Rogers launches BlackBerry Z10 smartphone and announces availability of BlackBerry Q10

BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 to be powered by the Rogers LTE Network - Canada's fastest wireless internet;

Customers will be among first in the world to pre-register for a QWERTY style BlackBerry Q10 on the Rogers Reservation System;

BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 certified for suretap™ - Rogers exclusive mobile payment technology

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications, Canada's leading diversified communications and media company, today announced it will offer the new BlackBerry® Z10 smartphone as of February 5^th, 2013. The new all-touch smartphone will be powered by the Rogers LTE network, Canada's fastest wireless internet, and available in black and white at Rogers retail and dealer locations across Canada starting at $149.99 with select three year plans.

The company also confirmed it will offer Canadians access to the BlackBerry Q10, which features a physical QWERTY keyboard, in 2013. Current Rogers wireless customers can beat the line and pre-register for BlackBerry Q10 starting January 31^st, 2013, on the Rogers Reservation System.* Customers will be among the first in the world to pre-register for this device in advance of retail availability.

"Being a Rogers customer means you have access first to what's next in mobile technology. Our customers were among the first in the world to pre-register for the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone and now the BlackBerry Q10," said John Boynton, executive vice president marketing, and chief marketing officer, Rogers Communications. "Many of our customers are looking forward to experiencing BlackBerry 10 on the Rogers LTE network - Canada's fastest wireless internet. Our teams of in-house BlackBerry experts are available to ensure consumers and businesses have access to world-class service and support."

The new BlackBerry Z10 is the first smartphone to launch with the re-designed, re-engineered and re-invented BlackBerry 10 platform, giving customers a powerful and unique new mobile computing experience. The BlackBerry Z10 smartphone is the fastest and most advanced BlackBerry smartphone yet, and offers a smarter experience that continuously adapts to a customer's needs.

"The new BlackBerry 10 smartphones deliver a powerful new platform for BlackBerry customers. Combined with the Rogers LTE network, BlackBerry 10 smartphone customers will be delighted with a re-invented communication experience, seamless multitasking, easy access to multiple social networks, and the peace of mind that BlackBerry security gives them," said Carlo Chiarello, executive vice president, global smartphone business, Research In Motion.

BlackBerry Z10 is designed to keep customers moving and includes advancements such as:

• Peek and Flow into the BlackBerry Hub -  A new mobile computing paradigm where what matters to customers is always only one swipe away
• Keyboard -  Understands and adapts to customers, so they can type faster and more accurately
• BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger) -  Allows customers to share things with the people that matter to them in an instant
• BlackBerry® Balance™ technology - Protects what is important to customers and the businesses they work for

Rogers will deliver the ultimate BlackBerry Z10 experience:

• BlackBerry 10 Powered by Rogers LTE Network, Canada's Fastest Wireless Internet - The Rogers LTE network lets customers access files, download documents, stream video content and music at faster speeds.
• BlackBerry 10 Experts and Support - As the Canadian carrier with the largest base of BlackBerry customers in Canada, Rogers has extensive BlackBerry experience. In-store reps, Rogers TechXpert advisors, small business and enterprise experts are available to ensure customers have a seamless BB10 experience.
• Rogers One Number - Exclusively from Rogers, this BlackBerry 10 app will let customers set up reach me rules such as Advanced Call Forward and Do Not Disturb. Customers can also talk, text, send picture messages and video chat through the Rogers One Number web portal, using their existing wireless phone number.
• Rogers TechXpert for Wireless - An exclusive new service for Rogers customers, offering extended wireless device support delivered live, online or by phone. Customers that sign up for a BlackBerry 10 smartphone from Rogers with select three year plans get one month of free TechXpert for Wireless service.
• Rogers Anyplace TV Live - This preloaded mobile app live streams games like NHL hockey, soccer, Blue Jays baseball, NBA basketball, and tennis, along with kids' programming and real-time news like CityNews.
• Rogers Smart Home Monitoring for Mobile - Coming soon to Rogers Smart Home Monitoring customers, this BlackBerry 10 app will let customers securely view and control their Smart Home Monitoring system from anywhere, using their smartphone.
• My Account - Allows customers to manage their wireless account directly through an application that is preloaded on their BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
• Sportsnet Mobile - Available exclusively for the BlackBerry 10 platform at launch, and preloaded for Rogers customers, the Sportsnet app gives fans a new look and feel with deeper stats, customizable alerts including up-to-the-second game scores and in-game moments, the latest content and analysis from Sportsnet.ca writers and more.
• suretap™ supported - An exclusive Rogers service that lets customers turn their smartphone into a mobile wallet by securely downloading credit card details to a secure SIM card for use in mobile payments. At launch, BlackBerry 10 smartphones purchased at Rogers retail and dealer locations will come with a suretap SIM card.

*The Rogers Reservation System is available to current Rogers wireless customers across Canada. Customers can pre-register for a device by visiting Rogers.com under My Account.  Full details about BlackBerry Q10 including, price, availability and specifications, will be announced in 2013. For more information, visit: www.blackberry.com/BlackBerry10.

BlackBerry, RIM, Research In Motion and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited. RIM is not responsible for any third party products or services.

About Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

SOURCE: Rogers Wireless and Cable