India is being seen as the world’s fastest-growing wireless market. Keeping this in mind, the maker of BlackBerry devices, Research In Motion (RIM), based in Canada, revealed its plans to sell unbundled handsets through retail chains and some exclusive stores in India. 

According to the sources, “The company is on fast track to roll out a few own outlets and sell its devices through other mobile stores. This is in addition to the operators with whom it has tied up in India.” The sources also added that the company is also engaging in talks with RPG Cellucom, HotSpot, Mobile Store and Mobile Kingdom for retail tie-up.

When asked whether all this is true, RIM India VP Frenny Bawa informed, “RIM has not made an announcement on this front and does not typically comment on rumours or speculation about its future plans, but as always we listen to our customers and market needs. We have an exciting roadmap of innovative products and initiatives planned and will continue to drive the evolution of the mobile market in India. We will be happy to discuss further updates when formal announcements are made.”

RIM has partnership with Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar, BPL Mobile, Tata Communications and Reliance Communications in India. The smart phones are sold by these operators through their own outlets. 

BlackBerry is very much in demand in countries like US, Canada and Australia, where RIM retails devices online. It also provides handsets through Rogers stores, which offers communications products.