Research In Motion May Split In Two

Research In Motion is considering splitting the company in half.

June 25, 2012- Research In Motion, the Canadian maker of Blackberry handsets, is considering a new plan to split the company into two separate entities. The split would separate the handset division from the messaging network. The company would then sell off the Blackberry business that has been struggling.

A British newspaper released the story but did not cite any sources, but mentioned potential buyers of the Blackberry hardware included both Amazon and Facebook. Another option, said the newspaper, was to have the company remain intact, but sell a large portion of the business to another tech company.

RIM would not comment on any specifics that the report listed, but did say it was examining all of its options and different strategies. A RIM representative said the company had hired a number of advisers to help examine ways the Blackberry platform could be leveraged through licensing opportunities, partnerships or strategic business alternatives.

The smartphone maker has struggled to recover lost sales and market share for the once very popular Blackberry, but has had little luck against the tough competitors of Android and Apple, whom rule the industry.

An earnings report from the fourth quarter showed the company had a loss of nearly $125 million, with revenue dropping by 25%. The company recently announced it would post a loss for its first quarter also.