BlackBerry passes 10m subscriber mark

Research in Motion has announced strong second-quarter results for its BlackBerry handsets

BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion has announced strong second-quarter results, adding around 1.45 million subscribers to break the 10 million mark.

Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 reached $1.37bn, up 27 per cent from $1.08bn in the previous quarter.

"RIM's second-quarter results were exceptionally strong on all metrics including revenue, subscriber account additions and net income," said co-chief executive Jim Balsillie.

"With over 10 million BlackBerry subscriber accounts, and over 20 million handsets shipped, we are pleased with our position in the market today.

"We expect recent product and market initiatives to extend our business momentum through the remainder of the fiscal year."

Balsillie claimed that strong demand for the BlackBerry Curve and BlackBerry Pearl handsets helped to mitigate the usual summer sales slowdown, and that the BlackBerry service is now available from around 325 operators worldwide.

RIM continued its push into the retail market during the quarter, with non-corporate subscriber account additions in the US exceeding 50 per cent for the first time.

Device sales made up the vast majority of RIM's revenue at approximately 78 per cent, followed by services at 15 per cent, software at four per cent and 'other sources' at three per cent.

Revenue for the quarter ending 1 December 2007 is expected to be in the range of $1.60bn to $1.67bn, and subscriber account additions in the third quarter are expected to be approximately 1.65 million.

Mobile operator Sprint has launched the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition in the US, offering a special $10.5m version of the phone, sweetening the deal by throwing in a free private island.