10th Mar 2006 14:57
Future Internet Technologies PLC10 March 2006 For Immediate Release 10 March 2006 Future Internet Technologies Plc ("FIT") Investment in Aquanta Networks NV Artilium Communications NV ("Artilium"), an affiliate of FIT, has acquired a 49%stake in Aquanta for €1.5 million in cash. FIT has a 49% stake in Artilium andhas made an interest free loan of €1.5 million to Artilium to effect thetransaction. Artilium has the option to acquire the balance of the issuedordinary share capital of Aquanta within 12 months for the issue of up to 4million FIT Ordinary Shares. FIT will not exercise this option unless it hasfirst or simultaneously exercised its option to acquire the balance of theissued share capital of Artilium. Aquanta is a privately held communication application services provider (C-ASP)based in Bruges, Belgium and in 2003, was the first company to launch anationwide VoIP telephony service for both business and residential users.Aquanta's services, available via www.calligator.com, offer every user apersonal "unified communication centre" that integrates standard and VoIPtelephony, fax, IM and SMS messaging with the Internet. These services helpAquanta's customers increase their efficiency and decrease their communicationcosts without any specific investment in hardware or software. The investment in Aquanta will accelerate the creation of a consumer branded "Unified Communication Service". The brand name will not be revealed yet, so forthis press release it will be referred to as "B". The "B" service will be an enriched fixed-mobile convergence ('FMC')communication service for the private individual, SOHO and enterprise markets.As distinct from other Voice-over -Network ('VON') services such as Skype andVonage, "B" will also include Mobile Virtual Network Operator ('MVNO') servicesand ubiquitous integrated solutions for Instant Messaging ('IM'), e-mail,content and contact management. In the world of a "B" user, it will always be possible to seamlessly transfer anIM session or phone call from PC to mobile phone and back to PC. Similarly a "B" user will have a central up-to-date contact book that can be used on anydevice or within any application. The "B" user will link all devices throughone personal phone number providing "always on" access regardless of the "B"user's location or network. The geographical target areas in the initial "Beta" roll-out phase are the USand the UK timed for the latter half of 2006. For further information please contact: Robert J.H. BonnierFuture Internet Technologies Tel: 020 7321 3827 Richard Oldworth, Richard DarbyBuchanan Communications Tel: 020 7466 5000 Christopher CaldwellInsinger de Beaufort Tel: 020 7190 7000 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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