Facebook and Amazon "potential buyers" of RIM’s handset business

Blackberry manufacturer RIM is said to be considering selling off its handset business and becoming a messaging service specialist.

The Sunday Times (via The Verge) reports that both Facebook and Amazon are potential buyers” for the division.

The plan would see RIM retain its messaging and data network operations which it would then licence out to third parties.

An alternative strategy being thrashed out be directors, the paper claims, is to sell a sizable stake in the business to a company such as Microsoft. More concrete plans are expected to be revealed over the summer.

RIM has declined to provide any guidance for its Q1 earnings though anticipates posting a loss.