By The Lagos Times

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of its highly anticipated Bold 9900 smartphone in Nigeria. The new model is part of a wide-ranging push to restore the dwindling fortunes of the troubled company which has seen its valuation fall by more than thirty per cent over the past few months as it continues to lose market share to Apple and Android-powered devices.

The company's dual-chief executive structure has repeatedly come under fire from analysts and activist shareholders who would prefer Mike Lazaridis, the firm's technically-adept co-chief executive to assume operational control of the Canadian firm.

However, RIM seems to be betting on impressive growth in emerging markets where its BlackBerry phones are still aspirational models and its inbuilt data management systems work well in countries accustomed to low download speeds.

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet at only 10.5mm and also includes built-in support for NFC (Near Field Communications), a new technology that is expected to aid mobile money transactions. The new model also features Liquid Graphics technology which includes a high-performance processor and superior screen resolution. It is one of several devices that the firm intends to roll out before upgrading its operating system in the next few months.

Waldi Wepener, Regional Director for East, West and Central Africa at RIM, said: “The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone offers a powerful combination of an outstanding keyboard and a beautiful touch display that we think customers will love. Featuring the new BlackBerry 7 operating system, it also delivers enhanced performance, faster browsing and richer multimedia.”

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 will be available at retail outlets of Nigeria's four GSM telecommunications service providers: Airtel, Etisalat, Globacom and MTN.

Write to: tony.chike@lagostimes.com