Mobile security business
OnwardMobility has announced a deal to produce new Android-powered BlackBerry 5G smartphones in the first half of 2021. The keyboard-equipped devices will be manufactured by
FIH Mobile, a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology, and will be sold in North America and Europe.
BlackBerry is granting Texas-based OnwardMobility the right to develop, engineer, and bring to market a BlackBerry 5G mobile device. It had previously allowed BB Merah Putih and TCL Communications to use the BlackBerry name since it
stopped producing its own smartphones in 2016.
John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO of BlackBerry, said "BlackBerry is thrilled OnwardMobility will deliver a BlackBerry 5G smartphone device with physical keyboard, leveraging our high standards of trust and security synonymous with our brand. We are excited that customers will experience the enterprise and government level security and mobile productivity the new BlackBerry 5G smartphone will offer."
Peter Franklin, CEO of OnwardMobility, said "Enterprise professionals are eager for secure 5G devices that enable productivity, without sacrificing the user experience. BlackBerry smartphones are known for protecting communications, privacy, and data. This is an incredible opportunity for OnwardMobility to bring next-generation 5G devices to market with the backing of BlackBerry and FIH Mobile."