RIM profit leaps 33% on new BlackBerry users

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Wednesday reported its net income leaped 33% in the third quarter compared to the same time last year, as it shipped 1.1 million new handhelds and added over a half million new subscribers.

RIM, based in Waterloo, Ontario, said its revenue during the three months ended Nov. 26 rose 53% compared to the same time last year, to $560.6 million. Its net income increased to $120.1 million, from $90.4 million last year.

The total number of handhelds the company has shipped so far this year rose to 2.9 million by the end of the quarter, while its total number of BlackBerry subscriber accounts increased to 4.3 million. The company attracted 645,000 new subscriber accounts during the third quarter.

Regarding its ongoing litigation with NTP, RIM said its best estimate for its potential costs from the case remains $450 million.

In RIM’s fourth quarter, which ends March 4, 2006, the company expects revenue in the range of $590 million to $620 million as it adds up to 750,000 new subscribers. In the first quarter of its next fiscal year, the company expects revenue in the range of $610 million to $650 million, RIM said.