13th Dec 2005 07:02
Emblaze Ltd13 December 2005 Emblaze Mobile Acquires Strategic Interest in Global Telecoms Distribution Plc Emblaze Mobile gains direct access to major network operators including 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone and others Ra'anana, Israel, December 13, 2005: Emblaze Ltd, the next generation telecomvendor group, announces that Emblaze Mobile, its mobile handset design andmanufacturing subsidiary, has acquired a strategic interest in Global TelecomsDistribution plc. Impact on cash from group reserves is negligible. GTD is one of Europe's leading distributors of multimedia handsets with a 3 1/2year trading history and 100 staff operating mainly from the UK with offices andoperations across Europe. The business enjoys long-term relationships with majorretail, distance-sales and independent dealer channel partners, as well asnetworks including 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone and others. The Company is managed by a highly experienced management team led by JohnDrinkwater, managing director, and Jim Mann, finance director. Rationale for the transaction The transaction is in line with Emblaze Mobile's strategy to become a majorsupplier of advanced handsets to European mobile network operators and isexpected to provide the company with greater control and flexibility over itshandset distribution as well as enhance its revenue and margins over time. In addition, the deal will provide Emblaze Mobile with access to GTD's customerbase and European network of operator clients. As a result, the deal willaccelerate Emblaze Mobile's expansion in Europe as its prime target market. Commenting on the deal Laurence Alexander, chief executive of Emblaze Mobile,said: "The purchase of a strategic stake in GTD is part of our mission to bringEmblaze's advanced mobile technologies and handsets to the European consumersand is another major step in creating long term value for our shareholders." Enquiries: EmblazeDoron Cohen / Hagit Gal + 972 9 7699831 / 339 Corfin CommunicationsHarry Chathli, Neil Thapar + 44 20 7929 8989 Global Telecoms DistributionBruce Welland +44 1992 825825 About The Emblaze Group (Emblaze LTD) Emblaze Ltd is a group of companies sharing a common mission to provide telecomoperators with technologies, products and solutions for next generationservices: Emblaze Mobile, a new breed in handsets design and manufacturing;Adamind (LSE: ADA), a global leader in content adaptation (transcoding) forwireless operators; Visual Defence (LSE: VDI), a provider of wireless and IPvideo solutions for military and homeland security markets; Emblaze VCON, is aleading provider of wireless video communications technologies and conferencingsolutions for operators and enterprise markets over IP networks and OrcaInteractive (LSE: ORCA), provider of Interactive Television IPTV middleware forVideo On Demand (VOD) and broadcast services, aimed at Telecom, cable and xDSLoperators. Emblaze Group is traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: BLZ) since 1996 andhas offices in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, China, Korea andIsrael. www.Emblaze.com About Emblaze Mobile Emblaze Mobile was founded in 2001. It is headquartered in London with operatingfacilities in Israel as well as design and production capabilities in Korea. Itis part of Emblaze group of companies which share a common mission to provideTelecom operators with technologies, products and solutions for next generationservices. Emblaze Mobile produces media-rich handsets with sophisticated voiceand data solutions that are individual, cool and stylish. Emblaze Mobile knowsthat its customers are sophisticated individuals who have busy lifestyles, andneed multimedia devices which are precisely tailored, simple, stylish andversatile to meet their different and constantly changing needs. Theseinnovative devices offer operators the ability to provide additional value-addedservices and a richer, even more intuitive, multimedia experience.www.EmblazeMobile.com About Global Telecoms Distribution Plc Global Telecoms Distribution plc manage the distribution of a wide range oftechnical/telecoms products (mobile devices, accessories and entertainmenthardware) and services (including fixed and mobile telecoms) to the globalbusiness and consumer market through a wide range of sales channels. GTD offers a superior level of service that comes from more than 12 years ofexperience in this field. The company has highly skilled people and robustsystems enabling professional relationships to be maintained and developed withnew and existing business partners. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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