RIM BlackBerry plans to open a plant in India

After landing into trouble with Indian government's security agencies over its secure e-mail service, Research In Motion -- the manufacturer of BlackBerry handsets and services -- is planning to set up a manufacturing plant in India. Jim Balsillie, the co-CEO of Research In Motion, who is currently in India, the company is looking at a 'Made In India strategy' to bring in India-specific products and services.

His visit also marked the introduction of BlackBerry services on Tata Teleservices' network, which ironically, had begun the whole 'national security' issue with BlackBerry when the carrier had sought permission to commence the services earlier.

Not to be left behind, RCom launched BlackBerry services on prepaid, which is a first for any Indian carrier. But the biggest announcement came from Airtel, which announced the BlackBerry Bold on its network. The much-awaited BlackBerry handheld will be available later this month for Rs 34,490. Source...