Research In Motion begins BlackBerry 10 lab tests with 50 carriers

TORONTO: Research In Motion (RIM) climbed the most in almost a month after saying that wireless carriers had begun lab-testing BlackBerry 10 phones worldwide, a sign the devices are on track for delivery early next year. "In the last week, BlackBerry 10 achieved lab entry with more than 50 carriers -- a key step in our preparedness for the launch of BlackBerry 10 in the first quarter of 2013," Chief Executive Officer Thorsten Heins said in an e-mailed statement. RIM shares climbed 4.7% to $7.93 at the close in New York, the biggest jump since October 2..

Carrier testing typically takes 60 to 90 days, which means that RIM "should have no trouble making its first-quarter deadline," said Chris Umiastowski, an independent technology consultant who tracks the company. Ninety days from today would put the release in the late-January time frame. Delivering the BlackBerry 10 on time is central to RIM's plan to win back market share from Apple Inc's iPhone and devices running Google Inc's Android software. Peter Misek, an analyst at Jefferies & Co, said earlier this month that the new phones may not come out until March -- a prediction that sent RIM shares tumbling more than 5%.