Motorola plans to squash Blackberry

Motorola is planning to launch an 'always on' email device to rival RIM's Blackberry pager.

The device - Motorola Accompli 009 - is due for release in the next few weeks, and aims to out-price RIM in the market by allowing network carriers to keep all their subscriber fees.

Carriers currently pay RIM $7 to $10 per month per user in royalty fees.

Motorola has not yet confirmed the launch, but according to a Reuters report the company has already signed up a major Canadian network carrier who currently works with RIM.

Motorola is also said to have signed deals with Vodafone and Telefonica in Europe.

RIM arrived in Europe this year after gaining popularity in the US where it claims to have 10,000 corporate users.

In June RIM inked a deal with BT Cellnet and is now finalising agreements with 12 other European networks.