In a bid to turn its fortunes around, Research In Motion could split off or even sell of its struggling handset division. The company would hang on its messaging and data network services (including BBM and BIS) and license them to others. According to The Sunday Times, this is one of the options currently on the table as RIM works through a strategic review with RBC and JP Morgan.
The report adds that both Facebook and Amazon are “potential buyers” for the beleaguered hardware group.
It is not the only option being considered. Another alternative would be to keep the company together but sell a stake to a larger technology firm. such as Microsoft.
RIM’s final decision could be made sometime this summer, ahead of its expected BlackBerry 10 launch. If so, it remains to be seen what would happen to BlackBerry 10 and the first device to use the new operating system. Perhaps a decision will be announced when RIM announces its financial results for its fiscal year 2013 Q1 results on June 28th.
Update: RIM spokesman Nick Manning today dismissed this report and indicated that RIM’s management remained “committed to maximizing shareholder value by continuing on a turnaround strategy that will see RIM launch new devices in the coming months.” Other sources apparently described the story as “a silly fantasy,” and “one of the most ridiculous ideas I have heard in a while.”
Read more: The Sunday Times (Source: The Verge) and The Globe and Mail