Six firms inked agreement with RIM for Blackberry services

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) Six telecom service providers have entered into an agreement with Canada's Research In Motion (RIM) to provide 'BlackBerry Services' to their customers, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Under the agreement, BPL Mobile Communications Ltd, Bharti Airtel Ltd, Bharti Hexacom Ltd, Vodafone Group Companies (except Vodafone Essar Spacetel Ltd), Reliance Communications Ltd and Reliance Telecom Ltd will provide services in voice, data and internet, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Jyotiraditya M Scindia said in a written reply.

The customers can use handsets manufactured by RIM or any other compatible handsets from Nokia, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson, he said.

Mr Scindia said the government will decide on introduction of Virtual Mobile Network Operators (VMNO), where an operator does not own spectrum or network infrastructure, after considering the recommendation of telecom regulator TRAI.

''The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sought the recommendations of TRAI...on need and timing for introduction of VMNO as well as terms and conditions of the Licence to be granted to such operators,'' he said.

The decision will be taken after considering the recommendations of TRAI on the subject, the Minister added.

UNI MP SBA RP AS1931