RIM claims imminent China BlackBerry deal

Research In Motion (RIM) has finally won the right to sell its BlackBerry devices in China, according to media reports. 

The news follows a long-running confrontation between RIM and the Chinese authorities.

Jim Balsillie, co-chief executive at RIM, made the first hints of a breakthrough last week when he talked of upcoming services in Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Beijing.

"RIM continues to strengthen the relationship with China Mobile and BlackBerry awareness in China," he told investors.

"In the first quarter RIM obtained BlackBerry device certification, and we are finalising delivery and availability in the mainland.

"We are excited to move forward to deliver BlackBerry to corporate customers in key cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, where there is strong interest in the BlackBerry solution."

However, a RIM spokesman told vnunet.com that this does not mean that its move into China is a done deal. "Balsillie's comments do not confirm availability in China," he said.

China Unicom pre-empted RIM's entry into the market by launching the Redberry in April 2006, which uses the Uni PushMail service and is very similar to the BlackBerry. 

However, RIM made ground during the same month by establishing a roaming deal with China Mobile, allowing its customers to access services in the country. 

RIM sold 2.4 million BlackBerry units worldwide in the second quarter of 2007 without access to China's 494 million mobile users.