Thalwil, Switzerland - April 24, 2012
- u-blox (SIX:UBXN), a leading fabless provider of positioning
and wireless semiconductors, software and solutions, announces the
acquisition of 4M
Wireless. 4M Wireless designs and develops leading software and
test solutions that are crucial for developing fourth generation
(4G) mobile wireless devices based on the latest Long Term
Evolution (LTE) standards.
The acquisition will give u-blox ownership of advanced protocol
stacks that are licensed to chipset vendors whose products enable
4G user equipment for applications with needs for high speed data
connectivity such as smartphones, tablet computers, notebooks and
any other high-speed wireless modems. Also a variant of the
products is licensed to manufacturers of 4G test equipment. 4M
Wireless was founded in 2006 and has headquarters in the UK and
operations in Lahore, Pakistan's center for technology and higher
education. The company has been profitable over the past 3
years.
"4M Wireless adds leading edge know-how in the area of
next-generation wireless technology that will operate over 4G
networks worldwide" said Thomas Seiler, CEO of u-blox. "Their
proven software and test solutions and impressive customer list
also brings u-blox immediate new licensing revenues in Europe, Asia
and America".
"We are very pleased to be part of an important and growing
global company such as u-blox and to expand its wireless service
capabilities" said Atif Malik, CEO of 4M Wireless. "As part of
u-blox we will strengthen services and support to our product
licensees and continue the LTE protocol stack roadmap."
Key terms of the transaction include:
- Acquisition of 100% of the shares of 4M Wireless at a price of
approximately 9 million US Dollars, depending on earn-out
- Intellectual property and software in the area of LTE wireless
technology
- Integration of the 4M Wireless business and employees into
u-blox' organization
LTE is a unifying technology for almost all mobile operators
around the world. All GSM/UMTS operators as well as most CDMA
operators have agreed to evolve to LTE. Currently there are 35
commercially available LTE networks in over 20 countries, and 48
manufacturers have already announced 197 different LTE end-devices.
300 Million LTE subscribers are expected by 2015.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and
pending regulatory approval. Closing is expected by September
2012.