IBM expresses interest in RIM’s enterprise-services unit

IBM has reportedly expressed an interest in acquiring the enterprise-services unit of Research in Motion (RIM) – thought to be the company’s most valuable asset.

IBM has made an informal approach about buying the division, which operates a network of secure servers used to support RIM’s BlackBerry devices.

The business is thought to be worth between $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion, depending on the mix of assets included.

RIM is likely to roll-out its Blackberry 10 phones early next year before it makes a decision.

RIM shares rose 6.3% to $8.29 at the close in New York. The stock is down 94% from its mid-2008 high, putting its market value at $4.3 billion.

Read the full Bloomberg article here.