Vodafone and Research in Motion (RIM) introduced the BlackBerry 8707v(TM) in the Netherlands.

The UMTS-enabled BlackBerry 8707v allows customers to make voice calls and simultaneously send or receive emails, browse the Internet or use other applications.
The BlackBerry 8707v can also be used as a wireless modem for laptops, offering mobile users more choice on how they stay connected to the Internet. The BlackBerry 8707v is exclusively available from Vodafone.

BlackBerry is popular with both business and individual users worldwide with key features including "push" email, phone, SMS, browser, organiser and corporate data applications.

Jeroen Hoencamp, Director of Vodafone's Enterprise Business Unit in the Netherlands, comments: "With the BlackBerry 8707v, we introduce the first UMTS-enabled BlackBerry designed to support a multitude of applications including email, voice, Internet and organiser. This device is designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding users."

"The BlackBerry 8707v integrates leading hardware, software and network technology to offer users a truly uncompromising wireless device," said Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President, Enterprise Business Unit, EMEA, Research in Motion. "Leveraging the power of Vodafone's UMTS network, the BlackBerry 8707v brings even more flexibility to users for how they stay connected while on the go."

The BlackBerry 8707v features 64 MB flash memory and 16 MB SDRAM. With a bright, high-resolution color landscape QVGA (320 x 240) LCD screen, the BlackBerry 8707v provides ample workspace to view email, web pages, applications and other information. Intelligent light sensing technology automatically optimizes screen lighting levels for indoor and outdoor viewing. The BlackBerry 8707v integrates attachment viewing that includes support for popular text and image file formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, PDF, ASCII, JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF and PNG.

The BlackBerry 8707v features a full QWERTY keyboard to enable rapid, efficient and accurate message and information entry via two-handed thumb typing with dedicated "send", "end", "mute" and "power" keys. A built-in speakerphone enables hands-free conversation and convenient conference calls. The device can also be connected to a wireless headset or car kit via Bluetooth.

For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server(TM) software integrates with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise, and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.

For individuals and small businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service(TM) enables users to individually manage up to ten corporate and/or personal email accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, IBM Lotus Domino and most popular ISP email accounts) from a single device.

The BlackBerry 8707v is available at Vodafone City Points from 6 June.