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T-Mobile said Wednesday that it would offer the first BlackBerry wireless handheld for professional consumers and smaller firms in Germany, the United Kingdom and Austria.

The wireless operator said it would integrate Research In Motion's (RIM) BlackBerry devices, software and service with its GSM/GPRS networks and T-Email platform.

The new offering, which is expected to be available by the end of the second quarter, is geared toward those who want an advanced handheld primarily for business-related use.

"The business user is a critical market with more than 25 percent of the workforce now mobile," said Nikesh Arora, chief marketing officer of T-Mobile. "We are determined to offer a personalized experience that is secure, fast and reliable so as to increase their usability of business data communication whilst on the move."

BlackBerry handhelds feature wireless e-mail, including "push" capabilities that allow users to automatically receive new e-mail messages without needing to dial in. In addition, the Java-based BlackBerry handhelds include a built-in phone, SMS, organizer and browser applications.

In related news, T-Mobile also announced plans to launch a marketing campaign in April aimed at accelerating mobile data usage. The campaign, which is expected to begin April 4, focuses on four areas: usability, services, partnerships and pricing.