SAN JOSE, Calif., December 17, 2009

Oclaro, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCLR) today announced it has acquired Xtellus, Inc. Terms of the transaction are described below, with additional details and related financial information provided in a footnote at the end of this release.

Oclaro now has a complete family of wavelength selective switches (WSS) capable of powering reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) applications over the entire optical network, from the edge to the core. Many customers have been asking Oclaro to become a provider of a total solution, with a comprehensive line of WSS products, to help satisfy their regeneration and routing needs. Oclaro has now responded. Combining the WSS portfolio with Oclaro's integrated subsystem design capability also positions the company for a strong position in the high growth ROADM market.

WSS is one of the fastest growing segments of the optical component market and the acquisition of Xtellus will play an important role in the continuing growth story of Oclaro. The acquisition also completes the overall portfolio of product areas required to support Oclaro's strategic positioning throughout the metro and long haul areas of the telecommunication market.

Xtellus uses a strategic mix of core technologies, both liquid crystal and MEMS, that will now uniquely enable Oclaro to deliver a complete family of scalable WSS to power ROADM applications across edge and core optical networks. Smaller port count edge WSS applications, where managing product costs aggressively is a key to success, are based on liquid crystal technology. For core WSS applications, Xtellus uses a combination of high reliability 1-Axis MEMS to switch across high port counts, while also maintaining liquid crystal for attenuation.

Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, stockholders of Xtellus will receive shares of common stock of Oclaro worth $33 million, a portion of which will be held in escrow for 18 months to support Xtellus' indemnification obligations to Oclaro. The agreement also provides for a value guarantee under which stockholders could receive additional consideration subject to both the share price of Oclaro failing to achieve a certain price level at the end of calendar year 2010 and on the Xtellus business achieving certain revenue targets over Oclaro's corresponding 12 month fiscal period. Further details on these terms, and related financial aspects, are provided in a footnote below.

Revenue Guidance Update

Oclaro now expects revenues for its second fiscal quarter ended January 2, 2010 to be in a range from $91 million to $93 million. Revenues from Xtellus to be included in the second quarter fiscal results of Oclaro, for the sixteen day period between the December 16, 2009 close date and January 2, 2010, are not expected to be material.

About Oclaro

Oclaro, Inc., with headquarters in San Jose, Calif., is a tier one provider of high performance optical components, modules and subsystems to the telecommunications market, and is one of the largest providers to metro and long haul network applications. The company, formed on April 27, 2009, following the combination of Bookham, Inc. and Avanex Corporation, leverages proprietary core technologies and vertically integrated product development to provide its customers with cost-effective and innovative optical devices, modules and subsystems. The company serves a broad customer base, combining in-house and outsourced manufacturing to maximize flexibility and drive improved gross margin. Its photonic technologies also serve selected high growth markets, including industrial, defense, life sciences, medical and scientific, with diversification providing both significant revenue streams and strategic technological advantage. Oclaro is a global company, with cutting edge chip fabrication facilities in the U.K., Switzerland and Italy, and in Tucson, Ariz. during the transition of related activities to Europe, and manufacturing sites in the U.S., Thailand and China.

Oclaro and all other Oclaro product names and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oclaro, Inc. in the USA or other countries.

About Xtellus

Xtellus is a leading supplier of ROADM technology and dynamic optical modules for Agile Optical Networking Systems. Agile Optical Networks are reconfigurable DWDM networks that are used to provide rapid provisioning and efficient operation of triple-play high-speed Internet, video and telephone services. Xtellus is headquartered in Denville, NJ, with manufacturing and development facilities in Israel and South Korea.

Footnote: Other Terms of Agreement and Related Financial Aspects

The terms of the acquisition agreement also provide for a valuation guarantee under which stockholders of Xtellus could receive up to $7 million in additional consideration if Oclaro common stock trades below certain levels at the end of calendar 2010 and Oclaro's revenue from Xtellus products is more than $17 million in calendar 2010. The agreement also calls for a retention program under which certain employees will receive up to an aggregate of $5 million in a combination of cash (to a maximum of $1 million to be paid upon close) and restricted stock awards which will generally be subject to time based vesting and partially subject to the conditions of the value guarantee.

Oclaro still expects to generate net cash in the fiscal quarter ended January 2, 2010, even after paying the cash amounts due at close. Oclaro also expects the operations of Xtellus to be close to breakeven from a non-GAAP operating income point of view in each of the first two quarters of calendar 2010, generating gross margins consistent with Oclaro's corporate targets, and moving into positive non-GAAP operating income range in the second half of calendar 2010. Any Xtellus related net cash burn in the 2010 calendar year is expected to be largely limited to the working capital required to support their corresponding revenue ramp.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans or prospects of Oclaro, Inc. and its business, and the assumptions underlying these statements, constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements concerning (i) revenue guidance and statements about cash flow for the quarter ending January 2, 2010, (ii) statements regarding the financial effects of the acquisition on Oclaro, including accretion, gross margin contribution, operating income contribution and cash usage, (iii) the effects of the acquisition and the addition of the Xtellus products on Oclaro's business, and (iv) statements containing the words "target," "believe," "plan," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "will," "should," "ongoing," and similar expressions. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including potential difficulties integrating the acquired operations, the potential that the acquisition may not have a positive effect on Oclaro's financial results, the possibility that the Xtellus products may not perform as well as Oclaro expects, the impact of continued uncertainty in world financial markets and the resulting reduction in demand for our products, the future performance of Oclaro, Inc. following the closing of recent mergers and acquisitions, the inability to realize the expected benefits and synergies as a result of the of recent mergers and acquisitions, increased costs related to downsizing and compliance with regulatory compliance in connection with such downsizing, the lack of availability of credit or opportunity for equity based financing, as well as the factors described in Oclaro's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other documents we periodically file with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this announcement represent Oclaro's view as of the date of this press release. Oclaro anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause Oclaro's views and expectations to change. However, Oclaro specifically disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this release.

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Dune Networks, a privately-held company that develops switch fabric solutions for data center networking equipment.
 
In connection with the acquisition, Broadcom acquired all of the outstanding shares of capital stock and other rights of Dune Networks. The purchase price was paid in cash, except that a portion of such purchase price attributable to unvested employee stock options was paid in Broadcom restricted stock units. A portion of the cash consideration payable to the stockholders was placed into escrow pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement. Excluding any purchase accounting related adjustments and fair value measurements, Broadcom expects the acquisition of Dune Networks will be neutral to slightly accretive to earnings per share in 2010.
 
About Broadcom
 
Broadcom Corporation is a major technology innovator and global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom® products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. We provide the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything®.
 
Broadcom is one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies, with 2008 revenue of $4.66 billion, and holds over 3,650 U.S. and over 1,450 foreign patents, more than 7,750 additional pending patent applications, and one of the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless transmission of voice, video, data and multimedia.
 
A FORTUNE 500® company, Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at +1.949.926.5000 or at:

http://www.broadcom.com/

Cautions regarding Forward Looking Statements:

All statements included or incorporated by reference in this release, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry and business, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated accretive impact of the transaction. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.
 
Additional factors that may cause Broadcom's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the list that can be found at:

http://www.broadcom.com/press/additional_risk_factors/Q42009.php

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss the foregoing risks as well as other important risk factors that could contribute to such differences or otherwise affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of this date. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.
 
Broadcom, the pulse logo, Connecting everything and the Connecting everything logo are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

    Broadcom Trade Press Contact
    Gennis Lafayette
    Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
    408-543-3413
    gennisl@broadcom.com

    Broadcom Investor Relations Contact
    T. Peter Andrew
    Vice President, Corporate Communications
    949-926-5663
    andrewtp@broadcom.com

SOURCE Broadcom Corporation; BRCM Corporate
http://www.broadcom.com

Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Core expertise: computer, communications and software technology, with a focus on wireless, Internet infrastructure and data communication

Career: Senior Scientist at IMEC, Europe’s largest Infotech Research centre (still current); senior research roles at AT&T Bell Labs and Bellcore

Academic achievements:Senior Scientist at IMEC, BA degree Middlebury College with a major in physics

Investments: Castify Networks , Dune Networks , Mempile , Native Networks , Synad Technologies (ST Microelectronics) , Xtellus

Core expertise: electronics, marketing and business development, with specialist experience of negotiating OEM deals with manufacturers worldwide and a focus on investment opportunities in silicon and software technologies

Career: Executive VP Business Development, ARM Holdings plc; microprocessor marketing roles at STMicroelectronics

Academic achievements: degree in Electronics & Electrical Engineering, UMIST

Investments: Frontier Silicon

Core expertise: financial and operational management in technology companies, leading IPOs and cross-border M&A sales

Career: European Finance Vice President, Gould Inc; several other European and US finance and operating roles

Academic achievements: MBA, Harvard Business School; BS Industrial Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Investments: Arpida, Christiaens International, Elantec Semiconductors , Innogenetics , Medgenics, Nanomask (Dupont) , SBS Broadcasting, Freepages (Scoot) , Syquest

Core expertise: investor relations, IT support and office systems

Career: Board level roles with many large private sector companies in the UK

Core expertise: investment transaction, acquisitions and disposals

Career: Chartered Accountant with Arthur Young, managing client portfolio covering a wide range of industries

Academic achievements: Degree in Accountancy and Statistics, Southampton University

Core expertise: building and managing global networking and communications companies, from seed fundraising to volume manufacturing

Career: Active Chairman, Provigent; founding team and VP Marketing and Business Development, Chiaro Networks; Director of Marketing, Broadcom Corporation (IPO 1998); design and marketing networking and storage chips, DEC.

Academic achievements: BS Electrical Engineering from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

Investments: Camero , Siliquent

Core expertise: building and managing companies in the semiconductor industry. Interested in companies doing product development for mobile computing, wireless communications and consumer entertainment applications.

Career: President and CEO, ParthusCeva (Nasdaq: CEVA); President, Parthus Technologies plc (IPO 2000); founder and MD, the StrongARM microprocessor business (acquired by Intel 1998); DEC (original Alpha processor); Philips BV (high-speed processor design); National Microelectronics Research Centre, Cork.

Academic achievements: MBA, Northeastern University, Boston; Masters and BE degrees in Electrical Engineering, University of Ireland, Cork.

Investments: Teradici

The firm has 22 years of successful investing in European high-technology start-ups;

• founded in 1982 in London by Bryan Wood in partnership with the US VC firm Burr, Egan, Deleage & Co (now Alta Communications & Alta Partners)
• one of a handful of firms which pioneered venture investing in Europe and a founder member of the BVCA and EVCA
• developed a strong reputation for successful long-term investment in technology companies with outstanding success in the nascent European technology industry of the 1980’s
• raised and invested six venture funds, providing superior returns for our institutional investors
• transitioned to a new generation of partners, all experienced and successful technology entrepreneurs in their own right
• since 2000 added a focus within the firm on European high-technology hot-spots including Israel and Cambridge

Today, Alta Berkeley continues to lead technology investing in Europe and Israel with a hands-on approach to developing its portfolio of exciting technology start-ups, and has one of the premier investing teams in the communications and information technology sector.

1. their ability to fund and guide their portfolio businesses to a profitable and mutually beneficial exit
2. their history of raising funds from institutional investors and providing superior returns
3. their ability to help build significant companies of enduring value

Over the past 22 years Alta Berkeley has successfully delivered superior results across all of these criteria.

• we have backed over 100 companies, achieving 20 public offerings (eight of these on NASDAQ) and more than 30 significant trade sales in Europe and the US
• our most notable successes include:
• C-Dilla (acquired by Macrovision)
• Christaens International (acquired by Nycomed)
• Danby Medical (acquired by Baxter)
• Elantec Semiconductors (NASDAQ IPO then acquired by Intersil)
• Flamel Technologies (FLMLY, NASDAQ)
• Innogenetics (INNX, EASDAQ)
• IoBox (acquired by Telefonica)
• Nanomask (asquired by Du Pont)
• Precision Software (acquired by Software Publishing Corp)
• SBS Broadcasting (SBTV, NASDAQ)
• Scoot (AIM, then LSE & NASDAQ subsequently acquired by BT)
• Synad (acquired by STMicroelectronics)
• SyQuest (NASDAQ IPO, assets subsequently acquired by Iomega)
• we have also raised six venture capital funds, backed by blue-chip European and US investors and consistently delivered superior return to our investors so that more than two thirds of the investors in our fifth fund are also investors in our sixth fund

Our strategy and our team. Regarding our investment strategy, we;

• seek to build market-leading communications and computing companies from Europe and Israel, based on world-leading R&D and strong, entrepreneurial management teams generally based in the UK or US
• invest in sectors where our partners have substantial operational and management experience
• achieve exits through IPO or acquisition in the UK or US markets
• use our global industrial and research networks to benchmark opportunities
• invest through the full range of venture capital investment stages

Regarding our team it has the profile, size and structure you would find in any top-tier US VC firm;

• partners who have operated at a senior executive level in the sectors where we invest
• people with proven credentials in building successful technology enterprises
• coupled with our European history of achieving superior returns for our investors through over 50 significant exits via acquisition and public offering

What is your investment strategy?

Please see the investment strategy section of this website.

How do you source your deal flow?

We have four primary sources of information on opportunities:

• our partners are highly respected in their sectors and are regularly approached with opportunities
• we are regularly contacted by professional advisers such as lawyers, bankers, recruiters and accountants
• we run a network of partners in our key hunting grounds of the UK and Israel
• successful entrepreneurs from throughout Europe who network by sector rather than geography generally contact us directly after researching their networks

What style of VC are you?

We are an active, hands-on investor. We generally take a board seat as the lead investor in a syndicate containing one or two other selected VCs

What is your current investor base?

European and US pension funds, banks, insurance companies and fund managers, all experienced investors. Many of them have invested in a succession of Alta Berkeley funds – two thirds of the capital in our current fund was invested by limited partners who participated in our previous fund.

What are your current fund-raising plans?

If you are an institutional investor with an interest in exploring participation in our future funds, please contact Hugh Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Alta Berkeley.

Geneva Office

Alta Berkeley
17A rue de la Croix d'Or
1204 Geneva
Switzerland

tel:    +41 22 311 5533
fax:   +41 22 311 5536  

London Office

42 Berkeley Square
London W1J 5AW
England

tel:    +44 20 3393 1107
fax:   +44 20 3070 0797

How to get here:

By tube:
The nearest tube stations are Green Park, Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus.

From Heathrow Airport:
Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and take the tube or taxi from there.

From Gatwick Airport:
Take the Gatwick Express to Victoria and take the tube or taxi from there.

From London City Airport:
Take the bus to Canning Town and then the tube (Jubilee line) to Green Park.

Within these technology and market areas our partners have deep operational experience and a global network of contacts. Alta Berkeley has partners with contacts into the key technology hot-spots across Europe, Israel and the US which allows us to identify promising R&D teams in these sectors.

• an average total of $4 million to $8 million
• an initial investment ranging between $1.5 and $3 million

• we have an underlying knowledge of the technologies and markets you're working with
• we've been there ourselves as entrepreneurs and understand the challenges you face at every stage of your development
• we commit the time needed to genuinely add value to your business, from day one to the moment of exit
• the Alta Berkeley partner you meet during due diligence remains with you throughout the entire journey

We don't want to run your business for you. We want to help you build and develop it by:

• providing strategic input at every level, from global market intelligence and networking to team-building and opening new sales channels
• contributing expert knowledge and specific skills – we regularly advise our client companies on issues as specialised as IP licensing agreements and semiconductor device architectures
• acting as a sounding board to help with decisions at any stage of the company's development

Don't just take our word for it. Please contact our portfolio companies and ask them to validate our claims. We are confident that they will endorse our claim to be active investors that bring more than money to the table.

Of course, one of our most important responsibilities is to secure initial capital and follow-on finance for the growing business. We do this by:

• taking the lead role in most investments
• building appropriate syndicates of investors who share our strategy and philosophy
• carefully balancing the structure and make-up of your investment syndicate to meet your immediate and future needs
• working with late-stage VCs, institutional investors and strategic corporate investment groups to ensure continuing capital investment – no matter the economic environment
• introducing, selecting and managing the relationship with investment banks during trade sales and public offerings

We make a considerable commitment of our time, so before deciding on any proposal:

• all our partners will review your business plan
• every partner will attend at least one meeting with your management team
• our whole team of partners will attend your final formal presentation, after which they will make a collective investment decision

To help us reach a decision, we expect you to:

• first provide a brief executive summary describing your venture
• next, provide a concise business plan that concentrates on addressable market opportunity, competitive position and long-term differentiation, restricting your financial analysis to a two-year monthly profit and loss and cashflow
• participate in a series of meetings at your and our offices, culminating in a presentation by your key team members to all our partners

This may seem a daunting process, but we find that a thorough due diligence process can help both sides make the right decision. In a long term commitment of funding a company through to a successful exit, both parties need to be absolutely certain that resources, dynamics and personalities are complementary and that there is real potential for an added value relationship.

What is the most effective way to approach you?

We highly recommend that you submit a business plan with a referral. A referral via a mutual friend or professional contact such as a lawyer, banker, a portfolio company executive or non-executive director or an angel investor is the most effective introduction and will ensure that your business plan gets our attention. If this is not possible simply email your executive summary to the Alta Berkeley partner with the most appropriate background – however, please don’t send it to more than one. Thank you for your interest in Alta Berkeley.

Will you sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)?

As a firm regulated by the Financial Services Authority we are already required to maintain professional standards relating to confidentiality and other matters. As founder members of the BVCA and EVCA, we also abide by their codes of practice. This means that we’ll only sign an NDA before reading an executive summary in highly unusual circumstances.

What should an executive summary include?

Try to include the following elements in two to three pages:

• your business activity
• a team profile, including relevant experience, expertise and skills
• an analysis of the competitive position
• a quantitative analysis of the scale of the market opportunity
• a description of your business model
• an assessment of your finance needs
• contact details

How do we make an effective management presentation?

Don’t be afraid of creativity, and try to cover all the issues in between 15 and 20 slides:

• company’s business and mission statement
• products, description, development schedule, differentiation, price points
• market trends, historic and projected size, your products’ match to unmet needs
• sales channels and partnerships, customers
• competitors, competitive advantage, SWOT
• management team background, advisers, angels, board
• historic and projected P&L, projected cash flow, projected head count by function
• capital required, valuation, use of proceeds

Will I lose control of my business?

No. Our role is to back management, not supplant them. All our best investments have been in Companies where we have been an influential shareholder unrelated to our stake in the company.

Are you in for the long term?

Yes. Our average investment period is between four and seven years. Our partners have personal experience of leading start-up companies to build long-term value for investors.

Do you have Entrepreneur in Residence and Venture Partner programmes?

Yes – we provide support and resources to entrepreneurs with interesting ideas or who can help in our investment activities. We also allow start-ups to use our premises as a base during their early stages. In addition, we have a network of outstanding entrepreneurs and industrialists who act as Alta Berkeley Venture Partners, working with management teams that will benefit from their energy and expertise. (If you are interested in either role please e-mail your CV to the Alta Berkeley partner with the most appropriate background.)

Onyvax Ltd, the biotechnology company developing novel cancer therapies, today announces that it has raised £8 million in a Series C fundraising. The round was co-led by 3i and SR One with additional funds from Barrie Haigh, Merlin Biosciences, MB Venture Capital Fund 1 NV, Alta Berkeley Venture Partners and Alberville Ltd.

The funds raised will be used to advance the development of Onyvax-P, Onyvax's lead product for the treatment of prostate cancer, in a controlled, multi-centre Phase IIb study to commence in the summer.

Onyvax-P consists of a combination of three cell lines that contain numerous prostate cancer markers that are expressed at different stages of the disease. By raising a powerful immune response against a comprehensive set of tumour antigens, the risk of the tumour being able to mutate and become resistant to the therapy is reduced. The Phase IIa trial for Onyvax-P demonstrated:

• a favorable safety profile;
• 40% patients showed statistically significant reductions of PSA velocity (a blood marker for prostate cancer); and
• median progression free survival of 58 weeks versus historical controls of 29-30 weeks.

A rising cancer incidence combined with the limitations of conventional therapies, mean that Onyvax's approach to cancer treatment is addressing significant markets and major unmet medical needs. 467,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed per year in the US, Europe and Pacific Rim1. Cases of prostate cancer in the UK increased 25% between 1995–2002. There are no treatments currently available that have been shown to prolong life for men with hormone resistant prostate cancer who have not yet developed metastatic disease.

Commenting on the fundraising, Dr Anthony Walker, Chief Executive of Onyvax, said:

"The participation of all of our existing shareholders in this financing sends a strong signal of support. The data generated from the Phase IIa clinical trial is compelling and if a similar magnitude of effect is generated in a randomized trial it would be considered a major advance in the treatment of prostate cancer. The successful completion of randomized Phase IIb trials will generate significant value and will provide the statistical basis for pivotal trials.”

1 American Cancer Society (2003) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO), GLOBOCAN 2000
2 UK Association of Cancer Registries.

For further information, please contact:

Onyvax
Dr Anthony Walker / Robert Johnson
+44 (0)208 682 9494

Financial Dynamics
Julia Philips
+44 (0)20 7831 3113

Notes to editors

Onyvax Ltd is a biotechnology company developing novel cancer therapies that harness the selective power of the immune system to seek and destroy tumor cells.

Founded in 1998, Onyvax is developing products that use the power of the immune system to treat of prostate and other cancers. Onyvax’s lead products are based on combinations of inactivated cell lines that induce immune responses to a broad spectrum of tumor targets. Onyvax-P, a Cell Vaccine for prostate cancer, will enter Phase IIb clinical trials in 2006. For each cancer type, Onyvax generates banks of proprietary cell lines representative of different stages of the disease. The vaccines are manufactured in bulk under standardized conditions.

Onyvax is also developing Onyvax-105, an antibody based therapy designed to target CD55. The product has shown promising results in early clinical trials in colorectal cancer and osteosarcoma. The company is intending to develop the antibody further, initially in prostate cancer.

Onyvax is committed to the commercialization of new therapies that significantly prolong survival while maintaining a high quality of life for cancer patients. The Company is based in London and has collaborations with leading institutions in Europe and the US. Further information on Onyvax can be found at www.onyvax.com

Hong Kong, 14 April 2008

Frontier Silicon today announces the latest addition to its range of solutions for Wi-Fi Radio with iPod connectivity. The Jupiter 6.1 platform provides a low-cost, fully-qualified reference design for connected home audio systems, with a wealth of features including extended iPod compatibility and an enhanced graphical user interface.

Based on Frontier Silicon’s Chorus 2 digital audio processor and Venice 6 module, the new platform delivers advanced iPod interactivity through the integration of the Apple iPod Authentication Coprocessor 2.0; this makes it possible to access and display information from the device such as the entire file database and track metadata, and to play video from all video-enabled iPod models.

Anthony Sethill, CEO Frontier Silicon, comments, “With the functionality designed into the Jupiter 6.1 platform, our customers can quickly bring to market competitively priced home audio devices that will give users access to a vast array of audio and video content from their iPod alongside music from the internet or broadcast radio.” He continues, “We expect that connectivity to the internet and the iPod will become the must-have features in new home audio products over the next year.”

Jupiter 6.1 supports all features of Venice 6 including Internet radio, music streaming services, DAB, DAB+, FM, and an integrated media player to playback audio from a PC or USB device. The platform provides a simple, fully-flexible solution for OEMs to produce feature-rich connected audio products with iPod docking capability.

While most Internet radios and audio systems use basic, character-based display elements, Jupiter 6.1 includes a graphical user interface and a display which supports mixed styled fonts, improved icons, animation, splash screens and a highly customisable screen layout, all tied together with an intuitive, menu-driven navigation engine to ensure the best possible consumer experience.

Frontier Silicon is a leader in digital radio and iPod connectivity, with a range of iPod-enabled audio platforms including Madison – the first iPod DAB adaptor/remote control and smallest DAB receiver available.

Ends

As radio broadcasters in Australia prepare for the imminent launch of digital radio services using the enhanced DAB+ standard, Frontier Silicon has unveiled its latest receiver: Venice 5.1, a DAB+ version of the world’s most widely used digital radio module.

The introduction of Venice 5.1 coincides with this week’s Australian Broadcasting Summit in Sydney, where there will be debates on the future direction of digital radio, specifically on the progress of digital broadcasting trials and the management of its roll-out.

Frontier Silicon CEO Anthony Sethill commented, “With the launch of DAB+ in Australia this year, we have taken the strategic decision to develop the Venice 5.1 module so that our customers are ready to supply digital radios during the second half of 2008 as the market develops.” He added, “The availability of a good range of receivers is a prerequisite for the successful launch of DAB+. Since we already have over 50 customer designs using the Venice 5.0 module for existing DAB regions around the world, we know that these can be quickly adapted for DAB+ reception using Venice 5.1. This will ensure that retailers can swiftly stock a line up of attractive DAB+ products as broadcasters roll out new services.”

Daniel Todd, managing director of Bush Australia, said, “The Bush brand has already enjoyed considerable success in the European DAB market and we intend to build on this in Australia as DAB+ launches. With the aggressive launch plan for DAB+ in Australia that is being implemented this year we are very excited about the prospects for this new category of audio products.”

In 2007 Frontier Silicon supplied over 80 percent of DAB solutions used worldwide, with the Venice 5.0 module forming the majority of shipments. Designed to be electro-mechanically compatible with this popular module, Venice 5.1 gives audio manufacturers the ability to quickly release a range of DAB+ capable products based on existing radio designs.

Venice 5.1 can be used as either the main controller in a tabletop or clock radio, or as a serially-controlled slave in a micro Hi-Fi or other audio system. The module supports DAB+/DAB and also FM-RDS.

