Espoo, Finland/Berlin, Germany - Nokia and gate5 AG today announced that an agreement has been signed for Nokia to acquire gate5. gate5 is a leading supplier of mapping, routing and navigation software and services. By acquiring gate5, Nokia will offer consumers maps, routing, navigation and other location based applications on its mobile devices.
"Maps and navigation are natural elements to be offered in mobile devices but this area hasn't developed as fast as expected by the market. Acquiring gate5 enables Nokia to offer consumers the world-leading mobile location applications, such as maps, routing and navigation at an accelerated speed." said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Multimedia, Nokia. "The Personal Navigation Device market is in a rapid growth phase with the global market size expected to reach 15 million units in 2006 compared with 8 million units in 2005. By integrating the maps and navigation capabilities into our devices, Nokia will participate in this growth. Nokia Nseries multimedia computers offer people new ways to explore their world - navigation and maps enhance this journey and add to the overall experience."
gate5 is a leading supplier of mapping, routing and navigation software and services. gate5 was founded in 1999, is privately owned, has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany and has approximately 70 employees. gate5 provides software to leading personal navigation device manufacturers around the world. gate5 solution enables people to enjoy a highly sophisticated mapping and navigation experience offering seamless navigation with breathtaking features such as house polygons, earth browsing and dynamic route guidance. All applications are extendable with more than 5,000 city guides, travel guides or services.
"Our combined expertise means that mobile device owners will enjoy a wide range of location based services," said Dr. Michael Halbherr, CEO, gate5. "Based on maps and routing functionality, there are countless useful features for mobile users; e.g. travel guides, search what is around you including restaurants, hotels, shops, etc. anything you need in your surroundings. We are excited to become part of Nokia and to be able to take the gate5 technologies and products to even wider audiences."
Nokia will continue to support gate5's PND (personal navigation device) customers and remains fully committed keeping them satisfied with enhanced software solutions. It will also continue to support gate5's multi-platform strategy for mobile devices, including Symbian, Linux, Windows Mobile, Palm and Java platforms. Large display personal devices such as the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet are perfect for maps and navigation purposes and by integrating the gate5 platform into these devices, Nokia can build the industry leading location experience for consumers.
The acquisition of gate5 is an important step in developing the new product category of multimedia computers that offer people multiple ways to connect to information, entertainment and other people. Nokia Nseries multimedia computers represent the next leap forward in personal computing. The multimedia computer offers the functionality of a PC and many portable single purpose devices in a connected mobile device that is always with you and always connected. Because multimedia computers have a programmable operating system, people can download and install software applications. Unlike most mobile devices, this means people can add features and applications to their multimedia computers without having to purchase a new device.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2006.
About Nokia
Nokia is the 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)
About gate5
gate5 is a leading supplier of navigation software in Europe. The company supplies white label software for personal navigation devices (PNDs) and extensive additional contents and services which are available as downloads. The company also launched smart2go(TM), a groundbreaking platform for location-based services, which cleverly combines navigation with access to local content. gate5 AG was founded in 1999 by a small team of tech innovators and currently has over 70 employees. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, gate5 runs operations in San Francisco, Hong Kong and Munich. (www.gate5.de)
Nokia Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding: A) the timing of product and solution deliveries; B) our ability to develop, implement and commercialize new products, solutions and technologies; C) expectations regarding market growth, developments and structural changes; D) expectations regarding our mobile device volume growth, market share, prices and margins, E) expectations and targets for our results of operations; F) the outcome of pending and threatened litigation; and G) statements preceded by "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "foresee," "target," "estimate," "designed" or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Because these statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the results that we currently expect. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: 1) the extent of the growth of the mobile communications industry, as well as the growth and profitability of the new market segments within that industry which we target; 2) the availability of new products and services by network operators and other market participants; 3) our ability to identify key market trends and to respond timely and successfully to the needs of our customers; 4) the impact of changes in technology and our ability to develop or otherwise acquire complex technologies as required by the market, with full rights needed to use; 5) competitiveness of our product portfolio; 6) timely and successful commercialization of new advanced products and solutions; 7) price erosion and cost management; 8) the intensity of competition in the mobile communications industry and our ability to maintain or improve our market position and respond to changes in the competitive landscape; 9) our ability to manage efficiently our manufacturing and logistics, as well as to ensure the quality, safety, security and timely delivery of our products and solutions; 10) inventory management risks resulting from shifts in market demand; 11) our ability to source quality components without interruption and at acceptable prices; 12) our success in collaboration arrangements relating to development of technologies or new products and solutions; 13) the success, financial condition and performance of our collaboration partners, suppliers and customers; 14) any disruption to information technology systems and networks that our operations rely on; 15) our ability to protect the complex technologies that we or others develop or that we license from claims that we have infringed third parties' intellectual property rights, as well as our unrestricted use on commercially acceptable terms of certain technologies in our products and solution offerings; 16) general economic conditions globally and, in particular, economic or political turmoil in emerging market countries where we do business; 17) developments under large, multi-year contracts or in relation to major customers; 18) exchange rate fluctuations, including, in particular, fluctuations between the euro, which is our reporting currency, and the US dollar, the Chinese yuan, the UK pound sterling and the Japanese yen; 19) the management of our customer financing exposure; 20) our ability to recruit, retain and develop appropriately skilled employees; and 21) the impact of changes in government policies, laws or regulations; as well as 22) the risk factors specified on pages 12 - 22 of the company's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005 under "Item 3.D Risk Factors."
Nokia
Media contacts:
Nokia, Multimedia
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Kari Tuutti
Tel. +358 7180 45667
Email: press.office@nokia.com
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gate5
Media and analyst contact:
Andreas Hoffmann
Head of Marketing & Communications
Tel +49 30 44676 315
Email: andreas.hoffmann@gate5.de
www.nokia.com