ICT magazine

Telma, a mobile operator in Madagascar, Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® wireless solution in Madagascar. Using BlackBerry® smartphones Telma customers will be able to wirelessly send and receive emails, make phone calls, browse the Internet, send text messages and access corporate and lifestyle applications when on the move.Telma is working with Alcatel-Lucent and RIM to help customers stay connected to people and the information that matters to them through BlackBerry® smartphones. Based on its distribution agreement with RIM, Alcatel-Lucent has provided global integration services to Telma with the end-to-end implementation, launch, and on-going support for delivering the BlackBerry solution to the market.

“This partnership illustrates the desire of Telma to forge strong strategic links with global partners, whose technological and marketing expertise allows us to ensure our business customers receive a level of service that meets the highest international standards,” said Ron Allard, Chief Executive Officer of Telma. “Progressive operators like Telma are looking for converged solutions, services and suppliers to give them a competitive advantage in their markets. Alcatel-Lucent has unique global integration expertise that helps to ensure that we can quickly and effectively introduce the BlackBerry solution.”

Alcatel-Lucent and Telma will work together to provide Telma’s customers with BlackBerry smartphones for easy, mobile access to email and the Internet, as well as a wide range of corporate and personal applications. The BlackBerry solution enables enhanced business communications and increased employee productivity, delivering a significant competitive advantage to Telma’s enterprise customers.  Users can also enjoy the flexibility of web browsing and communications with friends, family and colleagues on the go and at their convenience.

“This agreement further reinforces Alcatel-Lucent’s ability to leverage our global strengths and local presence to deliver enterprise-managed communications and extend value-added services, enabling operators to quickly meet market demand,” said Frederic Rose, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s business in Europe, Africa and Asia. “As a result Telma customers will be able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility afforded by BlackBerry smartphones for staying connected to communications and information whenever they wish.”

“We are pleased to extend the availability of the BlackBerry solution to Madagascar in cooperation with Telma and Alcatel-Lucent,” said Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President and Managing Director of RIM, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “We believe Telma customers in Madagascar will quickly realise the advantages that BlackBerry smartphones can bring to organizations and individuals that strive to be more productive, flexible and ultimately more successful in work and life.”

Initially Telma will offer customers the BlackBerry® 8800 smartphone.