Ends

Simcom, SiGe Semiconductor, and CPS collaborate on breakthrough multimedia handset that optimizes performance, cost and battery life

CPS, SiGe Semiconductor and Shanghai Simcom (“Simcom”), a wholly owned subsidiary of SIM Technology Group Limited (SEHK:2000), today announced the world’s first Enhanced GPS (E-GPS) multimedia handset solution for GSM. The S788 handset solution, designed by Simcom, is a lightweight, palm-sized device delivering advanced multimedia features including high accuracy location based services (LBS), while optimizing performance, cost and battery life.

The S788 multimedia handset solution offers an MP3/MPEG4 player, touchscreen, and two megapixel camera in a slim, lightweight case. The handset’s E-GPS location capability is enabled by SiGe Semiconductor’s SE8088L Global Positioning System receiver and software, and CPS’ Enhanced-GPS software. The combination of SiGe’s and CPS’ technologies provides unparalleled performance, including accurate location fixes with a sub-four second time to first fix, in even the most challenging environments. As a result, consumers can enjoy new location services in indoor and dense urban areas, where satellite-based positioning systems tend to fail.

“We evaluated location technologies, and found E-GPS to be the best option for fast, accurate location fixes in all environments,” said Gong Zhenjun, Senior Vice President and General Manger of Simcom. “This new development builds upon our relationship with CPS and our existing Matrix-enabled products which are meeting end user requirements for the delivery of fast, accurate location fixes in the most challenging indoor and outdoor environments."

E-GPS solves key design challenges
GPS has failed to gain traction in the 1.5 billion customer-strong GSM market because it faces two key challenges: first, both GSM and W-CDMA are unsynchronised network technologies. This means performance of GPS-enabled devices is compromised, resulting in slow time-to-fix and limited coverage area. Second, where GPS does fail to deliver a location, the end user experiences a lengthy delay and eventual fallback to a low accuracy technology – such as Cell-ID – which may have an error of up to several kilometers.

“Our starting point with E-GPS was the end-user experience,” said Chris Wade, Chief Executive Officer, CPS. “We know from what operators tell us that A-GPS performance does not meet today’s customers’ expectation of mobile data services. As one major operator told us recently – 70 percent of all location-based services are initiated indoors. That means GPS will simply not meet end user requirements.”

E-GPS delivers the required quality of end-user experience through a powerful combination of satellite-based and terrestrial location measurements from the GSM network. Using precise knowledge of the base station timings inherent in Matrix technology, E-GPS delivers time synchronization aiding to SiGe’s SE8088L receiver integrated in the mobile, enabling 10x faster GPS time to fix and the ability to receive much lower power signals.

“We are pleased with how Simcom’s new S788 handset solution illustrates the benefits of our receiver and CPS Matrix technologies,” said Stuart Strickland, product line director, SiGe Semiconductor. “The handset solution demonstrates the integration, performance and efficiency of our GPS radio, and provides all of the features that will enable Simcom to take advantage of the growing market opportunity.”

The S788 which will be readied for launch later this year, has improved battery performance, as E-GPS requires only 1 percent of the effort of traditional GPS devices, which use up valuable power searching for satellite signals.

About SIM Technology Group
SIM Technology Group and its subsidiaries designs and develops solutions for mobile handsets, GSM/GPRS/EDGE wireless communications modules and application systems, LCD modules for mobile handsets and other portable electronic devices. For more information, visit www.sim.com.

About CPS:
CPS (Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited) delivers cost competitive high accuracy mobile location technology to the billion-strong customer GSM and emerging 3G/W-CDMA markets. CPS’s products are based on its software-only Matrix technology – which delivers sub-100m accuracy, sub-3 second location fixes and all environment coverage. The product portfolio extends to Matrix 3G and E-GPS – a powerful combination of Matrix and GPS technology.

With network deployments of Matrix underway, CPS is working with the world’s leading mobile technology companies – including Nokia, HP, LogicaCMG and Andrew – to enable a new generation of high accuracy location based services and devices for enterprise and consumer markets. Headquartered in Cambridge (UK), CPS is funded by venture capital and strategic corporate investors. CPS’s value is underpinned by 20 key worldwide technology patents – one of the largest and most comprehensive IPR portfolios of high accuracy location technology in the world. For more information about CPS, please visit: www.cpslocates.com.

About SiGe Semiconductor, Inc.
SiGe Semiconductor, Inc. is a leading global supplier of RF front-end solutions for next-generation wireless systems. Drawing on the unique advantages of silicon germanium technology, the company designs and delivers integrated circuits and chip-scale modules with unparalleled performance and power efficiency. Components from SiGe Semiconductor, Inc. can be found in Bluetooth®-enabled portable devices, GPS and telematics systems, IEEE 802.11a/b/g WLANs, WiMAX broadband access equipment, 2G, 2.5G and 3G cellular handsets, and cordless telephones. For more information, please visit www.sige.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and SiGe Semiconductor, Inc. does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking statements should conditions or management's estimates or opinions change.

DEPLOYMENTS of CPS’s Matrix high accuracy technology to drive new asset tracking services in China have been hailed a success by leading regional value added service provider Sichuan Yingda.

Following the initial rollout, where valuable goods in transit were traced down to sub-100m levels in busy urban and rural areas, Sichuan Yingda is now planning to extend the range of services it offers. Also, the company plans to extend the geographic reach of its services beyond Sichuan province, where it has operated services across the Sichaun Unicom GSM network.

The CEO of Yingda Technology Co, Tang Ruo Yu said: “End users have been very pleased with the performance of Matrix across a range of environments. Its’ ability to accurately track goods indoors is particularly useful when valuable assets are on the move. We are now launching new services across a wider geographic area.”

Sichuan Yingda Technology Co Ltd specializes in wireless Internet services, products and integration. The company was incorporated in 1994 and is located in the national high-tech district of Chengdu in Sichuan, China. In 2005, it received a High Tech Enterprise Award by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

CPS CEO Chris Wade said: “This positive customer – and end user – endorsement underlines the ability of Matrix to meet customer requirements for high accuracy tracking in every environment. The bar was set high on this contract in terms of indoor and dense urban performance, but we’re delighted that Matrix has met and exceeded all expectations.”

China, with over 370 million mobile users, represents one of CPS’s main markets with growing demand for high accuracy solutions to meet a burgeoning market for vehicle, asset and personnel safety tracking. In recent months, CPS has announced a string of deals with service providers, handset and device manufacturers for Matrix technology.

As well as offering its Matrix technology for GSM networks, CPS also offers high accuracy solutions for W-CDMA and TD-SCDMA – China’s own 3G standard.

CPS (Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd) today announces that wireless visionary and entrepreneur Simon Wilkinson is to join its board as a non-executive director.

Currently, Simon is Senior Vice President & General Manager, Content and Services Organization at Openwave, the leading provider of open software products and services for the communications industry. Until its acquisition by Openwave in 2004, he was founder and CEO of Magic4, the UK-based pioneer in the wireless messaging and value added data services space.

Prior to co-founding Magic4 in 1999, he held senior international positions at Philips Consumer Communications.

CPS Chief Executive Officer Chris Wade said: “Simon brings a wealth of experience in the wireless world to CPS. He is very well regarded – not only for his hugely impressive track record in creating valuable businesses – but also for his insights into future trends in the mobile market.

“Our investors have shown tremendous commitment to CPS and Simon’s welcome addition further underlines the strength of our board in helping drive the company forward.”

Simon added: “CPS holds a unique position in the wireless industry as the leading innovator of location based technologies. The market today presents operators with an incredible opportunity to exploit location based services as a way to drive larger scale data and rich mobile content adoption. This is an exiting time to be involved with CPS and I look forward to working with the management team to help them realise their vision for a location enabled wireless world.”

CPS develops high accuracy location technology for mobile communications. The integration of CPS’s Matrix location technology enables any handset or device to be rapidly located to an accuracy of sub-100m in GSM – and less than 50m in W-CDMA networks. The modules use the existing GSM/W-CDMA network infrastructure to transfer location information to the network using standard GPRS or SMS. This greatly reduces the rollout costs traditionally associated with high accuracy mobile location technology.

Cambridge UK: m-spatial, the market leader in mobile local search, today announces that its MapWay Local Search, Maps and Directions services are now live on O2 i-mode™ in the UK.

Specifically optimised for mobile handsets and featuring a unique ‘assisted browsing’ capability that eliminates unnecessary keypad strokes, the MapWay services enable i-mode users to rapidly access information about almost 2.2 million businesses and amenities in the UK. The MapWay ‘What’s Nearby’ local search service presents the user with a map of the local area, and allows them to rapidly ‘discover’ the business they need via a location-sensitive menu of relevant businesses and amenities.

Hugh Griffiths, Head of Data Products for O2 UK said; “There is proven demand for i-mode users to be able to search for information about businesses and amenities in both familiar and unfamiliar areas. We believe m-spatial’s ‘made for mobile’ approach to local search and maps and directions provides one of the best experiences available today and we are delighted to make the MapWay services available to our UK i-mode customers.”

Andy Walker, m-spatial CEO said “i-mode users are consumers highly motivated to use their mobile phones for new tasks such as mobile local search. However, this need cannot be satisfied by the traditional internet ‘text box based’ approach to local search, or traditional static menu based ‘find my nearest’ services. MapWay services encompass the proven i-mode principles of quick and simple access to compelling information which is critical for the success of consumer facing services.”

Placed in the ‘travel and information’ sections of the i-mode menu, the MapWay services offer ‘made for mobile’ maps and directions showing the location of any address in the UK, in addition to the ‘what’s nearby’ local search functionality. Users pay £1.99 per month to subscribe.

MapWay Local Search is a standalone application and content package underpinned by m-spatial’s powerful new Local Search and Discovery Engine (LSDE).

About m-spatial

Based in Cambridge, UK, m-spatial is the market leader in mobile local search – connecting consumers to ‘local’ businesses and information via mass market mobile phones. m-spatial provides its products via an ASP delivery model to mobile network operators, directory providers and search engines. Its international customers include Orange, Vodafone and O2. m-spatial’s innovative and unique approach to mobile local search delivers a ‘made for mobile’ user experience which offers consumers quick and simple access to both a breadth and depth of ‘local’ information including businesses, amenities, events and traffic conditions and is compatible with the majority of mass market mobile phones.

www.m-spatial.com

For more information:

Chris Gent / Jon White
Octopus
T: 08453 700 655
E: chris@octopuscomms.net

About i-mode

i-mode provides a simple, fast one-button access to email and the mobile Internet portal. Users simply push the i button on the handset to navigate straight to O2’s i-mode browser, giving instant ‘always-on’ access. Additionally, because i-mode sites are inherently designed for mobile, customers will enjoy the fastest possible browsing experience. For example, there are dedicated buttons that enable users to quickly navigate back and forth between i-mode pages without delays.

‘i-mode’ and the i-mode logo are trade marks or registered trade marks of NTT DoCoMo Inc. in Japan and other countries

About O2

O2 is a leading provider of mobile services to consumers and businesses in the UK. It is the leader in non-voice services, including text, media messaging, games, music and video, as well as always on data connections via GPRS, 3G and WLAN. Each month O2’s 15 million customers send more than three quarters of a billion text messages. O2 (UK) Limited is a subsidiary of O2 plc which also owns O2 branded mobile operators in Ireland and Germany as well as the Airwave O2 emergency services network in the UK.

For further information please contact

Louie St Claire
O2 Press Office
T: 07834 093217
louie.stclaire@o2.com

Alexis Dalrymple
Cohn & Wolfe
T: 07739 333288
alexis_dalrymple@uk.cohnwolfe.com

Cambridge UK: m-spatial, the market leader in mobile local search, today announces the commercial availability of its Local Search & Discovery Engine (LSDE)™, promising to increase the profitability of mobile operator communities. This unique platform enables operators to provide highly personalised, intuitive and detailed mobile local search services – encouraging consumer adoption, driving on and off-portal content discovery, and delivering a new revenue stream from contextual advertising.

Specifically optimised for mobile handsets and featuring a unique ‘assisted browsing’ capability that eliminates unnecessary keypad strokes, the LSDE allows rapid access to a detailed map-based view of all business and services around the user. In addition, the LSDE personalises the service, ensuring the search and discovery experience is tailored specifically to the context of use – highlighting results relevant to consumer preferences, their location and even the time of day the service is used.

“The typical desktop ‘trial and error’ internet search experience of ‘type, browse and choose’ is simply not viable for the majority of local queries on handsets,” said Andy Walker, CEO of m-spatial. “m-spatial is the first to develop a mobile specific answer that is content-rich and intuitive enough to appeal to a demanding consumer market – while fulfilling the need of mobile network operators to drive traffic to existing on and off-portal content services.”

In a further service evolution, the LSDE’s underlying architecture aggregates deep content from multiple existing on and off-portal mobile content services in addition to content provided by m-spatial’s growing network of content partners. This allows users single-click, highly-contextualised access to rich information relating to a selected business, including descriptions, reviews, what’s on and even traffic and travel information – through ‘deep linking’ to existing content services.

This ability to ‘deep link’ to other content services not only reduces user click count but raises awareness and encourages usage of all on-portal sites, whatever their position in the portal menu hierarchy – increasing revenue generated from existing services. By offering a single on-portal start-point for access to multiple information sources, operators provide a clear value add for consumers to encourage brand loyalty and maximise their portal investments.

Critically, the LSDE also intelligently prioritises on-portal over off-portal information sources, ensuring the user is always encouraged to use the content service yielding the highest margin for the mobile operator. The ‘assisted browsing’ user experience also provides a perfect environment for contextual advertising – enabling mobile operators to generate additional revenues, even from users ultimately accessing off-portal content services.

The LSDE is available immediately for rapid integration with a mobile operator’s existing portal and on and off-portal content services. Specifically, the LSDE can either be integrated with an existing Find My Nearest service, or be configured to provide users with a second generation Find My Nearest user experience as part of the overall search functionality.

The LSDE also underpins m-spatial’s standalone mobile local search application, MapWay Local – which is supplied with a pre-integrated package of local content sourced from m-spatial’s growing network of content partners.

About m-spatial

Based in Cambridge, UK, m-spatial is the market leader in mobile local search – connecting consumers to ‘local’ businesses and information via mass market mobile phones. m-spatial provides its products via a white label ASP delivery model to mobile network operators, directory providers and search engines. Its international customers include Orange, Vodafone and O2. m-spatial’s innovative and unique approach to mobile local search delivers a ‘made for mobile’ user experience which offers consumers quick and simple access to both a breadth and depth of ‘local’ information including businesses, amenities, events and traffic conditions and is compatible with the majority of mass market mobile phones.

www.m-spatial.com

For more information:

Chris Gent / Jon White

Octopus

T: 08453 700 655

E: chris@octopuscomms.net

Homeserve plc today announces the expansion of its repair network activities with the acquisition of Recommend Limited trading as Improveline (‘Improveline’) for an initial cash consideration of £14.0 million on a debt free and cash free basis.

Further performance-related cash consideration of a total of up to £4.0 million is payable in 2007 and 2008.

Improveline is one of the UK’s leading home insurance repairers providing property repair services. Improveline currently has contractual arrangements with five leading household insurers. The company operates from a head office in Chiswick and six branches in the South East of England. The company has 320 employees including 155 directly employed trade operatives. For the year ended 31st December 2004, the audited accounts for Improveline reported profit before tax of £0.6 million on turnover of £15.4 million. For the ten months to 31st October 2005, the management accounts for Improveline reported a profit before tax of £1.2 million on turnover for the period of £23.1 million. Gross assets (including cash of £3.3 million) at 31st October 2005 were £9.3 million.

The acquisition of Improveline follows Homeserve’s purchase in December 2004 of Sergon BRM (now named Homeserve Property Repairs) and represents a further development of its property services offering. Improveline introduces new insurers to our property repairs business and offers synergies with our other Emergency Repair businesses allowing Homeserve to enhance its service to insurers by offering repairs completed through a directly controlled network of surveyors and tradesmen.

Richard Harpin, Chief Executive of Homeserve commented:

‘The acquisition of Improveline is a significant step in the growth of our Emergency Repair operations. The acquisition extends our relationships with insurers in the property services market whilst bringing the benefit of a directly employed network.’

Enquiries:

Homeserve plc

Brian Whitty, Chairman – Tel: 01922 427900
Richard Harpin, Chief Executive
Andrew Belk, Group Finance Director – Tel: 01922 427903

Tulchan

Andrew Honnor – Tel: 020 7353 4200

- ‘Boomerang Box’ device to protect vehicles and assets
- low-cost and fast, sub-100m accuracy
- first customer to track and recover trailers

A low cost, high accuracy positioning system which locates vehicles and other valuable assets, is launched this week by HD Positions. The highly innovative and unique solution, which works across the UK, with coverage inside buildings and containers, uses CPS’s Matrix technology and is based on the Orange UK network.

Matrix technology is available from HD Positions. In response to increasing demand from the growing number of location based service providers for a low cost, robust and easy to implement positioning solution, HD Positions supplies the interface to Matrix, and facilitates related Machine to Machine (M2M) services, including network connectivity, billing and support.

“Using CPS’s Matrix technology with Orange’s Cell ID provides an exceptional level of location accuracy,” comments Melissa Jenkins, M2M product manager, Orange Business Solutions, UK. “This new development, using CPS’s Matrix high accuracy technology to support such an imaginative service rollout, further underlines how Orange supports practical and innovative solutions for the UK business market.”

Nigel Chadwick, director of HD Positions highlights: “Until now, the market for high accuracy positioning systems has been held back by a number of factors. Notably, these have included: poor area coverage, prohibitive purchase, fitting and operating costs, power consumption, and slow and inconsistent location reporting. The Matrix system, combined with the latest devices now appearing on the market provide consistent and high accuracy positioning with high speed reporting at low cost, and as such are increasingly deemed by management teams as an essential and viable element of asset management and risk reduction”.

One of the first complete solutions to use the Matrix system is that based around the “Boomerang Box”, a robustly constructed device, combining low installation cost and a two year battery life. This is one of the first developed devices beginning to appear which address a wide range of potential applications. The use for such systems is considered enormous, extending to moveable assets which include amongst others, trailers, cars, motorcycles, caravans, and many other valuable assets.

The first end user of the service is the Altrincham based Cartwright group, a leading provider in the UK of vehicle transport solutions. The company plans to install Matrix enabled Boomerang Boxes in their vehicles to meet customer demand for tracking and vehicle recovery. Last year, over 4,000 trailers were stolen across the UK, with associated goods taken totalling more than £1bn*. Cartwright is a customer of Retreve a leading solution provider of telematic systems.

CPS’s Chief Executive, Chris Wade said: “Matrix provides a natural fit with HD Positions’ ambition and Orange’s vision of supporting new services for UK enterprises. This is unique offering to the UK market – a simple product that people can carry, or bolt into vehicles or containers or even just put in the drivers seat and yet delivers consistent, reliable, repeatable high accuracy where people want it – in busy city centres, indoors and inside valuable cargoes.”

* (source: Truckpol, November 2004)

HD Positions Press Contact:
Nigel Chadwick
Phone: +44 (0) 0141 353 0111
Mobile: +44 (0) 7970 023001
Email: info@m2mmobile.com

About HD Positions
HD Positions markets and supplies the Matrix high accuracy location technology to Location Based Service (LBS) service providers.

The company has extensive experience in providing the interfaces, mapping overlays and other applications relating to the Matrix positioning system. HD Positions can also facilitate tailored billing and cash payment collection services to provide a complete turnkey solution for organisations taking the Matrix feed.

HD Positions was formed to supply “ready to go high accuracy location based solutions” in response the increasing demand from the market for such systems. The company is owned and operated by Stream Communications and New Forrest Communications, which have extensive experience and knowledge of the fast growing telematic and Machine to Machine (M2M) sectors.

Retreve Press contact:
David Stead
Phone: +44(0)1234 720842
Mobile: +44(0)7768 107677
Email: davids@retreve.com

About Retreve

Retreve is a leading solutions provider to telematic markets, offering everything from key service components to fully provisioned services covering a wide range of user applications.

Key applications include asset location solutions to a wide range of industries and the development of Matrix positioning enables the Company to position itself early as a major supplier in this rapidly developing area of need for its clients.

About Orange

Orange, wirefree and any other Orange product or service referred to in this release are trademarks of Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd.

Orange UK provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population, and offers roaming to pay monthly customers on 393 networks in 156 countries and to pay as you go customers on 131 networks in 67 countries.

At the end of March 2005, Orange UK had over 14.3 million active customers, more than any other UK network, making it the UK’s number one.

In October 2004, Orange UK won the Mobile Choice Consumer Awards – voted for by readers of Mobile Choice magazine – for Best Network Operator for the four year running.

Information about Orange can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.co.uk and media information can be found at www.orange.com

In May 2005, Orange gained the top ranking for customer satisfaction among mobile phone contract customers in the annual J.D.Power and Associates 2005 UK Mobile Telephone Customers Satisfaction Study. It is the seventh time Orange has been ranked top by the study.

For further information, call the Orange media centre on 0870 373 1500 or 07973 201911

Touch Clarity, a leading provider of automated content targeting solutions for large consumer websites, today announced that it was chosen by TUI, the UK’s largest holiday company incorporating the leading brand Thomson Holidays, to improve the efficiency of its onsite marketing and increase website conversion ratios.

TUI UK management knew that visitors came to their website looking for a wide variety of holiday products. Using Touch Clarity to automatically target different offers to each visitor, TUI improved the relevance of the holidays promoted to them. Substantial increases in look-to-book conversion and improved customer experience are expected as a result.

“Increasingly, our customers are becoming more independent in their travel choices,” said Nathan Timmins, Online Marketing Manager for TUI UK. “Touch Clarity Targeting will help us to make the most of every customer interaction by improving the relevance of the holiday products we promote. With the use of Touch Clarity we are confident that we can offer more targeted services and products to improve our overall value proposition for TUI UK customers.”

“Companies like TUI UK recognize that static online shop fronts no longer bring in the business. The easy to implement, automated learning capabilities of Touch Clarity Targeting make online content and promotions more relevant to visitors and revenue uplift is quickly realized. Because Touch Clarity is a hosted solution TUI UK was pleased to find that their IT department would not be diverted from other important tasks and that the time to implement was fast,” said Stephen Upstone, Director of Business Development for Touch Clarity.

Because Touch Clarity is a self-learning system, not only does it provide more accurate targeting and the highest available uplift, it requires minimal support for the customer. Touch Clarity Targeting automatically learns in real-time and visitors are treated as individuals rather than being put into buckets. This means that rifle shot accuracy is achieved, rather than traditional approaches which target broad consumer segments. Together, these advances are a quantum leap forward in performance and usability compared with rules based personalization and targeting software.

About TUI UK

TUI UK is the parent group to Thomson, the UK’s largest holiday company. Thomson sends over 4million holidaymakers abroad every year. The company’s airline, Thomsonfly currently operates both as a holiday and low fares high frequency service, covering 87 destinations worldwide from 26 UK airports.

For further media information on Thomson holidays contact James Watts on 01582 645 367

For further media information on Thomsonfly.com contact Jenny Rayner on 01582 645 368

About Touch Clarity

Touch Clarity is the leading provider of content targeting software that significantly increases online engagement, sales conversion and customer satisfaction. The software builds profiles of visitors to large consumer websites based on behavior and uses those profiles to target content to them, creating a personalized experience for each visitor to the website. Touch Clarity (www.touchclarity.com) has offices London, UK and Boston, MA.

Contact Stephen Upstone, Director of Business Development on 0207 380 4400 or stephen.upstone@touchclarity.com

BOSTON MA & LONDON UK–(December 14, 2005)–Touch Clarity, a provider of automated self-learning content targeting solutions for large websites, announced today that Richard Wolinski, formerly VP Sales of Optiant, has joined the senior management team of Touch Clarity in the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing. Richard will be based in the company’s new US headquarters in Boston MA, and will report to Paul Phillips, CEO of the company.

Richard’s mandate is to grow Touch Clarity’s sales and marketing team in the United States and Europe in line the with rapid growth in demand for Touch Clarity Targeting. Richard joins Touch Clarity with over 25 years technology sales and marketing experience. Most recently Richard was with Optiant Inc. the developers of PowerChain® where he was VP of Sales. Prior to Optiant he was Executive VP Worldwide Sales and Services for Centric Software. He also held senior roles at ADEXA and IBM.

“We’re really pleased that Richard has joined the company. Richard has extensive experience in building successful international sales and marketing teams and substantial software and technology businesses. His hands-on management approach, coupled with his consistent record of overachievement means that Touch Clarity can shift into a higher gear as we grow our global customer base,” said Paul Phillips.

“I am thrilled to join a fast growing company like Touch Clarity. The software is proven with global blue chip companies and the market is crying out for targeting and optimization technologies that provide competitive advantage and accelerate growth in online revenues. The automated, self learning solution that has been developed is in a different class to any existing technologies in revenue uplift achieved, quality of customer experience and the simplicity of managing the solution. We are having a lot of fun growing this business and our customers are very happy with the outcome,” comments Richard Wolinski.

Touch Clarity Targeting is a fully automated ASP hosted self-learning solution. It provides highly accurate online targeting with the highest available uplift and requires minimal customer support. Touch Clarity Targeting automatically learns in real-time and visitors are treated as individuals, not as broad segments. Targeting clients upload promotions into their content management system and Touch Clarity automatically targets them to each visitor. The very latest and most complete view of the visitor is used as the basis for content targeting decisions. No hide-and-seek to find the right offers or tedious repetition of inappropriate promotions – the optimal content is delivered every visit, measurably lifting sales conversion rates.

About Touch Clarity

Touch Clarity is the leading provider of content targeting software that significantly increases online engagement, sales conversion and customer satisfaction. The software builds profiles of visitors to large consumer websites based on behavior and uses those profiles to target content to them, creating a personalized experience for each visitor to the website. Touch Clarity (www.touchclarity.com) has offices London, UK and Boston, MA.

