India's IMImobile seals $26-mn acquisition of UK's Win Plc

Software and managed services provider IMImobile, a pioneer in the mobile data space and one of India's largest mobile technologies companies, has completed the 100 per cent acquisition of Win Plc, a UK-based mobile content and services company.

Hyderabad-based IMImobile, which made a bid for Win in January, paid $26 million for the acquisition. The UK company plans to de-list from the London Stock Exchange following the acquisition.

''This is an important step for IMImobile as we aim to create and drive an open global mobile marketplace for new applications and services and to help operators realise the 'network-as-a-service' model and make their networks smarter,'' said Vishwanath Alluri, chairman and CEO, IMImobile. ''We understand that the mobile device will lie at the heart of a compelling and powerful mix of services and applications for business, entertainment, leisure and lifestyle needs.''

According to Alluri, the challenge is to realise that potential with fast-to-market, easily configurable services in a technically complex environment. ''Our unique managed service model allows our customers – operators, enterprises and media companies – to quickly create, deliver and access an advanced range of mobile applications and services.''

Graham Rivers, Win's CEO, will now become executive director of IMImobile. The merged entity will have a global staff strength of 600 and with ties to mobile operators in Europe as well. ''In IMImobile we have found the perfect match to realise the ambitions we held for Win's business globally,'' remarked Rivers.

''They bring scale, reach, technical excellence and diversity to the WIN proposition in Europe and beyond. In turn, we can help IMI with its European and global ambitions.''