Acision Secures Additional Investment to Support Growth Strategy and Address Market Opportunities in Mobile Data

READING, England, October 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Acision, a world leader in mobile data, is pleased to announce it has agreed a $100 million package of new funding to enable the company to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the mobile data revolution. The new investment was led by existing shareholders Access Industries, with funding also provided by co-shareholders International Investment and Underwriting (IIU) and Atlantic Bridge.

As the pioneer in mobile messaging and the global market leader in SMS solutions[1], Acision will use this additional funding to underpin its growth strategy and build on its position in the mobile data market, while continuing to provide innovative solutions which enable mobile operators to control, optimise and monetise mobile data traffic. In recent months, some of the world's largest operators have turned to Acision to help them to deliver their mobile data services, with strategic wins at Telus, Mobilink, Videocon Telecommunications Ltd, VimpelCom, MTS and Tata Teleservices Ltd.

Rory Buckley, Chief Executive at Acision, said: "We are delighted to have secured this additional investment from Access Industries and other existing shareholders at a time when the telecoms industry is still feeling the effects of the economic downturn. This commitment provides us with the opportunity to capitalise on the exponential growth in mobile data, but is also testament to our robust business model, operator track record and growing footprint in fast-paced, high-growth markets such as mobile broadband.

"Leading research forecasts that global mobile data traffic is set to increase 39 times between 2009 and 2014[2]. This new backing ensures Acision is positioned to service this growth market by delivering cutting-edge next-generation mobile data solutions to mobile operators. It is also further evidence that our investors share our vision for the business."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Acision

As a world leader in mobile data, Acision powers innovation and profitable growth in mobile data services. As the pioneer of mobile messaging, Acision's real time mobile data solutions support its customers worldwide to drive new revenues with innovative services while controlling, optimizing and monetizing data traffic. For more information, visit Acision at http://www.acision.com.

About Access Industries

Access Industries is a privately held, U.S.-based industrial group with long-term holdings worldwide. Its industrial focus spans three sectors:

    - Natural Resources and Chemicals

    - Media and Telecommunications

    - Real Estate

Incorporated in 1986 by Len Blavatnik, an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, Access is an international industrial concern with strategic investments in the United States, Europe and South America. Access has corporate offices in New York, London and Moscow. Its holdings include a number of market-leading companies. http://www.accessindustries.com

About International Investment and Underwriting

International Investment and Underwriting (IIU) was founded in 1995 by Dermot Desmond. It is located in Ireland's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and is regulated by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority.

IIU is Dermot Desmond's private equity company with a focus on key sector areas including technology, leisure, transport and food. http://www.iiu.ie/

About Atlantic Bridge

Atlantic Bridge is a unique private equity firm with a differentiated strategy focusing on European Middle Market Technology investments. The team has exceptional operating, entrepreneurial and exit backgrounds from Parthus, Goldman Sachs and Microsoft. The portfolio consists of companies in the communications technology, semiconductor and software sectors. http://www.abven.com

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[1] Source: Informa Global Messaging Forecasts (March 2010) and Informa Mobile Internet & Mobile Broadband Data (March 2010), which claims SMS is largest data service

[2] Source: Cisco_Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast 2009-2014_09 Feb 2010

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SOURCE Acision UK Ltd