M1 and Research In Motion have launched Singapore’s first UMTS-enabled BlackBerry handset – the BlackBerry 8707v.

The BlackBerry 8707v offers customers more ways to stay connected wherever they are. In addition to phone, email and mobile data applications, customers can also use the handset as a tethered modem to access the Internet from their laptops. The BlackBerry 8707v also enables users to speak on the phone while simultaneously sending and receiving email, browsing the Internet or using other data applications, even while the handset is being used as a modem.

The BlackBerry 8707v functions on 2100 MHz UMTS networks, and also supports 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS (quad band) networks to provide comprehensive roaming coverage in many countries.

“We are continuously working on ways to improve our customers’ mobile experience, particularly their ability to work from anywhere. The BlackBerry 8707v is another powerful addition to our range of BlackBerry solutions. It will give a productivity boost to individuals in large or small enterprises in their quest to stay in touch with their customers and business partners. The launch of the BlackBerry 8707v reinforces our commitment to our customers’ needs and our aim to be the preferred mobile service provider in the enterprise market,” said P. Subramaniam, M1′s Director of Enterprise & Alliances.

“The BlackBerry 8707v is an ideal choice for mobile professionals seeking a highly developed solution for both voice and data applications,” said Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific at Research In Motion. “We are very pleased to bring the BlackBerry 8707v to Singapore with M1.”

The BlackBerry 8707v has a bright, high-resolution color landscape QVGA (320 x 240) LCD screen that delivers vivid graphics with ample workspace for reading emails, browsing the Internet or viewing attachments (including support for popular file formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, PDF, ASCII, JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF and PNG). An intelligent light sensing technology automatically optimizes the screen and keyboard lighting levels for indoor and outdoor viewing. The handset features a full QWERTY keyboard for rapid and accurate thumb typing and includes dedicated “send,” “end,” “mute” and “power” keys. A built-in speakerphone enables hands-free conversation, and the handset can also be used with a wireless headset or car kit via its built-in Bluetooth support.

For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server(TM) software tightly 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 smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service(TM) enables users to manage up to ten corporate and personal email accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, IBM Lotus Domino and most popular ISP email accounts) from a single device.

Nokia and MobileOne (M1), one of the leading mobile and IDD service providers in Singapore, have entered into an agreement for the supply of the first High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network in Singapore. With Nokia’s support, M1 can offer high-quality network coverage and the very latest multimedia services to its mobile customers.

In addition to the HSPA supply, Nokia will expand M1′s WCDMA 3G radio network coverage and upgrade M1′s core network as well as provides a software upgrade. Also, included are network optimization and deployment services consisting of installation, commissioning, integration and acceptance testing of the network. The value of this agreement is USD 30 million.

“This award of Singapore’s first HSPA contract to Nokia is an important milestone for M1. It reaffirms our commitment to offer our customers high quality mobile services that combine mobility with higher speed and wide area coverage for data intensive business and consumer applications,” says Neil Montefiore, Chief Executive Officer of M1 “With HSPA, downloading of large files, multimedia and music on the move can be done at a fraction of the normal time required. It will certainly be seen as a technology that truly enhances our customers’ mobile experience and greatly improves their quality of life.”

“We are delighted to be selected as the preferred supplier of HSPA networks by M1. This win clearly confirms and demonstrates M1′s confidence in Nokia to deliver high-quality cutting-edge technology to mobile operators and consumers,” says Ricky Corker, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Networks, Nokia. “With Nokia, operators can bring a new class of services to market quickly, cost-effectively and with the highest network performance, this shows further proof of Nokia’s strength in advanced radio network technologies.”

Nokia is M1′s sole core network and WCDMA 3G network supplier.

In WCDMA 3G, Nokia has 60 customers to date. Nokia’s high-performing HSDPA is a simple software upgrade to Nokia WCDMA networks, thus enabling a fast, cost-effective rollout. Nokia HSDPA offers almost 10-times faster data services than current 3G networks, meaning an enhanced service experience. Nokia is a leader in the HSDPA market, with a large number of HSDPA contracts. Many network operators have already opened their HSDPA networks with the Nokia solution.

Nokia and MobileOne (M1) will demonstrate live mobile data connection supporting 3.6 Mbps at Nokia Connection in Singapore. The first 3.6 Mbps demonstration in Asia reinforces Nokia’s technology leadership and showcases developments in High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), an upgrade to WCDMA 3G networks.

With 3.6 Mbps, more and faster data services can be delivered over-the-air as it roughly doubles the speed of what can be achieved with today’s maximum HSDPA data rate. In practice, the download time of a typical music file will be less than 10 seconds. The 3.6.Mbps capability will be commercially available from Nokia at the end of June.

Mobile broadband services such as video streaming of, for example, movie trailers will be demonstrated at 3.6 Mbps. The quality of the service will be DVD-like. M1′s commercial network equipment, supplied by Nokia, will be used for the demonstration, which will be made from a laptop using a data card.

“Today’s demonstration shows that 3G and HSDPA development is moving forward in an accelerated pace. At Nokia, we create solutions that can help operators cost-effectively support consumers’ increasing interest in and use of high speed and quality data services,” says Alex Tan, Account Director, Networks, Nokia.

“This is an exciting demonstration for M1 as it clearly shows the benefit of HSDPA to our customers, who will be able to access the Internet and their emails and download content much faster over HSDPA than over WCDMA or GSM/GPRS network,” says Patrick Scodeller, Chief Technical Officer, M1.

The demonstrations will take place in the Suntec City Convention Centre, Level II Ballroom, M1/Nokia demo stand during the event.

In WCDMA 3G, Nokia has 59 customers to date. Nokia’s high-performing HSDPA is a simple software upgrade to Nokia WCDMA networks, thus enabling cost-effective and fast rollout. In the first phase, Nokia HSDPA offers up to four times faster data services than current 3G, and consequently enhanced quality of service experience. Nokia is a leader in the HSDPA market, with over 20 contracts globally, many of which are in commercial use.

Nokia HSPA is made up of two key technologies, HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), offering breakthrough data speeds theoretically up to 14.4 Mbps in the downlink and up to 5.8 Mbps in the uplink.

Nokia has been one of M1′s network equipment suppliers since 1997.