Contact Stephen Upstone, Director of Business Development on + 44 20 7380 4400, stephen.upstone@touchclarity.com

or

Richard Wolinski, EVP Sales and Marketing on +1 617 342 7066, richard.wolinski@touchclarity.com

Photo available for Journalists at http://www.touchclarity.com/aboutus/ourteam.php

Touch Clarity, the leading supplier of automated content targeting software today announced that they have partnered with WebSideStory®, a leading provider of on-demand digital marketing applications.

Touch Clarity’s content targeting software significantly increases conversions and customer engagement online. It works by building profiles of visitors to large consumer web sites based on behavior and uses those profiles to target content to them. This means each visitor sees the content they are most likely to be interested in.

The combination of Touch Clarity’s automated content targeting and WebSideStory’s digital marketing and website analytics significantly reduces the integration effort required to install both products on a customer’s Web portal or e-commerce site.

“The partnership with WebSideStory allows customers in North America and Europe to benefit from a combined offering with faster install times and lower maintenance. The partnership means that existing customers of WebSideStory can implement Touch Clarity in one or two days, with very little drain on valuable IT resources.” commented Stephen Upstone, Business Development Director of Touch Clarity.

“Customers want marketing solutions that work together. Touch Clarity’s content targeting solution helps joint customers achieve better sales and customer engagement goals,” said Jay McCarthy, Vice President of Business Development for WebSideStory. “We welcome our new partnership with Touch Clarity and are confident that our joint clients will reap outstanding benefits.”

About WebSideStory

Founded in 1996, WebSideStory is a leading provider of on-demand digital marketing applications that improve online marketing and sales. Its Active Marketing Suite(TM) consists of web analytics, site search, web content management and keyword bid management. WebSideStory is headquartered in San Diego, California, and has European headquarters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

For more information, contact WebSideStory.
Voice: 858 546-0040.
Fax: 858.546.0480.
Address: 10182 Telesis Court, 6th Floor, San Diego, CA 92121.
Web site: www.WebSideStory.com

HBX and Active Marketing Suite are trademarks and WebSideStory is a registered trademark of WebSideStory. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

About Touch Clarity

Touch Clarity is the leading provider of content targeting software that significantly increases online engagement, sales conversion and customer satisfaction. The software builds profiles of visitors to large consumer websites based on behavior and uses those profiles to target content to them, creating a personalized experience for each visitor to the website.

Touch Clarity (www.touchclarity.com) has offices London, UK and Boston, MA.
Contact: Stephen Upstone – Director of Business Development.
Tel: 0207 380 4400
Email: stephen.upstone@touchclarity.com

Visa today announced that it is expanding the Visa Smart Breakthrough program to include a new contactless chip solution. The program aims to improve the business case for chip technology worldwide by making cards, terminals and personalization solutions more cost effective to financial institutions, merchants and consumers.
The new contactless chip card was developed by a group of leading technology providers and card manufacturers. It provides an optimized and cost-efficient contactless payment solution that significantly enhances the business case for contactless payments for Visa member financial institutions.

Visa worked with INSIDE Contactless on the development of the chip and with Smartrac Technology Ltd. on antenna design and pre-lamination processes. CPI Card Group and Giesecke & Devrient GmbH contributed their unique expertise in card manufacturing.
Features of the new contactless card include a smaller than usual antenna that provides more flexibility for card embossing and design, and supports a variety of card shapes that allows issuers to differentiate their products in the marketplace. In addition, the enhanced card and chip performance boosts card-terminal read capabilities leading to a more consistent cardholder experience at the point of sale. Volume production for US financial institutions will begin in January 2006.
"This solution is well suited to the US market where there is a growing demand for cost-efficient contactless products," said Ayman Hammad, director, Product Development, Visa USA. "More financial institutions are seeing the benefits and market opportunities of contactless cards, and we are very pleased that INSIDE Contactless, Smartrac, CPI Card Group and Giesecke & Devrient have partnered with Visa to develop a contactless card that is cost-effective and delivers the speed and convenience merchants and consumers are looking for."

Greater choice in state-of-the-art card products means financial institutions who want to offer new payment programs can begin to do so quickly and efficiently. Jim Lee, senior vice president, Product Standards and Implementation, Visa International, said: "Visa has a long track record in developing innovative, cost-effective smart card products for its member financial institutions. Through the Visa Smart Breakthrough program, Visa has contributed its knowledge of the technical and business requirements of Visa members and their markets and worked with technology companies to create the most suitable products. This announcement is no exception."

About Visa:

Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial institutions through the world’s largest electronic payments network. Visa products allow buyers and sellers to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the physical and virtual worlds. As an association owned by 21,000 member financial institutions, Visa is committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to drive economic growth. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com

INSIDE Contactless announced today that its MicroPass™- L4, a next generation contactless microprocessor chip, has been approved for use in Visa Contactless payments in the U.S.

MicroPass™ is a key component of a new contactless product developed in partnership with Smartrac Technology Ltd., for the pre-lamination processes, and the card manufacturers Giesecke & Devrient GmbH (G&D) and CPI Card Group. The new product significantly enhances the business case for contactless payments and will be available to U.S. financial institutions beginning in January 2006.

Thanks to the exceptional performance of the MicroPass™ L4 contactless chip and a half-size antenna, the new contactless product provides issuing banks with more flexibility for card design, optimizes card-terminal read capabilities, and supports the existing 4-line embossing process.

With MicroPass™ L4, INSIDE introduces a new payment platform that is dedicated to contactless technology, and specifically designed for the “3G” U.S. Payment Market. This new generation of contactless chip technology provides a cost-efficient solution, while also delivering the reliability, speed, and performance that have contributed to the success of contactless payments in the U.S.

“We believe that our combined solution will enable banks to deploy this new technology on a large scale and will generate new revenue streams very quickly”, says Didier Serra, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Sales, INSIDE Contactless Americas. “The partnership with INSIDE, Smartrac, CPI, and G&D combines state-of-the-art products with extensive expertise in technology integration. Each organization has a long standing track record of enabling customers to adopt new technology quickly and securely.”

“We are extremely proud of our relationship with INSIDE Contactless to develop this optimized contactless card. The operational efficiencies gained set the stage for the next generation of contactless cards, offering enhanced performance, durability and quality,” commented Kim Madore, Director of Emerging Technology North America, G&D. “This new smart card technology allows G&D to put the first small antenna contactless card in the U.S. Market. By migrating smart card technology to new form factors and integrating it with memory and advanced features, payment and security will be available everywhere.”

“This partnership demonstrates CPI’s ability to partner with industry leaders to develop new payment solutions, incorporating the latest technology and specifications”, comments Robert Clarke, VP Sales & Marketing at CPI Card Group. “We are proud to partner with INSIDE and Smartrac to develop the next generation of contactless product.”

About INSIDE Contactless:

INSIDE Contactless is a fabless company that focuses exclusively on designing and developing semiconductor chips (memory and microprocessor) and hardware platforms (couplers and readers) related to 13.56 Mhz contactless technology. Delivering the industry’s most comprehensive solutions, INSIDE also provides services for supporting its customers throughout the integration and industrialization phases of its products.

INSIDE’s multi-standard and cost effective products offer optimized performance and security for applications in the Payment, Identity and Access Control markets. In just ten years, INSIDE Contactless has became the second largest provider of 13.56 Mhz contactless chips. Strategically located with headquarters in France and offices in China, Singapore and in the United States, INSIDE works with a worldwide customer base. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.insidecontactless.com.

About Giesecke&Devrient:

Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), based in Munich, Germany, is an international technology group operating subsidiaries and joint ventures throughout the world. Founded in 1852, G&D began as a printer of securities, and later specialized in banknote production. The company has been developing solutions and complete systems for automatic currency processing since 1970. Today, G&D is also a technology leader in smart cards, and a solutions provider in a wide range of fields, including telecommunications, electronic payments, identification, health, transportation, and IT security (PKI). In fiscal 2004, G&D employed some 7,300 people and generated a revenue of €1.16 billion. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ca.gi-de.com.

About CPI Card Group:

CPI Card Group, a world leader in plastic card manufacturing for over 20 years, offers a single source for plastic cards from foil cards and holograms, to translucent and smart cards. CPI’s two ISO 9001:2000 certified sites include CPI Card Group – Colorado, Inc. in Littleton, Colorado and CPI Card Group – Nevada, Inc in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The Nevada facility produces high-quality, general-purpose, magnetic stripe and smart cards for many applications. The Colorado facility, certified to produce Visa products, specializes in distinctive contactless financial cards with the largest capacity in North America.

Geraldine Miallet
Communications Manager
INSIDE Contactless
Tel: +33 4 42 39 63 00
Fax: +33 4 42 39 63 19
gmiallet@insidefr.com

Matrix and E-GPS technology to play key role in improving satellite system performance

Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd (CPS) today announced that it will partner with LogicaCMG in a major pan-European project to drive new mobile location technology and applications development for the multi-billion Euro Galileo satellite programme.

The Application of Galileo in the Location-Based Services Environment (AGILE) project aims to foster widespread adoption of Global Navigation Satellite Services (GNSS) for both enterprises and consumers.

AGILE will create a detailed development roadmap for new high accuracy Location-Based Services (LBS) leading up to the launch of the first Galileo satellites in 2007. The project will also promote the benefits of new location technologies to a broad stakeholder group, including key government decisions makers, investors, regulators, mobile operators as well as services and applications developers.

LogicaCMG, which is already working on four Galileo-related contracts worth more than 6 Million Euros, invited CPS to participate in this project because of the key role its network-based Matrix high accuracy location technology plays in improving satellite system performance.

Earlier this year, CPS announced the launch of its Enhanced Global Positioning System (E-GPS), which combines satellite positioning with its Matrix technology to deliver high accuracy location technologies across all environments, including indoors and dense urban areas where satellite technologies face major performance challenges. E-GPS provides faster location fixes than standard GPS – a critical factor in the take-up of mobile data applications. CPS is already working with leading GPS companies, such as Trimble and SiGE, on the development of low cost E-GPS solutions.

Initially, LogicaCMG and CPS will focus on the development of trial systems for European network operators, based on the integration of CPS’ Matrix technology with LogicaCMG’s Location Enabled Server and applications portfolio.

Chris Wade, CEO of CPS, said: “This new and exciting project underlines the crucial role our Matrix technology is playing in the development of satellite-based location services for the GSM market. Matrix solves two critical issues facing satellite technology – speed of location fix and indoor/dense urban coverage – and our development roadmap is closely aligned with the needs of the satellite technology community and ultimately, the end user. We look forward to partnering with LogicaCMG in the AGILE project and the broader Galileo community, bringing our experience and understanding of the location-based services market that we have developed over the years to this groundbreaking European project.”

The integration of CPS’s Matrix location technology enables any handset or device to be rapidly located to an accuracy of sub-100m in GSM – and less than 50m in W-CDMA networks. The modules use the existing GSM/W-CDMA network infrastructure to transfer location information to the network using standard GPRS or SMS. This greatly reduces the rollout costs traditionally associated with high accuracy mobile location technology.

CPS’s E-GPS technology combines the benefits of the CPS Matrix solution with those of GPS to provide a location technology ideal for every environment. When operating in obstructed environments, such as deep indoors, an E-GPS equipped handset can access the CPS Matrix system to provide position information.

Ends

About AGILE
AGILE brings together the technological building blocks needed to enable precise, accurate and reliable navigation anytime, anywhere, through the full hybridisation of space- and ground-based geo-location systems. This merger of technologies takes place at the terminal, network and local element level. It also brings together the core components of wireless telecommunications, advanced navigation, and commercial Geographical Information Systems in a flexible architecture based on the principles of an open business model for location-based services applications and compliance to industry standards.

The benefits of AGILE are:
- to contribute to the world-wide user acceptance of Galileo and Galileo-based applications in the mass-market
- to set the business framework for the generation of potential revenues for EGNOS and Galileo and to support Galileo concession initiatives
- to federate and coordinate all stakeholders in the LBS community; and involve telecom players in the long-term success of EGNOS and Galileo
- LogicaCMG has brought together its core competencies in LBS, wireless communications, Geo-ICT and advanced navigation systems. The company has put together a world-class industrial consortium of 18 companies and organisations from ten European countries covering all links in the LBS value chain. These include: Alcatel Alenia Space as a major partner plus (in alphabetical order) CNES, Deimos Space, Enteos, ERTICO, Esys, GeoConcept, Leiden University IIASL, Institut National des Télécomunications Evry, Mapflow, NAVTEQ, Nottingham Scientific Limited, Skysoft, Telecom Italia Labs, TeleConsult Austria and Telefonica.

About LogicaCMG
LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services and wireless telecoms. It provides management and IT consultancy, systems integration and outsourcing services to clients across diverse markets including telecoms, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the public sector. The company employs around 21,000 staff in offices across 35 countries and has more than 40 years of experience in IT services. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG is listed on both the London and Amsterdam stock exchanges (LSE: LOG; Euronext: LOG). More information is available from www.logicacmg.com

Billerica, MA and Cambridge, UK, 29th July 2005

Continuum Photonics, Inc. and Polatis Ltd., makers of optical switch subsystems and module products, today jointly announced a definitive agreement to merge. The companies will combine their technology, product lines and personnel to create a single business, dedicated to providing customers with a full range of optical switch component and system products for the telecommunications, data networking, and defense industries. To serve its expanding customer base, the new company will maintain its offices and operations in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Under this agreement, existing investors will contribute additional capital to support the company’s growth. The merger is expected to close by August 15th.

Continuum Photonics was founded in 1998, and is located near Boston, Massachusetts. Continuum currently offers a family of optical switch products based on its patented DirectLight® switching technology. Due to its unique switching architecture, DirectLight provides integrated switching, optical attenuation (gain equalization), and power monitoring. Continuum has aimed its existing products at the Optical Automation Systems (OAS) market, with customers in carrier labs, data equipment companies, and telecom equipment manufacturers. Continuum’s investors include Flagship Ventures, Prism Venture Partners, JK&B Capital, Boston Millennia Partners, Harris and Harris Group, GE Capital, MTDC, Arcadian Venture Partners, and Gainesborough Investments.

Polatis was founded in 2000, and is headquartered in Cambridge, UK. It currently offers products based on its Micro-Actuation and Sensing System (MASS) platform, including a range of optical switch systems, modules, and cards for both single mode and multimode fiber applications. The patented MASS technology sets the benchmark for fast and ultra-low loss matrix switching, requiring no light to establish a connection. Polatis has aimed its existing products at communications, aerospace and defense customers. In March 2005, Polatis announced a worldwide sales distribution agreement with JDS Uniphase. Polatis is funded through investments by 3i, Alta Berkeley, Prelude, and EonTech.

With this merger, the two companies will combine their existing product lines, and integrate technologies to create advanced product platforms. The combined product lines will enable the new company to provide the widest spectrum of products to its existing customers in the communications, test automation, and defense industries. Both companies have also been developing new products in response to the growing demand for wavelength management in optical transport networks, and to meet the need for in-network monitoring in both core and access networks. Through the combination of the respective DirectLight and MASS technologies, these new products are targeted at changing the economics of switching in network applications.

“Both companies have products offering outstanding performance, with features tailored to meet the needs of different market sectors,” said Dave Lewis, Polatis CEO. “By combining our product strengths and features we can ensure that the new company will be the market leader, with the best optical performance by far.” He adds, “This merger provides the resources and infrastructure to support our growing customer base and the increasing demand for product in the telecommunications and network monitoring markets.”

The new company will maintain its focus on service and product performance. Jeffrey Farmer, Continuum’s CEO explains the opportunity for its customers, “Both companies have built a solid reputation on providing high quality products and world-class support to its customers. This won’t change going forward.” He adds, “This merger is a very natural fit, and will enable us to expand the range of solutions we can offer. We’re already working on exciting new products, so keep you eyes open for new announcements in the coming months.”

Both the new management team and Board of Directors will draw from the existing teams at Continuum and Polatis.

]]> http://www.altaberkeley.com/?feed=rss2&p=681 0 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=682 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=682#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://altaberkeley.com/?p=682 IRVINE and MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, 19 July 2005

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in wired and wireless broadband communications semiconductors, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Siliquent Technologies, Inc., a privately-held developer of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) network interface controllers (NICs) with advanced Ethernet processing technology for server networking, network storage and clustering applications. Headquartered in Mountain View, with research and development facilities in Tel Aviv, Israel, Siliquent™ develops Ethernet controllers that boost server performance. Siliquent’s advanced Ethernet processing technology enables servers to improve overall application performance while taking advantage of the emerging convergence of data, storage and clustering technologies into a single, standards-based Ethernet fabric.

The acquisition of Siliquent significantly accelerates Broadcom’s delivery of 10GbE converged-NICs (C-NICs) for server LAN-on-motherboard (LOM) applications. According to NIC and LOM market share and forecast reports from Gartner Dataquest, 10GbE will be a significant market opportunity for enterprise networks since it enables a 10x increase in network bandwidth over today’s 1GbE technology. This rise in bandwidth is driven by increased use and build out of the broadband network infrastructure, more desktops running 1GbE, growing usage of network-intensive applications and even greater amounts of user data stored and accessed on the network. Gartner Dataquest predicts that 10GbE technology will begin its volume ramp in servers beginning in 2007.

Blade servers are believed to be one of the likely early adopters of 10GbE C-NIC technology. By completely integrating multiple servers and a switch into a single chassis, the blade server’s networking communications occurs over an internal electrically connected backplane. Through the use of low-cost serializers/deserializers (SerDes) technology, blade servers avoid the need for expensive, power-intensive optical transceivers and fiber optic cables associated with the deployment of 10GbE technology. Because 10 Gigabit Ethernet C-NICs are able to integrate the SerDes function, many blade servers that are already designed to support 10 gigabit speeds are ready to accept a 10GbE C-NIC solution.

The Siliquent 10GbE advanced Ethernet processing technology, combined with the use of low-cost 10 gigabit SerDes, enables a more simplified blade server design that can operate on a standard, single Ethernet fabric. The advantages of this 10GbE single fabric approach in the blade server environment are significant when contrasted against the current practice of implementing multiple communications fabrics (i.e. Ethernet for networking, Fibre Channel for block storage, proprietary solutions or Infiniband for clustering), each of which require a communications card on every server and a separate switch, consuming even more backplane space. According to IDC’s "Worldwide Blade Server 2004-2008 Forecast," blade server shipments are expected to grow to 30% of server shipments by 2008.

"With 10GbE being the next frontier for enterprise networks, our acquisition of Siliquent provides technology that enables Broadcom to deliver TCP/IP offload, iSCSI and RDMA capabilities on a single-chip, 10GbE controller," said Greg Young, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom’s High-Speed Controller Line of Business. "10GbE completes our C-NIC vision and levels the performance playing field against competitive network fabrics such as Infiniband and Fibre Channel, enabling Broadcom to unify the data center around a single ubiquitous, standards-based Ethernet fabric that delivers higher levels of performance and improved network communications."

At closing of the acquisition, Broadcom expects to pay approximately $76 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of capital stock and vested options of Siliquent. A portion of the consideration payable to the shareholders will be placed into escrow pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement. Broadcom will also assume all unvested employee stock options of Siliquent, which will entitle the holders to receive up to approximately 200,000 shares of Broadcom Class A common stock upon vesting. The boards of directors of each of the companies and the shareholders of Siliquent have approved the merger. The closing, which is expected to occur during Broadcom’s third fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2005, remains subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Broadcom may record a one-time charge for purchased in-process research and development expenses related to the acquisition in its third fiscal quarter. The amount of that charge, if any, has not yet been determined.

About Siliquent Technologies

Siliquent Technologies, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company dedicated to expanding Ethernet’s applications across the entire enterprise – for storage, high-performance computing, and all networking applications. The company’s new 10GbE processors are designed to enable a new generation of intelligent NICs that make it possible to run storage, networking and clustering over a single physical Ethernet interface – creating the unified wire. Founded in 2001, the company currently has 59 employees.

About Broadcom

Broadcom Corporation is a global leader in wired and wireless broadband communications semiconductors. Our products enable the convergence of high- speed data, high definition video, voice and audio at home, in the office and on the go. Broadcom provides manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices with the industry’s broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on- a-chip and software solutions. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything®.

Broadcom is one of the world’s largest fabless semiconductor companies, with annual revenue of more than $2 billion. The company is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at 1-949-450-8700 or at http://www.broadcom.com .

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

All statements included or incorporated by reference in this release, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are forward- looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry and business, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

Important factors that may cause such a difference for Broadcom in connection with the acquisition of Siliquent Technologies, Inc. include, but are not limited to, the risks inherent in acquisitions of technologies and businesses, including the timing and successful completion of technology and product development through volume production, integration issues, costs and unanticipated expenditures, changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, potential contractual, intellectual property or employment issues, accounting treatment and charges, and the risk that anticipated benefits of the acquisition may not be realized; general economic and political conditions and specific conditions in the markets we address, including the volatility in the technology sector and semiconductor industry, trends in the broadband communications markets in various geographic regions, and possible disruption in commercial activities related to terrorist activity or armed conflict in the United States and other locations; the rate at which our present and future customers and end-users adopt Broadcom’s and Siliquent’s technologies and products in the markets for high-speed networking applications; delays in the adoption and acceptance of industry standards in those markets; our ability to scale our operations in response to changes in demand for our existing products and services or demand for new products requested by our customers; intellectual property disputes and customer indemnification claims and other types of litigation risk; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant customer orders and our ability, as well as the ability of our customers, to manage inventory; our ability to retain, recruit and hire key executives, technical personnel and other employees in the positions and numbers, with the experience and capabilities, and at the compensation levels needed to implement our business and product plans; our ability to timely and accurately predict market requirements and evolving industry standards and to identify opportunities in new markets; our ability to specify, develop or acquire, complete, introduce, market and transition to volume production new products and technologies in a cost- effective and timely manner; the gain or loss of a key customer, design win or order; competitive pressures and other factors such as the qualification, availability and pricing of competing products and technologies and the resulting effects on sales and pricing of our products; the timing of customer-industry qualification and certification of our products and the risks of non-qualification or non-certification; changes in our product or customer mix; the volume of our product sales and pricing concessions on volume sales; the availability and pricing of third party semiconductor foundry and assembly capacity and raw materials; fluctuations in the manufacturing yields of our third party semiconductor foundries and other problems or delays in the fabrication, assembly, testing or delivery of our products; the risks of producing products with new suppliers and at new fabrication and assembly facilities; the effects of new and emerging technologies; problems or delays that we may face in shifting our products to smaller geometry process technologies and in achieving higher levels of design integration; the quality of our products and any remediation costs; the effectiveness of our expense and product cost control and reduction efforts; the risks and uncertainties associated with our international operations, particularly in light of recent events; the effects of natural disasters, public health emergencies, international conflicts and other events beyond our control; the level of orders received that can be shipped in a fiscal quarter; and other factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss the foregoing risks as well as other important risk factors that could contribute to such differences or otherwise affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of this date. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.

Broadcom®, the pulse logo, Connecting everything®, and the Connecting everything logo are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Siliquent™is a trademark of Siliquent Technologies, Inc. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Broadcom Trade Press Contact
Scott Harlin
Public Relations Manager
949-926-5226
sharlin@broadcom.com

Broadcom Business Press Contact
Bill Blanning
Vice President, Public Relations
949-926-5555
blanning@broadcom.com

Broadcom Investor Relations Contact
T. Peter Andrew
Sr. Director, Investor Relations
949-926-5663
andrewtp@broadcom.com

SOURCE Broadcom Corporation

Eastcom, one of China’s largest manufacturers of mobile phones and systems equipment, today announces plans to develop CPS’s Matrix location technology into a range of wireless devices and support the rollout of a new generation of high accuracy location based services in the region.

The largest Shanghai-listed company in the mobile communications industry in China, Eastcom already delivers a wide range of integrated solutions for mobile communications networks, including network operation and maintenance, value-added services as well as handsets. The company now wants to target operators and enterprises with high accuracy location-based services for vehicle, asset and personnel tracking.

As a leading manufacturer of GSM terminals – sold under its own name and via leading global brands – Eastcom will also develop a Matrix-enabled range of consumer handsets to support high accuracy location services.

The integration of CPS’s Matrix location technology enables any handset or device to be rapidly located to an accuracy of sub-100m. The modules use the existing GSM network infrastructure to transfer location information to the network using standard GPRS or SMS. This greatly reduces the rollout costs traditionally associated with high accuracy mobile location technology.

Matrix will also work effectively indoors and in urban environments where satellite-based systems fail to perform and, because Matrix integration requires only a software upgrade to the mobile device, this technology provides cost and size advantages over GPS solutions.

Eastcom VP Xiaoyi Wu said: "Eastcom is delighted to offer to its customers, both consumer and corporate, leading-edge server mobile location center (SMLC), and handsets that support Matrix to enable us to deliver self-developed high accuracy, low cost services to meet the Chinese local market needs. Through co-operation with CPS, it could help Eastcom to be a major positioning service provider in China."

CPS CEO Chris Wade commented: "Matrix is already a proven performer in the Chinese market and this endorsement by a major handset manufacturer and value added service provider further demonstrates the growing demand for our low cost, high accuracy technology throughout the region."

Eastcom has established strategic relationships with global companies including Motorola, TI, LG, Samsung, Siemens and CA. It is actively engaged in research and development work involving new handset technology, 3G, data communications, communication network software and integrated BSS.

Ends

About Eastcom:

Eastcom is the largest listed company in the mobile communication industry in China. The company is mainly engaged in providing integrated solutions for mobile telecommunication networks, but is also involved in network operation and maintenance and value-added services.

Mobile terminal products and mobile system equipment are its main products. Entering into the mobile communications field in 1990s, Eastcom has grown rapidly, creating "Eastcom City" – the largest and most advanced manufacturing base for mobile phones in China.

