Indian security agencies dissatisfied with RIM’s interception solution
The Indian government has announced that the country’s security agencies have expressed dissatisfaction over the solution provided by BlackBerry smartphone maker Research-In-Motion (RIM).
According to Minister of State for IT and Communications Sachin Pilot, for Blackberry Messenger (BBM) services, a solution has been offered by RIM but the Security Agencies are not satisfied with the solution.
The government has asked RIM to handover interception solution for its BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS), BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and BlackBerry Enterprise Servers (BES) by January 31, 2011.
RIM later claimed it has given government solution to intercept BIS and BBM before the stipulated timeline but denied to have any solution to intercept BES.
According to Pilot, RIM has not yet given the solution for interception of their BlackBerry Enterprise Services (BES). According to RIM, they do not have any key for this service because communication offered through this service is dynamically encrypted.
The Minister mentioned the message in text can be obtained from Enterprise Email servers, where it is in readable format. Enterprise Email servers are deployed for corporate houses.
According to Indian Telegarph Act, 1885 and the licensing term and condition of telecom service providers, it is required for companies to provide Lawful Interception and Monitoring solution for any service they provide.
However, in case of Blackberry security agencies are only able to intercept voice (phone calls), SMS and BIS.
RIM assures final Messenger solution by end-January: Indian government
As per the Indian government, Research In Motion(RIM) has set up a short-term arrangement for legal interception of BlackBerry Messenger services and has assured to provide a final solution by end-January. And according to government source, talks are still on over access to corporate emails.
India, among several countries had expressed concerns over BlackBerry services that could be used to stir political or social instability, and had threatened RIM with a ban if denied access to its highly secure Messenger and corporate email communications.
RIM had won a 60-day acquittal at the end of August after offering India a solution to monitor some BlackBerry data, a claim yet to be confirmed by the Canadian firm.
According to the statement by India’s interior ministry RIM had assured the government that they would provide the final solution for lawful interception of BlackBerry Messenger services by January 31. Accordingly, the BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) services will continue to be available.
India, the world’s fastest-growing mobile market, wants access to encrypted email traffic sent via RIM’s enterprise servers. As per the BlackBerry maker, its system is designed so that only the sponsoring business or organization has the technical capability to grant such access.
According to the Canadian firm, RIM can confirm that its discussions with the Indian government continue to be constructive and RIM remains optimistic about reaching a positive and final resolution.
BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 launched by RIM
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: BlackBerry Messenger v5.0 has been launched by Research in Motion allowing users to add a contact by scanning their BlackBerry Messenger barcode with the BlackBerry smartphone camera.
Status updates, group creation are the other features of the phone which will also allow users to send text messages from within BlackBerry Messenger. Pictures, videos, voice notes can be shared with multiple contacts at once.
BlackBerry Messenger is free at BlackBerry App World or from the BlackBerry smartphone at blackberry.com/blackberrymessenger.
Rogers and RIM launch the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone in Canada
Rogers Wireless and Research In Motion announced the launch of the BlackBerry Curve(TM) 8900 smartphone. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 delivers a sleek, new twist on a classic style, and it is the thinnest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone to date. It combines quad-band EDGE support with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, a 512 MHz next-generation processor and a dazzling 480 x 360, high-resolution display.
With an expansive feature-set including a powerful media player and 3.2 megapixel camera, as well as advanced phone, email, messaging, organizer and web browser applications, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone makes it incredibly easy to connect with family, friends and co-workers and to stay both productive and entertained while on the go.
“Rogers is thrilled to offer Canadians the exclusive BlackBerry Curve 8900, the smallest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone to enter the market,” said John Boynton, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless. “With its ingenious design and stunning display, leading-edge mobile messaging system and compatibility with Rogers TalkSpot, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 strikes the right balance between serious business tool and social lifeline.”
“The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone packs an amazing range of useful features into a simply beautiful and compact design,” said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Research In Motion. “It delivers a winning combination for people who want exceptional phone quality, reliable email and messaging and great media features together with a well designed keyboard and renowned ease-of-use.”
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone from Rogers Wireless features:
- A refined, streamlined design – the handset weighs just 110 grams and measures only 109mm x 60mm x 13.5mm
- A brilliant 2.4 inch HVGA+ light-sensing display that makes pictures and videos come to life
- A 3.2 MP digital camera including auto focus, digital zoom, flash, image stabilization and video recording
- Built-in GPS supporting TeleNav GPS Navigator(TM) and BlackBerry? Maps — providing maps, step-by-step directions, and local searches — as well as support for geotagging pictures
- Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) with support for Rogers TalkSpot(TM) service
- The Rogers Do More portal enabling access to a variety of mobile applications for business and personal use
- Instant messaging with BlackBerry Messenger, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger(TM) and Yahoo Messenger
- Support for the Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application, which enables fast, streamlined and optimized mobile access to the popular Facebook social utility
- An advanced media player for music, video and pictures, including support for streaming audio and video
- An enhanced web browser that displays full web pages quickly, for a desktop-style browsing experience wherever you are
- MicroSD/SDHC memory card slot supporting cards up to 16 GB, ideal for storing songs, pictures, videos and documents
- Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 5.5 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby time
- DataViz Documents To Go preinstalled, enabling customers to edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on the smartphone
- Support for BlackBerry Media Sync, giving users a simple way to sync iTunes digital music collections with the smartphone(i)
- Premium phone features including voice activated dialing, enhanced background noise cancellation, a low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth? (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals
- BlackBerry Internet Service support that allows access to up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts
- BlackBerry Enterprise Server support for enterprise deployments with advanced security and IT controls
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Beginning today, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone is available from Rogers from $179.99 with activation on any combination of 3 year voice and data plan with minimum combined monthly service fee of $45 per month from Rogers. Some conditions apply.
About Rogers Wireless
Rogers Wireless provides wireless voice and data communications services across Canada to more than 7.7 million customers under both the Rogers Wireless and Fido brands. Proven to operate Canada’s most reliable wireless voice and data communications network, Rogers Wireless is Canada’s largest wireless provider and the only carrier operating on the global standard GSM and highly advanced HSPA technology platforms. In addition to providing seamless roaming in more than 200 countries/areas with its GSM based services, Rogers Wireless also provides wireless broadband services across Canada utilizing its 2.5GHz fixed wireless spectrum. Rogers Wireless is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc., a diversified Canadian communications and media company.
For further information, please visit www.rogers.com.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
