Made-in-Canada Solution For BlackBerry Avoids Nortel Fate

BlackBerry Ltd.’s decision to consider takeover offers is fueling speculation that investors could band together to keep the company in Canadian hands, avoiding the national embarrassment that followed Nortel Networks Corp.’s failure four years ago.

The Waterloo, Ontario-based smartphone maker said yesterday that it’s forming a committee to consider joint ventures, partnerships or an outright sale of the company. Prem Watsa, a Toronto businessman and BlackBerry’s largest shareholder, also announced plans to step down from the board, raising the possibility that he may play a role in rescuing the company.