Bell Mobility to offer the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone - Ready to roll on Bell's all-new HSPA mobile network launching in November

Oct 21, 2009

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today confirmed that it will offer the new BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700, the latest 3G smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), when Bell Mobility launches its all-new HSPA high-speed wireless network in November.

"Bell is thrilled to bring the powerful new BlackBerry Bold 9700 to business and consumer clients nationwide when we launch our new HSPA network next month," said Adel Bazerghi, Senior Vice President of Products at Bell Mobility. "Clients will be able to choose from BlackBerry smartphones that operate on Bell's new HSPA network, offering superior international roaming to more than 200 countries worldwide, or those that operate on Bell's existing EVDO network, already Canada's largest 3G network and offering unbeatable North American coverage. With Bell, clients will have access to the best of both worlds."

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, 3.2MP camera and sharp, dazzling display. Cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extend to the exterior of the handset as well, with the new model integrating a touch-sensitive trackpad and the highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard found in RIM's premium full-QWERTY handsets. Chrome highlights and a leatherette back add to the new smartphone's sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch frame allow it to sit comfortably in one hand.

"The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 delivers state-of-the-art features and performance in a compact and beautifully designed handset," said Don Morrison, Chief Operating Officer at Research In Motion. "This sleek and powerful 3G smartphone offers an incredibly refined mobile experience that is ideal for both personal and professional use."

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    Features of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone from Bell Mobility will
include:
    - Sleek design measuring 109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm and weighing just
      122 grams
    - Sharp and dazzling 2.44" (62mm) light-sensing display (480 x 360
      resolution at 245 ppi)
    - Highly tactile, full QWERTY keyboard - with finely sculpted keys and
      chrome frets - for fast, accurate typing
    - Innovative touch-sensitive trackpad that allows intuitive and
      responsive navigation
    - Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
    - 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording
    - 256 MB of Flash memory
    - microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and
      is expected to support 32 GB cards when available; a 2GB card is
      included
    - Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus support for
      BlackBerry Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry®
      Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes® and Windows Media® Player
      music with the smartphone*
    - A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, dedicated volume controls, Lock and Mute
      keys seamlessly integrated across the top of the handset
    - Access to BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing
      catalog of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry
      smartphones; categories include games, entertainment, IM and social
      networking, news, weather, productivity and more.
    - Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression
      technology and high quality speakerphone
    - Bluetooth® (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free
      headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
    - HSDPA and quad-band EDGE support for global roaming
    - BlackBerry® OS 5.0, offering users email management and calendar
      enhancements(xx) as well as a better browsing experience with faster
      JavaScript and CSS processing
    - BlackBerry® Internet Service and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server
      support
    - Removable, rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery that provides approximately
      6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time in 3G mode

    Operating on Bell Mobility's state-of-the-art HSPA wireless network, the
BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone will also deliver great Bell Mobility mobile
data services including GPS location, Live TV, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and
Unlimited NHL.

    *  Certain music files may not be supported, including files that
         contain digital rights management technologies
    (xx) Some features require BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0
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About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell TV direct-to-home satellite television, Bell Home phone local and long distance, and IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell is proud to be a Premier National Partner and the exclusive Telecommunications Partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For information on Bell's products and services, please visit www.bell.ca. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Julie Smithers, Bell Media Relations, (416) 528-9409, julie.smithers@bell.ca