7, 1998
Research In Motion Increases Contract With RAM Mobile Data To $90 Million
Waterloo, Ontario - Research In Motion (TSE:RIM) today announced it has signed a contract to increase its supply of two-way pagers to RAM Mobile Data [renamed to BellSouth Wireless Data, March 18, 1998] USA Limited Partnership. The contract represents an enlargement of RIM's August 1997 agreement to supply RAM with two-way pagers valued at approximately $70 million to be delivered throughout the 1998 calendar year. The additional order is for $20 million with the incremental two-way pagers scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of calendar 1999.
"Our growing relationship with RAM underscores the quality of our product capabilities and firmly entrenches Research In Motion as the world’s leading producer of two-way pagers," said Mike Lazaridis, RIM President and Co-CEO. "It also illustrates the growing popularity of this technology and the rapid expansion of wireless networks."
Lazaridis said the recent commissioning and operation of RIM's new manufacturing facility provides it with the capacity to meet growing customer demand on a timely basis, and was a "major factor in allowing us to increase our commitment to RAM."
RIM's Inter@ctive Pager was named Top Product for 1997 in the category of "Innovative Devices: Voice and/or Data" by Wireless for the Corporate User Magazine. It provides easy Internet and intranet connectivity in a palm-sized pager with a full keyboard and graphical display, allowing users to receive, respond to, and initiate messages from a small, lightweight communications device.
RAM Mobile Data is an expert in providing proven wireless data communications solutions that eliminate the barriers between critical information and mobile users, delivering a competitive advantage to aggressive, innovative companies and individuals leveraging communications technologies to meet their strategic goals. RAM operates its wireless data service throughout the United States, which presently covers more than 93 percent of the urban business population located in 266 metropolitan areas with a total population of 200 million people. In October 1997, BellSouth Corp. signed a definitive agreement to obtain 100 percent operational control of RAM Mobile Data. Web site address: www.ram.com.
Research In Motion Limited is a world leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing wireless consumer and business-to-business electronic access technology for the rapidly emerging mobile personal communications market. The company's current product portfolio includes revolutionary two-way pagers, wireless personal computer card adapters, software connectivity tools and embedded wireless radios. Based in Waterloo, Ontario and listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, Research In Motion is a knowledge-based company with proprietary technologies. Its customers include a diversified range of major multinational companies, including wireless network suppliers and value-added resellers. Email: investor_relations@rim.net. Web site address: www.rim.net.
Research In Motion, RIM, the RIM logo, and Inter@ctive are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion and RIM are registered, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
