After discontinuing its in-house handset production, smartphone maker appoints licensing partner.

After announcing last week that it would stop making smartphones to focus on the software side of its business, BlackBerry has partnered with the joint venture PT BB Merah Putih to license the BlackBerry brand for handsets in Indonesia.

Under the terms of the agreement, BB Merah Putih will source, distribute and promote BlackBerry-branded devices. It will also have full access to BlackBerry’s software for the production of new devices in Indonesia.

The partnership will also accelerate BlackBerry’s focus in driving software growth through its Mobility Solutions business unit, specifically developing and licensing device software offerings, such as security solutions and applications.

“BlackBerry is a brand which Indonesians trust and respect, and this partnership will allow us to provide the type of mobile experience that our customers have come to expect with the productivity and security that the BlackBerry brand delivers,” says Tan Lie Pin, chief executive officer, PT Tiphone Mobile Indonesia Tbk. “Leveraging BlackBerry’s secure Android smartphone software will be a significant opportunity for us and we hope to deliver innovative and high quality devices for our customers in the Indonesian market.”

The joint venture was created to support the Indonesian government’s work to promote the development, manufacturing and creation of locally sourced products, while also increasing the number of LTE smartphones available and sold in the country. The venture is led by PT Tiphone Mobile Indonesia Tbk, which is affiliate of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk, which is the largest carrier in the country.

“BlackBerry is no longer just about the smartphone, but the smart in the phone. Working with trusted partners to extend the reach and availability of our secure mobility software remains a key focus for the Mobility Solutions unit and this joint venture is just one of our next steps in making our software licensing strategy successful,” says John Chen, executive chairman and chief executive officer, BlackBerry. “BB Merah Putih is comprised of companies with extensive background in providing innovative mobile services to their customers, making the newly formed joint venture the perfect partner to offer trusted BlackBerry secure mobile software that is available exclusively to Indonesian customers.”