Up to now, there are seven SMT production lines with the capacity to produce 240,000 mobile phones, and seven installation and test lines with a monthly production capacity of 600,000 GSM/GPRS mobile phones and 200,0000 CDMA handsets. Targeting the yearly scale of 50 million in 2005, the company’s terminal manufacturing dept will further enlarge production.

- fastest growing Brazilian GSM operator selects Matrix from CPS to power new enterprise and consumer applications

Brazilian GSM operator Oi! today consolidates its position at the forefront of mobile innovation in Latin America with the announcement of plans to rollout a new generation of high accuracy location based services in partnership with CPS.

Oi has enjoyed spectacular customer growth since its launch in 2002 and now serves over seven million customers across the country. This latest launch is in line with its mission to bring new and innovative services to market first.

Initially, services will focus on enterprise and vertical sectors, shortly to be followed by consumer-based applications. The announcement follows extensive trials involving high accuracy location technology company CPS

Oi selected CPS’s software-only Matrix technology to power the new service offerings because of its ease of deployment and integration with several existing application platforms. The success of the trials – including testing in dense urban, suburban and rural areas – highlighted the accuracy of Matrix performance across all environments and a range of applications.

Oi said that since matrix has consistent performance with high accuracy and fast location delivery, it will allow the continuous deployment of several high quality LBS services for both consumer and corporate markets, contributing with ARPU increase and Oi´s innovative image.

CPS CEO Chris Wade said: "Oi has shown tremendous commitment to maintaining their lead in developing and launching new and innovative services to their rapidly expanding customer base. This latest announcement marks another significant step forward for our Matrix technology. Its powerful combination of low cost, high accuracy and rapid and easy deployment capabilities is making it the natural choice for GSM operators."

Ends

Further enquiries:

Press Contacts:
Máquina da Notícia
Assessoria de Imprensa Grupo Telemar
55 21 3131-1555 / 3131-1439

About Oi

Oi, a company owned by the Telemar Group – the largest private company in Brazil, is the owner of the first GSM operator in Brazil with more than 3400 base stations. It started operations in June, 2002 and now has more than 7 million subscribers. The strong expansion of the company reflects the efficient sales and distribution strategies, seasonal promotions, fidelity programs, and service bundles. This strategy is fortified by the synergy between Oi and Telemar, which together offer complete and integrated telecommunication solutions.

The company operates in 16 Brazilian states: Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Maranhão, Pará, Amazonas, Amapá, Roraima, Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará e Piauí.

Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for mobile digital television (MDTV) and DAB digital radio products – has announced today that it is developing Kino 3, a new multi-standard and multi-band MDTV chip set supporting both the Korean and European digital multimedia broadcast (DMB) as well as the DVB-H standard for mobile TV reception. This will be world’s first device to combine a silicon tuner with broad tuning range and a baseband processor utilising software defined radio techniques to address multiple MDTV reception standards – and Kino 3 will compete in terms of cost, size and power consumption with devices that just support a single standard.

Speaking at this week’s Broadcast Asia Conference in Singapore, Anthony Sethill, CEO of Frontier Silicon, said, "We strongly believe that regulatory, spectrum allocation and installed infrastructure issues could considerably slow down the deployment of MDTV worldwide. With our experience in developing pioneering semiconductor solutions for digital broadcasting, we recognised this as a company early on and deployed resources to develop multi-standard ICs. Our aim is therefore to remove this barrier by quickly introducing a solution, and we are on course to introduce our Kino 3 solution in 2006."

DMB is an extension of the Eureka 147 specification commonly known as DAB and used for digital radio broadcasts in much of Europe. DVB-H has been developed as an extension to the existing DVB-T standard which is widely used across Europe for digital TV broadcasts. Both DMB and DVB-H have been developed to provide the robust and high bandwidth data channels required to enable the reliable reception of digital video on handheld devices.

Commercial MDTV services based on DMB are expected to roll out in Korea during 2005 and in the UK and Germany in 2006. Commercial services based on DVB-H will go live in USA during 2006 and parts of Europe will also adopt this standard during 2006 and 2007.

Sethill adds, "With our innovative technology and business models we have already had a big impact on the audio broadcast market with over 70% of all DAB radios using our products. We are now investing heavily in our multi-standard development to ensure that we have a similar impact on the MDTV market."

Details of Frontier Silicon’s Kino 3 chip set will be announced in 2006.
In outline, it comprises a state-of-the-art multi-standard baseband demodulator/decoder and multi-band (Band II, III, IV, V and L-band) RF tuner IC, and incorporates integrated microcontroller and memory. The extremely low power chip set is expected to consume less than 50mW in DVB-H channel mode.

Ends

Editor’s note:

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon is an award-winning company at the forefront of the digital multimedia revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for mobile digital television, digital TV and digital radio.

The company develops and delivers both the broadcast signal receiver modules and digital processing circuits as individual chips and complete system modules to leading consumer electronics and mobile phone brands.

As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions, DMB (digital multimedia
broadcasting) solutions, and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices and receiver chips.

Key customers for the company’s products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers such as Bang & Olufsen, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Hitachi, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and TEAC. Frontier Silicon has won a number of awards and its products have also enabled award-winning consumer products. The company’s awards include the Fabless Semiconductor Association’s start-up to watch award, PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, the World Economic Forum’s technology pioneers to watch 2005, and the Tornado T100 award for one of the best-performing and innovative high-tech private companies. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

Arpida Ltd., a Swiss anti-infectives company, today announced that it has successfully completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in connection with its listing on the SWX Swiss Exchange. The shares being placed in the IPO are being issued at CHF18.0, giving the Company a market capitalisation of approximately CHF294.7 million (c. €191.0 million*) immediately after the IPO. Shares will be trading on the SWX Swiss Exchange for the first time today under the symbol ARPN.

Arpida focuses on the discovery and development of novel antibiotic drugs to address the growing problem of bacterial resistance. The world-wide antibacterials market is estimated at US $26 billion. The Company’s lead product candidate, injectable iclaprim has recently entered a global Phase III programme and is being developed for treatment of severe hospital infections arising from infected burns, ulcers and surgical wounds; infections that often include multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA.

Details of the Offering

• The offering comprised an aggregate of 5.4 million shares, all of which are newly issued registered shares being issued by Arpida, corresponding to gross proceeds for the Company of approximately CHF97.2 million (c. €63.0 million*) before expenses.

• The issue price is CHF18.0 per registered share. The ordinary share capital consists of 16,371,959 shares corresponding to a market capitalisation of the Company at the offering price of approximately CHF294.7 million (c. €191.0 million*). The nominal value of the issued shares is CHF0.20 per registered share.

• The IPO attracted a good geographic spread of institutional investor interest from Switzerland, the UK and a number of other European countries, and the US.

• The Company’s newly issued registered shares will commence trading today, 4th May 2005, on the SWX Swiss Exchange Main Market Segment under the ticker symbol ARPN.

• In connection with the offering, the lead manager has been granted an option (greenshoe) by the Company to subscribe for up to an additional 810,000 new registered shares at the offering price to cover over-allotments, if any, or to cover short positions. This over-allotment option will be exercisable for a period of 30 days after the first trading day of the ordinary registered shares on the SWX Swiss Exchange.

• Deutsche Bank acted as Global Co-ordinator, Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Manager, Julius Baer, Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch, and swissfirst as Co-Lead Managers.

Commenting on today’s news, Arpida’s President and CEO, Dr Khalid Islam, said, “We are delighted to have successfully completed our IPO. I view this positive outcome as a reflection of our strong story and investors’ confidence in the continued growth of Arpida based on our ambition of solving the growing problem of bacterial resistance. The funds raised will allow us to progress our lead antibiotic product candidate injectable iclaprim through the Phase III clinical programme, as well as continuing the development of our portfolio of new anti-infectives against the growing antibiotics crisis.”

* Converting rate of 1 EUR = CHF 1.5432

HP expanded its industry-leading solution for location-based services (LBS) by integrating position determination software from Cambridge Positioning Systems, Ltd. (CPS) into HP software running on an HP hardware platform.

The two companies signed a reseller agreement under which the high-accuracy CPS Matrix position determination application will be integrated with the HP OpenCall Intelligent Network Server (INS) service control software running on HP NonStop servers.

Both companies will offer the Matrix solution to GSM mobile operators worldwide. The HP LBS solution is built with HP OpenCall and partner applications, HP carrier-grade platforms, and is designed, integrated and supported by HP Services.

Widely known as a leader in the location services business, HP recently won the Carrier LBS Solution of the Year Award from analyst firm Frost & Sullivan.

"The CPS Matrix technology is a very valuable addition to the HP location services portfolio," said David Bealby, vice president, Telecom Platforms, NonStop Division, HP.

"The integration of Matrix, HP OpenCall software, and NonStop servers can deliver significant operational and business benefits for GSM mobile operators."CPS’ Matrix application, which is executed in both client and server software, combines location accuracy to under 100 meters, all-environment coverage, and rapid location fixes, all of which are key capabilities needed in a location solution.

"CPS’ Matrix, along with HP OpenCall, NonStop platforms, and LBS expertise, creates an outstanding platform for operators who are seeking to deploy high-accuracy location-based services for enterprises, consumers, and emergency services," said Chris Wade, Chief Executive Officer, Cambridge Positioning Systems. "We are already seeing increasing levels of demand in established and emerging markets."

Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for mobile digital television and DAB digital radio products – has announced that three first tier automotive manufacturers have selected its Roadster automotive DAB module for integration into car audio and telematics systems, and at the same time the company – in conjunction with a number of its customers – has successfully completed road trials in Central Europe using the module.

The first European car using Frontier Silicon’s Roadster module is scheduled to roll off the production line at the end of 2005.

The Roadster module, launched last year, is based on the market leading and award winning DAB technology already in use in over 70 percent of DAB radios on the market today. The module allows OEM (original equipmentmanufacturer) fitting of DAB into integrated head units in the car, enabling the normal benefits of DAB such as excellent audio performance and wide choice of services. In addition it supports telematics features such as Traffic Message Channel (TMC), TPEG and other emerging traffic data services at the full DAB decode rate. It is a vertically mounted, fully shielded, self-contained complete system module featuring Eureka

147 DAB receiver, dual band (Band III and L-band) high performance RF front end, base band processor, power supply, flash memory for program and data storage, additional random access memory and a full suite of firmware. Roadster operates from a single 3.3V supply consuming just 800mW while decoding DAB, and also includes a phantom antenna power supply to support active antenna arrangements. The module measures only 55mm x 37mm x 13mm to mount inside a 1DIN radio/CD player.

Steve Evans, VP sales, Frontier Silicon, said, "The automotive infotainment market is an exciting area and a natural extension of the consumer DAB radio market which we have successfully helped to grow over the last three years. The key factors that enabled our Roadster module to be successful in winning the design slots with these manufacturers are its RF performance, power consumption and small size as well as the robust and feature-rich firmware that we are able to supply alongside the module. The ability to support TMC on the module was also considered an advantage." He added, "We are looking forward to seeing the first production cars later this year with DAB functionality enabled by the Roadster module."

Ends

Editor’s note:

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon is an award-winning company at the forefront of the digital multimedia revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for mobile digital television, digital TV and digital radio. The company develops and delivers both the broadcast signal receiver modules and digital processing circuits as individual chips and complete system modules to leading consumer electronics and mobile phone brands. As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions, DMB (digital multimedia
broadcasting) solutions, and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices and receiver chips.

Key customers for the company’s products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers such as Bang & Olufsen, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Hitachi, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and TEAC. Frontier Silicon has won a number of awards and its products have also enabled award-winning consumer products. The company’s awards include the Fabless Semiconductor Association’s start-up to watch award, PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, the World Economic Forum’s technology pioneers to watch 2005, and the Tornado T100 award for one of the best-performing and innovative high-tech private companies. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com

Contact:

Anthony Sethill, CEO, Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 474200
Fax: +44 (0) 1923 202251
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

London, Jerusalem, March 14, 2005

Alta Berkeley, the London-based venture capital firm focusing on technology companies across Europe and Israel, is pleased to announce today that it has sold its holding in Native, the provider of carrier-class optical Ethernet transport solutions, to Alcatel. Under the agreement, Alcatel will pay approximately US$55 million for the total capital of Native Networks.

The successful exit, three years after Alta Berkeley’s original investment, returns value to its investors. Concurrent with this exit, Alta Berkeley today also announces the opening of a new office in Jerusalem, Israel, which will be led by Alta Berkeley Partner, Pini Lozowick.

Exit from Native
Alta Berkeley invested in Native in 2002 and was involved in operationally supporting the business. As a result of Alta Berkeley’s involvement in the company, there was a refocus in the business strategy and the management team was further strengthened. Following the successful implementation of these changes, Alta Berkeley has taken this opportunity to capitalise on its investment as it continues to develop its investment base in Israel.

Native is the second exit in the past 12 months for Alta Berkeley, and follows from recent investments from the company including Teradici, Touch Clarity, Camero and Polatis.

Opening of Israeli office
Alta Berkeley’s new office will be located in Jerusalem and will be managed by Pini Lozowick, who has over 20 years’ experience in key executive marketing and engineering positions in both the US and Israel. He was on the founding team of Chiaro Networks in Israel, helped establish the marketing infrastructure as Director of Marketing at Broadcom Corporation in the US, was on the engineering team that kicked off operations of Digital Equipment Corporation in Israel and was the Chairman of Provigent Inc. in Israel.

The office opening endorses the company’s strategy of investing in technology companies in Europe and Israel, and will capitalize on Alta Berkeley’s existing experience in the region with its current investments in:

• Xtellus, a tunable optical networking components company
• Dune Networks, developing ASICs for Internet and Communication backbones
• Mempile, a terabyte storage technology company
• Camero, developing a through-wall imaging system
• Siliquent, developing High Performance Ethernet Processor Semiconductors

Commenting on today’s announcements, Pini Lozowick, partner at Alta Berkeley said:

“The successful exit from Native is a further example of Alta Berkeley’s operational involvement in its portfolio companies. The opening of a Jerusalem office will enable us to pursue further opportunities in Israel and to attract long-term international investment to Israel through our global contacts and worldwide presence. Venture Capital is a growing sector in Israel’s economy and we are pleased to have an on the ground presence in this important marketplace.”

- ENDS -

For further information please contact:

Alta Berkeley Venture Partners
Pini Lozowick Tel: +972-2-671-6252

Financial Dynamics
Deborah Scott/Davina Langdale Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113

Notes to Editors

About Alta Berkeley
Founded in 1982, Alta Berkeley is a London-based venture capital firm focusing on the next generation of leading technology companies in communications and computing across Europe and Israel. Alta Berkeley follows a US-style VC model, in that its partners have deep operational experience of successfully launching and managing technology businesses in both the private and public markets and consequently, they take a hands-on approach with their portfolio companies. Alta Berkeley has raised and invested six funds since 1982, providing superior returns for institutional investors and has been responsible for over 50 exits via acquisition or IPO. The firm is currently investing from its sixth fund. Recent investments include Teradici Corporation, Frontier Semiconductor, Touch Clarity, Dune Networks, Native Networks, and Siliquent.
For more information, please go to: www.altaberkeley.com

About Native
Native Networks, the Metro Ethernet Access Company, provides innovative solutions which enable carriers to offer differentiated Metro Ethernet services, more flexibly and efficiently over existing and planned infrastructure. These advanced carrier-class connectivity solutions, designed for deployment in "first-mile" metro access infrastructure, transport and aggregate Metro Ethernet packets alongside legacy circuits/TDM services in their “Native” form over dark fiber, existing SDH/SONET infrastructure or DWDM, in a transition-friendly solution. They enable carriers and service providers to increase differentiation and profitability by delivering a service bundle, which includes advanced layer-2 Metro Ethernet services such as Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS). The technology is founded on an advanced, patent-pending multiplexing scheme and unique traffic management technology to provide optimal use of optical or SDH/SONET infrastructure with guaranteed QoS per customer and the ability to engineer to strict SLAs. Native Networks has developed a unique family of intelligent, data aware Metro Ethernet plus SDH/SONET transport solutions, including Add/Drop statistical Multiplexers (ADsM), Dense Service Aggregation nodes and CPE/CLE access devices.

Founded in 1999, Native Networks was funded by several North American and European venture capital funds. Prior to its acquisition the company was headquartered in Maidenhead, US. It retains extensive research and development facilities in Petah Tikva, Israel. Further information about Native Networks can be found at www.nativenetworks.com

Polatis Ltd today announced a worldwide sales distribution Agreement with JDS Uniphase Corporation. This agreement brings together the Polatis family of high performance Optical Cross-Connect Switches with JDS Uniphase’s network of resellers, direct sales, and distribution channels. The Polatis products offer industry leading performance and will be sold as part of the JDS Uniphase product range.

Polatis has developed a highly reliable, compact and ultra-high performance Micro-Actuation and Sensing System (MASS). The MASS technology utilises tried and tested sub-components, such as piezoelectric actuators and optical collimators, to produce Direct Beam Steering (DBS) optical switches.

Dave Lewis, Polatis CEO said, “We are delighted with the agreement and the prospects for ongoing collaboration with JDS Uniphase. We have built up a results driven team and believe the Polatis product range of optical switches to be an unparalleled market leader. Polatis couldn’t ask for a better distribution partner to bring the world class performance of our optical switch to instrumentation customers around the globe.”

Thomas Znotins, Vice President of JDS Uniphase’s Subsystems Products Group said,“To provide customers with instrumentation solutions that complement our existing portfolio, a broad range of optical switches available in the market were assessed. The high performance and small physical size of the Polatis optical switches make them a clear choice for our instrumentation customers.”

Mike Bitting, Polatis Sales Director added, “The novel technology and outstanding performance of the Polatis optical switch products provide a compelling solution to a wide range of customer applications. The coupling of Polatis products with JDS Uniphase’s market reach is a powerful and beneficial combination for our customers.”

Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Native Networks, an innovative provider of carrier-class optical Ethernet transport solutions. This acquisition builds upon the successful cooperation announced in February 2003 between Alcatel and Native Networks to develop a unique Ethernet packet ring technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Alcatel will pay approximately US$ 55 million in cash for the total capital of Native Networks.

Service providers require agile, multi-service networks to cope with increased bandwidth demand and with the need for greater network flexibility as triple play and broadband data applications become more widely available. The Ethernet Packet Ring Technology developed with Native Networks allows operators to introduce enhanced Ethernet features through a simple add-on engine to existing Alcatel optical multi-service networks or equip as needed in new installations. As a result, it optimizes the network’s performance by aggregating multiple services such as triple play, DSL, 3G mobile and Ethernet Virtual Private Networks services, over an integrated optical data infrastructure.

“Through this acquisition we are strengthening our value proposition and increasing our ability to address multi-service market requirements with innovative solutions to carry metro Ethernet and triple play traffic,“ said Romano Valussi, president of Alcatel’s optical networking activities. “This acquisition further demonstrates our commitment to enable our customers to introduce new services into their current and future networks in a cost efficient way.”

“Native Networks’ team is particularly proud to join Alcatel, the world leader in optical networking” said Rami Hadar, CEO of Native Networks. ”The combination of our core competency, technology and products will enable us to even better and more quickly meet the market demand for innovative Metro Ethernet solutions. Native’s vision of value added Ethernet services over an end-to-end carrier-class network is quickly becoming a reality. Native’s products successfully address carrier’s needs and jointly with Alcatel’s optical products we will best positioned to address the growing enterprise and residential demand for faster and scalable Ethernet services ”

About Native Networks

Native Networks, the Metro Ethernet Access Company, provides innovative solutions which enable carriers to offer differentiated Metro Ethernet services, more flexibly and efficiently over existing and planned infrastructure. These advanced carrier-class connectivity solutions, designed for deployment in "first-mile" metro access infrastructure, transport and aggregate Metro Ethernet packets alongside legacy circuits/TDM services in their “Native” form over dark fiber, existing SDH/SONET infrastructure or DWDM, in a transition-friendly solution. They enable carriers and service providers to increase differentiation and profitability by delivering a service bundle, which includes advanced layer-2 Metro Ethernet services such as Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS). The technology is founded on an advanced, patent-pending multiplexing scheme and unique traffic management technology to provide optimal use of optical or SDH/SONET infrastructure with guaranteed QoS per customer and the ability to engineer to strict SLAs. Native Networks has developed a unique family of intelligent, data aware Metro Ethernet plus SDH/SONET transport solutions, including Add/Drop statistical Multiplexers (ADsM), Dense Service Aggregation nodes and CPE/CLE access devices.

Founded in 1999, Native Networks is funded by several North American and European venture capital funds. The company is headquartered in Maidenhead, US and retains extensive research and development facilities in Petah Tikva, Israel. Further information about Native Networks can be found at www.nativenetworks.com

About Alcatel

Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: www.alcatel.com

Alcatel Press Contacts

Aurélie Boutin / HQ
Tel :+ 33 (0)1 40 76 11 79
aurelie.boutin@alcatel.com

Mark Burnworth / HQ
Tel :+ 33 (0)1 40 76 50 84
mark.burnworth@alcatel.com

Alcatel Investor Relations

Pascal Bantegnie
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 52 20
pascal.bantegnie@alcatel.com

Nicolas Leyssieux
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 37 32
nicolas.leyssieux@alcatel.com

Maria Alcon
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 15 17
maria.alcon@alcatel.com

Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane
Tel : +1 703 668 3571
charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.com

Alta Berkeley, the London-based venture capital firm focusing on technology companies in communications and computing across Europe and Israel, is pleased to announce that it has provided funds to Frontier Silicon thereby completing a $28 million investment round. Other investors include ACT Venture Capital, Apax Partners, Nokia Venture Partners and Quilvest.

Frontier Silicon, a leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for mobile digital radio and consumer multimedia products, has successfully pioneered and helped to grow the DAB digital radio market since its inception in 2002 and recorded impressive growth. This latest funding round will enable the company to establish a leading position in the mobile digital television market, and further develop its DAB digital radio and digital television products.

Anthony Sethill, CEO of Frontier Silicon, said:

“This latest investment allows us to aggressively target and drive market share in the emerging mobile digital television arena in the same way that we have established our chips in over 70 percent of DAB digital radios. Our launch this month of a mobile digital television chip set has been well received by key mobile terminal manufacturers, so this funding round comes at an opportune time for us to capitalise on this product launch. The new funding will be used to expand existing and open new design centres for our future IC and software products. We will continue to focus on technologies targeted at the digital radio and television (static and mobile) broadcast sectors.”

Commenting on the investment, Pete Magowan, partner at Alta Berkeley, said:

“We continue to believe that Frontier represents a uniquely positioned company with great opportunities in DAB and emerging mobile digital broadcasting systems. We look forward to supporting Frontier Silicon as it continues to advance towards its goal of becoming a global leader in mobile broadcast solutions.”

Frontier Silicon was established in 2001, and is privately funded. Key shareholders include Apax Partners, Alta Berkeley, and Nokia Venture Partners, as well as Imagination Technologies.

This month Frontier Silicon launched two new chips which enable a complete solution for receiving terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) services on mobile phone handsets; the Apollo chip receives broadcast signals while the Kino chip provides the digital baseband processing. The combination provides the world’s lowest power consumption and smallest footprint solution that will allow handset manufacturers to rapidly enable mobile operators and broadcasters to offer digital broadcast services to consumers.

– ENDS -

For further information please contact:

Alta Berkeley Venture Partners
Pete Magowan Tel: +44 (0) 20 7440 0200

Financial Dynamics
Deborah Scott Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113

Notes to Editors

About Alta Berkeley

Founded in 1982, Alta Berkeley is one of the pioneers of early stage venture capital in Europe. Since inception, the firm has focused on early-stage European technology companies in the Communications, Information Technology and Life Science sectors. It has backed over one hundred companies to date, 22 of which have gone on to successful IPOs in Europe and US and is currently investing from its sixth fund. Recent investments include Castify Networks, Dune Networks, m-spatial, Native Networks, Polatis, Synad and Xtellus. For more information, please go to www.altaberkeley.com

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon is an award-winning company at the forefront of the digital multimedia revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for mobile digital television, digital TV and digital radio.

The company develops and delivers both the broadcast signal receiver modules and digital processing circuits as individual chips and complete system modules to leading consumer electronics and mobile phone brands.

As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions, DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) solutions, and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices and receiver chips.

Key customers for the company’s products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers such as Bang & Olufsen, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Hitachi, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and TEAC. Frontier Silicon has won a number of awards and its products have also enabled award-winning consumer products. The company’s awards include the Fabless Semiconductor Association’s start-up to watch award, PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, the World Economic Forum’s technology pioneers to watch 2005, and the Tornado T100 award for one of the best-performing and innovative high-tech private companies. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com

Contact:

Anthony Sethill, CEO, Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 474200 Fax: +44 (0)1923 202251
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

Cambridge, UK based Mobile Spatial Intelligence specialist, m-spatial announces the ‘Spatial Driver’ – a new capability which drives mobile portal revenues by eliminating ‘click count’ as a barrier to usage.

The Spatial Driver provides users with an intuitive, personalised and map-based view of the interactive content and services available within a mobile portal. Unlike traditional personalisation mechanisms, the Spatial Driver dynamically prioritises content and services according to the user’s current or future location – ensuring that the user can directly access the services most likely to be relevant to them.

The ‘Spatial Driver’ capability builds on the growing reputation of m-spatial’s Spatial Platform and MapWay product lines that have already been delivered to Vodafone UK, Vodafone Germany, Orange, O2 and T-mobile.

m-spatial CEO Andy Walker explained "One of the most critical issues facing mobile portals is the increasing number of content services competing for space. Many users find today’s mobile portals too complex to find the services that are of most use to them at any given time. By presenting content services in a priority order determined by the user’s location, user access time to services is radically reduced – driving portal content service usage and revenues."

