RIM closing on deals to avert BlackBerry blocks

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 18 Aug 2010 at 08:57

Research in Motion's tortuous negotiations to keep its services afloat across the Middle East and Asia are moving forward slowly.

Talks between the United Arab Emirates may soon resolve a spat over BlackBerry security, according to UAE diplomats.

The UAE, where RIM has 500,000 users, had said it would suspend BlackBerry Messenger, email and Web browser services from October 11 until the government could get access to encrypted messages.

“Talks are progressing well and hopefully we will be able to reach a conclusion in the near future,” said Yousef Al Otaiba, the Gulf state's ambassador to the United States.

Asked whether the UAE could secure a deal similar to that which Saudi Arabia reached with RIM, Otaiba said each country had its own requirements and regulatory frameworks. “We may not get the same deal as others," he said.

RIM last week agreed to provide access to technology that would enable Saudi authorities to monitor its BlackBerry Messenger, as it sought to stop the kingdom from silencing the service over fears of terrorist communications over the service.

Meanwhile, India will allow BlackBerry's messaging service to continue beyond a threatened August 31 deadline, but could shut down its secure email service if access is not given to its encrypted data by then, a senior government source said.

A technical team from RIM has began discussions with India's telecommunications ministry and intelligence agencies.

“Discussions have started and will continue this week and whole of next week. Discussions are on both the services," said the source on condition of anonymity.

When asked if BlackBerry would be allowed to operate after August 31, he said: "BlackBerry services, including phone, SMS and Messenger will run, not sure about enterprise mail."

RIM has assured India of manual access to BlackBerry instant messages by September 1, with automated access by the end of the year. They are yet to get assurances for its more secure corporate email, sources said.

At least three mobile operators have confirmed they had received letters from the Department of Telecommunications giving them a deadline to put in place monitoring capability for BlackBerry Messenger and secured Enterprise email services.

"We have received a letter asking us to ensure that legal intervention capability is put in place for BlackBerry services by 31 August 2010," said operator Tata Teleservices.