PACKETVIDEO CORPORATION ACQUIRES SDC AG
Switzerland-based SDC AG ships mobile Java music client supporting full track downloads, subscription services in multiple markets
PacketVideo Corporation strengthened its position in the global market for music client software on mobile handsets with its acquisition of Basel, Switzerland-based SDC AG. PacketVideo provides multimedia client software for many of the world’s largest music and video services, including the Verizon Wireless VCAST service, DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA service in Japan, and Orange’s Orange World service in Europe.
SDC AG is known for its Java music client with SDC DRM, capable of supporting full track download and subscription music services on mass-market handsets. The two companies disclosed the deal today to kick off their activities at the 2007 Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association show, held here this week.
PacketVideo delivers multimedia client applications on native handset operating systems such as BREW, Linux, Symbian and Windows Mobile. Already known for its broad portfolio of multimedia technology covering everything from Digital Living Network Alliance, DLNA, to Digital Video for Broadcast-Handset, or DVB-H, this acquisition establishes PacketVideo as the leader in Java clients for the GSM market as well.
“PacketVideo software enables our mobile operator customers to launch quality music and video services,” said PacketVideo Chief Executive Officer James C. Brailean, Ph.D. “With broader capabilities provided by this acquisition, we can now reach a larger geographic market, and help operators launch services more quickly.”
Added Michael Bornhäusser, co-founder and chief executive officer of SDC, “The SDC Java music client is shipping as of today in Europe, China, North America, Australia and India. This transaction gives mobile operators a one-stop-shop for mobile music client applications that is unequaled in the world.”
Quick facts about the SDC solution:
- Number of mobile operators deployed: 18
- Mobile operator customers announced: T-Mobile (Germany, UK and Czech Republic), O2 (UK and Ireland), SFR (France), Amena (Spain), TELUS (Canada), Telstra (Australia), Hutchinson 3 (UK and India) and Rogers Wireless (Canada)
- Mobile music platforms supported: Musiwave, WiderThan, Siemens, TA-Telecom
- Music labels supported: EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group
- Music business models supported: Full track pay-per-download, subscription, advertising, superdistribution, try-and-buy, push-casting and personalized radio
- Music content types supported: Full track music, music videos, and ring tones
- Number of Java handsets currently supported: 120+
- Handset manufacturers supported include: Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG and HTC
- Standard Java solution can also be ported to multiple native handset operating systems
The SDC AG office in Basel, Switzerland is now the PacketVideo Switzerland AG, Development Center for SDC Technology and becomes the fourth PacketVideo office in Europe, joining the Company’s existing development centers in Tampere, Finland; Berlin, Germany; and Nice, France.
Terms of the acquisition remain confidential.
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About PacketVideo: For nearly a decade, PacketVideo, a subsidiary of NextWave Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: WAVE), has been the software innovator helping mobile carriers and mobile device manufacturers bring dazzling – and profitable – new multimedia features and services to their end-users. With more than 250 different handsets supported and 100+ million PacketVideo multimedia clients deployed around the world, PacketVideo has the deepest, broadest and most respected multimedia software expertise in the industry. Founded in 1998, PacketVideo is headquartered in San Diego, California with regional offices in the U.S., Japan, Europe and India.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurances that forward-looking statements will be achieved, and actual events or results could differ materially from the events or results predicted or from any other forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, PacketVideo, and should not be considered as an indication of future events or results. Important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially include: our ability to develop and commercialize new products and services; our ability to enter into and maintain customer relationships; changes in capital requirements; and other risks described in filings of our parent company, NextWave Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: WAVE) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in greater detail in the filings of NextWave Wireless Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such documents are available through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. PacketVideo and NextWave Wireless Inc. make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect changes in events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made, except as may be required pursuant to applicable law.
For further information:
PacketVideo Media Contacts:
Gretchen Griswold
PacketVideo
858-731-5335
griswold@pv.com
Kristin Greene
Flashpoint PR
415-551-9623
greene@flashpointpr.com