The Spatial Driver uses a radical new approach to ‘spatially aggregate’ third party portal content such that any location near the user for which portal content is available can be highlighted on a map. A ‘deep-link’ to the relevant content service is then provided below the map for quick access by the user. The list of links is prioritised according to the context of use of the portal by the user – including parameters such as their location and optionally time of day.

m-spatial Chairman, Steve Newton added "The very existence of mobile portals as the prime user gateway to mobile content is threatened by their growing complexity. Current personalisation mechanisms succeed only to the point of causing users to regularly use a small subset of the available services. By taking into account the user’s location, we not only speed access times to regularly used services but also provide the opportunity to ‘suggest’ new and relevant services to a user every time they use a mobile portal. This is a truly revolutionary step forward for mobile portals in paving the way for ever broader and richer content to be provided, with no corresponding reduction in usability."

The Spatial Driver is available as a capability within the m-spatial Spatial Platform, alongside the current Spatial Enabler capability. Both the Spatial Platform and the MapWay application suite are delivered to mobile network operators via m-spatial’s high availability managed service, ‘m-spatialHA’.

About m-spatial

Based in Cambridge, UK, m-spatial was formed in 2001, drawing together leading experts in the field of wireless data services and the analysis, management and delivery of geo-spatial data. Its customers include Vodafone, O2, Orange and T-mobile. Its Spatial Platform provides the ability to maximise revenues from all ‘location aware’ content i.e. content with a physical location. The ‘Spatial Driver’ capability provides MNOs with the opportunity to drive increased traffic to content services within a mobile portal. The ‘Spatial Enabler’ allows MNOs and consumer brands to deliver services offering uniquely compelling user interaction with ‘location aware’ content. Its MapWay application suite offers mobile network operators and consumer brands the opportunity to offer turn-key pedestrian navigation and mapping services to their customers. All of m-spatial’s products are compatible with the majority of mass-market mobile devices and are available via ‘m-spatialHA’, m-spatial’s high availability managed service.

For more information about m-spatial go to www.m-spatial.com

For more information about this release, or to arrange an interview with m-spatial, please contact:

Ailis Macrae
01223 421537
ailis.macrae@m-spatial.com

London, UK, 14th February 2005

Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for digital radio, TV and mobile TV products – has launched its first tuner chip for digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) applications. The new Apollo chip is a state-of-the-art RF front-end device that enables Frontier Silicon to offer a complete low-cost solution for audio, video and data broadcasting to mobile phones and other mobile devices when combined with the company’s Kino T-DMB digital baseband processor.

Details of Apollo’s underlying technology platform, suitable for delivering T-DMB as well as future DVB-H products, were presented for the first time last week at the ISSCC conference in San Francisco. The tuner chip will be demonstrated in a live terrestrial DMB (T-DMB) solution at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, this week, 14th- 17th February 2005.

Apollo is the smallest RF tuner for T-DMB currently available, measuring only 0.9mm (H) x 5mm (L) x 5mm (W), and offers a power consumption better than 80mW, almost one-quarter of competing receivers. The small size and low power consumption make it ideal for designing into mobile handsets intended for T-DMB (digital video broadcasting) products. A power save feature in Apollo allows the receiver to be put in standby, bringing the average power consumption down to 50mW; this capability is enabled through a software feature in the digital baseband T-DMB chip.

In designing Apollo, Frontier Silicon’s design engineers overcame the major challenge in designing a zero IF receiver, DC offsets. A near-zero IF architecture combines the robust reception of traditional superheterodyne receivers with the high integration of direct conversion zero IF. Apollo has three separate low noise amplifiers at its front end for L band, band 3 and band 2. These are multiplexed into a common automatic gain control (AGC) amplifier and mixers to produce a near-zero IF of 1.024MHz; this results in the image response being put in the adjacent channel, reducing the image rejection required. After on-chip filtering and up-conversion to the industry standard 2.048 MHz IF, the signal amplitude is adjusted and fed to the baseband chip.

The Apollo chip is manufactured in a 0.35µm SiGe BiCMOS process to give low power consumption with excellent performance over the -45° to 85°C temperature range. The chip is available now.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon is an award-winning company at the forefront of the digital multimedia revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for mobile digital television, digital TV and digital radio. The company develops and delivers both the broadcast signal receiver modules and digital processing circuits as individual chips and complete system modules to the leading consumer electronics and mobile phone brands.

As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions, DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) solutions, and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices and receiver chips. Key customers for the company’s products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers such as Bang & Olufsen, Bush, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Hitachi, Matsui, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Sharp, Sony and TEAC. Frontier Silicon has won a number of awards and its products have also enabled award-winning consumer products. The company’s awards include the Fabless Semiconductor Association’s start-up to watch award, PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, the World Economic Forum’s technology pioneers to watch 2005, and the Tornado T100 award for one of the best-performing and innovative high-tech private companies. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

Contact:
Anthony Sethill, CEO, Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 474200 Fax: +44 (0)1923 202251
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for digital radio, TV and mobile TV products – has launched Kino, a new digital baseband processor especially developed for mobile digital television. The chip is the lowest power, smallest footprint solution for enabling terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) services in mobile handsets.

Kino is a major step forward for mobile applications as it is a highly integrated system-on-chip which consumes less than 100mW of power and supports a full decoding rate over 1.8Mbps without the need for any external memory. To reduce the system cost, analogue functions such as the IF ADC, voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO), power-on reset, and audio digital-to-analogue converters are all integrated on the chip, as is the Reed Solomon decoder, which is implemented in hardware rather than software, thereby significantly reducing the power consumption.

The significance of the integration of all these functions is that the bill-of-materials cost is reduced by over a dollar, and PCB usage area is significantly reduced. The benefit for mobile television is that content providers can be assured that handset cost will not be a deterrent to the uptake of their services, and that the handsets will not be excessively power hungry when running video and TV applications.

The new Kino chip from Frontier Silicon is unlike a general purpose DSP (digital signal processor) approach for DMB, in that it provides a dedicated hardware solution which is fully programmable using software. This provides mobile TV handset manufacturers with maximum flexibility for configuring their handsets and the options that they can provide to their customers.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon is an award-winning company at the forefront of the digital multimedia revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for mobile digital television, digital TV and digital radio. The company develops and delivers both the broadcast signal receiver modules and digital processing circuits as individual chips and complete system modules to the leading consumer electronics and mobile phone brands.

As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions, DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) solutions, and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices and receiver chips. Key customers for the company’s products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers such as Bang & Olufsen, Bush, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Hitachi, Matsui, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Sharp, Sony and TEAC. Frontier Silicon has won a number of awards and its products have also enabled award-winning consumer products. The company’s awards include the Fabless Semiconductor Association’s start-up to watch award, PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, the World Economic Forum’s technology pioneers to watch 2005, and the Tornado T100 award for one of the best-performing and innovative high-tech private companies. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

Contact:
Anthony Sethill, CEO, Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 474200 Fax: +44 (0)1923 202251
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

With the launch of two new products specially designed for receiving terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) services on mobile phone handsets, Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for digital radio, TV and mobile TV products – now offers a complete RF and baseband chip solution for mobile digital television. The combination of the world’s lowest power and smallest footprint RF chip (Apollo) and the lowest power consumption T-DMB baseband chip (Kino) will allow handset manufacturers to rapidly enable mobile operators and broadcasters to offer digital broadcast services to consumers. The chipset solution will make its world debut with a live (T-DMB) demonstration on Frontier Silicon’s stand at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, this week (14th-17th February 2005).

Anthony Sethill, CEO of Frontier Silicon, said, “This year we will start to see the convergence of the mobile communications and broadcasting industries. I believe the addition of low power TV tuners to mobile handsets will be the next killer application to follow the success of cameras in mobile handsets, and will open up significant new revenue stream opportunities for content providers. To date, we pioneered and have established ourselves as market leaders in DAB digital radio chips to the consumer and automotive electronics industry; by launching Apollo and Kino we intend to become the leading supplier of digital TV chips to the mobile phone manufacturers.”

Apollo is based on the new technology platform announced last week at ISSCC, the semiconductor industry’s foremost annual conference where engineers reveal details of cutting edge circuit technology. The Kino digital baseband chip is the lowest power and smallest footprint dedicated T-DMB processor currently available, and requires no external memory. Sethill comments, “The two chips reduce external component count requirement, hence reducing power consumption and therefore cost too. This is important for mobile handsets and portable electronics equipment which are enabled with T-DMB.”

Sethill adds, “With services due to start in Korea this year and trials under way in Germany, mobile TV will emerge as a major business across Asia, Europe and North America. Frontier Silicon is at the forefront of bringing complete solutions based on advanced low power chips to the radio and TV broadcast markets, and we are excited at the prospect of assisting the rapid growth of mobile digital television.”

Ends

Editor’s notes:

Details of the two chips can be found in separate press releases.About Frontier SiliconFrontier Silicon is an award-winning company at the forefront of the digital multimedia revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for mobile digital television, digital TV and digital radio. The company develops and delivers both the broadcast signal receiver modules and digital processing circuits as individual chips and complete system modules to leading consumer electronics and mobile phone brands.

As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions, DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) solutions, and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices and receiver chips. Key customers for the company’s products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers such as Bang & Olufsen, Bush, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Hitachi, Matsui, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Sharp, Sony and TEAC. Frontier Silicon has won a number of awards and its products have also enabled award-winning consumer products. The company’s awards include the Fabless Semiconductor Association’s start-up to watch award, PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, the World Economic Forum’s technology pioneers to watch 2005, and the Tornado T100 award for one of the best-performing and innovative high-tech private companies. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

Contact:
Anthony Sethill, CEO, Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 474200 Fax: +44 (0)1923 202251
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

Nokia is introducing the Nokia intelligent Gateway Mobile Location Center (iGMLC) 4.0, a new cost-efficient platform for location-based services (LBS) as part of the Nokia mPosition System. The Nokia iGMLC platform is highly flexible and simultaneously supports both GSM and WCDMA 3G location based services, giving operators a future-proof and cost-effective solution for providing mobile services based on the location of the user.

In the new GMLC platform, Nokia is also combining its competencies in positioning systems with technology from Cambridge Positioning Systems (CPS) to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art solution. The platform support a variety of positioning technologies for both GSM and WCDMA 3G, including new support for enhanced Cell Identity and Mobile Station-based A-GPS based on the Secure User Plane (SUPL) protocol. In addition, it supports Cambridge Positioning Systems’ SUPL Matrix for 2G. SUPL, which is mobile network agnostic, does not require additional investments in the core and radio network.

The new platform, including support for enhanced Cell Identity, will be available in the second quarter. Support for MS-based SUPL A-GPS and CPS’ SUPL Matrix for 2G will be available as a software upgrade in the third quarter.

"The new platform offers our customer a cost-efficient means of deploying location based services, as well as excellent scalability and flexibility in terms of capacity and choice of positioning technologies," says Heikki Hemmi, General Manager, Location Business Program, Networks, Nokia. "The platform supports the entire range of complementing positioning methods, from low-accuracy to high-accuracy technologies. Also, our collaboration with Cambridge Positioning Systems enables smooth introduction of totally new position determination technologies, such as Matrix for 2G "

"Nokia and CPS both understand very clearly operator demands for choice and flexibility as they drive towards high accuracy location deployments. The integration of Matrix into a major vendor platform like the Nokia iGMLC 4.0 underlines the role our technology can play in meeting both current and future needs to support profitable location based services," said Chris Wade, CPS Chief Executive Officer. "CPS believes SUPL is the simplest and most cost-effective route to high accuracy. Matrix is particularly suited to this new open standard due to its ability to offer high and robust accuracy, all-area coverage and fast location fixes in a software-only implementation."

With the Nokia mPositionTM System, mobile operators can build a complete end-to-end system for Location Based Services, while supporting both legacy and LBS enabled handsets. The Nokia mPositionTM System offers a modular, extensible and scalable platform that operators can use to provide their mobile customers with managed access to LBS services.

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com.

Cambridge UK, 10th February 2005

m-spatial, the Mobile Spatial Intelligence specialist, will announce at 3GSM Congress the deployment of its Spatial Platform by Vodafone UK.

Cambridge UK-based m-spatial has integrated its Spatial Platform into Vodafone live!, which now has over 2.5 million customers in the UK. The Spatial Platform delivers a set of re-usable high level components that allow Vodafone live! content and application providers to quickly and easily ‘spatially enable’ their services.

‘Spatial enablement’ ensures that as a customer encounters a piece of content with an associated location, they are presented with a consistent portal-wide menu of options delivering spatial functions such as maps and directions, and personalisation features such as location favourites lists. For example, having identified a restaurant using the ‘Find & Seek’ service, a user can immediately request a map or directions with Vodafone live! ‘look and feel’, without having to visit another mapping service and re-enter the name of the restaurant.

"m-spatial has really brought Vodafone live!’s location services to life. It has ensured that customers are able to easily navigate themselves through a range of areas, without having to constantly know exactly where everything is placed on the menu." commented Al Russell, Head of Content Services and Advanced Messaging, Vodafone UK. "It is a massive step forward for the portal."

m-spatial CEO Andy Walker explained: "In the past content and application providers have struggled to ‘spatially enable’ their services. The Spatial Platform now makes it quick and simple for every content and application provider within Vodafone live! to deliver the same optimal user experience to their customers, whatever their mobile phone. This will result in more traffic to each spatially enabled service individually, and more importantly increased traffic for Vodafone live! as a whole."

The Spatial Platform delivers a radical approach to the integration process by providing a set of coarse grained, task-oriented, interactive, spatial components accessed via a URL-based API. This ensures fast and simple implementation for content and application providers, minimising time to market even for those with no programming or geo-spatial expertise.

Steve Newton, m-spatial Chairman added: "One of Vodafone UK’s key requirements was to ensure that their users experience a consistent and connected journey through Vodafone live! In providing the ability to quickly and consistently ‘spatially enable’ multiple content services, the Spatial Platform will play a critical role in ensuring that Vodafone live! continues to provide a personalised overall user experience which is greater than the sum of the individual services within it."

In addition to providing the same ‘made to measure’ maps and directions delivered by the m-spatial MapWay application suite, the Spatial Platform also offers Location Naming and Refinement (interpreting the results of a low accuracy location feed), Location Selection, Location Management (location favourites lists) and Location Messaging.

Both MapWay and the Spatial Platform are provided to Vodafone UK via m-spatial’s high availability managed service, ‘m-spatialHA’.

About m-spatial

Based in Cambridge, UK, m-spatial was formed in 2001, drawing together leading experts in the field of wireless data services and the analysis, management and delivery of geo-spatial data. Its customers include Vodafone, O2, Orange and T-mobile. Its Spatial Platform provides the ability to maximise revenues from all ‘location aware’ content i.e. content with a physical location. The ‘Spatial Driver’ capability provides MNOs with the opportunity to drive increased traffic to content services within a mobile portal. The ‘Spatial Enabler’ allows MNOs and consumer brands to deliver services offering uniquely compelling user interaction with ‘location aware’ content. Its MapWay application suite offers mobile network operators and consumer brands the opportunity to offer turn-key pedestrian navigation and mapping services to their customers. All of m-spatial’s products are compatible with the majority of mass-market mobile devices and are available via ‘m-spatialHA’, m-spatial’s high availability managed service.

For more information about m-spatial go to www.m-spatial.com

For more information about this release, or to arrange an interview with m-spatial and Vodafone, please contact:

Ailis Macrae
01223 421537
ailis.macrae@m-spatial.com

LogicaCMG today announced the launch of an end-to-end ‘tracking and tracing’ solution for mobile operators targeting enterprise customers and the public sector. The solution is based on Cambridge Positioning Systems’ (CPS) positioning technology, combining close to Global Positioning System (GPS) accuracy of sub-100 metres with mobile network coverage. To date, high accuracy positioning was only possible in line of sight of satellites, however operators can now extend this level of accuracy to indoor coverage using the mobile network.

The market for tracking and tracing solutions has grown significantly as businesses increase their focus on asset and human resources management to enhance overall operational efficiency and security. Organisations worldwide are highlighting a demand for applications that provide accurate positioning and reliable outdoor and indoor coverage, including inside packaging and containers, using attractively priced mobile devices. LogicaCMG’s solution enables enterprises and public institutions to track and trace people and assets in application areas such as:

- Asset tracking, addressing the need to trace vehicles, moving assets, mobile machinery

- Lone worker protection, to improve security for public workers

- Personal security, providing added safety for individuals including children, people requiring constant care or protection

- Offender tracking, for observation or security purposes

- Mobile resource management, to improve efficiency and customer service for enterprises

LogicaCMG will enable mobile operators to deliver services to meet these requirements via a software-only solution that is powered by CPS’ MATRIX location technology. The solution is offered as a managed service, which reduces the risk element for the operator launching the new service and enables a rapid rollout to enterprise customers. Unlike a GPS-based solution, this solution only requires software to be installed on the mobile device, which avoids battery drain and keeps the size of the device small. Combinations of MATRIX and GPS can be considered in particular circumstances as well.

Peter Broekroelofs, VP marketing and strategy for LogicaCMG global telecoms, said: "The enterprise and public sectors have demonstrated a clear demand for an end-to-end tracking and tracing process that provides accurate management of inventory, resources and workers. Combining our strengths in vertical enterprise solutions and managed services with our position as a global leader in the telecom sector, where we work with over 250 of the world’s top operators in more than 130 countries, enables us to understand operators’ challenges and needs as well as those of their enterprise customers. Operators want to offer new and innovative revenue-generating services to their customers and, together with CPS, we are proud to bring a solution that can have a positive impact on people’s safety and security."

Chris Wade, CEO at CPS, said: "CPS has a strong commitment to consistent innovation that is reflected in our award-winning MATRIX technology. Partnering with LogicaCMG is a fundamental step towards our company vision of ‘MATRIX Everywhere’ as we are able to fuse MATRIX technology with the strong market position that LogicaCMG has amongst network operators and enterprises. Through this powerful combination, enterprises will be able to experience for the first time a fast and high accuracy location service with reliable indoor operation."

LogicaCMG’s tracking and tracing solution is based on industry standards provided by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) and 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to enhance interoperability with the operator network. CPS’ MATRIX technology supports sub-100 metre accuracy in any environment, with fast location fixes supplied in seconds.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About LogicaCMG

LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services and wireless telecoms. It provides management and IT consultancy, systems integration and outsourcing services to clients across diverse markets including public sector, telecoms, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport. Formed in December 2002, through the merger of Logica and CMG, the company employs around 20,000 staff in offices across 34 countries and has nearly 40 years of experience in IT services. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG is listed on both the London and Amsterdam stock exchanges (LSE: LOG; Euronext: LOG). More information is available from www.logicacmg.com

About Cambridge Positioning Systems

Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited (CPS) is the key enabler for high accuracy location in the GSM wireless world. Innovative Matrix products – based on standardised E-OTD technology – allow network operators and enterprises to develop new services that improve the safety of their customers and deliver profitable applications.

CPS’ Matrix technology – winner of the Frost & Sullivan Customer Value Award 2004 – is a unique software-only solution that combines sub-100m accuracy with rapid location time-to-fix and consistent performance across outdoor and indoor environments. Easy to deploy, Matrix requires software-enabled standard GSM devices and network server.

Press Contacts

Susan Dempsey
Marketing communications director, LogicaCMG global telecoms
Tel: +353 1 819 3706
Email: Susan.Dempsey@logicacmg.com

Katy Ludditt / Cathy Owen
Band & Brown Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 207 419 7000
Email: katy.ludditt@bbpr.com / cathy.owen@bbpr.com

Colin Ashcroft
Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited
Tel.: +44 1223 326900
Email: colin.ashcroft@cpslocates.com

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) and Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited (CPS) today announced plans to jointly develop new products to deliver Enhanced Global Positioning System (E-GPS) location solutions for the wireless network and mobile device markets.

E-GPS is a technology that addresses the problem of providing quality timing assistance to GPS-enabled devices in asynchronous networks such as GSM and WCDMA. The lack of a common synchronization source means that devices take longer to provide a location. E-GPS brings together two independent positioning methods, CPS’s Matrix and GPS technologies, to provide a single solution for location "everywhere" applications to achieve faster location fixes and lower power consumption.

CPS offers location technology known as Matrix, which comprises Matrix Client Software and Matrix Server Software. Trimble is a leading GPS provider offering boards, modules, chipsets and GPS-based software solutions. The companies intend to work together to demonstrate how E-GPS will improve in-building and urban canyon operation, permit significantly faster location fixes and reduce costs.

The joint solution will combine device and server software intelligence to provide optimal accuracy, optimal coverage, and minimum latency for GPS-enabled handsets and other mobile devices, providing an excellent user experience. The objective of the joint development is to establish E-GPS as the technology of choice for mobile handsets and other GPS devices.

"The combination of CPS Matrix and Trimble’s world leading R&D in GPS creates a very powerful proposition for GSM and the rapidly emerging 3G markets," said Chris Wade, CPS CEO. "Combining complementary technologies to create E-GPS is very much what the CPS ‘Matrix Everywhere’ vision is about. We are delighted to work with Trimble in developing new and improved ways of delivering solid, cost-competitive location solutions. Trimble’s long history of technology innovation and its leadership position in GPS makes the Company a perfect development partner."

"Deriving accurate timing for mobile stations using GSM and WCDMA radios has very positive implications for the use of GPS in both these environments. Without an accurate knowledge of time, GPS sensitivity is constrained by acquisition time and computational resources. The combination of Matrix and GPS technology has the potential to produce a low cost and very capable positioning solution for GSM and WCDMA handsets," said Dennis Workman, vice president and general manager of Trimble’s Component Technologies Division. "This joint development continues Trimble’s theme of increasing the robustness of location solutions in mobile environments."

About CPS

CPS (Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited) delivers cost competitive high accuracy mobile location technology to the billion-strong customer GSM and emerging 3G/WCDMA markets. CPS’ products are based on its software-only Matrix technology – which delivers sub-100m accuracy, sub-3 second location fixes and all environment coverage. The product portfolio extends to Matrix 3G and E-GPS – a powerful combination of Matrix and GPS technology.

With network deployments of Matrix underway, CPS is working with the world’s leading mobile technology companies – including HP, , Andrew, ZTE and TTPCom – to enable a new generation of high accuracy location based services and devices for enterprise and consumer markets. Headquartered in Cambridge (UK), CPS is funded by venture capital and strategic corporate investors. CPS’ value is underpinned by 20 key worldwide technology patents – one of the largest and most comprehensive IPR portfolios of high accuracy location technology in the world.

For more information about CPS visit: www.cpslocates.com.

About Trimble

Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble’s worldwide presence and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications including surveying, automobile navigation, machine guidance, asset tracking, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,000 employees in more than 20 countries worldwide.

For company news and information, visit Trimble’s Web site at www.trimble.com.

- Combined Matrix and Satellite positioning solution offers optimal accuracy with complete coverage, low cost, and rapid time to fix

CPS (Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd) today announces the launch of their new E-GPS (Enhanced Global Positioning System) technology – harnessing their Matrix technology to improve satellite-based location performance indoors and in busy city centres.

E-GPS brings together GPS technology, which relies on a location fix from satellites, with CPS’ software-only Matrix solution that uses synchronisation signals from cellular base stations.

This means that the location provided by E-GPS is always based on the best quality signals, from either satellites or base stations in that particular area, resulting in accurate and consistent sub-100 metre performance across all environments.

E-GPS effectively resolves issues that have constantly plagued satellite-based technologies – lack of coverage in indoor and dense urban areas, time delays in returning a location, and cost.

In poor satellite coverage areas E-GPS provides an immediate high accuracy location. This contrasts with current solutions whereby there is a significant delay before GPS fails and a Cell-ID location is returned which can be several km’s in error.

Fundamentally, E-GPS will improve GPS performance in GSM and WCDMA networks, which cover over 80 per cent of the global wireless market. Both these network technologies are unsynchronised which to date has made provision of quality assistance information difficult, resulting in limited coverage and delays in returning a location.

Rigorous testing and live trials – and operator and end user feedback – have highlighted the issues that A-GPS solutions face when operating in such networks. CPS is already in active discussions with partners to bring E-GPS to market.

CPS CEO Chris Wade said: "E-GPS is a powerful new addition to our Matrix portfolio. We have been working for two years to bring this to market, working with and listening to operators, end users and manufacturers. The cornerstone of E-GPS is Matrix technology, and its ability to combine with the best attributes of GPS is a ringing endorsement of our vision of ‘Matrix Everywhere’. We look forward to developing E-GPS products with our partners, and finally providing a cost-effective and thoroughly reliable satellite location solution to the market".

"Matrix remains the best low-cost option for GSM and WCDMA. But we recognize that there is a market for GPS-based products where, in open-sky environments, satellite solutions generally offer precision tracking for navigation. E-GPS offers tremendous opportunities to the wireless world to develop and deliver new services that work everywhere, and particularly in those indoor and city centre locations where people make most use of mobile data."

Teradici Corporation, a new fabless semiconductor company developing solutions for next-generation personal computers, tablets, and handhelds, today announced that Alta Berkeley, the London-based venture capital firm focusing on leading technology companies in the communications and computing sectors, has provided funds to Teradici. Alta Berkeley’s investment brings Teradici’s initial financing round to US $10 million.

Teradici also announced that Kevin Fielding, partner at Alta Berkeley, will join the company’s board of directors. Fielding has extensive operating experience in the microprocessor business, notably as general manager of the StrongARM business which was purchased by Intel in 1998. He was also part of the team that developed the original Alpha microprocessor within Digital Equipment in the early ’90s. More recently, Fielding held the CEO and President posts at ParthusCeva (Nasdaq:CEVA), and took Parthus Technologies to a Nasdaq IPO in 2000. He will focus on helping Teradici build a world-class semiconductor team and develop partnerships with leading OEM customers in the USA and in Europe.

