Yesterday we brought word that the BlackBerry 8310 would soon be coming to the United Kingdom, but we were left hanging on the exact date and who the carrier would be.

The answers came quick! The 8310 will become available on September 3rd and Vodafone will be the initial carrier (they have an exclusive until the end of October). The 8310 adds GPS to the standard Curve, and Vodafone is offering 1 year of free Vodafone Sat Nav on BIS activations.

For Pricing and More information, read the full release after the jump... Click Here!

 
Vodafone UK and RIM announce the new Blackberry Curve 8310 smartphone with free Vodafone Sat Nav

23 August 2007

You'd literally be lost without it

Vodafone UK and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8310 with built-in GPS*. The new smartphone includes Vodafone Sat Nav, a powerful and user friendly navigation application. The BlackBerry Curve 8310 can now be ordered online at www.vodafone.co.uk/8310 and will be available from the 3rd September exclusively on the Vodafone UK network until 31st October 2007.

The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is a powerful and intuitive smartphone, making it easier for busy people on the move to make calls, email, surf the net, take and send photographs, listen to music, watch videos, and access their organiser, calendar and a range of business and leisure applications. Combining its built-in GPS functionality with Vodafone Sat Nav, the BlackBerry Curve 8310 becomes a powerful all-in-one navigation system packed into a very small and stylish design.

Vodafone Sat Nav, powered by Telmap, helps customers avoid getting stuck in traffic jams with instant access to live traffic alerts; and provides weather updates and a host of other useful information such as restaurant reviews. Customers also can be reassured that they have the most up-to-date maps and directions on their smartphone, as it quickly retrieves information over the Vodafone network refreshing maps every three months.

"With the addition of Vodafone Sat Nav to the popular BlackBerry Curve, we’re offering all our customers a feature packed device at a great price, helping them make the most of their working day, wherever they are," comments Kyle Whitehill, Director of the Enterprise Business Unit, Vodafone UK

"Vodafone’s customers in the UK will benefit greatly from the many features of this new smartphone, including email, multimedia, GPS and more,” said Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President and Managing Director, EMEA at RIM. “The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is an ideal tool for users who want to stay connected while juggling their busy work and personal lives.

"Customers who purchase the new BlackBerry Curve 8310 will have an exclusive opportunity to enter a draw to win the ride of a lifetime in a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton at the wheel. In addition the winner will also take a tour the McLaren Technology Centre and be given their own race suit and helmet.

The new BlackBerry Curve 8310 is packed with distinctive BlackBerry smartphone functionality, including comprehensive email capabilities, fast web browsing, and premium phone features, as well as consumer-friendly features such as a built-in 2 megapixel camera, media player and a powerful desktop software suite for managing multimedia content. The BlackBerry Curve 8310 can be tailored to suit individual lifestyles through a wide range of applications, from currency converters and expense managers to fitness guides and games. Vodafone customers can also customise the home menu in order to have easy access to the applications they use most.

Pricing and Availability
* Free 12 months subscription to Vodafone Sat Nav is available to customers connecting to the BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) bought in store, online or through Vodafone telesales. The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is available on either BlackBerry personal or business price plans with prices starting at free, dependent on price plan. Customers should contact their account manager or visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business for more details.

About Vodafone UK
Vodafone UK has 16.3 million customers and is part of the world’s leading international mobile telecommunications Group, offering a wide range of voice and data communications. The company is committed to providing mobile solutions that allow both consumer and business customers to make the most of now. In addition, Vodafone connects customers across the globe with roaming agreements worldwide. It provides 3G roaming in 29 countries and offers great roaming value with Vodafone Passport. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.co.uk.

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® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ 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 www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

For further information please contact:

Grace Jones
Harvard PR
020 8564 6323
vodafone@harvard.co.uk

Bryony Clow
Vodafone Group Media Relations
Telephone: +44 (0) 8454 444466
Press.office@vodafone.com

RIM Investor Relations
(519) 888-7465
investor_relations@rim.com

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