Mobile device supply chain provider Brightpoint (CELL) reported that its Slovakian subsidiary signed a distribution agreement to deliver Research In Motion’s (RIMM) BlackBerry devices and software in Bosnia, Albania, Macedonia and Serbia.
Brightpoint said the deal calls for Brightpoint Slovakia to act as RIM’s “preferred fulfillment partner” in the area and “assist in the national distribution of BlackBerry products” through Brightpoint’s authorized local agents. Financial terms of the deal were not released.
The agreement comes at a time when RIM’s fortunes have soured as the company recently reported it would be taking a $485 million charge due to a markdown in excessive inventory of its PlayBook tablets. The company also lowered its sales and earnings projections for the year.
RIM, which at one time ruled the smartphone market, has seen its market share take a hit from Apple’s iPhone and the increasing number of devices running Google’s Android operating system. A recent report from ComScore showed that RIM’s share of the U.S. smartphone market at just 6.6% at the end of October, with its OS share dropping to 17.2% from the end of July to the end of October.
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