"The completion of this oversubscribed funding round has provided Teradici with an outstanding foundation to deliver on our vision. After significant interest from venture organizations throughout North America and Europe, it was clear that Kevin Fielding and Alta Berkeley were an ideal partner and investor for Teradici," said Dan Cordingley, Teradici’s co-founder and chief executive officer. "Kevin’s extensive background in world class microprocessor development and experience as a successful semiconductor CEO is invaluable to Teradici going forward. We are very pleased to be working closely with Mr. Fielding as we build the company."

The investment by Alta Berkeley continues the firm’s stated strategy of seeking out exciting companies in the IT sector, with sufficiently differentiated technology to allow them to be the leading player in a fast-growing market sector. Fielding added, "Teradici’s semiconductor technology will have ramifications across the entire computing industry and for that reason, many high-profile executives have chosen to be part of the company. Alta Berkeley’s strategy of investing in unique technology businesses with global reach makes Teradici a strong strategic fit with our portfolio."

Teradici has attracted a formidable management team, including former executives from leading semiconductor companies Level One Communications, PMC Sierra and Broadcom. Teradici’s chairman is Kevin Huscroft, who brings decades of silicon and systems development expertise to Teradici. Huscroft was a founder of PMC-Sierra, and led PMC-Sierra’s product development efforts from 1992 through 2002 where he served as VP, R&D and CTO. Also on the Teradici board is Randy Groves, most recently CTO for Dell, Inc. where he also served as General Manager of Dell’s Enterprise Systems Group. His career also includes senior management roles at IBM in server and microprocessor development.

Teradici’s initial funding round has been led by GrowthWorks Capital Ltd and syndicated with participation by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Skypoint Capital Corporation. The funds will be used to develop Teradici’s unique semiconductor products for the computing industry.

About Teradici

Teradici Corporation is a fabless semiconductor company developing innovative technology for next-generation computer form factors. Through a combination of unique algorithms and high-performance silicon processing, the company is focused on enabling a new approach for how personal computers are deployed and managed. Teradici is headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. More information will be made available at www.teradici.com

About Alta Berkeley

Founded in 1982, Alta Berkeley is a London-based venture capital firm focusing on the next generation of leading technology companies in communications and computing across Europe and Israel. Alta Berkeley follows a US-style VC model, in that its partners have deep operational experience of successfully launching and managing technology businesses in both the private and public markets and consequently, they take a hands-on approach with their portfolio companies. Alta Berkeley has raised and invested six funds since 1982, providing superior returns for institutional investors and has been responsible for over 50 exits via acquisition or IPO. The firm is currently investing from its sixth fund. Recent investments include Siliquent Technologies, Frontier Semiconductor, Touch Clarity, Dune Networks, Native Networks, and Synad.

For more information, please go to: www.altaberkeley.com

]]> http://www.altaberkeley.com/?feed=rss2&p=702 0 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=703 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=703#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://altaberkeley.com/?p=703 Cambridge UK, 17th January 2005

Vodafone Germany Select MapWay – Germany’s First ‘Made to Measure’ Mobile Mapping Solution

m-spatial, the Mobile Spatial Intelligence specialist, today announced Vodafone Germany as the first international customer for MapWay, its turn-key suite of maps and walking directions services for use on mass market mobile phones.

Cambridge UK-based m-spatial has integrated its unique MapWay maps and directions services into the German presence of Vodafone live!, which now has over 3.6 million customers in Germany.

The unique user experience provided by the MapWay application suite (including m-spatial’s revolutionary ‘made to measure mapping’) is made possible by the use of the m-spatial Spatial Platform as the basis for service delivery.

m-spatial CEO Andy Walker commented: "Vodafone Germany wanted a proven suite of maps and directions applications which would provide a compelling user interface to all users of Vodafone live!, whatever their handset. Our success with Vodafone live! in the UK provided that proof. The successful internationalisation of the user interface, use of local content, and speed of integration with the Vodafone Germany network underlines both the global and scaleable nature of our solution. Working with Vodafone Germany further strengthens our relationship with the Vodafone group and we are delighted to play our part in helping launch new compelling consumer services."

The new MapWay services are available via the ‘Unterwegs’ section of Vodafone live! Using the mapping and walking directions services, the user can quickly and easily specify locations for which they require maps or walking directions. In addition to the use of the automatic location feed within both these services, the ‘Where am I?’ ( ‘Wo bin ich?’) service satisfies the specific need for users to understand where they are and receive a map within a single click.

Walker continued: "Following the initial success of the MapWay application suite in the UK, we are delighted to complete the first stage of our international roll-out and deliver MapWay to Vodafone Germany."

About m-spatial

Based in Cambridge, UK, m-spatial was formed in 2001, drawing together leading experts in the field of wireless data services and the analysis, management and delivery of geo-spatial data. Its international customers include Vodafone, O2, Orange and T-mobile. Its Spatial Platform provides unique user interaction capabilities such as ‘made to measure mapping’ in a form that can be quickly and easily integrated with third party content and applications by developers with no geo-spatial or specialist programming knowledge. Its MapWay application suite offers mobile network operators and consumer brands the opportunity to offer turn-key pedestrian navigation and mapping services to their customers. All of m-spatial’s products are compatible with the majority of mass-market mobile devices and are available via ‘m-spatialHA’, m-spatial’s high availability managed service.

For more information about m-spatial go to www.m-spatial.com

For more information about this release, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Ailis Macrae
01223 421537
ailis.macrae@m-spatial.com

At the fabless semiconductor industry’s tenth annual awards dinner held last Thursday in Santa Clara (California, USA), Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for digital radio, TV and mobile TV products – was announced as winner of the start-up to watch award by the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA). The award is recognition by the FSA venture capital advisory board that Frontier Silicon demonstrates the greatest likelihood of achieving its next phase of growth.

The awards programme celebrates leadership in the semiconductor industry and recognises public and private fabless companies demonstrating excellence through their success, vision, strategy and future opportunity in the fabless industry. Anthony Sethill, CEO of Frontier Silicon said, “We are extremely delighted to have won this prestigious international award. It is recognition of both our achievement in pioneering and commercialising low cost technology for mass market digital radio products in Europe, and our intent on achieving similar results in the emerging mobile TV sector.” He added, “To win this accolade from our industry peers who are part of global association is very satisfying.”

“Since its inception in 2001, Frontier Silicon has achieved significant milestones in providing solutions for digital multimedia products,” said Jodi Shelton, co-founder and executive director of the FSA. “The company has impressive growth potential, and as such, has been selected by the FSA Venture Capital Advisory Board as the start-up to watch.”

The FSA represents fabless companies and their supply chain and service partners from more than 21 countries spanning North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Incorporated in 1994, the association positively impacts the growth and return on invested capital of this business model to enhance the environment for innovation. The FSA provides a platform for meaningful global collaboration between fabless companies and their partners, and identifies, debates, and discusses business and technical issues.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon, winner of the PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, is at the forefront of the digital revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for digital TV, digital radio and other emerging consumer multimedia products. As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Key customers for these products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers. In digital radio (DAB), the company’s chips are found in the world’s leading brands including Bush, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Hitachi, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Sharp, Sony and TEAC. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

Contact:

Anthony Sethill, CEO
Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 474200
Fax: +44 (0)1923 202251
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

MOBILE value added service provider Sichuan Yingda has selected CPS’s Matrix high accuracy location system to drive its enterprise
location-based services on China Unicom’s network.

The commercial agreement, signed today, will see the Matrix solution used to locate and track vehicles, security personnel, laptops, and other assets.

Sichuan Yingda Technology Co Ltd specializes in wireless Internet services, products and integration The company was incorporated in 1994 and is located in the national high-tech district of Chengdu in Sichuan, China. It has recently been selected for a High Tech Enterprise Award by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The company will initially target corporate markets with their location service portfolio. Initial rollout – based on Matrix-enabled devices and server software – will be in Q1 2005.

CPS Chief Executive Chris Wade said: "This is a major step forward in confirming Matrix as the dominant high accuracy location technology for GSM. Introduction into the world’s largest and fastest growing wireless market is a very significant achievement for the company. The appetitefor new services in China is immense and we are delighted to see Matrix being used to deliver new location-based services.

"As Yingda has told us, Matrix’s unique capabilities – software-only, low cost, all-area coverage – are already proving a critical factor in helping them secure new business and extend the reach and range of new services. This commercial agreement provides a strong platform forgrowth in China, where we see a number of exciting opportunities for both our GSM and WCDMA products."

The CEO of Yingda Technology Co, Tang Ruo Yu said; "With the relationship between Yingda and CPS, we can provide fast, accurate,reliable, location tracking services that deliver true business value at a lower cost. The opportunity for both companies will be to developadditional location based services that take advantage of CPS’s world leading technology."

Matrix is already a proven performer in the 250 million-customer Chinese GSM market with extensive trials in urban and suburban areas. A number of Matrix-enabled devices have been put through their paces in recentmonths, delivering high accuracy performance, fast location fixes and all-area coverage in a wide range of demanding environments. Thisfollows successful trials in Latin America and Europe.

ends

Contact Info:

Sichuan Yingda Technology Co Ltd
3 West Zone Blvd High Tech ( West Zone )
Cheng Du . Si Chuan PRC
Tel +862882871293
Fax+862882871290

Email: tang_ry@263.net

Colin Ashcroft, Communications Director
Tel + 44 (0) 1223 326984
Mobile + 44 (0) 7769 740296
Email: colin.ashcroft@cpslocates.com

About CPS:

CPS is the high accuracy location enabler for the wireless world. Through consistent innovation, we have developed new ways of helpingpeople pinpoint their whereabouts – via a standard GSM mobile handset.Our technology is called Matrix – a unique software-only solution that combines sub-100m accuracy with rapid time-to-fix and consistentperformance across all environments. Standardised for GSM, Matrix can be rolled out easily and rapidly to meet operator needs for new anddifferentiated location-enabled services.

www.cpslocates.com

Proficient Systems Inc., a provider of technology that helps companies better monetize their Web presence by converting visitors into buyers, announced today a co-marketing agreement with Touch Clarity to help Web site operators boost sales by better targeting individual site visitors.

“One of biggest inefficiencies for Web site operators today is taking a one-size-fits-all approach to every site visitor,” said Gregg Freishtat, CEO of Proficient Systems. “Through our partnership with Touch Clarity, we can now enable Web site operators to provide custom-tailored offers to individual visitors. The end result is a richer Web shopping experience for each customer, and increased sales for Web site operators.”

Proficient System’s agreement with Touch Clarity, with headquarters in London and offices in New York, Chicago and Boston is an enterprise software provider offering an automated, real-time targeting and revenue optimization platform for consumer-facing Web sites, will expand opportunities for both companies to provide customers with a complete assisted sales solution. Proficient’s Sales Server™ technology and Touch Clarity’s Targeting and Analytics are complementary solutions that maximize every customer visit, facilitate customer service and drive greater revenues.

“The combination of Touch Clarity’s Targeting technology and Proficient’s ability to identify and offer assistance to the most receptive customers allows Web site operators to take full advantage of each individual customer’s presence, meet their needs online and increase sales,” said Paul Phillips, Touch Clarity’s CEO and founder.

Technology Overview

The ProficientSales Server™ makes intelligent data-based decisions about when and how to best approach ideal prospects, then routes the customer information to the appropriate customer service representative to offer assistance. Visitors are approached via a pop-up chat window with an offer of assistance that can be accepted or declined. Proficient’s technology is ideally suited for companies that sell complex products like mortgages or insurance policies and for customers who need more assistance, information and validation before making a purchase online.

Touch Clarity’s Targeting solution builds customer profiles based on any available historical data plus real time visitor data such as site path, geographic location, time and day of the week. Touch Clarity Targeting then automatically serves the most appropriate proposition from the site’s content management system. For example, a bank could have multiple campaigns including mortgages, credit cards and personal loans, each comprised of several elements. Credit card elements could be low interest rate cards, balance transfer options and mileage or reward offers. Touch Clarity’s solutions are intuitive and can assess whether or not particular campaigns or elements are effective and automatically make adjustments. The system can also adapt to changes in the marketplace when a competitor raises or lowers its prices, or when interested rates are increased or decreased.

About Proficient Systems, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Proficient Systems, Inc. is helping industry-leading companies better monetize their Web presence by converting visitors into buyers. The Proficient solution utilizes sophisticated data mining algorithms to track and analyze the behavior of Web site visitors in real time, and then intelligently approaches visitors with the appropriate sales or service professional based on the company’s specific business objectives. Proficient’s real-time data mining engine determines the most valuable customers and engages them with chat and collaboration technologies, allowing companies like Bank of America, ELOAN, E*Trade, Huntington National Bank, and Seibel to experience increased revenue, improved productivity, and enhanced customer satisfaction. For more information check out www.proficient.com

About Touch Clarity

Headquartered in London, England with offices in New York and Chicago, Touch Clarity is a leading provider of automated content targeting software. The solutions significantly increase online channel revenues by learning in real time which content is most effective for each visitor and triggering the automatic serving of this content which will generate the greatest revenue from every interaction.

The revenue uplift is audited through control groups and reported upon as it happens.

Companies like MSN, Lloyds Bank and HSBC have adopted the Touch Clarity solution to increase revenues through their web channel. For more information please visit www.touchclarity.com.

For more information please contact:

Richard Elmes, VP Marketing

Email: richard.elmes@touchclarity.com
Tel: +44(0)20 7380 4443
Fax: +44(0)20 7380 4459

IMAGING

Camero
Herzliya, Israel

Has peered through walls using advanced radar.

In comics, Superman uses his x-ray vision to catch evildoers in their hideouts. In June, Camero announced that it is developing a portable radar system to generate three-dimensional images in real time of objects concealed behind walls from a distance of up to 20 meters. The system is seen as having both rescue and military applications. It uses FCC-compliant ultrawideband radar, which emits extra-short radio-signal pulses across a broad range of frequencies to penetrate solid barriers, such as the debris from a collapsed building after an earthquake. The relatively high resolution images it produces are reportedly comparable to those from ultrasound. The company, whose founders include one-time IBM research senior manager Aharon Aharon and former Israeli intelligence officer Amir Beeri, is initially targeting its proprietary technology to fire, rescue, law enforcement and others.

Full article:

Scientific American: The 2004 Scientific American 50 Award: Business Leaders

]]> http://www.altaberkeley.com/?feed=rss2&p=729 0 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=730 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=730#comments Wed, 10 Nov 2004 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://altaberkeley.com/?p=730 World leading photonic switch supplier secures additional funding to ramp up manufacture and to extend its global sales and marketing effort.

Cambridge, UK, 10th November 2004

Polatis, the leading supplier of ultra-low loss optical switches, today announced that it has completed its third round of funding of $9.4m. The financing round was funded by the existing investors, and comprises of 3i, Alta Berkeley, EonTech Ventures and Prelude Trust plc.

“This financing round will allow us to ramp up our manufacturing capability in-line with customer demand,” commented CEO Dave Lewis, “it will also provide the funds we need to extend our product portfolio to include complimentary products that we will be announcing in the very near future”

“Polatis has made tremendous progress since the last round of funding. It has a fantastic product range which has attracted tier 1 customers, we are very pleased to be involved in the company’s continuing success” said Krishna Visvanathan of 3i.

“Polatis has at its core a truly disruptive technology platform that has allowed it to develop a comprehensive range of optical switching products with performance that is unrivalled by any other vendor” commented Tim Brown, Partner at Alta Berkeley.

Meanwhile Dr Bob Hook, director of Prelude Trust plc. stated “Prelude believes that the combination of a highly differentiated product portfolio, strong customer traction and this additional injection of funding will allow Polatis to become the dominant force in the marketplace”

Polatis’ photonic switch products utilize the patented Micro-Actuation and Sensing System (MASS) which is based on time proven technologies such as those used in hard disk drives and ink jet printers. The MASS technology platform has established a solid foundation for a family of highly reliable optical switches with performance that is unmatched by any other photonic matrix switch. The world-class performance of the switch makes it ideal for a wide range of uses including hybrid switching in telecommunication networks, automated test, video switching, and defence applications.

Ends

About Polatis

Polatis Ltd, located in Cambridge, UK has developed a highly reliable and compact direct optical beam steering technology that is being exploited to produce photonic switching solutions with ultra-high performance. To learn more please visit our website at: www.polatis.com

Media Queries or for more information, contact:

Dr. J. Sandhu
Business Development Manager
Polatis Ltd
PH: +44 (0) 1223 424200
EMAIL: jsandhu@polatis.com

Alta Berkeley, the London-based venture capital firm focusing on the next generation of leading technology companies in communications and computing across Europe and Israel, is pleased to announce that in conjunction with Jerusalem Global Ventures, Motorola Ventures and Walden Israel, it has provided funds to Camero, Inc. thereby closing a Series A financing round of more than $6 million. The funds will be used to further develop Camero’s through-wall imaging system.

Camero is developing a unique imaging system which generates a 3D image of objects concealed by solid barriers such as walls. The Camero system is initially targeted to Fire & Rescue, Law Enforcement and Special Forces operatives, providing them with the means to quickly locate people through walls in order to save their lives, monitor people and situations, and protect the lives of operatives entering unknown or potentially hostile situations. Camero was founded by Aharon Aharon and Amir Beeri, and has operated in stealth mode as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence project at Jerusalem Global Ventures.

Commenting on the closure of the financing Aharon Aharon, Founder and CEO of Camero said;

“We are very happy to partner with such an experienced group of investors. Camero faces exciting challenges in the emerging market of homeland security and we believe that the company’s strong technical leadership in multidisciplinary fields, will provide us with a key competitive edge in the market. Having Alta Berkeley join our distinguished investors Jerusalem Global Ventures, Motorola Ventures, and Walden Israel, will strengthen Camero’s contacts in Europe, and will allow us to take Camero to the next stage in its development.”

Commenting on the investment Pete Magowan, Partner at Alta Berkeley said;

“Camero offers a unique technology to its clients and is at a very interesting time in its development. This investment reflects Alta Berkeley’s strategy of investing in unique technological businesses with strong management teams and global reach.”

For further information please contact:

Alta Berkeley
Pete Magowan Tel: +44 (0)20 7440 0220

Financial Dynamics
Deborah Scott Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113

Camero, Inc
Avrom Gilbert, Director Business Development agilbert@camero-tech.com

Notes to Editors

About Alta Berkeley
Founded in 1982, Alta Berkeley is one of the pioneers of early stage venture capital in Europe. Since inception, the firm has focused on early-stage European technology companies in the Communications, Information Technology and Life Science sectors. It has backed over one hundred companies to date, 22 of which have gone on to successful IPOs in Europe and US and is currently investing from its sixth fund. Recent investments include Castify Networks, Dune Networks, m-spatial, Native Networks, Polatis, Synad and Xtellus. For more information, please go to www.altaberkeley.com

About Jerusalem Global Ventures
Jerusalem Global Ventures is an Israeli venture capital fund that invests in seed and early stage communications, information technology and life sciences companies. JGV has over $120 million in capital for investment in exceptional entrepreneurs. Its investors include many of the world’s leading technology companies and financial institutions as well as international executive investors. JGV investors include: Agilent Technologies, Time Warner (AOL), Bank of America, China Development Industrial Bank, Bausch & Lomb, Comverse, Conexant, Itochu Techno-Science, JDA Uniphase, Motorola and Telecom Italia Lab. For more information on JGV, please go to www.jgv.com

About Motorola Ventures
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in wireless, broadband and automotive communications technologies that help make life smarter, safer, simpler, synchronized and fun. Sales in 2003 were US$27.1 billion. Motorola creates innovative technological solutions that benefit people at home, at work and on the move. The company also is a progressive corporate citizen dedicated to operating ethically, protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which it does business. Motorola Ventures (MV) is the global, strategic venture capital investment arm of Motorola, Inc. MV actively invests at early stages in developing companies of strategic value to Motorola in order to accelerate access to new technologies, new markets and new talent. For more information: www.motorola.com

About Walden Israel
Walden Israel is one of the first Israeli early-stage venture capital funds. Founded in 1993, Walden Israel manages $185 million and focuses on investments in areas of communications and information technology. Walden Israel is affiliated with the Walden International and Walden VC Groups, which manage collectively over $2.5 billion and have established presence in the US and over ten countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim. For more information, please visit our web site at www.walden.co.il

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – September 27, 2004

Siliquent Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has secured an additional $21M in financing from industry-leading venture capital firms. The new round was led by Thomas Weisel Venture Partners and included new investors Vertex Venture Capital and Alta Berkeley Venture Partners. Existing investors Greylock Partners, Benchmark Capital and Orckit Communications also participated. Siliquent – a supplier of 4-gigabit and 10-gigabit Ethernet processors that combine RDMA, iSCSI and TCP/IP offload capabilities on a single chip – plans to use the new capital to augment and accelerate its engineering, sales and marketing activities.

"This is a strong showing of support from the investment community, and will enable us to continue the momentum that started with the recent shipment of our 4 G and 10 G devices," said Charles Chi, CEO of Siliquent Technologies. "The overwhelming interest from the investment community allowed us to choose the ideal investors for this round. They bring knowledge and experience that will be helpful for taking the company into a new phase of growth and ensure that we are able to meet the growing demand for our products."

Siliquent introduced its first products last summer, outlining its strategy for enabling Ethernet to scale across all data center I/O applications – from general-purpose computing to storage and high-performance clustering. A variety of large system OEMs are currently designing new network interface cards (NICs) based on the company’s 4G and 10 G Ethernet processors. The new NICs will enable users to leverage their existing IT infrastructure for both general-purpose and high-performance networking applications, while simplifying the deployment of equipment and making data center management more efficient.-more-

"Siliquent is at the nexus of computing, communications and storage," said Andy Sessions, General Partner of Thomas Weisel Venture Partners. "In both the short and long term, this represents opportunities of few limits for Siliquent. We are excited to be part of Siliquent’s success."

"Alta Berkeley invests in businesses with technology that will deliver a difference. Siliquent’s market opportunities are vast, and its unique technology offer is the leader in its space," said Pete Magowan, partner from Alta Berkeley Venture Partners. "We are delighted to be investing in Siliquent’s business and look forward to working with management to drive its commercial success."

"We are proud to be part of the Siliquent team and eager to contribute to the success of the company," said Moshe Shahaf, Managing Partner of Vertex Venture Capital.

"This financing marks a milestone for Siliquent," said Amit Oren, CTO and Founder of Siliquent. "From our humble beginnings when we were incubated at Orckit Communications to today where we have leading products, excited customers and the support of a broad, experienced investor group."

About Siliquent Technologies, Inc.

Siliquent Technologies, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company dedicated to expanding Ethernet’s application across the entire enterprise – for storage, high-performance computing, and all networking applications. The company’s new Ethernet Processing Units (EPUs) will enable a new generation of Intelligent NICs (iNICs) that make it possible to run storage, networking and clustering over a single physical Ethernet interface – the unified wire.

About Alta Berkeley

Founded in 1982, Alta Berkeley is one of the pioneers of early stage venture capital in Europe. Since inception, the firm has focused on early-stage European technology companies in the Communications, Information Technology and Life Science sectors. It has backed over one hundred companies to date, 22 of which have gone on to successful IPOs in Europe and US and is currently investing from its sixth fund. Recent investments include Castify Networks, Dune Networks, m-spatial, Native Networks, Polatis, Synad and Xtellus. For more information, please see the company website: www.altaberkeley.com

About Thomas Weisel Venture Partners

Thomas Weisel Venture Partners (TWVP) is an early stage venture capital firm that invests in emerging information technology companies. As a partner with a long-term perspective, TWVP plays an active role in helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into sustainable businesses. TWVP portfolio companies benefit from the knowledge, energy and resources of the TWVP team and from TWVP’s commitment to working with management to build industry-leading companies. TWVP was founded in 2000 in partnership with Thomas Weisel Partners, a San Francisco-based merchant bank, and is located in Palo Alto, California. For more information, visit www.twvp.com .

About Vertex Venture Capital

Vertex Venture Capital is a leading player in the international venture capital arena. Headquartered in Israel with offices in the UK, the US and Singapore, Vertex Venture Capital invests at various stages of company development in technology-intensive companies with outstanding management and real market growth potential. Vertex creates strategic partnerships for its portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US, and is experienced in initiating and managing M&As on their behalf. Vertex Venture Capital is a member of the International Vertex Venture Holdings (VVH).

Vertex Venture Capital’s strategic investors include Singapore Technologies, one of the leading technology concerns in Singapore, Israel Discount Capital Markets and Investments, Creative Technology, Nomura International, JAFCO, NTT, Hitachi, Seiko Instruments, NikkoAntfactory, Murata, SCP Private Equity Partners and Mellon Ventures.

Siliquent and the Siliquent logo are trademarks of Siliquent Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

MULTIDYNE™ Video and Fiber Optic Systems and Polatis Ltd will introduce smaller matrix sizes to the FOS Series of fiber optic routing switchers at the IBC 2004 Show, September 10-14, 2004, booth # 10,441. The optical switcher is ideal for video broadcast, production, security and other video applications requiring transmission and switching of high quality optical signals. The FOS series switcher is available in matrix sizes ranging from 8×8 to 32×32 bi-directional optical ports. It delivers non-blocking, ultra-low loss, deterministic switched video over fiber optic connections without conversion to electrical format.

The Multidyne and Polatis fiber optic routing switcher revolutionizes how video is distributed and managed. The optical switch is based on Polatis’ field proven photonic switching technology. Laser light is switched in a pure optical format, without electrical conversion, allowing the switch to support transparent connections compatible with any video or data format including uncompressed HD video of 1.5 Gb/s and higher. Also, since the switching is done optically, the FOS eliminates video signal degradation. With a traditional electrical switcher, Electrical to Optical (EO) and Optical to Electrical (OE) conversions are required which cause signal degradation and jitter. The system switches any video format over distances in excess of 20 kilometers.

The FOS supports a wide range of formats from 19.4 Mbps ATSC through 1.5 Gbps HDTV as well as NTSC, PAL, SECAM, SMPTE 259M Serial Digital (SDI) Video, broadband analog, L-band, IF, Ethernet, T1, DS3 and many more. The optical switcher will also transparently switch CWDM and DWDM signals. In addition, the FOS can switch analog stereo audio, analog video, AES/EBU digital audio, intercom, CCU data and even remote contact closures.

