Research in Motion hopes to double the number of operators carrying its popular BlackBerry wireless e-mail device in Asia-Pacific by the end of the year, according to a senior executive.
Norm Lo, the firm's newly appointed regional vice-president, said he hoped to add 10 to 15 operators this year to the 15 operators in eight countries that offer BlackBerry devices and e-mail services.
'Adding more carriers is very much part and parcel of how we go to market, and that's how we increase our distribution reach,' Mr Lo said. 'Globally, we will add 100 networks this year - we already have just over 100 - so you can surmise that trend will be the same in this region.'
The firm had already signed a memorandum of understanding with China Mobile, and expected to launch BlackBerry on the mainland later this year, Mr Lo said.
BlackBerry devices bought through overseas operators function on the mainland when roaming, indicating that much of the required infrastructure is already up and running.
Mr Lo said ongoing discussions within the Chinese government about restructuring the industry and issuing 3G licences would not affect the BlackBerry roll-out.