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Gaining One of Europe’s Leading Providers of Mobile Applications Available To More Than 400 Million Subscribers Worldwide
3GSM Barcelona (13 February, 2006) – VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 3united Mobile Solutions ag (3united), a leading wireless applications service provider based in Vienna, Austria.
Top carriers, media companies, brands and community portals have been successfully using 3united’s mobile application services since it was founded in 1999. The company owns and operates a network that directly connects with more than 50 wireless operators serving more than 400 million customers around the world and in fast-growing markets in Eastern Europe, EMEA and the United States.
“As next-generation devices and applications grow in popularity, service providers are using VeriSign’s global, secure and reliable services to transform their businesses and give consumers what they want,” said Vernon Irvin, executive vice president and general manager, VeriSign Communications Services. “VeriSign is the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services that enable the delivery of rich and seamless communications, commerce and content. The 3united acquisition supports this strategy and allows us to provide new services that carriers, Internet portals, media companies and retail brands can use to drive revenues, usage and loyalty.”
3united’s applications for premium mobile content, community and m-commerce broaden VeriSign’s portfolio of content services. The acquisition expands VeriSign’s global reach and moves it deeper into key European markets. Once the transaction is completed, VeriSign will have relationships with carriers using 3united’s platform including SingTel (Singapore), One (AUT), Hutchinson3G (HK), Mobilkom/Vodafone (AUT), Maxis (Malaysia), Debitel (D), and Polkomtel (POL).
“3united built a successful business by designing and providing popular interactive mobile applications for carriers, media companies and brands. With this transaction, 3united gets the global scale of VeriSign that will enable 3united to expand the reach of its world-class solutions, plus the added value of the VeriSign name, one of the most well-known, respected and trusted infrastructure companies in the world,” said Oliver Holle, 3united board member.
3united is privately held and has approximately 100 employees and a presence in Austria, the United States, Russia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Romania and Ukraine. Rainmaker Capital advised 3united on the transaction.
The acquisition purchase price is 55 million Euros and is being accounted for as a purchase transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2006. The financial impact of the transaction will be disclosed upon the closing.
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About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services
that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the
world’s voice and data networks. Additional news and information about
the company is available at www.verisign.com.
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For More Information
VeriSign Media Relations: Lori Sinsley, lsinsley@verisign.com,
+1 650 799 3993
VeriSign Investor Relations: Tom McCallum, tmccallum@verisign.com,
+1 650 426 3744
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the inability of VeriSign to successfully market the combined companies' services and customer acceptance of the combined companies' services; that the expected synergies resulting from the combination will not materialize; and that we may incur unexpected costs integrating the businesses. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.