The FOS is available in a one rack unit, 19”, rack-mountable configuration for easy plug and play operation.

The Multidyne FOS Fiber Routing Switcher is field proven to support applications requiring reliable, high-quality video distribution using fiber optics cables such as mobile production trucks, sports venues, professional video facilities, CATV, campuses and surveillance networks.

Multidyne and Polatis will be in the ARET booth (#10,441) at IBC 2004 in Amsterdam September 10-14.

For product information and sales, please call MULTIDYNE at 1-(800)-4TV-TEST, 1-(516)-671-7278, FAX 1-(516)-671-3362 or write to the above address. All products are available under the GSA contract number
GS-03F-0004L. Visit our Web Site at www.multidyne.com or send E-Mail to sales@multidyne.com. We welcome the opportunity to do business with your company.

About Multidyne Electronics Inc

Founded in 1977, MULTIDYNE ™ provides innovation and excellence in a full line of television equipment. Solutions include fiber optic transport for a wide array of formats, optical multiplexing, electrical and fiber optic routing switchers, test signal and ID generators, cable equalizers, distribution and fan-out amplifiers, video loss detectors, automatic protection switching, XLR adapter panels, tactical fiber optic cable assemblies as well as television accessories. Applications include Broadcast, Cable, Sports, ENG/SNG, Production, Security, Surveillance, Transportation, Pro-AV, Government, Healthcare and Teleconferencing. Multidyne has worked with many Fortune 100 companies and government agencies including ABC/Disney Network News, CBS Network Television, CNN, FOX Digital, NASA, NBC Network News, Time Warner Cable, The Department of Transportation, Turner Broadcasting, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, just to name a few.

Multidyne and the Multidyne logo are registered trade marks of Multidyne Electronics Inc.

About Polatis, Ltd

Polatis is the world leading provider of ultra-high performance all-optical switches with channel counts ranging from 8×8 to 32×32. The Polatis product portfolio is based on a time proven technology platform that provides reliable solutions with optical insertion loss less than 1 dB. The Polatis switch products enable value based solutions and have been deployed in a variety of applications including: video distribution, instrumentation grade switching for test and measurement, defense systems and optical telecommunications. For additional information about Polatis, visit www.polatis.com.

Hong Kong, 21st January 2005

(Hong Kong) The first of a new generation of high-accuracy mobile location-based services are poised for launch in China – offering enterprises and government users cost-effective vehicle, personnel and asset tracking

At a press conference in Hong Kong today, leading figures from the companies involved – including Sichuan Unicom, Sichuan Yingda Co Ltd and Cambridge Positioning Systems (CPS) – hailed the service rollout as a significant new development in mobile communications in the region.

The creation of a partnership of service providers, application developers, device manufacturers and technology enablers had created a fully integrated end-to-end high accuracy solution – and a blueprint for further deployments in the region, the companies said.

Sichuan Yingda Technology Co Ltd, which specialises in wireless Internet services, products and integration, selected high-accuracy, low cost, software-only Matrix technology from Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited (CPS) to drive the new services to be delivered on China’s Sichuan Unicom’s network.

The location-based offering will include vehicle fleet management, personnel tracking for safety purposes and tracking of valuable assets in transit. This will be the first time that Matrix has been used in China to support such a broad range services, delivering consistent sub-100m accuracy in all environments – including indoors and dense urban areas where satellite-based technology struggles to perform.

While enterprise and government users are the initial focus for services, future plans include applications for the consumer market, such as "friend finder", "find and seek" and family safety.

Sichuan Yingda, which last year won a High Tech Enterprise Award from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, was incorporated in 1994 and is located in the national high-tech district of Chengdu in Sichuan, China. The company chose Matrix because it offers fast, accurate, reliable, location tracking at a lower cost to rival high accuracy technologies.

CPS Chief Executive Chris Wade said: "Across the region, operators are telling us that location-based services are moving up their agenda for deployments as they understand the potential for new enterprise and consumer offerings. This aligns very closely with what we are seeing in other expanding markets and our vision of Matrix Everywhere – in terms of service deployments, device availability and collaborations with our partners.

"Partnerships with companies such as Sichuan Yingda are also powerfully persuasive with enterprises and operators. We now have all the component parts in place – low cost technology, value added service providers and device manufacturers – all working together to present an end-to-end solution," he said.

The CEO of Yingda Technology Co, Tang Ruoyu said; "The relationship between Yingda and CPS, enables us to offer fast, accurate, reliable, location tracking services that deliver true business value at a lower cost. Because Matrix is software-only, it radically changes the business model for service launch – offering easier and more rapid deployment and, in turn, a quicker route to profitability. We are also now seeing increasing numbers of Matrix-enabled devices – in a variety of form factors – coming into the market, which will enable us to offer an increasing range of services going forward."

Matrix is already a proven performer in the Chinese market with extensive trials in urban and suburban areas. A number of Matrix-enabled devices have been put through their paces in recent months, delivering high accuracy performance, fast location fixes and all-area coverage in a wide range of demanding environments. This follows successful trials in Latin America and Europe.

Chris J Wade
CEO

Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd
62-64 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 1LA

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 326922
Fax: +44 (0) 1223 326901
Mob +44 (0) 7881622669
Email: chris.wade@cpslocates.com
Web: www.cpslocates.com

Winner: – Frost & Sullivan Customer Value Award 2004

Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for digital radio, TV and mobile TV products – has launched Kino, a new digital baseband processor especially developed for mobile digital television. The chip is the lowest power, smallest footprint solution for enabling terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) services in mobile handsets.

Kino is a major step forward for mobile applications as it is a highly integrated system-on-chip which consumes less than 100mW of power and supports a full decoding rate over 1.8Mbps without the need for any external memory. To reduce the system cost, analogue functions such as the IF ADC, voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO), power-on reset, and audio digital-to-analogue converters are all integrated on the chip, as is the Reed Solomon decoder, which is implemented in hardware rather than software, thereby significantly reducing the power consumption.

The significance of the integration of all these functions is that the bill-of-materials cost is reduced by over a dollar, and PCB usage area is significantly reduced. The benefit for mobile television is that content providers can be assured that handset cost will not be a deterrent to the uptake of their services, and that the handsets will not be excessively power hungry when running video and TV applications.

The new Kino chip from Frontier Silicon is unlike a general purpose DSP (digital signal processor) approach for DMB, in that it provides a dedicated hardware solution which is fully programmable using software. This provides mobile TV handset manufacturers with maximum flexibility for configuring their handsets and the options that they can provide to their customers.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon is an award-winning company at the forefront of the digital multimedia revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for mobile digital television, digital TV and digital radio. The company develops and delivers both the broadcast signal receiver modules and digital processing circuits as individual chips and complete system modules to the leading consumer electronics and mobile phone brands.

As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions, DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) solutions, and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices and receiver chips. Key customers for the company’s products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers such as Bang & Olufsen, Bush, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Hitachi, Matsui, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Sharp, Sony and TEAC. Frontier Silicon has won a number of awards and its products have also enabled award-winning consumer products. The company’s awards include the Fabless Semiconductor Association’s start-up to watch award, PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, the World Economic Forum’s technology pioneers to watch 2005, and the Tornado T100 award for one of the best-performing and innovative high-tech private companies. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

Contact:
Anthony Sethill, CEO, Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 474200 Fax: +44 (0)1923 202251
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

Touch Clarity, an enterprise software provider offering an automated, real-time targeting and revenue optimization platform for consumer facing websites, today announced that it has raised $6.7 million in Series A venture capital funding co-led by JVP and Alta Berkeley. Existing investor, The Capital Fund also participated in the round.

Touch Clarity’s software learns which content and propositions will most effectively drive revenue from online visitors and automatically targets them with that content. Developed by leading software developers in conjunction with a world-class academic team from the field of real-time learning, Touch Clarity’s solution uses artificial intelligence to tailor content for both new and returning visitors to a site. Using transparent auditing technology, Touch Clarity enables its customers to see the uplift in revenue from day one of operation.

Founded in 2000 by CEO Paul Phillips, Touch Clarity has attracted top tier clients such as MSN, British Telecom, HSBC, Lloyds TSB and Capital One and draws customers from broad industry categories including: financial services, internet service providers, web portals, automotive and gaming sites.

In parallel with the investment, the Board and management team have been strengthened with the appointments of David Richmond as Executive Chairman (ex-CEO of Striva, recently acquired by Informatica), JVP Directors Laurel Bowden and Haim Kopans (former CTO of Precise Software recently acquired by Veritas) and Tim Brown of Alta Berkeley.

"We are delighted to have closed funding from two world-class investors. The proceeds from the JVP and Alta Berkeley investments will support the continued expansion of our business and drive increased sales, particularly in the U.S," said Paul Phillips, founder and CEO of Touch Clarity.

Laurel Bowden, a partner at JVP added: "We are pleased to be investing in Touch Clarity at this important time in the company’s development. Touch Clarity has the technology to deliver significant added value to its customers and the growth opportunities in this market continue to rise dramatically. The geographical breadth of Touch Clarity’s offering, with brand name customers in the US and Europe, gives the company a strong platform to continue to build its business worldwide."

Tim Brown, a Partner at Alta Berkeley, commented: "Investing in Touch Clarity’s business at this time reflects Alta Berkeley’s strategy of investing in unique technological businesses with strong management teams and global reach. We believe Touch Clarity has potential to be a category-defining player in its marketplace; this funding provides the resources to achieve this vision."

In recognition of its breakthrough low cost solution that provides high-accuracy location-based information to mobile network operators, Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd (CPS) is conferred the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Customer Value Award. CPS’ Matrix solutions not only excelled on criteria such as product features and price but were also found to offer customers the highest ratio of value to cost.

Unlike competing technologies, which rely on network based Cell-IDpositioning equipment or the deployment of satellite-based GlobalPositioning System (GPS) handsets/devices; CPS Matrix solutions usesoftware enhancements on the network at the mobile location centre andsoftware-enabled handsets to deliver highly accurate and timelypositioning information.

John Younghusband, consultant analyst at Frost & Sullivan, elaborates: "In contrast to GPS-based systems, for instance, Matrix works both outside and inside buildings. During trials, Matrix products displayed much faster ‘location fix’ speeds than satellite-based Assisted GPS (A-GPS) systems."

"At the same time, CPS’ Matrix solutions can complement existing or new technologies. In areas where GPS coverage is slow or unavailable, it can be used to complement A-GPS service and provide timely and accurate location fixes," Mr Younghusband continues.

For mobile operators looking for effective, low cost solutions, CPSsoftware-based solutions offer other significant benefits. As thesolution operates on a standard GSM handset without the need foradditional network equipment or upgrades, it helps reduce CAPEX, notesFrost & Sullivan. At the same time, it complements existing Cell IDinfrastructure to support a much more precise and consistent service.

Since the software-based solution uses intelligence in the handset, itfunctions across vendor platforms. And with most European mobileoperators’ networks consisting of equipment from different vendors, thisfeature has enabled rapid service roll out.

Mr Younghusband points out that apart from product features, price too has been key to the popularity of CPS’ Matrix products. CPS projects implementation rates of less than $1 per customer and even lower set up costs with a larger network deployment. In comparison, the cost of implementing an A-GPS solution or a hardware-based network solution is estimated at up to $30 per user, depending on the scale of deployment.

Increased adoption of location-based services is expected to hinge onthe availability of low cost, accurate and reliable positioningsolutions, which can be speedily, implemented into existing multi vendornetwork platforms.

CPS Matrix solutions enable operators to address these challenges nowwithout requiring major network investment or disruption," Frost &Sullivan concludes. "Furthermore, their solution is vendor-agnostic andworks with technology available in existing handsets and because Matrixis software-only, it can be integrated into standard handsets in a rapidand non-intrusive manner."

About Frost & Sullivan

Founded in 1961, Frost & Sullivan is recognised as a global leader in growth consulting. Frost & Sullivan Awards are presented to companies that demonstrate excellence in their industry, commending the diligence, commitment and innovative business strategies required to advance in the global marketplace. Frost & Sullivan rigorously analyses specific criteria to determine award recipients in a vast variety of market industries and landscapes. For further information, visit www.frost.com.

Chris WadeChief Executive OfficerCambridge Positioning Systems Ltd62-64 Hills RoadCambridgeCB2 1LARegistered in England 2808344

Tel: +44(0)1223 326922 Fax:+44(0)1223 326901 Mobile: +44(0)7881 622669 Email: Chris.Wade@cpslocates.com www.cpslocates.com

Onyvax Limited, the biotechnology company developing novel cancer therapies, today announced final Phase II clinical data showing that treatment with Onyvax-P, the company’s investigational immunotherapy, may provide a clinical benefit to men with advanced (hormone-resistant) prostate cancer (HRPC).

The data show that in 26 men whose disease has not metastasised to the bones (Cohort One), the median progression free survival (PFS) was 58 weeks which compares favourably with recently published data of 26-29 weeks (Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000) 18:3894-3903; Atlas of Clinical Urology (2002), Ed. Peter T. Scardino MD). All patients also received standard of care, which is a continuation of hormone therapy plus supportive care, when appropriate.

In addition to this PFS benefit, patients also showed biochemical and immunological responses to the treatment. 11 patients (42%) experienced a prolonged, statistically significant reduction in prostate specific antigen (PSA) velocity. PSA is a blood marker for prostate cancer and at this stage of the disease generally increases exponentially until death. According to studies presented at this year’s ASCO meeting, a prolonged reduction in PSA velocity correlates with and is a predictor of prostate cancer disease progression and survival in HRPC (2004 ASCO Annual Meeting abstracts 4506 and 4554). Furthermore, vaccinated patients who showed a clinical slowdown in disease exhibited evidence of immunological activation, including proliferation of patient T cells and enhancement of cytokine responses. The treatment was very well tolerated and side effects were limited to mild fatigue and local injection-site reactions.

“These findings add to the growing body of evidence that immunotherapies may be effective in treating cancer. Onyvax-P may provide a new option for men who have limited treatment alternatives when their PSA level is rising but are otherwise asymptomatic,” said Dr Hardev Pandha, MD, Consultant in Medical Oncology at St George’s Hospital Medical School, London and principal investigator for the study. “This is a novel approach to treat prostate cancer that appears to be safe and feasible. We hope that immunotherapies such as Onyvax-P alter the natural history of the disease and the data from this trial provide a clear basis for the initiation of larger Phase III randomised studies in this group of patients.”

“This study was designed to assess whether to conduct further trials of this product. Based on the clinical, PSA and immune response data generated, the case for further investigation is overwhelming,” said Anthony Walker, PhD, Chief Executive at Onyvax Limited. “Manufacturing of material for pivotal trials is underway and we hope to start patient recruitment in early 2005.”

The trial recruited 48 patients in two prospectively defined cohorts. The first cohort recruited 28 patients with HRPC with no bone metastases. The second cohort recruited patients with HRPC with bone metastases but no clinical symptoms. Two patients in Cohort One did not receive treatment due to protocol violation. Data from Cohort Two, which recruited men with asymptomatic metastatic HRPC is still being collected and will be presented later in the year. Survival data is being collected for both cohorts.

The trial enrolled patients with all levels of Gleason scores (a measure of the aggressiveness of prostate cancer) including the highest risk patients. The median Gleason score in Cohort One was 7.7.

Disease progression in the trial was defined by the development of new lesions in the bone or soft tissue; the requirement of palliative treatment with an opioid analgesic for new disease-related pain; the occurrence of new disease-related symptoms that required intervention such as treatment with chemotherapy, radiation or surgery; the occurrence of a clinical event determined by the investigator to represent disease progression; or death.

For further information, please contact:

Onyvax Financial Dynamics
Dr Anthony Walker / Robert Johnson Francetta Carr / Lucy Briggs

+44 (0)208 682 9494 +44 (0)20 7831 3113

Notes to Editors:

Onyvax Ltd is a biotechnology company developing novel cancer therapies that harness the selective power of the immune system to seek and destroy tumour cells.

Founded in 1997, Onyvax has three product candidates in clinical trials designed for the treatment of prostate and other cancers. Onyvax’s lead products are based on combinations of inactivated cell lines that induce immune responses to a broad spectrum of tumour targets. Onyvax-P, a Cell Vaccine for prostate cancer, is due to enter Phase III clinical trials in early 2005. For each cancer type, Onyvax generates banks of proprietary cell lines representative of different stages of the disease. The vaccines are manufactured in bulk under standardised conditions.

Onyvax is committed to the commercialisation of new therapies that significantly prolong survival while maintaining a high quality of life for cancer patients. The Company is based in London and has collaborations with leading institutions in Europe and the US.

Further information on Onyvax can be found at www.onyvax.com

As one of the key sponsors at the International Forum on Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T-DMB) being held on 15-16 June in Seoul, South Korea, Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for digital TV/radio and consumer multimedia products – will this week present its product development plans for T-DMB. This includes the introduction of T-DMB solutions – based on the market leading Chorus multimedia processor – for mobile TV products to be launched in Korea in 2005.

At the conference, Frontier Silicon will outline how its well established Chorus multimedia processor, the lowest power T-DMB baseband processor on the market today, will address the requirements of products set to support T-DMB services such as standalone mobile TV terminals, mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) with TV, and car infotainment and navigations systems. The power consumption of Chorus is up to 50 percent less than other solutions currently on the market, which makes it ideal for portable T-DMB devices.

Anthony Sethill, chief executive officer of Frontier Silicon said, "T-DMB will offer exciting opportunities for manufacturers as well as content service providers. That’s why we are working on an aggressive development plan on several different projects with major electronics manufacturers to introduce products in Korea in 2005. The flexibility of Frontier Silicon’s highly integrated system-on-chip solution has enabled us to quickly offer an optimized solution for first generation T-DMB devices"

Sethill added, "We expect mobile TV to be a major growth market in Korea and other major worldwide markets over the next five years, and Frontier intends to be one of the major semiconductor suppliers into this market."

Key features of Frontier Silicon’s T-DMB solution to be outlined at the forum include the ability to support decoding at the full data rate specified in the Eureka 147 specification (data at better than 1.5Mbps), plus integrated peripherals which increase utility in a T-DMB product. Low power consumption and excellent sensitivity are major characteristics that make Frontier’s solution ideal for T-DMB; sensitivity of up to -100dBm for Band III and -98dBm for L Band can be achieved.

The international forum being held in Korea this week is organised by the Korea Radio Promotion Association (RAPA), Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers (KOSBE), and Next Generation Digital Broadcasting Forum. It is part of the Republic of Korea’s progression towards launching multimedia services over the Eureka 147 system in the VHF band. At the forum, on-air field trials of high quality and robust mobile video reception will take place, and demonstrations of data broadcasting services such as traffic information and web broadcasting will also be given.

The event is hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communication, and other key sponsors include Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Personal Telecom, Digital Sky Net, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI).

Ends

Editor’s notes:

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon, winner of the PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, is at the forefront of the digital revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for digital TV, digital radio and other emerging consumer multimedia products. As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Key customers for these products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers. In digital radio (DAB), the company’s chips are found in the world’s leading brands including Bush, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Sharp and TEAC. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

Contact:

Anthony Sethill, CEO
Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 290505
Fax: +44 (0)1923 290506
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

]]> http://www.altaberkeley.com/?feed=rss2&p=740 0 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=741 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=741#comments Tue, 25 May 2004 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://altaberkeley.com/?p=741 Cambridge, 25th May 2004

CPS (Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd) today announces that it has raised an additional US$9m from its existing investors to drive global take-up of its unique Matrix mass-market high accuracy location technology.

More than 10 mobile operators worldwide are undertaking trials of the unique Matrix software solution – which provides sub-100m accuracy in all environments, rapid time-to-fix and costs less than $1 per handset to deploy. As well as serving the billion customer-strong GSM market,
CPS also offers high accuracy solutions for 3G and vertical enterprisemarkets.

CPS recently announced that it is to integrate Matrix technology into offerings from Hewlett Packard, Andrew Corporation and major Chineseequipment vendor ZTE.

Existing investors, including 3i, Argo Global Capital, Prelude Trust and Alta Berkeley, have invested. The new money will support new productsand strengthen joint development programmes with existing and potential partners.

Chris Wade, CPS Chief Executive Officer, said: "Right now, we are seeing an explosion in demand for our technology. Currently, we are activelytrialling Matrix technology with major operators in 10 locations aroundthe world – with more planned for the second half of the year. At thesame time, we are making significant progress with equipment vendors andsolutions providers to integrate Matrix into their offerings.

"We are delighted our investors have made this significant endorsement of our ambitious product development and marketing plans. Theirinvestment will ensure that CPS continues to have the firm foundationsfor future growth."

Chairman John Scarisbrick said: "Clearly Matrix transforms the economics of Location Based Services with an industry leading combination of high accuracy and low cost on an open platform. This investment gives the company the resources necessary to fully exploit this advantage."

Ends

For more information:

Colin Ashcroft, Communications Director
+ 44 (0) 1223 326984
+ 44 (0) 7769 740296
colin.ashcroft@cpslocates.com

www.cpslocates.com

About CPS:

CPS is the high accuracy location enabler for the wireless world. Through consistent innovation, we have developed new ways of helping people pinpoint their whereabouts – via a standard GSM mobile handset. Our technology is called Matrix – a unique software-only solution that combines sub-100m accuracy with rapid time-to-fix and consistent performance across all environments.

Standardised for GSM, Matrix can be rolled out easily and rapidly to meet operator needs for new and differentiated location-enabled services. And because Matrix is software only, it means deployment costs are less than $1 per subscriber – the most competitive high accuracysolution available.

Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for digital TV/radio and consumer multimedia products – has announced it has closed an investment of several million pounds from Nokia Venture Partners. The new funding will allow Frontier Silicon to further develop its market-leading products for DAB digital radio and digital television and strengthen its development team.

Anthony Sethill, CEO of Frontier Silicon, said, "This is an important step for us, and we are extremely pleased to have Nokia Venture Partners as an investor. This investment will re-enforce our position in the market – we were first to develop and deliver complete turnkey systems for digital radio and TV comprising chips, software, intellectual property (IP) and modules, and now we are developing next generation products and systems to maintain our market lead."

Antti Kokkinen, general partner at Nokia Venture Partners added, "We are excited by the growing market for digital multimedia technology, and impressed by the market dominance that Frontier Silicon has already achieved, becoming a significant part of the DAB digital radio revolution in Europe and Asia; with more and more countries adopting new digital broadcasting technologies, we also see excellent prospects for the company in other digital multimedia segments beyond DAB."

Frontier Silicon was established in 2001, and is privately funded. Key shareholders include Apax Partners and Alta Berkeley, as well as Digital One, operator of one of the world’s largest DAB digital radio networks, and Imagination Technologies, a leading supplier of semiconductor intellectual property for the multimedia and communications market.

• The company’s products include
• Chorus, a super-integrated low power system-on-chip for applications like digital radio, MP3, CD playback functions, FM and RDS;
• Venice, a range of cost-effective DAB digital radio modules for standalone receivers and for integration into CD-based audio products;
• Diablo, very low power DAB digital radio and internet audio modules specially designed for battery-powered audio products;
• Roadster, a dual band DAB receiver specially designed for integration into automotive and telematics applications;
• Logie, the world’s first single-chip solution for digital terrestrial TV, enabling low cost set-top boxes, digital television, and multimedia products combining digital TV, DVD and DAB all in a single box.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon, winner of the PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, is at the forefront of the digital revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for digital TV, digital radio and other emerging consumer multimedia products. As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Key customers for these products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers. In digital radio (DAB), the company’s chips are found in the world’s leading brands including Bush, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Sharp and TEAC. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

About Nokia Venture Partners

Nokia Venture Partners is a leading global venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California. Backed by a number of value add limited partners, the fund leads investments in early stage mobile technology companies around the world. Launched in 1998, Nokia Venture Partners has a strong track record of leveraging its combined resources, experience and contacts to help build successful mobile businesses. The firm also has offices in Washington DC, London, Helsinki, Hertzelia, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo. For more information, visit http://www.nokiaventurepartners.com.

Contact:

Anthony Sethill, CEO
Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 290505
Fax: +44 (0)1923 290506
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

5th May 2004

Cambridge, UK based mobile spatial specialist, m-spatial today announced the roll-out of a second wave of MapWay applications, and broadened its service offerings on Vodafone Live!, O2 Active and Orange World.

The new MapWay applications make it quick and easy for users to get the maps and/or directions they want, by focussing on particular usage scenarios and matching the user interface precisely to them. The usage scenarios have been developed as a result of in-depth research carried out with end users of the existing MapWay Walking Directions and View Map applications. The maps displayed by MapWay have also been upgraded, to include a wider range of points of interest such as pubs, banks and supermarkets using easy-to-read icons.

m-spatial CEO Andy Walker explained "Through talking to MapWay users we discovered that whilst people use the applications for all sorts of reasons, a small number of usage scenarios account for a high percentage of the usage. By producing specific applications which focus on these scenarios, we have significantly reduced the number of clicks required from a user to get to the maps/directions they want. We also discovered that users wanted more places of interest to be highlighted within the maps displayed by MapWay."

Varying subsets of the new applications have been delivered to each mobile network operator customer. The latest version of the View Map application has been deployed on all three portals; ‘Walk to/from nearest station’ and ‘Nearest tube to…’ have been deployed on Vodafone live! and Orange World; and ‘Where am I?’ has been deployed on Vodafone live!.

Walker continued "Through precisely meeting the needs of our customers, we have already seen strong and sustained growth in traffic levels. The new applications not only have increased traffic levels through improved usability but have also increased the number of users trying the applications for the first time. By naming the services so obviously, and placing them in relevant sections of a portal, the applications have almost become ‘self marketing’. For example, by placing the ‘Walk to/from nearest station’ application next to a train timetable information service, the user is instantly made aware that their phone can not only help them with train times but also in how to get from the station to their final destination."

