Nokia agreed to acquire OZ Communications, a privately held company based in Montreal, for its consumer mobile messaging solution, including instant messaging and email services on mobile devices. Financial terms were not disclosed.
OZ can enable access to leading instant messaging and email services, including AOL, Gmail, ICQ, Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo!. With more than 5.5 million monthly paid users, OZ’s solutions have been deployed by leading mobile operators on a wide array of mobile device platforms. Its customer base includes 3 Scandinavia, Alcatel Lucent, Alltel, AOL(R), Bell Mobility, Boost Mobile, AT&T, Dobson, HTC, ICQ, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Orange France Telecom, Palm, Pantech & Curitel, Rogers Wireless, Samsung, SonyEricsson, Sprint Nextel, TCL & Alcatel Mobile Phones, TDC, Telefonica Moviles Espana, Telenor Group, TeliaSonera, Telus Mobility, T-Mobile USA,T-Mobile International, UTStarcomm, Verizon Wireless, Virgin Mobile USA and Yahoo!.
Nokia said OZ’s expertise and technology is complementary to its own existing portfolio of messaging solutions and will provide a complete portfolio of mobile messaging solutions for Series 40 and S60 devices. Nokia will continue to work closely with OZ’s existing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and mobile operator customers. After the closing, OZ will become part of Nokia’s Services & Software operative unit.http://www.nokia.comhttp://www.oz.com
