March 19, 2006

By: Shawnee McRoberts
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

Nextel and RIM Introduce New BlackBerry 7520; BlackBerry 7520 First to Combine Bluetooth, Speakerphone and Cross Border Walkie Talkie Services

Nextel Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:NXTL) and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM; TSX:RIM) today announced the availability of the BlackBerry 7520 Wireless Handheld(TM). The BlackBerry 7520(TM) features Bluetooth(R) technology for hands-free, wireless communications using Bluetooth-enabled headsets and car kits. It also incorporates GPS technology with E911 support. The BlackBerry 7520 provides a true mobile office experience, enabling phone, Direct Connect(R), email and data applications in a single integrated device. It operates on Nextel's guaranteed all-digital network to provide mobile professionals the freedom to access information and communicate while away from the office.

"BlackBerry continues to be an important part of Nextel's wireless business solutions strategy and Nextel has made it a priority to offer customers a true mobile office experience in a handheld device that empowers them to make their business life and personal life easier to manage," said Blair Kutrow, vice president product management, Nextel Communications. "Whether an important email or phone call while away from the office, contact information for an important client while on a business trip, or access to your calendar for the start time of your daughter's soccer game, the BlackBerry 7520 from Nextel helps keep control of your busy life."

New Features of the BlackBerry 7520 from Nextel:

• Bluetooth capabilities - for wireless headsets, earpieces and car kits
• Enhanced attachment viewing - view and store JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG and TIFF files and save images directly from attachments for easy viewing(1)
• Increased memory - 32 MB flash memory plus 4 MB SRAM to provide ample storage for data and applications
• Full wireless PIM synchronization - enables automatic wireless synchronization of calendar, contacts, email notes and tasks(1)
• Bright, backlit color screen (supports over 65,000 colors) - easily view information at-a-glance and control backlight intensity and duration up to two minutes
• GPS-enabled - designed to help police, fire and rescue to determine device location in the event of an emergency
• Powerful Mobile Applications - supported by new Java(TM) Development Environment for BlackBerry(R) v4.0
• Design Enhancements - larger keypad, scratch-resistant metal bezel and exclusive Arctic Black color

The BlackBerry 7520 also includes the features that have made the BlackBerry 7510 from Nextel so popular and functional, including wireless access to email and email attachments, phone, Nextel Online(R) Wireless Web, intranet and organizer applications, speakerphone and Direct Connect(R), the powerful coast-to-coast and country-to-country digital walkie-talkie service.

"The BlackBerry 7520 is a strong addition to the product line-up and we are very pleased to continue our momentum with Nextel," said Larry Conlee, Chief Operating Officer, RIM. "Together, Nextel and RIM are providing a robust productivity solution for customers and a powerful mobile application platform for developers."

For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server software tightly integrates with Microsoft(R) Exchange or IBM(R) Lotus(R) Domino(R) and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based, wireless access to email and other corporate data. The BlackBerry 7520 can integrate with a variety of corporate data applications targeted to key market segments such as financial, government, distribution, professional services, real estate, field sales and service, construction and manufacturing.

For individuals and smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service(TM) allows users to access up to ten-supported corporate and/or personal email accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and many popular ISP email accounts) from a single device.

Author Notes:

Shawnee McRoberts contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  An industry resource for the wireless industry featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of phones and service plans.