FORMER CO-CEO'S BID TO REPLACE SMS

The Globe and Mail uncovered a previously unknown second comeback strategy, championed by then-co-CEO Jim Balsillie. Balsillie wanted to push carriers to adopt RIM’s BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) instant messaging service as a replacement for SMS (Short-text Messaging System) on any phone, regardless of the platform.

It would have enabled RIM to charge fees for use, but Lazaridis and Heins weren’t keen on the idea. When Heins took over as CEO, he killed the plan. Balsillie resigned from the board as a result.