Airtel, Asia’s leading integrated telecom services provider and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a world leader in wireless innovation, today launched the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520, a slim, new addition to the BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones that brings ease-of-use to email, messaging, social networking, music and entertainment for people on the go. Offered at the attractive price of Rs.15,990, the new BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be available nationally from Airtel’s authorised outlets through Bharti Teletech Limited across India on August 7th.

Airtel is a frontrunner in bringing innovative, cutting edge technology to its 100 million-plus customers and will be the first provider in India to launch the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone. Airtel’s consumer research and analysis indicates that there is a large untapped segment of people in India who would like to stay connected using wireless email. The combination of a new prepaid BlackBerry® service plan from Airtel, at the affordable monthly rate of Rs.299, with the new handset’s user-friendly design and very approachable price point at Rs.15,990, represents an aggressive move to reach that untapped segment.

“It has been our commitment to introduce innovative and cutting edge technology to our users and we are delighted to be the first to introduce the new BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone to all Airtel users at an aggressive price of Rs 15,990,” said Raghunath Mandava, Chief Marketing Officer, Mobile Services, Airtel. “We believe that the BlackBerry Curve 8520 will appeal to young professionals, students and a broad spectrum of retail customers who want the exceptional mobile experience for messaging, social networking, email, music and entertainment that you get from a BlackBerry smartphone.” Read More →