BlackBerry Still Expecting China Launch

The BlackBerry didn't make it to China—the last major market in Asia to be cracked—in 2007, as expected, but Research in Motion isn't worried yet, Reuters says. The decision when to launch is in the hands of China Mobile, RIM's service partner, says Charles Liu, RIM's top exec in China. "From my perspective, everything is according to plan."

China Mobile has begun selling SIM cards but has yet to put the BlackBerry on the market. When it does hit the shelves, it will have to vie with cheap local brands like the RedBerry, but Liu is says he's used to competition. A foothold in China would add to BlackBerry's  presence in 120 countries. (More BlackBerry stories.)