BlackBerry announced an agreement with newly formed joint venture PT BB Merah Putih to license BlackBerry software and services for the production of handsets for the Indonesian market. This partnership accelerates BlackBerry’s overall focus on driving software growth, specifically developing and licensing device software offerings, including security solutions and applications, through its Mobility Solutions business unit.
BB Merah Putih will source, distribute and promote BlackBerry-branded devices that use BlackBerry’s secure Android software and applications. BB Merah Putih will have full access to the BlackBerry experience, which includes the trusted BlackBerry for Android secure software, for production of new devices in Indonesia.
The joint venture was created in support of the Indonesian Government’s efforts to promote the development, manufacturing and creation of locally sourced products, while also increasing the number of value-added LTE smartphones available and sold in the country. It is being led by PT Tiphone Mobile Indonesia Tbk, a leading telecommunication company with the largest distribution network in Indonesia.
PT Tiphone is an affiliate of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk, which is the largest carrier in Indonesia. The JV and its affiliates account for nearly half of the total Indonesian mobile market.
“BlackBerry is no longer just about the smartphone, but the smart in the phone. Working with trusted partners to extend the reach and availability of our secure mobility software remains a key focus for the Mobility Solutions unit and this joint venture is just one of our next steps in making our software licensing strategy successful,” said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry.
“BB Merah Putih is comprised of companies with extensive background in providing innovative mobile services to their customers, making the newly formed joint venture the perfect partner to offer trusted BlackBerry secure mobile software that is available exclusively to Indonesian customers.”
Tan Lie Pin, CEO, PT Tiphone Mobile Indonesia Tbk added,
“BlackBerry is a brand which Indonesians trust and respect, and this partnership will allow us to provide the type of mobile experience that our customers have come to expect with the productivity and security that the BlackBerry brand delivers,”
“Leveraging BlackBerry’s secure Android smartphone software will be a significant opportunity for us and we hope to deliver innovative and high quality devices for our customers in the Indonesian market.”
BlackBerry’s Mobility Solutions unit manages the BlackBerry smartphone business and development of device software offerings that includes maximizing the best of BlackBerry 10 software features and making them accessible on other platforms, including Android.
This latest partnership is part of BlackBerry’s continued effort to drive the growth of the company’s trusted secure mobility solutions across multiple platforms and devices. By working with third parties such as BB Merah Putih, BlackBerry is able to advance the company’s brand recognition and security promise to increased regions and end users around the globe.
