RIM gets clearance to sell BlackBerry in ChinaResearch in Motion has received clearance to sell its popular BlackBerry device in China after eight years of trying.
The Canadian-based company says it is finalizing the delivery of its products there.
RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie, speaking on a conference call with analysts last week, said the company was planning to serve corporate customers in key Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
RIM’s move into China comes as it competes in the US with Apple’s heavily hyped iPhone, which began selling in the US last week. The iPhone can handle phone calls, email, Web browsing, music and videos.
A manager in RIM’s Beijing office was quoted on Wednesday as saying RIM expects to start selling its 8700g handset in Chinese shops at the end of next month and has already received 5,000 advance orders.
Balsillie says they will continue to strengthen their relationship with China Mobile and they plan to increase BlackBerry awareness in China. The BlackBerry already sells in India and Japan.
The company said BlackBerry subscriber accounts grew by about 1.2 million during the first quarter for a total of 9.2 million.
RIM stock has surged 26% since the company announced first-quarter earnings grew 73% thanks to increased sales and subscriber additions, many of them international subscribers.
