Bangkok--11 Jun--AIS
AIS Launches New Service Packages With Mass Market Appeal
Advanced Info Service Plc. (AIS) and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of the highly anticipated BlackBerry Storm - the first touch-screen BlackBerry? smartphone. The BlackBerry Storm smartphone features the world’s first “clickable” touch-screen and delivers the renowned usability and performance of the BlackBerry solution with powerful communications and rich multimedia features. To further drive the growth of mobile data, AIS is introducing three new BlackBerry service packages* that offer mass market appeal and are customized for 3 different groups, including postpaid, prepaid, and inbound roamers:
1. AIS Postpaid Package for BlackBerry: 850 Baht per month
2. AIS Prepaid Package for BlackBerry: Only 40 Baht per day
3. AIS Ready to Use for BlackBerry: For foreigners travelling to Thailand, available at 500 Baht for 3 days and 900 Baht for 7 days
Mr. Somchai Lertsuttiwong, EVP Marketing of AIS said, “As a market leader, we continuously source the latest innovations for our customers. The BlackBerry solution is becoming highly popular in Thailand and we are pleased to offer Thai customers an additional handset choice with the innovative touch-screen BlackBerry Storm.”
“In addition, AIS has developed the country’s first BlackBerry service packages exclusively for the mass segment. We believe the service packages will be highly popular especially among prepaid users who are the largest customer base of the mobile phone market in Thailand. We believe that the new service packages, along with the new BlackBerry Storm, will bring customers great benefits that will accelerate the growth of mobile data use in Thailand.”
“We are excited to work with AIS to introduce the world’s first clickable touch-screen smartphone,” said Gregory Wade, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific at Research In Motion. “The BlackBerry Storm is a fashionable and user-friendly smartphone. With its rich set of features, chic design, and the renowned usability and performance of the BlackBerry platform, the BlackBerry Storm is a great choice for people seeking a powerful, intuitive, and fun smartphone for their mobile communications and entertainment needs.”
Honoured with the GSMA’s Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough award at Mobile World Congress 2009, the BlackBerry Storm smartphone's unique SurePress? touch-screen depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed, dramatically enhancing the touch interface for both typing and navigation, giving users an experience they can actually feel. The BlackBerry Storm comes with a large and stunning display together with a first class phone and the industry’s leading email and messaging capabilities, as well as many other powerful features including 3G (HSPA) network support, desktop-style web pages, advanced multimedia capabilities, 3.2 megapixel camera and built-in GPS — all designed to give users a powerful and intuitive mobile experience.
Features of the BlackBerry Storm smartphone include:
Sleek, stylish design with chromed frame, contoured corners and stainless steel back
Large (3.25-inch), "clickable" touch-screen with 480 x 360 resolution at 184 ppi, delivering sharp and bright colours
A powerful media player that can play movies smoothly in full-screen mode, display pictures and slideshows quickly and manage an entire music collection; playlists can be created directly on the handset
Support for HSPA high-speed networks around the world
Full HTML browser that works in either portrait or landscape orientation and support for mobile video streaming on sites such as YouTube (mobile.youtube.com) and other mobile entertainment portals
Purpose-built applications for Facebook?, Windows Live? Messenger, Yahoo!? Messenger, Google Talk?, and Flickr, allowing easy access to these popular IM and social networking services
3.2 megapixel camera, with variable zoom, auto focus and a powerful flash that also provides continuous lighting when recording video
Ability to synchronize with iTunes? or Windows Media? Player to enjoy music on the move** or music playback through a home stereo using the BlackBerry? Music Gateway
A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, support for the Bluetooth? stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP) and dedicated volume controls
An ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the backlighting and an accelerometer that allows the BlackBerry Storm to be used in either landscape or portrait mode
Built-in GPS that supports location-based applications and services, as well as geotagging photos
1 GB of onboard memory storage and a microSD/SDHC memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB of additional storage per card. An 8GB microSDHC card comes preinstalled
Preloaded DataViz Documents to Go? software suite allows users to edit Microsoft? Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the smartphone
Support for a wide range of lifestyle and business applications
Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time on 3G networks and 15 days of standby time
Supported on BlackBerry Internet Service and BlackBerry Enterprise Server
Availability
The BlackBerry Storm is now available from AIS at 29,900 baht including VAT. For more information on the BlackBerry Storm smartphone, please visit: http://www.blackberry.com/ap/blackberrystorm/ and www.ais.co.th
* These service packages are available from AIS for subscribers that use BlackBerry Internet Service. Additional service packages are available from AIS for subscribers that use BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
** Using BlackBerry? Media Sync. Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.
About AIS Thailand
Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS), a subsidiary of Shin Corporation PCL., is the established leader in Thailand’s wireless communications industry after more than 15 years of services with its market share more than 50%.
To date, AIS service network covers 795 districts (amphur) throughout Thailand, plus international roaming across in six continents. AIS has continuously enhanced and expanded its network in order to respond to the market and technological advances, whilst keeping abreast of consumers’ growing demands and needs. It continues to integrate the latest in advanced technology and deliver more than just voice communication, with GPRS and EDGE technology.
AIS strongly believe that wireless communications bring changes to the way Thai people live their life, regardless of who they are and what they do. With endless communications possibilities, the quality of life is better. Visit our web site at www.ais.co.th
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 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 (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
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