Stockholm and Oslo June 15, 2004
Aptilo Networks and Birdstep Technology to merge their Public Wireless LAN
activities
Swedish Aptilo Networks acquires the IP Zone division of Norwegian Birdstep
Technology to establish a leading Public Wireless LAN software company. The
merged company will operate as Aptilo Networks with Birdstep Technology as a
major shareholder.
The transaction creates a company that will be the leading global force
within Public Wireless LAN systems.
Aptilo Network's and Birdstep's product portfolios are built on the same
architectural platform. Customers of the two companies can expect better and
broader product capabilities. Although the companies share the same business
philosophy, their customer bases do not overlap, creating strong offerings
for the Enterprise, Public Hotspots and general Broadband markets.
The merger will give Aptilo enhanced capabilities to accelerate its future
growth strategy and sales in Europe, Americas and Asia, and ensuring that
Aptilo continues to deliver world-class PwLAN-systems, ahead of the
competition.
The combined company will have a significant installed base with customers
like Vodafone, T-Mobile, Telekom Malaysia, Tele2 and Telenor and strong
partners such as HP, Intel, Nortel and Capgemini.
After the transaction the combined company will be valued at SEK 265 million
(?28 million).
Subject to satisfactory due diligences and approvals of final terms and
conditions Aptilo will acquire the assets of Birdstep's IP Zone division.
Birdstep will become a major shareholder of Aptilo after the transactions.
The transaction is scheduled to close in July 2004.
For further information, please contact
CEO: Jørgen Bredesen, Birdstep Technology ASA , + 47 4825 2584
EVP: Hans Arne L'orange, Birdstep Technology ASA + 47 9242 6437
CEO: Torbjörn Wård, Aptilo Networks AB , + 46 8 5089 8903
CFO: Ulf Stigberg, Aptilo Networks AB, + 46 8 5089 8910
About Aptilo Networks
Aptilo Networks develops system solutions for PWLAN (Public Wireless LAN),
also referred to as hotspots or Wi-Fi areas. The solution enables wireless
Internet access at public venues and places such as hotels, coffee shops,
airports and conference centres. Aptilo Networks' solution is designed and
developed to meet the needs of telecom operators, ISPs and other service
providers providing professional, carrier-class access, and public WLAN
services. The company is based in Stockholm, Sweden, with regional offices
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Dallas, in Texas, USA. Aptilo systems are up
and running in 30 countries on five continents
For more information see www.aptilo.com
About Birdstep Technology
Birdstep Technology is traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE) under ticker
'BIRD'. The company has headquarters in Oslo and Seattle in addition to
offices in London, Cambridge, Frankfurt, Boston, San Francisco and Shanghai.
Birdstep's small footprint, high performance database technologies combined
with its wireless roaming and access software enables companies to build
innovative solutions for embedded systems and the Mobile Internet. Birdstep
makes your information accessible anytime, anywhere, on any device and on
any infrastructure. Birdstep's global customers include 3Com (COMS), VERITAS
(VRTS), Harman Becker Automotive Systems, HP (HPQ), Accenture (ACN), Telenor
(TELN), PCTel (PCTI), Connect One and the National Stock Exchange of India.
For more information see www.birdstep.com