About m-spatial

Based in Cambridge, UK, m-spatial was formed in 2001, drawing together leading experts in the field of wireless data services and the analysis, management and delivery of geo-spatial data. Its customers include Vodafone, O2, Orange and T-mobile. Its Spatial Platform provides unique user interaction capabilities such as ‘made to measure mapping’ in a form that can be quickly and easily integrated with third party content and applications by developers with no geo-spatial or specialist programming knowledge. Its MapWay application suite offers mobile network operators and consumer brands the opportunity to offer turn-key pedestrian navigation and mapping services to their customers. All of m-spatial’s products are compatible with the majority of mass-market mobile devices and are available via ‘m-spatialHA’, m-spatial’s high availability managed service.

For more information about m-spatial go to www.m-spatial.com

For more information about this release, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Ailis Macrae
01223 421537
ailis.macrae@m-spatial.com

Frontier Silicon – the leading fabless manufacturer of semiconductors for digital TV/radio and consumer multimedia products – has today announced a compact new DAB digital radio module for the automotive industry. Its new Roadster module, based on the market leading DAB technology already in use in the consumer electronics market, allows OEM (original equipment manufacturer) fitting of DAB into integrated head units in the car, and is the first to support innovative user features for the automotive environment such as DAB to FM service linking.

The new vertically mounted module is based on the Chorus multimedia DAB processor which is established in the majority of consumer DAB digital radio products, and enables integration of digital audio broadcast functionality into automotive infotainment systems. Typical applications for the new module – which is a complete system featuring Eureka 147 DAB receiver, dual band (Band III and L-band) high performance RF front end, baseband processor and power supply – include integrated head units, automotive DAB modules, telematics and navigation units. The fully shielded module measures only 55mm x 37mm x 8mm to mount inside a 1DIN radio/CD player; in conjunction with its operational temperature range of –40°C to +85°C, these features make it ideal for the automotive environment.

Roadster is totally self-contained, containing flash memory for the program and data storage, and additional random access memory for extended functionality. A full suite of firmware included in the module especially for use in automotive includes features available for the first time, such as DAB to FM service linking, TII for regional information, ‘Traffic Message Channel’ and on-board diagnostics. The DAB to FM linking is essential for seamless audio listening in a car when it moves from an area with DAB service transmission to one where there is no DAB service transmission. Steve Evans, VP sales, Frontier Silicon, commented, “With the tremendous growth in the market for consumer DAB radios, now is the right time for car makers to seriously consider offering DAB as an option. ‘Roadster’ DAB module puts digital radio into cars board diagnostics. The DAB to FM linking is essential for seamless audio listening in a car when it moves from an area with DAB service transmission to one where there is no DAB service transmission.

Steve Evans, VP sales,Frontier Silicon, commented, “With the tremendousgrowth in the market for consumer DAB radios, now is the right timefor car makers to seriously consider offering DAB as an option. OurRoadster moduleprovides the automotive market with a cost, size and power-efficientroute to integrate this important capability.” The new Roadstermodule is available for sampling now from Frontier Silicon and willbe in mass production in Q32004.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

About Frontier Silicon
Frontier Silicon, winner of the PricewaterhouseCoopers hottest technology company of 2004 award, is at the forefront of the digital revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for digital TV, digital radio and other emerging consumer multimedia products. As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Key customers for these products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers. In digital radio (DAB), the company’s chips are found in the world’s leading brands including Bush, Cambridge Audio, Goodmans, Grundig, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Sharp and TEAC. For more information visit www.frontier-silicon.com.

Contact:

Steve Evans, VP Sales
Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 290505
Fax: +44 (0)1923 290506
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

]]> http://www.altaberkeley.com/?feed=rss2&p=744 0 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=745 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=745#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://altaberkeley.com/?p=745 Israel, March 4, 2004

Mempile completed a second round of investment totaling $11.6m; Kodiak Ventures lead the investment and was joined by Israel Seed Partners, JVP, Hitachi CSK, Portview, and Alta Berkeley. Current investors, headed by Millennium Materials Technology Fund, also took part in the investment.

Moshe Kelner, CEO of Mempile, said at the closure of the round that "the additional funds will be used to provide the company with financial strength as well as to broaden our development and marketing activities in the United States and Japan."

Mempile developed a removable optical drive capable of storing one Terabyte (1,000 Gigabytes) of data on a single disc; two orders of magnitude more than what is available today. The company’s technology comprises both the disc itself and the drive required to read and write. Mempile’s discs will allow for fully secured storage of information and the application of robust digital rights management schemes; also, its discs have a much longer projected shelf-life than what is common today. Mempile has signed a number of cooperation agreements for the manufacturing and marketing of its products with major media and storage corporations.

Mempile was founded in 2000 by its current CTO, Ortal Alpert. The company raised $5.5m in its initial round from Millennium Materials Technology Fund and some of Israel’s major private investors. The company operates two development centers: one in Neve Ilan, Israel, and the other in Colorado Springs, CO, in the United States. Mempile currently employs 23 workers.

Smallest, lowest power DAB module to date makes debut at 3G in Cannes

Cannes, 23rd February 2004: Samsung Electro-Mechanics, one of the world’s leading suppliers of electronic tuners, and Frontier Silicon – the world’s leading supplier of DAB chips – have announced the two companies have cooperated to develop a miniature low power DAB receiver module specifically targeted for integration into mobile phone handsets and other communications devices such as PDAs (personal digital assistants) and smartphones.

The module from Samsung Electro-Mechanics measures just 30mm x 38mm and is only 2.5mm high, to meet one of the most important requirements in space constrained mobile phone handsets.

“We are seeing increasing interest from mobile phone manufacturers in the integration of DAB, both for audio and data applications” said C.K. Nam, manager, of the broadcast systems team at Samsung Electro-Mechanics. “By cooperating with Frontier Silicon we have been able to provide our customers with a small and low powered module that can be used to realise this requirement.”

“We are delighted to have been able to work with Samsung Electro-Mechanics on this market leading development,” said Steve Evans, VP sales of Frontier Silicon. “Their ability to engineer a DAB solution in such a tiny form factor with the requisite lower power consumption opens up the possibility of adding DAB to an exciting array of volume-manufactured products.”

Based on the Chorus DAB processor, which is already at the heart of more than 600,000 DAB radios, the new module specially developed for mobile phone handsets has the capability to decode DAB across all of the audio and data bandwidths required by the DAB standard. It includes the RF front end, the baseband circuits and its own embedded memory. It operates as a slave module, which is controlled by the mobile phone’s system processor over a serial interface. Chorus utilises multithreaded META processor and DAB technology licensed from Imagination Technologies.

The new module is sampling now and will be available in mass production during Q3 2004.

Ends

About Frontier Silicon

Frontier Silicon is at the forefront of the digital revolution with a range of semiconductor solutions for digital TV, digital radio and other emerging consumer multimedia products. As a fabless semiconductor business, Frontier Silicon’s core products include complete DAB modules, DVB-T solutions and the underlying system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Key customers for these products include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers. In digital radio (DAB), the company’s chips are found in the world’s leading brands including Bush, Goodmans, Grundig, Ministry of Sound, Philips, PURE Digital, Roberts Radio, Cambridge Audio and TEAC.

Contact:

Steve Evans, VP Sales
Frontier Silicon
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 290505
Fax: +44 (0) 1923 290506
Email: press@frontier-silicon.com

]]> http://www.altaberkeley.com/?feed=rss2&p=747 0 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=748 http://www.altaberkeley.com/?p=748#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2004 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://altaberkeley.com/?p=748 20th February 2004

Polatis, the Cambridge (UK) based company developing ultra-high performance optical switches, today announced that it is introducing the PSC32 Configurable Optical Switch System targeted at Test and Measurement applications. The PSC32 combines the ultra high performance of the Polatis optical switch engine in a unit that provides true flexibility and ease of use.

The PSC32 optical switch provides a ready solution for applications that require flexibility in port count and configuration. Each of the 32 optical connections can be assigned as either input or output ports through a front panel touch screen or via a remote Ethernet interface. The system can be instantly configured to operate as a 1×31, 2×30 switch all the way to a 16×16. Additionally, multiple sub-switches such as dual 1×15, quad 4×4 can be created on the same fabric and independently controlled.

“Our customers have come to see the performance advantages of the patented Polatis 3-D beam steered optical switching technology. The introduction of the PSC32 brings the benefit of that technology directly to Test and Measurement applications that require dynamic switch redefinition. The ability to dynamically redefine the port configuration of the PSC32 combined with the exceptional optical performance of the switch engine provides a compelling, future-proofed, solution offering true flexibility for customers that require customised optical switch configurations” said Dr. Jas Sandhu, Business Development Manager at Polatis.

The PSC32 utilizes Polatis’ patented Micro-Actuation and Sensing System (MASS) which is based on time proven technologies such as those used in hard disk drives and ink jet printers. The MASS technology platform has established a solid foundation for a family of highly reliable optical switches with best-in-class performance and reliability.

Polatis will be demonstrating the PSC32 as the newest addition to its portfolio of optical switching solutions to be exhibited at the upcoming Optical Fiber Communications 2004 conference being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, California, during 24th to 26th February (Booth Number 4245).

Geneva, December 18, 2003

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) announced today the acquisition of the wireless-LAN developer Synad Technologies Ltd. Synad is a fast-growing UK startup that has rapidly revealed itself as one of the most successful WLAN fabless companies and one of the few able to deliver a full dual-band multi-standard solution. Synad has a proven multimode full CMOS production-ready chipset and reference design, and powerful software suites for both wireless-LAN access point and client applications.

Synad’s team of more than 50 experienced and talented engineers is widely recognized for continuously delivering innovation in all aspects of RF and digital IC design, and system and software engineering. Actively engaged in the IEEE 802.11 Task-Groups and WiFi Alliance, along with the main industry players, Synad is also at the forefront of the 802.11 standards development process.

Based in Reading, UK, Synad was founded in 2000 by an initial investment from Celtic House Venture Partners with follow on investments from a syndicate comprising: Alta Partners, Alta Berkeley, Celtic House, Frontiers and Rendex.

With the addition of Synad’s team, products, and technology to its portfolio, ST has strengthened its leadership in broadband access solutions and is ideally positioned to offer WLAN-enabled solutions by leveraging its position as a leader in numerous markets. Those segments include wireless handsets, xDSL gateways, cable modems, set-top boxes, inkjet printers, automotive, and a growing number of other telecoms and consumers applications requiring seamless wireless data connectivity.

ST will immediately deliver to the computer networking market a full dual-mode wireless-LAN solution for Network Interface Cards and Access Points, leveraging its effectiveness in manufacturing, cost, logistics and sales. In parallel, ST will bundle Synad’s wireless-LAN solutions with its existing broadband access products to effectively offer true multi-mode access to its customers through the most highly integrated and cost-effective application platforms.

"ST’s broad range of components and platforms for telecom and consumer market applications offers an immense opportunity for the wireless-LAN technology and expertise of Synad," said Johan Danneels, General Manager of ST’s Telecom Group. "Through the acquisition of Synad and the integration of their outstanding engineering team, we will be able to strengthen our internal wireless-LAN connectivity developments, in order to deliver them into many high-volume end-products, bringing to our customers new levels of integration and reduced costs. We have been collaborating with Synad for some time already, and we are now delighted to welcome their team into ST."

"Synad’s wireless-LAN knowhow covers every aspect of the technology, from system definition to reference-design development and compliance certification," commented Mike Baker, CEO of Synad. "Our team is excited about this unique opportunity to combine its expertise with ST’s advanced production technology, system-on-chip capability and broad range of IP, which are key to enable us to continue offering vision and innovation in the WLAN industry. Besides that, ST’s strong relationships with major OEMs will make our technology reach volumes and applications hardly achievable as a stand-alone company, and will lead to the development of very competitive solutions where wireless LAN is combined with other functions."

Synad’s wireless-LAN portfolio includes the advanced "Mercury" wireless-LAN chipset, which has the unique capability to allow a single wireless-LAN transceiver to implement a dual-mode 2.4/5GHz access point without compromising performance. Designed for 180nm CMOS technology, this chipset is supported by a complete software suite and proven reference designs, allowing customers to meet very short time-to-market windows. The Mercury chipset and reference design are ready for production and the company already has design wins at a number of customers. The combined ST-Synad W-LAN roadmap will include 130nm design, low-power chipset versions, and software-based implementations.

For further information www.st.com/wlan

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today’s convergence markets. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2002, the Company’s net revenues were $6.32 billion and net earnings were $429.4 million.

Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com.

• Significant investment by Alta Berkeley Venture Partners and Apax Partners’ Funds will support Frontier Silicon’s leadership position in DAB and fuel continued growth and entry into new markets

• Frontier strengthens board with leading semiconductor executives and investors

• New technology licence deal and strategic partnership with Imagination
Technologies

London, 13th October 2003 – Frontier Silicon, Imagination Technologies, Alta Berkeley and Apax Partners’ Funds today announced a wide ranging investment and development agreement to support Frontier Silicon, the fabless semiconductor business whose core products include system-on-chip (SoC) devices for digital TV, digital radio and other consumer multimedia products.

Alta Berkeley and Apax Partners’ Funds, two of the world’s leading technology private equity investment groups, have provided the funds to significantly expand Frontier Silicon’s resources, enabling further development of its digital radio and digital television products as the company enters its second phase of growth. The multi-million USD investment will reinforce Frontier Silicon’s leading market position in digital radio (DAB) and accelerate entry into new markets.

Frontier Silicon’s Board will be strengthened with the appointment of three senior Non-Executive Directors, Pete Magowan (Partner, Alta Berkeley and formerly ExecVP, ARM Holdings), Jonathan Brooks (formerly CFO of ARM Holdings) and Michael Risman (Director of Apax Partners and Non-Executive Director of Dialog Semiconductor).

In conjunction with this investment Frontier Silicon has also signed a further licensing and joint development agreement with Imagination Technologies. Under that agreement Imagination Technologies, a leader in system-on-chip intellectual property (SoC IP), is providing a range of additional technologies to Frontier Silicon, which it will use in its digital radio and television products. The two companies will also co-operate under a strategic partnership to develop next-generation digital radio
and multimedia SoCs.

Frontier Silicon DAB chips and modules account for over 80% of DAB sales worldwide and its customers include leading brands such as Bush, Goodmans, Grundig, Ministry of Sound, PURE Digital and TEAC. Frontier Silicon has shipped over 300,000 DAB modules and Chorus chips to date. The advanced capabilities of its Chorus DAB processor include DAB, digital audio, MP3 and MPEG-4 video decode.

Anthony Sethill, CEO and founder of, Frontier Silicon, said: We are extremely pleased to have Apax Partners and Alta Berkeley as investors. The investment will help us to build on the company’s success to date. Frontier Silicon has established itself as the number one provider of digital radio (DAB) processors, which have enabled that market to reach its current impressive growth in the UK. This investment will reinforce what we are doing in the digital radio market and help us to
achieve the same level of success in other digital broadcast markets, particularly digital television.

Commented Pete Magowan, Alta Berkeley Venture Partners: After extensive research it became apparent that Frontier Silicon presents a very exciting opportunity in the rapidly growing digital consumer market. Its unique combination of clear technology leadership, blue chip customer base and a world-class team underpin Frontier’s exciting growth prospects. We look forward to helping the company to
realise its full potential.

Michael Risman, Director, Apax Partners commented: Frontier Silicon has achieved remarkable growth since the Company was founded. We are delighted to have helped bring this deal together and look forward to helping the new Executive team achieve their objective of building a strong new company in the broadcast multimedia market.

Hossein Yassaie, CEO, Imagination Technologies, said: We are delighted that Frontier Silicon has rapidly matured from a start up to a fast growing mainstream semiconductor company. This investment will give Frontier increased independence and the resources required to continue its growth. Our extended strategic relationship in DAB, and joint development programme, will create leading and innovative SoCs for Frontier.

Sethill went on to comment, I would like to thank my colleagues at Frontier Silicon, who have worked tirelessly over the past 2 years to drive the business during its start- up phase.

About Alta Berkeley

Founded in 1982, Alta Berkeley is one of the pioneers of early stage venture capital in Europe. Since inception, the firm has focused on early-stage European technology companies in the Communications, Information Technology and Life Science sectors. It has backed over one hundred companies to date, 22 of which have gone on to successful IPOs in Europe and US and is currently investing from its sixth fund. Recent investments include Castify Networks, Dune Networks, Medgenics, m-spatial, Native Networks, Polatis, Synad and Xtellus. See www.alta-berkeley.com.

About Apax Partners

Apax Partners is one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups, operating across Europe, Israel, the United States and Japan. With over 30 years of direct investing experience, Apax Partners’ Funds provide long-term equity financing to entrepreneurs to build and strengthen world-class companies. It pursues a balanced equity portfolio strategy, investing in companies at all stages of development from early stage to buy-out in transactions ranging from $5 million to $5 billion.

Apax Partners’ Funds invest in companies across its 6 chosen global sectors of information technology, telecommunications, healthcare, media, financial services, retail and consumer. Some of Apax Partners’ Funds recent and relevant technology investments include Dialog Semiconductor, Amphion Semiconductor, Systemonic, Fractus, Preventsys, RedM, Sonim Technologies and Wisair. Apax Partners manages and advises over $12 billion on behalf of leading institutional investors around the world. For additional information, visit the web site at www.apax.com

About Imagination Technologies

Imagination Technologies Group plc – a leader in SoC IP – develop, licences and supplies market-leading graphics/video cores, real-time multi-threaded DSP/RISC processors and communication and broadcast technologies for the consumer entertainment and PC markets. It supplies both licensable IP (Intellectual Property) and related advanced development tools to leading semiconductor and consumer electronics companies worldwide. Imagination Technologies Group plc has its corporate headquarters in the United Kingdom and is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE:IMG). See: www.imgtec.com.

About Frontier Silicon

Operating at the frontiers of the digital revolution Frontier Silicon is a fabless semiconductor business whose core products include system-on-chip (SoC) devices and RF baseband modules for digital TV, digital radio and other emerging consumer multimedia products. Frontier’s key customers include consumer electronic, automotive entertainment and PDA/mobile phone manufacturers. See www.frontier-silicon.com.

Contact

For Alta Berkeley:
Pete Magowan, Partner
Tel: +44 20 7440 0231 Fax: +44 20 7734 6711
Email: pm@alta-berkeley.com

For Apax Partners:
Siobhan Loftus, Director of Marketing
Clare Sillars, Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7872 6495 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7872 6476
Email: Siobhan.Loftus@apax.com Email: Clare.Sillars@apax.com

For Imagination Technologies:
David Harold, PR Manager
Tel: +44 (0)1923 260 511
Email: david.harold@imgtec.com

For Frontier Silicon:
Anthony Sethill, CEO
Tel: +44 1923 290505 Fax: +44 1923 290506
Email: info@frontier-silicon.com

GSM MARKET EMBRACES CPS MOBILE PHONE LOCATION SYSTEM

WITH MAJOR CASH INJECTION

The mobile communications market has taken an important step towards identifying a single, preferred technology for location systems for mobile phones. A further USD15 million of venture capital has been invested in Cambridge Positioning Systems (CPS) by a group of investment companies that includes Argo Global Capital, manager of GSM Capital, a North America venture capital co-operative funded by the world's leading mobile communications companies.

The financial backing for CPS' CURSOR system – due for commercial launch by the spring of 2000 – is being given in preference over a range of competing location solutions currently being developed worldwide. Boston-based Argo Global Capital conducted a comprehensive global review of location systems before singling out CPS for the new funding.

The backing of Argo Global Capital is likely to be seen as a clear endorsement by the global mobile communications industry of the CURSOR system as the leading solution in the mobile location market.

CPS plans to invest in a broad range of activities including delivering UK, European and pilot North American networks for CURSOR, growing the headcount for the CPS engineering team, creating a portfolio of GSM CURSOR products (GSM 900, 1800 and 1900) and accelerating the development of new partnerships with handset manufacturers, mobile networks and third party service providers.

Argo Global Capital and Alta Berkeley Associates jointly led the latest tranche of finance that included a significant further commitment from 3i, Prelude, CRIL, Sofipa International and Scientific Generics.

Argo Global Capital's strategic partners include Deutsche Telekom (Germany), France Telecom (France), Aerial Communications (USA), Microcell Telecommunications (Canada), Esat Telecom (Ireland), Omnipoint Communications (USA), Singapore Telecom (Singapore) and SmarTone (Hong Kong).

"CPS offers the lowest cost location technology which also demonstrates high levels of location accuracy. CPS is at an advanced stage of product development, and when you couple that with the strong and experienced management team, we believe CPS will lead the emerging location market." commented Ronald White, Vice President of Argo Global Capital.

The CURSOR system is being demonstrated in the world's first large-scale implementation of mobile phone positioning services, currently taking place in and around Cambridge, UK. Other international trials are scheduled in the future. CPS and its current service partners — Vodafone, the AA and Maxon — are using the demonstration to identify customer requirements for location-based services.

In addition to the personal safety applications, CURSOR will open location-based services to the mass market through services such as route-finding ("Where am I?", "Where's my nearest..?") and asset-locating as well as corporate, closed user group applications such as field sales, engineering management or vehicle management. Until now, the location based information services market has been constrained by the high cost of equipment for GPS-based solutions and the low accuracy of mobile network cell ID solutions.

The new funding is the latest in a series of achievements for CPS, following on from a successful technical trial for CURSOR, endorsement from consumers who have tested CPS's location services, the recruitment of John Peett – one of the original founders of Vodafone – as a non-executive director and chairman of the board, and the announcement of a new partnership with ARM.

"The size of this funding represents an unequivocal endorsement of our strategy from both new and existing investors and will help us create a powerful platform to deliver our business objectives." said Chris Wade, CEO, CPS.

-ends-

CPS is an organisation that develops and markets location services that have been integrated into the existing mobile network and a mobile phone handset. CPS' location system called CURSOR takes the form of a minor software upgrade to the mobile phone and a low cost overlay solution to the mobile infrastructure. CPS is developing applications that will enable mobile location based services for the consumer and corporate markets. Examples include vehicle recovery assistance, information services, fleet and asset management. CPS' location services are a key catalyst to the emerging mobile internet access market and, as such, the company is taking a lead in commercialising the concept of location based internet applications and services. Investor Partners: CRIL, Scientific Generics, University of Cambridge, Prelude, 3i, Alta Berkley and Argo Capital. CPS is based in Cambridge, England. The company's web site can be found at www.cursor-system.com

About Argo Global Capital

Argo Global Capital, the manager of the $135 million GSM Capital L.P., is dedicated to helping entrepreneurial companies achieve enduring success in the wireless industry. GSM Capital is one of the largest venture funds focused exclusively on the wireless telecommunications industry. With approximately one-third of GSM Capital L.P.'s capital contributed by wireless operators from around the world, Argo has unique industry relationships which contribute real value. Through these relationships, portfolio companies not only gain insight into industry developments and market trends, but also gain direct assistance in the form of technical support and access to customers. Argo Global Capital's Wireless Operator Partners include: Aerial Communications, Deutsche Telekom, ESAT Telecom, France Telecom, Microcell Telecommunications, Omnipoint Communications, Singapore Telecom and SmarTone. – www.gsmcapital.com

About Alta Berkeley

Alta Berkeley Associates is one of the pioneering pan-European venture capital groups. Since 1982 the firm has invested in over 90 companies across 17 countries and built a distinctive position in Europe with a strong focus on start-up and early stage technology companies in three sectors; healthcare, media / communications and information services. The firm's differentiation results from the merging of the investment style of our affiliated US funds with the collective 60 years of experience in the European venture capital business of the five partners.

About 3i

3i is Europe's leading venture capital company with a market cap of $5.4 billion and the largest venture capital investor in technology businesses across a range of sectors including healthcare, IT services, software, networking and telecoms. As at 30 September 1998, 3i's technology portfolio was valued at $1.2 billion in 506 businesses, with new investment at the rate of $500 million per annum. 3i invests at all stages of a business's development, from early stage through to pre-IPO funding using its team of 60 specialist technology investment executives across the UK, Europe and around the world. 3i Cambridge has been the area's leading technology VC for over 10 years having invested over $150 million into local technology businesses with $30 million invested in 1998 alone.

About Prelude

Prelude Trust plc is an investment trust whose strategy is to seek significant capital appreciation by investment in unquoted, early stage, technology based businesses. This is a unique strategy in the UK investment trust sector. Such an investment strategy has a 5-10 year time horizon but offers the potential for significant returns to shareholders. Since its flotation two years ago the managers of the trust have built a promising portfolio of biotechnology and IT companies.

About CRIL

Cambridge Research and Innovation is a Cambridge based investment company focused on supporting high growth technology companies at the early stage of development. Over the past 10 years it has developed an exciting portfolio of investments in IT, communications and biotechnology.

About Scientific Generics

Scientific Generics is one of Europe's leading business and technology organisations with an international reputation for the successful exploitation of emerging science and technology into commercial markets. It is our policy to invest in technologies that underpin the future of the widest possible range of industries. We have access to substantial internal funds for developing and protecting in-house inventions and for investment in spin-outs, and we encourage entrepreneurship by supporting third-party start-ups.

About Sofipa

Sofipa was established in 1982 by Mediocredito Centrale and today is one of the main Italian merchant banks, which offers a range of financial instruments for private equity investment and strategic consultancy services to small and medium sized companies. Through its subsidiary, Sofipa International, Sofipa is also active in EU countries, with particular emphasis on companies operating in the advanced technology sectors. Since its inception Sofipa has engaged in 119 investments for a total of 203 million Ecus and 77 diversements for a total of 199 million ecus. Since 31 December 1998, Sofipa's portfolio has contained a total of 42 investments at a book value of 52 million ecus.