BlackBerry to Offer Secure Enterprise Solutions and Services via Microsoft's Azure Cloud Platform

BARCELONA, SPAIN and WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 24, 2016) - BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSX:BB), a global leader in secure mobile communications, today announced Microsoft customers now have access to BlackBerry's secure enterprise mobility solutions in the open, flexible, enterprise-grade cloud computing platform Microsoft Azure.

Enterprises can opt to install and manage their BES12 deployment through the Azure platform. This means customers have full access to their BES12 licenses while benefiting from the Microsoft cloud architecture - without having to invest in their own IT infrastructure. BlackBerry and Microsoft complement their best-in-class security capabilities in this combined offering. BES12 is designed with the compliance needs of the most strictly regulated industries in mind, while Azure places an emphasis on the customer's security and control over their own data. BES12 is part of the recently announced Good Secure EMM Suites and BlackBerry will continue to introduce other products in the Good Suites to Azure.

In the coming months, BlackBerry and Microsoft will also add the network crisis communication solution from AtHoc into the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. AtHoc enables people, devices and organizations to exchange critical information in real time during business continuity and life safety operations. The integration into the Azure Marketplace will further extend the AtHoc software platform globally, enabling crisis communications networks in the cloud for customers and helping them to address their local privacy concerns and regulations.

"By 2017, approximately 75% of EMM solutions will be deployed in the cloud, with on-premise solutions mostly reserved for legacy installations. Further, high capability EMM installations beyond simple mobile device management will represent 50% of deployments, up from 25% in 2014. This reflects the ease of enabling higher end capabilities like file management, app stores, single sign on and data security when provisioned by cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) systems," according to Jack Gold from analyst firm J. Gold Associates LLC.

"Working with Microsoft enables BlackBerry to provide our industry-leading enterprise software solutions to a larger business audience," said Marty Beard, COO at BlackBerry. "By utilizing BlackBerry's enterprise solutions through the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, customers have greater choice, more flexibility and the ability to reduce IT costs - backed by the gold standard in security, privacy and productivity."

"We are excited to have customers advance their business while protecting IP and customer data with BlackBerry´s multi-OS EMM platform BES12 on the Microsoft Azure platform," said Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President, Developer Experience & Evangelism and Chief Evangelist, Microsoft Corp.

BlackBerry and Microsoft will continue to collaborate to bring more integrated solutions for customers. Many organizations that run BlackBerry´s secure enterprise solutions also deploy Microsoft solutions. Those customers will start to see additional synergies as they mobilize BlackBerry solutions through the Microsoft Azure platform.

Find out more about BlackBerry in Microsoft Azure at
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/partners/blackberry/production-1-vm/

The BlackBerry and Azure white paper is available at http://blackberry.com/microsoftazure

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry is securing a connected world, delivering innovative solutions across the entire mobile ecosystem and beyond. We secure the world's most sensitive data across all end points - from cars to smartphones - making the mobile-first enterprise vision a reality. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry operates offices in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Company trades under the ticker symbols "BB" on the Toronto Stock Exchange and "BBRY" on the NASDAQ. For more information, visit www.BlackBerry.com.

About AtHoc

AtHoc, a division of BlackBerry Limited, is the pioneer and recognized leader in networked crisis communication, protecting millions of people and thousands of organizations around the world. AtHoc provides a seamless and reliable exchange of critical information among organizations, their people and devices. A trusted partner to the world's most demanding customers, AtHoc is the leading provider to the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, and safeguards numerous other government agencies and leading commercial enterprises. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, AtHoc operates around the globe. For more information about AtHoc, please visit www.athoc.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "intend", "believe", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by BlackBerry Limited (and/or any of its subsidiaries) in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that BlackBerry believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause BlackBerry's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of BlackBerry's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BlackBerry's (and/or any of its subsidiaries') forward-looking statements. BlackBerry has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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