March 15, 2012

Beijing, China - China Unicom and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of BlackBerry® services for consumers in China. Following the launch of the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution for business customers in 2011, China Unicom is now also offering BlackBerry® Internet Service for consumers. China Unicom's customers will now be able to take advantage of the leading BlackBerry solution to manage their personal email, messaging and social communications. They will also enjoy access to a wide range of mobile business and lifestyle applications available on BlackBerry App World™, the official app store for BlackBerry smartphones.

With the new BlackBerry service offering, China Unicom's customers will be able to enjoy the freedom and productivity benefits of using BlackBerry smartphones to stay connected to the people and information that matter most to them throughout the day.

BlackBerry Internet Service allows customers to access supported corporate and personal email accounts from a BlackBerry smartphone.  Email messages are automatically pushed to the user's handset, so the user does not have to constantly check to see if they received a new message. BlackBerry Internet Service also comes with an integrated web browser and provides access to leading messaging and social services, including BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™).  A variety of mobile applications tailored for Chinese customers are available on BlackBerry App World™, including Sina Weibo, QQ, China Daily, Shanghai Daily, Caixin+, Chinese Majiang and more.

Beginning today, customers are able to activate BlackBerry Internet Service at China Unicom's online store (www.10010.com) and by connecting to China Unicom's hotline 10010. China Unicom's nation-wide retail stores will be able to activate BlackBerry Internet Service for its customers soon.

China Unicom's customers are able to use BlackBerry Internet Service with a wide range of smartphone models, including the BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 and BlackBerry® Curve ™ 9300. For further details, please call the China Unicom Support Hotline at 10010 or visit: http://info.10010.com/blackberry/.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate",  "may",  "will", "should", "intend," "believe", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of RIM's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM's forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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