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Mobile World Congress - Barcelona, Spain, February 13, 2008
– Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced plans to
develop and distribute a prepaid option to operators in the wireless market for
use with the BlackBerry® platform.
Customized for BlackBerry® smartphones, the real-time, volume-based charging
solution will be hosted by Alcatel-Lucent and will seamlessly integrate with
operators’ existing networks. This option will enable BlackBerry smartphone
users to track the minutes and data they have used against the prepaid amount
remaining in their account so they can easily refill their account as
needed.
"In line with Alcatel-Lucent’s strategy to provide extensive expertise
in managed communication services, we are proud to develop and provide
customers with prepaid options for BlackBerry smartphones. We hope this
solution will enable more operators in high-growth economies to greatly expand
their business opportunity", said Michel Rahier, President of
Alcatel-Lucent’s Carrier business.
“We are proud of the work that has been done in partnership with
Alcatel-Lucent to bring the BlackBerry solution to new markets and we look
forward to expanding this relationship,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-Chief Executive
Officer at Research In Motion. “We believe a prepaid option enabled by
Alcatel-Lucent will add significant value for our operator partners and further
broaden customer interest in BlackBerry smartphones.”
The partnership between Alcatel-Lucent and RIM has already led to
distribution of the BlackBerry solution in several countries across Eastern
Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, including China, the world’s largest
wireless market.
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