In related news, Verizon Wireless has deployed 19,500 internationally enabled BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphones to more than 56 FBI offices around the world. The devices are part of the agency’s Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) Mobility Program and provide the agents with mobile access to federal law enforcement information that was previously inaccessible from handheld wireless devices.

According to FBI Chief Information Officer Zalmai Azmi, the devices allow FBI employees access to mission-critical information such as the no-fly list, missing and kidnapped persons and crime alerts. This access complements standard business capabilities through the devices such as Internet access, e-mail, calendar and other tasks.

Verizon Wireless conducted in-person agent training, transferred phone book contacts to the new devices, and provided complete equipment setup that included fully charged batteries, SIM card activation and unit assembly to ensure a smooth transition to the new devices.

All deployed devices feature asset tagging and tracking capability, so that lost or stolen devices can be easily recovered and the information on those devices remains secure. In addition, each field office can access account information online to manage and maintain the devices quickly and easily.