Telecom News --

Synchronica acquires Colibria's IMPS instant messaging business

Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK, 31st March 2010

• The acquisition of Colibria’s proven Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS) & social networking gateway positions Synchronica as a technology leader in the market for carrier-grade IM solutions
  
  
• 13 existing live operator deployments, including two multi-national framework agreements with tier-one mobile operators, will accelerate Synchronica’s entry into the fast-growing mobile IM sector
  
  
• Acquisition is a key milestone in Synchronica’s strategy to become the leader in next-generation mobile messaging for emerging markets

Synchronica plc, the international provider of next-generation mobile messaging services, has signed an agreement to acquire Colibria’s IMPS Instant Messaging business, reseller agreements and existing worldwide mobile operator customer base. The acquisition will accelerate Synchronica’s entry into the fast-growing mobile IM sector and help to achieve its goal of becoming the leader in next-generation mobile messaging for emerging markets.

Synchronica will continue to develop, market and support Colibria’s open standards-based IM technology as a stand-alone product. The software will also be integrated into Synchronica’s Mobile Gateway messaging suite and will be pre-installed on the recently launched MessagePhone, a low-cost messaging-centric handset powered by Mobile Gateway.

Colibria’s proven, carrier-grade, mobile IM technology and emerging markets-oriented customer base complement Synchronica’s own focus on open standards-based messaging solutions for developing economies. Synchronica will use the acquisition as a springboard for cross-selling and up-selling opportunities as it seeks to further expand its market share in the rapidly expanding emerging markets.

Specifically, the acquisition includes:

• Transfer of 13 carrier contracts, including two large carrier groups with an addressable market of more than 320 million subscribers.
• 46 Colibria employees, who will become part of the Synchronica team, ensuring the continuous development of the acquired products and support for transferred contracts.
  
• Transfer of two reseller agreements with a tier-1 network equipment provider and a leading messaging infrastructure software provider related to the acquired IMPS products.
• Colibria’s Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS), which provides a complete, scalable and OMA standards-compliant mobile operator messaging service.
• Colibria’s Windows Live Messenger Gateway, which allows users to mobilise their Windows Live Messenger service.
• Colibria’s Social Network Gateway, which enables operators to provide an interactive and inclusive mobile social network service as part of an integrated mobile experience.
  
• Colibria’s dedicated App Centre, a collection of 'software as a service' solutions designed to add instant value for the user and boost revenues for the operator through increased traffic, premium services and advertising.

Synchronica CEO Carsten Brinkschulte said: “Mobile IM and social networking are fast-growing sectors, in particular in emerging markets. Our acquisition of Colibria’s IM business will allow Synchronica to offer a comprehensive range of next-generation messaging products to service providers, improving our competitive positioning and accelerating our commercial growth.”

Brinkschulte continued: “Synchronica is fully committed to future development of the acquired products and to providing first-class, uninterrupted service and support to Colibria’s IMPS customers. The transfer of 46 Colibria employees provides an assurance to Colibria’s customers of a seamless transition and continuous support.”

The acquisition will enlarge Synchronica’s fast-growing footprint in emerging markets by adding key customer contracts in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Russia/CIS as well as global reseller agreements.

-end-

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