RIM rides the downturn with record third quarter

RIM added 2.6 million BlackBerry subscriber accounts in the third quarter

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) posted its third-quarter results on Friday, showing revenues of $2.78bn (£1.85bn), up 66.3 per cent on the same quarter last year.

"We have entered the fourth quarter with strong momentum, despite the challenging general economic conditions, and are pleased to report record revenue results for the third quarter," said RIM co-chief executive Jim Balsillie.

The company added 2.6 million BlackBerry subscriber accounts in the period, increasing its total account base by 14 per cent to 21 million.

Approximately 6.7 million devices were shipped during the quarter, making up 81 per cent of RIM's revenues. Services, software and other revenue made up the rest at 13 per cent, two per cent and four per cent respectively.

However, RIM's net income for the quarter rose to $396.3m (£264.8m), compared with net income of $370.5 million in the year-ago quarter.