Sprint to bake in BlackBerry for businesses

Research In Motion announced on Monday that cellular carrier Sprint will offer RIM's BlackBerry service on select devices to business customers starting later this year. The BlackBerry service enables subscribers to use cellular networks to access data such as e-mail messages and information on remote corporate servers. Details of the deal, including availability and pricing, were not disclosed.

Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM has signed a number of deals with device makers, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Siemens to make its service available on phones and handheld computers. RIM is looking to double its number of subscribers from one million to two million by the end of 2004. The small business market in the United States, Hong Kong and Australia and increased messaging and e-mail use in Europe have been driving growth, RIM has said.