Aether Systems and Research In Motion -RIM- Announce Multi-Tiered Business and Marketing Agreement.

Business Editors

OWING MILLS, Md. and WATERLOO, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000

Aether to License and Host BlackBerry Service and Become Reseller

of BlackBerry Wireless Email Solution

Aether Systems, Inc. a leader in wireless data services and systems, and Research In Motion Limited today announced a strategic marketing agreement to leverage the expertise and business models of both companies.

The three-year agreement includes payments to RIM, by Aether, for software licensing fees and for RIM wireless handhelds. These fees will allow Aether as a wireless applications service provider to host the award-winning BlackBerry(TM) wireless email solution, enabling Aether to offer BlackBerry and specific enterprise solutions, including wireless access to enterprise information, applications and Internet data.

In turn, RIM will market to its customers the benefits of Aether Enterprise Solutions and Aether Software products, including the ScoutWare family of products and the Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) platform, which together create the infrastructure to deliver vital corporate information to anyone, at any time and on any device.

The companies have also agreed to joint development and joint marketing initiatives associated with the promotion of the Aether-hosted BlackBerry Service offering.

"This agreement evolved naturally because Aether and RIM share a vision to provide reliable and secure wireless solutions to corporate customers," said Aether Chairman and CEO, David Oros. "By licensing and hosting the BlackBerry service, we will be able to offer a proven and accepted messaging platform that has become the solution of choice for enterprise customers. This will provide Aether with a pivotal starting point to then offer enhanced, custom applications for wireless access to enterprise data and applications."

As part of the agreement, Aether and RIM will install and support the BlackBerry technology at Aether's high-performance network operations center (NOC) in Owings Mills, Md.

"Today's announcement opens up new possibilities for BlackBerry enterprise customers," said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO of Research In Motion. "Enterprise customers are actively evaluating and embracing BlackBerry in order to extend the core benefits of Microsoft Exchange to mobile environments; and Aether is already working with many of these customers to assess, design and implement business-to-business e-commerce solutions wirelessly."

Working together, Aether and RIM will develop a roadmap for BlackBerry service and enhancements. Each company will contribute an agreed-upon amount of financial and human resources toward pursuing this goal.

About Aether Systems, Inc.

Aether Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless and mobile data services allowing real-time communications and transactions across a full range of devices and networks. Using its engineering expertise, the Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) software platform, the ScoutWare family of products (resulting from the acquisition of Riverbed Technologies, Inc.) and its network operations and customer service center, Aether Systems seeks to provide comprehensive, technology-independent wireless and mobile computing solutions. Aether develops and delivers wireless data services across a variety of industries and market segments in the United States and internationally. Aether is a joint principal owner, along with 3Com Corp., of OmniSky, Inc., a wireless Internet service provider based in Palo Alto, Calif. Aether headquarters are located at 11460 Cronridge Dr., Owings Mills, MD 21117. For more information, visit www.aethersystems.com

About Research In Motion Limited

Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, RIM provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers in North America and around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Inter@ctive(TM) Pager product line, the BlackBerry(TM) wireless email solution, wireless personal computer card adapters, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). Investors may contact [e-mail]. Customers may contact [e-mail]. Web site: www.rim.net

Research In Motion, RIM, the RIM logo, Inter@ctive, Inter@ctive Pager, BlackBerry, BlackBerry Exchange Edition, the BlackBerry logo and 'Always On, Always Connected' are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion and RIM are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks relating to possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, risks related to the year 2000 issue, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities.

This press release includes forward-looking statements based on the current expectations of Aether and RIM and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Aether and RIM that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market acceptance of the products developed or to be developed by Aether and RIM, the ability of Aether and RIM to develop new technologies and projects and the success of joint efforts under the arrangements described in the release. These risks and other risk factors are described under the caption, "Risk Factors" in Aether's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither Aether nor RIM undertakes any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.