Redknee to Acquire NSN's BSS Biz

ESPOO, Finland -- Redknee (TSX:RKN), a leading provider of business-critical billing and charging software and solutions for communications service providers, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Nokia Siemens Networks’ Business Support Systems (BSS) business. Nokia Siemens Networks’ BSS business provides real-time charging, rating, policy, and customer care solutions to more than 130 communication service providers, including half of the top 100 global mobile operators.

Nokia Siemens Networks believes Redknee is best suited to take ownership of the business based on the strength of Redknee’s management team, continuity of the current BSS portfolio, and access to innovation for Nokia Siemens Networks’ BSS customers. Approximately 1200 employees would transfer to Redknee, underpinning current service levels and quality for customers. The planned acquisition would bring to Redknee a complementary global footprint that spans more than 90 countries, including Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

Lucas Skoczkowski, Redknee’s CEO, commented: “This planned acquisition marks a significant milestone in Redknee’s long-term growth strategy. It would add strong long-standing relationships with new Tier 1 operators and expand Redknee’s market share and presence in high growth markets. Our expanded team would drive the continued success of our customers, as we strive to be the provider of choice for real-time converged billing, customer care, policy, and payment solutions in the communications industry.”

Following the acquisition, Redknee would remain committed to the core values for which both it and Nokia Siemens Networks are widely recognized, including strong customer focus and delivering market leading, innovative products and services. This would include continued research and development investment to deliver flexible on-premise and cloud-based solutions that meet the scalability and agility requirements of communication service providers globally.

Rajeev Suri, CEO of Nokia Siemens Networks, said: “This planned transaction supports our transformation to focus on mobile broadband. Both Redknee and Nokia Siemens Networks have a reputation for high quality and customer commitment, which provides a common foundation for Redknee to build the BSS business in the future. We will work with Redknee to ensure a smooth transfer of the business and to provide some mobile broadband specific elements of the BSS portfolio to our customers.”

Nokia Networks